On Marker frame bindings, the pivot point moves back but so does the boot so the movement of the binding from ski to walk doesn't affect the actual location of the pivot point relative to the binding, but the balance of the tip and tail.
Agree. Have just put another 3 weeks on mine and can’t fault them. Rock solid and release when they have to. Have spent a few days on some Fischer Ranger 98’s here in Japan last week and if I can score a pair cheap my Kingpins will be mounted on them.The Kingpins are a solid AT binding. The toe doesn't release like a regular alpine binding but the heel is designed to permit lateral release. When that happens, the toe will come out of the pins.
The advantage of the Kingpins and Fritschi Tecton is the alpine style heel. The heel provides a much more effective contact point with the ski than pin heels.
I have been using my Ranger 98s with Kingpin 13s a fair bit in the resort. I have encountered ice, hard pack and powder. The bindings performed exceptionally well and were indistinguishable from regular alpine bindings in their ability to get my skis up on edge and carve with big angles.