Help me choose a new waxless backcountry ski

... Onion River Sports out of Vermont.  I was impressed with the extent of information and help offered through their website.  I got a quick r...
I'm almost tempted to replace my old Voile 3-Pin Cables with Switchbacks - ...

ORS is good and has good prices. 

3-pin cables vs Switchbacks: I just bought new skis from ORS and had 3-pin cables put on them because I do not plan to use them in deep snow or with a plastic boot--Madshus Epochs and Fischer BXC 675, mostly for groomed, semi-groomed, and corn snow on logging roads and trails--and the cables will stay in the pack unless I run into some tough conditions. 

For XC deep snow and trail breaking (and ice and crust--in other words, most winter conditions on ungroomed snow on trails and logging roads) I use my Karhu Guides with Dynafit Speed Radical bindings and TLT5 boot because a wider ski with a free pivot is the sine qua non for trail breaking in deep snow (see the Dostie article mentioned above); if I hadn't made a big switch to AT I would have put Switchbacks on the Guides because that free pivot is so helpful and used them with my blue 3-buckle T-2s because they actually flexed easier, were lighter, and more supportive than my T-3s .  A standard 3-pin will drive the ski into the snow; the free pivot allows the ski to rise above the snow; so you don't have to lift your ski up to place it on top of the snow, pull your ski up through the snow, or collect so much snow on top of the ski.  So if you plan to break trail, get the switchbacks; they will also give you much more power on the way down and if you have a plastic boot you will be able to easily use any turn style (parallel, tele, stem Christie, etc).

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According to UPS, my skis have made it from Vermont to Spokane.  I should be getting them on my doorstep very soon ! 

I'm almost tempted to replace my old Voile 3-Pin Cables with Switchbacks - I guess I'll decide when I take them down to Bergs for the binding mounting.  I'd expect they'll be able to tell me if my 8 year old bindings are in good enough shape to reuse.  (I might needing to contact Andrew about those Switchbacks. )
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besides being a smokin deal, Andy needs that money for his meds.  get the damn bindings.  even if you don't put them on these skis, it will be the perfect binding for your next event, and his advise to date alone is worth the price..

look, there is a difference between a three pin with cable or hardwire and a binding like the Switchback ~ with the Switchback you'll always have the heel throw attached - there is no pin clamp ~ it will feel different on the up - quite free and mobile - functional but not prime for kick and glide, like a three pin (where the effective pivot is further back).... ~ yet, on the down, you would praise Allahs' second coming  for your choice to help andy with his Part B.   :

if you stay with three pins , you can have a setup that keeps you close to your nordic  roots but gives you better than you had on the down ~ if you mount the switchbacks, you'll soon become a power user,  need new friends, and will search info for how many times you can cook Intuition liners for your new eco T2's.  just another choice, that's all..

Extremely convincing argument David! 

I've been lusting after changing over to the Switchbacks ever since I learned of them.  You are right about Andrew's advise. 

My wife has been a stay-at -home mom since our four year old was born so I'm trying to be good about the budget.  I'm certainly torn between what I want to do and what would be prudent.  You're right about the price Andrew is offering  - definitely a smokin' deal!

I might have to start buttering up the wife.

Will the Switchbacks work with the Voile release kit?

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Will the Switchbacks work with the Voile release kit?

Voile says the Switchback is not compatible with the release kit. Note also that it appears Voile has discontinued its releasable bindings/kit--probably because the Switchbacks are their go-to tele bindings now and few XC skiers mount their 3-pin bindings on the release kit (kind of ruins the set up, adding weight and height).

Voile says the Switchback is not compatible with the release kit.  Note also that it appears Voile has discontinued its releasable bindings/kit--probably because the Switchbacks are their go-to tele bindings now and few XC skiers mount their 3-pin bindings on the release kit (kind of ruins the set up, adding weight and height).

Bummer!

I broke my leg a little over three years ago. I got a blood clot in my leg as a result of the surgery. I had a hard time convincing the docs that something was wrong. By the time they checked, the clot had spread from my ankle to my upper thigh. I had to spend 6 months on coumadin and live with the fear I could get a pulmonary embolism at any moment. I decided then to outfit all my skis with releasable bindings.

The Switchbacks are a better system, but I got to have the releasables.

Bummer! 

I broke my leg a little over three years ago.  I got a blood clot in my leg as a result of the surgery.  I had a hard time convincing the docs that something was wrong.  By the time they checked, the clot had spread from my ankle to my upper thigh.  I had to spend 6 months on coumadin and live with the fear I could get a pulmonary embolism at any moment.  I decided then to outfit all my skis with releasable bindings.

The Switchbacks are a better system, but I got to have the releasables.

So what did you end up with?

I am pondering BC125 with Voile X2 switchback (supposedly heavier duty... more boot toe wrap and heavier spring than standard switchback) with T4 boot (already have so don't want to change for a few years).

I know Andy recommended the A.T. boots and bindings, but it's out of the budget for now.