Anyone thinking of selling theirs?

Yes I have tried the search function.

Yes I have tried the importer.

It is getting to that time of year again when the Kite companies start releasing their new products and innovations! I bought brand new 08 kites last year which would stand by me fine in the forthcoming season however I cant resist the urge to splurge on the latest offerings.

What kites are tempting you guys for the 09 season?

Here are the kites I am getting excited about:

North Vegas 09



Nobile 666 NHP

The first two demo 10m Psycho4's have arrived and are available for test flying through me in Perth and Kitepower in Sydney.

Here's a cut&paste from an email reply I just sent:

>1. Float vs S2
Was only 12-15 knots when I was out but I'd say slightly less than S2

>2. Pop vs S2
More due to the fact that you can redirect the kite more aggressively

>3. Your average jump will it need to be redirected to keep it above you
Yes - the P4 definitely turns faster with smaller turn radius so you'll need to watch it until you've got it dialed

>4. Upwind ability

Slightly less than S2 but better than Psycho3 and Pulse2

Here's some recent comments from Armin @ FS:

Wind range?
I just copy my public answers here again:

www.foilzone.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10075&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195
Wind rages is a very difficult story. There will never be a exactly windrange we can give.
As most of you have good experience with SPEED2 and PULSE2, you know your personally wind ranges quite well.
The PS4 is more powerful than a PULSE2 but less powerful than a SPEED2 in the same size.
As the PS4 is much more agile, therefore the lower wind range of PS4 is about the same like a SPEED2. But you need to move the PS4 while you can start parking the SPEED2 more early.

The top wind range (before it becomes dangerous) of the PS4 is only for experienced rider more than at our other kites. Especially when it is gusty the PULSE2 is easier to control.

This info should be more useful than a wind range where you don´t see if you have to move or not move a park, …

Jumping performance/pop & hang time?
The PS4 is in hangtime between SPEED2 and PULSE2. If you do kiteloops the PS4 comes closer to the SPEED2.

Stability?
Inverting of PS4 is almost impossible and i think it is even more stable in that case than a PULSE2.
But the Wingtipps can fold in easyer then PULSE2. They open by itself gently and you usually only see but don’t feel it as the tips don’t generate lift depowered.
This is necessary for a fast turning and the good and direct triple Depower.
That is the reason, except of the fast and direct turning, why we don´t recommend the PS4 for people that want a relaxed kite or are beginners. We have the PULSE2 for them.
It is possible to improve stability and slow down steering like usualy with the mixer and harder steering, but that is like limiting a racing car to 80km/h. The PS4 is our racing car and not a limousine.
Maybe I speak to clear here. But I don’t want that you recommend the PS4 to the wrong customers. The PS4 is something new.

Relaunch?
Very easy. Nothing to compare with PS3. It is more like PULSE2 and SPEED2. No problem if you know how to relaunch a FS.

Upwind ability?
More like a SPEED2 than a PULSE2.

How effective the FDS is Self landing in strong winds?
We improved it a lot. The Kite will land much faster. The PULSE2 FDS is also improved already.

Some shots from Ningaloo last week:




Cheers,
Ian
www.flysurf.com.au
Mobile +61 414 716 812