Burton Antler vs NS Proto CT

Posted: 31 August 2012 10:18 PM

I am looking to a buy a new snowboard and am having some difficulties trying to make up my mind.  I am generally an all-mountain/freestyle kind of guy.  I live in minnesota, so none of the parks around here have “big mountain” on it.  I’d say 80% of the time i’m on groomed trails hitting some jumps on the way down.  I do hit the park up here and there.  Not much for rails, but hitting some jumps and spins.

I have been having a hard time deciding on a Burton Antler or a Never Summer Proto CT.  The burton antler is a brand new board, so there is not to much information on it.  It seems to be comparable to the proto in that it is a board that fits between the joystick and custom x, similar to the proto being between heritage and evo.

Things I am looking for.  I like pop, ollie off small bumps while heading down the mountain, carving around, but be able to butter a bit as well at times.  When it comes to buttering, the Antler seems like a better board while the Proto seems to be slightly better for speed down hills.

What do you guys think? Have you heard anything about the new burton antler?  One other thing that has me slightly inclined to buy the antler would be so I could use est bindings.  I do like the idea of feeling the snow while not having it break my knees.

Some stats: 6 feet tall, 165 lbs size 10.5-11 boot (depends on brand).

Since the burton antler is new not many of you may have heard or even had a chance to ride it.  Also, riding demos of boards is not really an option, I do not know of any demos that happen in minnesota during the winter.

Thanks for any advice!

Posted: 02 September 2012 07:54 AM

I think you’re pretty much spot on with your analysis of those two boards.
I always liked NeverSummer and the Proto because of their 3 year warranty and the sick graphics they put on the Proto. It surely is a great allmountain ride but you should be right saying it might be a little too stiff for buttering around.
The Burton seems to be a little more on the softer side flexwise but I can’t tell you much about how it feels riding it, compared to the Proto. But as Burton has quite the experience building boards I don’t think you will find yourself riding a shitty board with the Antler, so if you are in favour for the Antler (and I assume you are) you should best go with it and enjoy the playfulness of your new ride in the park!

Cheers Tobi

Posted: 02 September 2012 05:07 PM

Thanks for the post!  I’m actually leaning more towards the NS proto ct (even started looking at the arbor cuda).  My main problem with the antler is im worried its “more” a park board than the proto, also there aren’t any reviews yet.  It could really be a crap shoot. The frost bite edges on burton boards also worry me a little bit.  I’m not sure if they fixed these problems with the 2012 boards of last year or not. Being able to hit groomers at some decent speed is a must.

I’ll keep doing some research and get some better ideas.  If anyone else has some boards they really like that fit in with my style feel more than free to post them.  Im still in the mode of trying to find as many snowboards that fit my style, and than narrow down from the whole lot.

Posted: 05 September 2012 06:22 AM

This is a better way to sum up my place. what do you think?

Burton Antler vs NS Proto CT/CTX
I have been looking at the burton antler and the ns pro to ct/ctx for a good all around mountain board.  The proto seem like an awesome board I am digging the 3 year warranty, but I also like the idea of the burton antler being between a joystick and custom x.  The downside of the antler is the only place I can find a review on the antler is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zBRwOXLkPg&feature=player_embedded.

My location:
I live in minneapolis, minnesota.  I will be going to local hills 90% of them time.  (Normally decent snow, but almost always groomers).

Groomers: This is a must for a board.  I will be mainly going down flat snowboard runs.  I want to have fun going down.  Buttering is something I want to progress into this winter.

Jibs: don’t care much about this right now. Might do 5% of my time on a board doing this.

Buttering:  This is something I would like to get into.  I am new to it, but in minnesota, it is something that can bring joy to the hills.  We are flat here, but some places capitalize on this and buttering can become and art here.  Flat long runs are around here.

Overall Park: plan on doing jumps/kickers.  Not to many rails at all.  180/360’s are what I want to do on natural terrain. 

