Trying to decided on some new ice tools. getting back into ice climbing after being retired for many years.

Wondering what people are having the best luck with?

My price range is around $220 per tool - or less if a sale perhaps.

???

Thanks...

They're all good tools. Only way to decide is climb on them and see which you like the best.

demo them from a store then. Its really the only way to know which ones you prefer

If you were in Utah and wanted to get out and try all the tools I could oblige you. With that said climbing one for one I will pass off all my other tools for the Cassin All Mountain. I know it is personal preference but I really think that it is the best tool on the market right now. It is really a great price too.
Dallen

+1 for Cassin All mtn tools!

Petzl Nomics are the bees knees. On sale they might be close to your price point.

These are new and look interesting. Check out Dane's blog for a review.
www.trango.com/ice_gear/Raptor

+1 for X All Mountain...best tool in years for all around ice and mixed...just the right weight and shape...IMHO

i'm liking my Cassin X All-Mountains...

more on them here:

www.elevationoutdoors.com/blogs/master-of-none/worthy-gear-w>>>

Nomics over any BD tool. Haven't tried the cassin.

Here you go:

www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/web-specials/reacto>>>

Tough to beat $133/each!

I also can get 2 BD Viper's for like $183 locally at EMS today with their 20% off sale going on which is a pretty good deal I think - so I may just pick up two of them and be done with it - that would be about the same price as the Trango's.

vipers are not the bees knees. hold out for a set of nomics or quarks. should be able to find a set for under $400 used

+1 for the X-All Mountains. They're right around your price point and IMO (and many others) are better than the Vipers, and rival the Nomics/Cobras. Not to mention, picks are $32...

if Nomics are the bees knees, then the Quarks are the kitties' titties...I love them!

I just purchased 2 of the BD Viper's on sale at EMS for 20% off of List Price. They look good and I have always had good lukc with Chouinard (back in the day) and BD products!

Good luck with your Vipers. I personally like the Cobras much more then those even though the difference is what the shafts are made out of. Doesn't mean those Vipers won't work you. I think the Reactors would have better choice if you don't have deep pockets though.

Why did you decide on the Vipers when nobody said they liked them. One said even said don't get them.

Because I had one before a very long time ago before I retired from ice climbing and I like it, and, they were in stock locally so I didn't have to screw around mail ordering. I have also had good luck with BD products before and that is why I selected them.

Also, everyone has a diff option on what they like and dislike, Even tho some don't like them I might I figure! I price was right and I need tools to climb this coming week!

yeah, vipers are mediocre at best, I had a set last year and sold them halfway through the season to get nomics. More versatility if you end up climbing mixed and they're a dream for climbing steep ice. Vipers will work, but just aren't nearly as good.

I have Nomics and I love them. I had Quarks for part of the season last year and while they are a solid tool I found that the upper grip broke easily which made matching a pain in the ass.

My buddy has X-All mountains. They swing really well, have a great pick and an upper pommel rest so they're good on steep ice. Probably a slightly more versatile tool but ultimately I like the swing and especially the grip of the nomics more.

You can save quite a few bucks with the X-All mountains though!

I have Cassin X-Alps (my first set of tools). I really like them.

I've used a handful of tools over the years. Most recently, I tried Petzl Nomics (loved them) and BD Fusions (meh).

I used the Nomics on soft ice and did a bit of dry-tooling as well. They just felt like million-dollar tools. I really like them, would like to use them again, and they will probably be my next purchase.

I used the Fusions on very hard ice (single digit temps) and felt they were too light and I really had to pound them. I think I would have been better off with my heavier X-Alps. I guess I should try them again on softer ice.

The Viper is a good tool. You have to learn the swing of any tool you own and how each tool respectively works. If all you are swinging is the Viper you will learn its nuances and climb hard on it. Have fun and be safe out there.
Dallen

Thanks Dallen,
I will be testing them out this coming week!