Wondering what people are liking/not liking with the different boom connections out there: bolted onto a base plate on strut (e.g. Dutone), vs a tab that slides into a slot (a la Armie), click-boom (Vayu), or other.

From my armchair, I'm not wild about the thought of bolts/screws, but don't have experience with them. I'm on 2024 Slicks and think the tab-into-slot is very reliable and good for roll-up and travel and having fewer booms, with the downside of needing to deflate to swap. The Armie version looks nice to me...

You?

Im loving the Vayu click boom. Having a single boom makes packing the wings down very easy, and lightens the load for travel. Only downside would be that the pistol grip isn't as ergonomic as it could be without the removable boom, but it still works just fine and I don't commonly ride pistol grip anyways. The connection is very solid and direct - no play like I've seen on other handle systems with a strap system. It does use screws, but once they are set up (the first time only), theres really nothing to think about there.

Nice how the new Vayu wings don't even bother with the handle connections - should make things a little lighter and remove the faff in the middle of the strut where the handles would otherwise connect.

The Duotone boom is good - pistol grip, hardier grip material than the one on the Slick boom. However, the angled bolt system is finicky. Once on, you never remove it, even for travel.

One of the reasons I went with the new Armies was the design of the handle system. Really easy to get on and off....no screws or mechanisms that can get clogged with sand. Once the strut is inflated they're rock solid. The pistol grip is super comfy and the front handle is long enough to fly one handed. I haven't bothered trying the boom with these wings as the handles are so good.

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Kitz92 said..
One of the reasons I went with the new Armies was the design of the handle system. Really easy to get on and off....no screws or mechanisms that can get clogged with sand. Once the strut is inflated they're rock solid. The pistol grip is super comfy and the front handle is long enough to fly one handed. I haven't bothered trying the boom with these wings as the handles are so good.

Agreed with my new XPS Mk2, the handles are great. No flex, movement, creaking, etc. The handles are stiffer than the fixed hard handles on my old wing in the axis perpendicular to the strut (i.e. pushing the handles left/right across the strut, or twisting the handles to try to roll the wing).

Bring back the Slick!

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Faff said..
The Duotone boom is good - pistol grip, hardier grip material than the one on the Slick boom. However, the angled bolt system is finicky. Once on, you never remove it, even for travel.

See it the same way. I traveled now for one week by airplane with Duotone Wings. I wished I could have something like fone or the new Armstrong wings. Easy to remove and install again.

I prefer the Duotone unit handles to my other winds, strong attachments to the wing vs my ozone handles that creak a wobble a bit where they attach.. the new unit boom and handles uses a better material and shape vs the slick booms where I had some peeling back of material, I found north handles were strong also and material seemed good never tried the boom version only their handles.

I agree it would be a pain to remove the Duotone boom/handles often, small screws and finicky, but it is a solid connection. Some brand hand quick connect options (I.e. north shift lock), but it all adds weight so if you're not swapping regularly or changing positions then I don't see value in those systems. Booms also make the bags bigger, which would not support travel but is not noticeable when going from garage to car for the typical user.

I have been a long time Duotone Slick rider after starting with the Echo which seems like longer ago than it probably is.
The simplicity of the design, easy to fit, tool free, strong and one boom for all sizes was an excellent solution.
I have had maybe nine Slicks and never had a problem. The only con was the instability of the wing flagging which could be sorted by holding the boom underhand, at the expense of wearing holes in your hand.
Anyway, tools to fit and remove the boom, no thanks. This is why I am now riding Armstrong XPS2 and Duotone have lost a customer.
Or Armstrong have gained one by introducing the booms and tool free system. I would wish that one size boom fitted all the XPS wings but guess you can't have everything and every boom does come with handles. Oh and a leash if you are listening Duotone!

F-one boom/handle connection also similar to XPS and only heard good things

AFS Stream looks interesting. One boom for all sizes. If they ditch the one-pump system I'll get a set.

I am happy with the North Shift Lock system. It's not because I want to move the boom around, it's just because it's simple and robust and the boom and ends are very nicely padded to avoid damage to the board.

A removable boom is mandatory for me. There's no way I would have a wing that could not be folded for transport and storage. I do have one wing with a fixed screw-on boom. It's easy enough to undo the screws, but I like using the Shift Lock better.

I would like a tool free system, but I'm not prepared to lose the padded boom and ends. I've got enough board dents from unfriendly handles bouncing off the board.

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Gorgo said..
I am happy with the North Shift Lock system. It's not because I want to move the boom around, it's just because it's simple and robust and the boom and ends are very nicely padded to avoid damage to the board.

A removable boom is mandatory for me. There's no way I would have a wing that could not be folded for transport and storage. I do have one wing with a fixed screw-on boom. It's easy enough to undo the screws, but I like using the Shift Lock better.

I would like a tool free system, but I'm not prepared to lose the padded boom and ends. I've got enough board dents from unfriendly handles bouncing off the board.

So you have been removing the North boom every time you use them?

I find the hard plastic boom front pieces ding the front of my board in falls whereas the neoprene covered slick mount is less damaging. Especially if it has hard sharp edges like the North system.

Kind of interesting that a number of the newer boom attachment designs (like Armie's) look similar to the Ocean Rodeo booms/handles (some of the earliest, I believe). Looking at the OR's I thought there would be play in them, but it appears it can be a solid design choice that I'm now liking the looks of...

I think light, simple, clean design with a solid connection that makes it easy to remove/swap, that still allows pistol grip and some board protection is the ultimate for me.

Of course good grip/feel matters, and also diameter (smaller works better for me)...haven't seen much in the way of published numbers on the latter and don't have shops nearby to go try...

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kook123 said..
Kind of interesting that a number of the newer boom attachment designs (like Armie's) look similar to the Ocean Rodeo booms/handles (some of the earliest, I believe). Looking at the OR's I thought there would be play in them, but it appears it can be a solid design choice that I'm now liking the looks of...

I think light, simple, clean design with a solid connection that makes it easy to remove/swap, that still allows pistol grip and some board protection is the ultimate for me.

Of course good grip/feel matters, and also diameter (smaller works better for me)...haven't seen much in the way of published numbers on the latter and don't have shops nearby to go try...

Some people have complained about the fit of the old vs new OR handles in A vs AA wings. The AA wings had handles that included a piece of foam/rubber that would squish and lock them into place when the strut inflated. If you got some handles without the foam/rubber just add it yourself and it's a perfect fit. Super nice that there's no extra hardware to mess with.

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Jman said..

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So you have been removing the North boom every time you use them?

Yes

Slingshot nailed it! Easy Click-In system, Pistol Grip and that thin-but-robust aluminum boom = effortless setup and rock-solid control. Love it.