As someone who had decided to buy a pro, and only resentfully came back to cat...
It's a solid feeling sled, predictable, smooth, feels like a mix of the M & a pro.
Even in crusty crap on top of fluff, the spindles weren't an issue, I could feel them, but I could also feel them on the M breaking through the crust.
It climbed very well, it sidehilled effortlessly & felt like I wanted it to feel overall.
Did down to uphill turns till I got it to overspin, it felt good & was very capable of getting back on top of the snow, but once I finally got it stuck... holy F'in heavy.
Only complaints:
NOSE HEAVY. Did I mention it's nose heavy? Not when riding (that much), but when stuck it as like I was dealing with a nytro.
From the same side of things...skis felt WAY too planted, even after adjusting the skid (not the limiters yet).
Bumper is a non issue... it's metal for the recycling pile, no way it should even be on the sled, I bought the cat one right off the bat... maybe not the best, but it was LIGHT!!