Ready for the Dynafit Plunge

After years of skimming the kids' lunch money, I finally have enough to buy a  pair of Dynafits.  Ideally I would like to buy something used and in good shape, but I'm also not opposed to buying new.  Given the number of past and present models, I'm having a hard time nailing down the differences between them.  Does anybody have a recommendation?

-5'10"
-165lbs
-DIN typically set at 8
-20 days of touring per year
-typically day tour, usually 5K or less
-will be mounted on an Atomic Kongur
-prefer a binding with brakes
-want to go a light a possible (this will be my spring/summer set up) but also value downhill performance and ease of use

Vertical st or radical st w/ 92mm brakes. (last year "vertical", this year "radical" w/a few improvements)

or comforts w/92mm brakes (previous model. Same except for wimpy tour mode pole activator).

I wouldn't go older than comforts.  Some significant improvements were made for the comfort, and anything older than a comfort is likely to be pretty old and crusty.

Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about the world of Dynafit:

www.wildsnow.com/articles/dynafit_faq/dynafit_faq1.html

Keep skimming the lunch money.  You need fatter skis.

- I'm down here in the Sierra and you see a lot of Dynafit. I' ve been skiing the resort on them for about 8 times. the heel rotates 360 degrees, using your poles. the toe, you press down, and then use your pole basket to lightly pull up the plastic piece in front of the binding. I have the din on 7 and they work just fine. its pretty strange to exit out of the binding at the front. I had to get boots and I had them heat fitted so they're good. no skinning yet, do to lack of snow. If you ski a resort, I'd recommend getting used to them there, or just 'skin on'.

the speed/classic dynafit models do not adjust fore/aft enough to accomodate different boots...so especially if you plan to change to a different AT boot sometime in the near future and don't want to remount the bindings, its best to go with one of the Vertical or Radical (or the older model called the Comfort) as those heel pieces can adjust enough to accommodate different boot shell sizes.

Since you are interested in using brakes, it might be best if you go with the new Radical ST model...the heel lifter on it is new and flips back and forth without needing to rotate the entire heel binding...and rotating the heel part of the binding when using brakes is a pain in the *ss while touring.

...and if you spot an old used pair of Dynafits called the 'Tri Step' selling for cheap, avoid them like the plague they were only made for a couple years and the toe piece is a terrible design that was scrapped.

Might have a gander at the other makers too? The Plum bindings may be worth a look. There have been various group buys for them around the web. Tech bindings are past due for a price drop, now that the patents have lapsed.

I love the original Speeds, run without brakes, but they're hard to find new (and Pete's point about adjustability is important). 

Vertical st or radical st w/ 92mm brakes. (last year "vertical", this year "radical" w/a few improvements)

or comforts w/92mm brakes (previous model. Same except for wimpy tour mode pole activator).

I wouldn't go older than comforts.  Some significant improvements were made for the comfort, and anything older than a comfort is likely to be pretty old and crusty.

Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about the world of Dynafit:

www.wildsnow.com/articles/dynafit_faq/dynafit_faq1.html

Keep skimming the lunch money.  You need fatter skis.

Part of the impetus for switching to Dynafit is being able to mount a pair of 4FRNT VCT with the Fritschis that are currently on the Kongurs. The 4FRNT is 104 under foot and will make for a better "winter ski," albeit a heavy one. I love the Kongurs. They're pretty light and make for a great spring/summer volcano ski.

Charlie-I briefly considered the Plums and Sportivas until I saw the corresponding price. I'd be skimming for 10 more years to afford those.

Thanks to everyone for the info!