Just how good...

[Mythos]

Kataphraktoi were? How would they compare to the elite knights of the western european states? Byzantine military writers talk about the thunderous charge of the Franks. But the Kataphraktoi had more armor on them and armoured horses, while their horse breeding was just as good in not better. They used long lances to hit infantry/cavalry before they could reach them. Shouldn't they have an equally thunderous charge if not better? Were they used in a different way? So, just how good were they? Also if you can answer the same question for the regular cavalry units, the backbone of the Byzantine armies, please do so.

[murat can]

They were old fashioned. So they werent as good as WEstern Frankish Knights.

[Mythos]

What do you mean old fashioned? They were reintroduced by Nikephoros Phokas and used until Alexius Komnenus most likely. Their role was the same as Western knights. Charge and destroy the opposing units opening a gap. They were usually placed facing the enemy general so they could ride through the enemy and attack him. And if you are talking about armor levels, plate armoured knights and mounts had the same amount of armor although better quality.

[Syntax Error]

Well, I truly believe that Kataphractois are very underpowered, especially in defense, as they usually get slaughtered by pretty much anything even though they carry heavy armor, much like a lot of the Eastern cavalry and mercenary cavalry (Kwarizmian Cavalry to be precise) whom are much more effective than the Kataphractoi.

I mean, for God's sake, the Vardiaratois have more defense and equal attack than the Kataphractoi!

[Mythos]

I mean in reality.