Anytime something is marked as NEW we humans tend to get excited.  The whole concept of something we’ve not seen or used before peaks our interests. While at times things may appear new, we find they aren’t necessarily new, but are marketed as such.  For example  ”New Stain Fighting Power!”  While stain fighting power has been around for quite some time in soaps, people still love to see the NEW technology, or innovation happening.  In the snowboard world relating to “NEW” there has been ongoing debate on other snowboard review sites regarding the “new” flat spot tech Never Summer is showing in their 2010/2011 catalog.  I’ve seen feedback that the new tech is “hooky”, or “catchy”, and makes riding the 2010/2011 boards “less fun.”     Having spent a considerable amount of time on the 2010 Never Summer Revolver, I knew that the 2011 rode quite similar.  I decided to actually research the flat spot tech, because I recall my 2010 Revolver having the same flat spot, advertised on the 2011 boards.

In talking with Shay over at Shayboarder.com, we both agreed, the ’11 Evo/Revolver felt very similar to the ’10 models.     Initially talking to Vince at Never Summer, I was informed the flat spot was indeed included on the ’10 profile, but was not marketed during the ’10 season.  Never Summer decided to actually market the benefits of flat spot this year, in the 2011 catalog.  Still with that information out, reviewers and some riders are claiming, the flat spot is new, and makes the board “hooky and/or catchy.”

This is unfortunately one possible side affect of putting the word “New” next to technology in a catalog, as it appears people may run with that (as they possibly should.) I would think after spending time on the boards though, the riding would disclose the truth, that the tech is not really new, but was indeed pre-existing. It’s really a gamble if you’ve never marketed technology, but it’s pre-existing, to market it at a later time.

The reality of it is this:   After talking to Vince (Production Manager) and Tim (One of the Owners) both of Never Summer at the factory yesterday, the flat spot is not really new, it’s just finally being marketed this year.  If they (NS) decided to change the profile of the EVO/Revolver they would require new press designs, which didn’t happen.  The only board that has a new press this year is the Raptor due to it’s setback R&C profile.

Let’s take a look at the following picture.  This picture is my 2010 Revolver (Blue Ptex) and the 2011 Revolver (White Ptex) together.  You should notice the profiles are pretty much the same.

2011 (White Ptex) 2010 (Blue Ptex)

Again, if you’re reading that the 2011 EVO/Revolver is “catchy or hooky,” perhaps that’s just based on that specific riders style, or what not, but having ridden both boards, the ride between them is very similar.   I’ll have a review of the 2011 Revolver  coming up soon enough.   Feel free to discuss, or ask any questions, because honestly I’m really over some of the ridiculous spew being spread about the new 2011 NS Line.

2011 and 2010 Revolver