What is it with O'Brien?

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

I wanted to demo the O'Brien Natural and Player after reading some of the postings here, but I can't seem to find them at my local dealers. One of the larger dealers said they don't keep many O'Brian boards in inventory anymore - they just don't sell too well. He did say they're a good board. What really makes LF, CWB, and HL so much more popular? Just curious.

LFADAM · Posted: Jun 06, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

O'Brien does have some nice stuff, unfortunately they make skis and tubes. That really hurts them...people want a wakeboard brand, not a ski/tube/wakeboard brand. That and LF, CWB, HL do a lot more advertising in wakeboard mags etc.

B_Fool · Soul Rider Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Posts: 373 City: Cen FLA

FYI.
HL makes twice the skis and tubes that Obrien does.
So does CWB.
LF makes FM skis and Wet Tech tubes.

I do think having the same name for wake and ski is a bad call but..
The image thing in this sport is rediculous.

JV · Posted: Jun 06, 2006 9:35 am Post subject:

o'brien's pro team doesn't really influence anyone to buy a $400 pro model. maybe in australia it's different, but, here in the states, no one is rushing to purchase the sanders's valhalla or watkins's board. those guys don't get near the exposure as the americans and canadians, and, in sanders's case, are lacking in the style department. people tend to buy the boards of the biggest, most stylish names in the sport, not "contest riders" like sanders or, in the past, shapiro. o'brien's problem is that their biggest name is a chick

ap1 · Criminal Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 79 City: FFX

Hahha, my dorky ass brother bought the o'brien Valhalla board cause he liked the graphic and refuses to put stickers on it.

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

It's too bad - sound more like an advertising issue. Their stuff does sound/look like a good product. I find myself more likely to purchase a product (or demo) by reading reviews and opinions of people at my level, whether it's a wakeboard or some other product (TV, stereo, tires, car, etc...).

Josh R · Posted: Jun 06, 2006 10:17 am Post subject:

JV · Posted: Jun 06, 2006 10:27 am Post subject:

Josh R,

Good to know. I've never met him personally, but Daniel Watkins seems like one of the coolest, most chill guys guys in the industry (not to mention he rips) and deserves his success.

jpk · Outlaw Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 215 City: Redmond

My local dealer said the same thing as to why they stopped carrying O'Brien. They can't sell them because of the name on the board, no one cares how good it is. It's all about brand and marketing.

That Hyperlite and LF make tubes and skis doesn't matter, they make them under different names (HO, Accurate, etc.) so as to not sully the wakeboard brands.

Darin · Guest

I'm very happy with my Player 143 with Exit 13 bindings. Though I am going to be switching to the Torq hinged puppies.

QNev · Posted: Jun 06, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject:

I'd say graphics. Not a huge fan of those dragons and swords and whatnot, although I own one. I think LF's graphics are nicer. O'Brien is a wicked sweet ride, but it's just people's preferences. HL and O'Brien are the same company pretty much, so there's not a whole lot to worry about Razz

jpk · Outlaw Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 215 City: Redmond

Then how do you explain Hyperlite? Their graphics are all terrible this year.

WachoZacho · Criminal Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 64 City: Bridgewater

Darin have you ridden the torqs yet?

ramseyglastron · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 335 City: Ruston

"Then how do you explain Hyperlite? Their graphics are all terrible this year."

oh yes, because your opinion is the final word on this matter. thanks for clearing it up for me.

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

snowboardcorey · Posted: Jun 07, 2006 8:34 am Post subject:

Steve, what size boards are you looking to demo? Depending on size I might be able to find one for you to demo.

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

The 139 Natural and 138 Player. I would be leaning towards the Natural for the softer landings..at least I've heard it has softer landings. I called Midwest Mastercraft yesterday and talked to Erik - he said you didn't have the Natural. I may lean more towards the PS3 or CWB Flame if demoing O'Brien gear is too difficult.

Darin · Guest

Wolf · Posted: Jun 07, 2006 6:40 pm Post subject:

Obrien isn't the only one who sells skis and tubes and such.
Ever heard of HO? Yeah. Hyperlite.
How about Connely? Yeah, this one too. CWB.

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

Wolf,

Wolf · Posted: Jun 07, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject:

snowboardcorey · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 8:17 am Post subject:

OK, I'll get in touch with the Obrien Rep to see if he has some boards we can borrow for you.

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

Thanks snowboardcorey - let me know what you hear.

snowboardcorey · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 9:19 am Post subject:

Will do, I shot an email to the rep. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. I would bet he'll be at the pro tour this weekend so I should know by then at the latest.

brew · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 9:20 am Post subject:

I have a Demented 136 and Ion bindings that my nephew and brother ride. They like the way it rides and have said that it rides a lot better than the Hyperlite I ride.

ap1 · Criminal Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 79 City: FFX

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

I fail to see how your dorky ass brother not putting stickers on his board is relating to this topic...enlighten me.

TRIP82 · Outlaw Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 168 City: Hernando

D8, you beat me to that Laughing

ap1 · Criminal Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 79 City: FFX

It doesnt, Off Topic completely.

hco · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 1:12 pm Post subject:

So don't bring it up in the thread, simple as that. I could post my opinion, but I am refraining to keep the thread on topic. If you want to talk about whether stickers on boards are lame or not, then make a new thread about it.

I have been happy with O'brien products that I have tried out, and I have been a hyperlite fan boy all my life. I currently have a 2006 vision (pockets were a bit shallow so I couldn't get the Valhalla unfortunately), but I am thinking about switching over to a 2006 team since I have always wanted a team series board. Not sure whether I want to keep the vision NIB or test it out. It depends on how cheap and when I can get myself a pair of Sphynx's.

Josh R · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 1:37 pm Post subject:

hco · Posted: Jun 08, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

Well, it seemed as if it was starting to go even more topic and possible leading to a flame war, but since people insist upon making posts completely off-topic that have no informational value pertaining to the topic of thread, I will continue the trend. I was just trying to help try and keep it on topic and avoid a flame war because it seemed like it was headed in that direction.

steve2u · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2006 Posts: 20 City: Coon Rapids

Most threads seem to go off topic from time to time - it can actually make them more interesting. For example, talking about the graphics on O'Briens, then talking about HL graphics being lame (and I agree), but the dorky brother sticker comment seemed so off base and out of the blue. No big deal.

Thanks for all your input so far.

wake_carver · Outlaw Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 157 City: sydney

in australia obrien wakeboards sell heaps they just seem
more stable than all the other boards apart from LF.
i ride the vice my brother rides demented, they make
in my opinion the 2cnd best boards to LF!