So I thought I'd revive this thread to share some thoughts on my Vision Synchros.
For our end of the season gala, I'm jumping. Nothing big, just a waltz/loop combo, but the head coach (also a former freestyle skater it turns out) and I have been, ahem, playing around with the jumping thang, which has given me a chance to evaluate my blades for that.
The angled drag pick, for me turns out to be a big deal. Bear in mind, that my club is really dance only, so jumping is not something I do regularly. In fact, I have only been jumping for 2 sessions since the coach decided he and I were going to do this. I am just starting to feel almost comfortable, and still won't even do a waltz jump from any decent speed. [aside: man is it fun though, and I miss jumping]
That "angled drag pick" is really affecting me. I'm not a fan, but I also suspect that has as much to do with technique and lack of training as equipment preference. I have to very consciously point my toe (more than body memory does automatically) or I skid the landing (scary!!!). I have also missed the drag pick on take offs and had to quickly abort. Head coach was attempting axels, and I went to try one, but chickened out at the last second, mostly because of overall fear, but that short drag pick does scare me.
I bet a better skater won't have my issues.
The pick, drag pick aside is similar to a P99 and does leave big holes in the ice, at least as far as dancers are concerned. The day he and I were really playing around doing everything through lutzes, I got told about the holes. I thought that coach was joking but she was not
. In our gala program we're doing 1/2 flips. I get chastised about the holes every session. I just can't pick any more gently (plus it's backwards for me, so my pick is really weak), so now I'm faking the jump. As long as I'm in a dance only club, I'll be getting cross cut picks in the future, I think.
The shortness of the blade isn't really much of an issue, except when I'm doing power pulls. I am afraid of falling off the back, but really that's all about me and my improper technique and not something I'm going to blame on equipment.
I'm sure I've mentioned the spin rocker before, but for completeness I'll talk about it again. Like it. It was a definite improvement from my 25-year old, flat-as-a-pancake Professionals. I can spin just fine, no problems there.