Just a quick note on the Viper -- I work for BD so this is the latest info on this tool.
The Viper is being manufactured now and should be available within a few weeks. It's a killer tool with all the features of the Cobra (similar head parts, uses the same picks, big clearance, etc.)but a few critical changes. The Viper shaft isn't carbon fiber so you don't get the vibration dampening. It's an aluminum shaft with slightly more clearance. It has a different, smaller diameter grip that as others have pointed out, should fit smaller hands alot better.
The killer part is -- there's an Android leash you can get that bolts straight to the shaft with no webbing component attached to the head of the tool. Also, there's a cool "leashless" attachment that bolts on to the spike area of the Viper that works really well. That part is called the Viper Fang.
We should have demos of these things at all the big ice festivals, etc. this fall and winter.
ew