What I want: A fun ride.  Knowing I am not going to be in Colorado or anywhere with serious hills like that, what you would you suggest?v

Posted: 05 September 2012 06:51 PM

After reading your last post, I think I have a better understanding of what you are looking for now.
So I suggest you have a look at the Amplid Paradigma. Amplid is an awesome brand with great products on the market. I ride a 2010 Paradigma and tested the 2011 Paradigma with ZeroCamber and it was a really fun ride while keeping its carve and hard-riding ability. Don’t know about their current distributors, though.. but I guess if you would really want the Paradigm, just drop them an email and they will probably figure a way out to get you one of those..

Cheers Tobi

Posted: 05 September 2012 10:46 PM

I’ve not ridden the Antler but damn have Burton created a long spec for it. I just watched a review and it was like watching the QVC shopping channel the amount of stuff the guy reeled off.

Anyway, I got enough info to be able to understand what the Burton Antler is all about. It’s essentially a Process Flying V with scooped tips and the Squeezebox core profiling. Burton have also included their lightweight Dragonfly core to keep the weight down. I haven’t ridden it so I can’t offer a personal recommendation but with that spec it seems like a board that will butter and spin without any issues. There are a lot of people who have left reviews on this site about the Flying V profile though and how the grip isn’t very good on hard snow. I didn’t experience these problems when I rode the Custom, but lots of peeps have said it so it’s worth considering.

The NS Proto I have ridden and it’s a really good snowboard. First off, it carves really well. The three stage Vario Power sidecut holds an edge extremely well, particularly as the effective edge on Never Summer boards are really long. The feel of the RC camber is bouncy… almost a bit spoungy the more I think about it, because it’s a damp snowboard, but there’s definitely enough life and pop. My only gripe with NS boards is that the graphics aren’t my bag and that they always seem a bit heavy. Overall this is a solid board that you will probably sell or loose before it breaks (NS are really rugged) and that will do everything you have listed without any issues. I would suggest with your height and weight that you look at the 157.

I hope that helps,

Rich

Posted: 22 September 2012 07:58 PM

Hey guys,

So last week in the UK there was a Burton Launch Party at an indoor centre, and like you iv been looking into the Burton Antler with high hopes for this to be my board for next season.

The Antlers where there to demo to my surprise and no one was taking them out. I took the 154.5 out with my own Cartel EST’s and the burton rep expressed his delight that someone was taking an interest in it as its not had much press over here, but stated that this boards going to blow up on the boarding scene, calling it a Joystick on crack.

First impressions, wow, its soft and playful, butters easy, super easy to ride, super easy switch, presses well and it’s so light, and seems to stiffen up when you speed up and need reaction. The edge hold was awesome, I too was very aware of the edge hold on last years flying v, Iv got one, and it wasn’t great, but on the Antler they’ve really sorted out the frostbite.
I do about 80% blasting/messing around on and off piste, popping jumps of the edge of the piste, bit’s you find off piste and 20% park. I want something Not to soft that it’s twitchy on piste at speed but also will do a good lap in the park, that you can press on piste messing around before taking you home at Mach 10, And I think Burton have nailed it with the Antler.
Last season I rid a T Rice, Capita Horrorscope and the Custom Flying V and I think as a one board to do it all the Antler will conquer all of them, it’s right in the middle, not to stiff, not to soft, keeping in mind a T Rice is a 7 stiffness and the Capita a 3, The Custom Flying V is a 5, but I thought it felt more like a 6. The Antlers a 4 all day, but with a secret that seems to give it stability like a 6 when at speed.

There was only one kicker on the day a 3 footer to mess around on and I must say I didn’t think that the Antler popped you up in the air off the lip like the flying V does, altho to be fair I hit its 5 times total so the verdicts still out on that but everything else I was totally impressed with and have ordered a 154.5.
Another thing is I rid a Flying V 148 last season, as I hit the park more at the end and wanted the size reduction to reduce weight and the Antler at 154.5 rid like it was the same size, cos it was so light, but miles more stable. I’m like 5.7, 160lb, and size 7, so if your bigger than me don’t worry about the 157.5 or even the 160 as they’ll ride shorter than you think.

Obviously if you can demo one before you buy then that’s a given, but if you can’t, I guarentee with th Burton Antler you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait for next season, my Antler arrives on Monday.

Hope this helps