Aside from weight, reliability (real or perceived), and coolness factor, is there any noticable difference between Pivot plastic (12, 14) and metal (15, 18) toes? How about quality of release, perhaps due to retractable wings vs solid rotating toe piece?
Also, any comments on multi-directional or vertical release? I've heard claims that the metal toes don't have vertical release, yet some indicate they do. A cutout on the 15/18 shows a wedge milled off the vertical shaft, suggesting the toe piece can rotate forward. I've tried dialling down my 12s to test a vertical toe release -- it takes a lot of force even at DIN 4.