Which kite brand do you prefer and why ?

> 10 years ago
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gmd
gmd
WA
97 posts
gmd gmd
WA, 97 posts
24 Feb 2012 1:24pm
I had a very disappointing run with one brand of kites with defective spare parts sent and am seriously looking at alternatives. Currently I have a 7,9,12 and 16 and they will eventually be worn and replaced. At the moment I am looking for a 10 and another big light wind as well as a 6 for the high winter winds.
I will not name the brand I own, because I am not here to bag a particular brand, because those problems can happen with any. My preference though for the future is to deal with a smaller company and not one which hides behind distributors and retailers and does not even have an email published for direct contact.

There was talk about Switch here and I am inclined to give it a try, since you can buy 2 kites for the price of one from other manufacturers, which in the end is way more economical since I do not sell my kites. I fly them until they are finished.

I am an intermediate rider and do free ride, long distance up-wind and downwind and some wave riding in the future when I get a bit more confident on my surfboard. So not freestyle and tricks or big air.
I have some experience with Naish and would also not consider this brand for several reasons.

So please let me know what you swear by and why. And please: try to avoid a brand war here:)... this is not about what is the best brand. It would also help if you have a comparison to other kite brands.

thanks and for all those who cant' help themselves: This is for real and I am not a troll ... !! or associated with any manufacturer or reseller.

regards
gmd
westozwind
westozwind
WA
1418 posts
WA, 1418 posts
24 Feb 2012 1:27pm
I'm off to get a big bowl of popcorn
AndyEliotH
AndyEliotH
QLD
356 posts
QLD, 356 posts
24 Feb 2012 3:34pm
F-one bandit
best kites out
Juddy
Juddy
WA
1103 posts
WA, 1103 posts
24 Feb 2012 1:39pm
westozwind said...

I'm off to get a big bowl of popcorn


Damn straight. This is going to be THE best Friday arvo/night entertainment I've watched in ages.

Sit back, put your feet up & have the home delivery pizza & beers ready....this will be a goodun'....
shannon8888
shannon8888
NSW
517 posts
NSW, 517 posts
24 Feb 2012 4:39pm
Cab-switchblades

why? ...... cause i'm a tree hugger

KIT33R
KIT33R
NSW
1716 posts
NSW, 1716 posts
24 Feb 2012 4:46pm
Ozone.
Quality build.
No pulleys
Simple set up (no battens, no elastic thingys)
Did I mention - no pulleys
Big dump valve
One pump
Big inlet means less pump pressure when inflating
Bar is comfortable and light bar pressure
Fly well forward in the window - motor upwind
Easy relaunch
Short bridle means less chance of mishaps
Good carry bag with lots of spare bits
Replacement parts are cheap

Been making paragliders forever and understand how to build a flying machine.

Gave a mate a fly of my 10m Reo and he felt at home on it straight away

Nice car stickers
stuntnaz
stuntnaz
NSW
540 posts
NSW, 540 posts
24 Feb 2012 5:05pm
Cabrinah! Have not lost one in a tree yet . Im still riding 07, 08 cabs I really like the bar setup the overide mode .
gmd
gmd
WA
97 posts
gmd gmd
WA, 97 posts
24 Feb 2012 2:07pm
it is really a pitty that an OP cannot delete any posts on this forum and one has to put up with all this juvenile nonsense diluting the web. Guys go some where else where people actually may consider you worth being around.
have a nice day
and KIT33R thanks for the contribution
gmd
Ozoned
Ozoned
NSW
58 posts
NSW, 58 posts
24 Feb 2012 5:09pm
^^^+1
Ozone!
gmd
gmd
WA
97 posts
gmd gmd
WA, 97 posts
24 Feb 2012 2:15pm
stuntnaz said...

Cabrinah! Have not lost one in a tree yet . Im still riding 07, 08 cabs I really like the bar setup the overide mode .


could you please elaborate on "overide mode". what is it ? and sorry if I can read that somewhere else. I was told by a friend that the cabrinah's are a bit heavier on the bar
than others. Do you have the same experience ?

thanks
gmd

kiteboy dave
kiteboy dave
QLD
6525 posts
QLD, 6525 posts
24 Feb 2012 4:20pm
gmd said...

it is really a pitty that an OP cannot delete any posts on this forum and one has to put up with all this juvenile nonsense diluting the web. Guys go some where else where people actually may consider you worth being around.
have a nice day
...
gmd



I'm confused. What are you referring to?

About getting popcorn? If you weren't a forum noob, or if you used the search function, you'd understand that this question gets asked every 11.7 days and the answer is always 'the brand I own is the best by far because xxx blah blah (truth = coz I paid hard earned money for it)'.

The only person who could give you a real subjective answer worth wasting your time over would be a professional kite tester/reviewer (magazine contributor etc) who flies hundreds of different kites per year.
Charl dv
Charl dv
WA
2485 posts
WA, 2485 posts
24 Feb 2012 2:22pm
Best make very good performance kites at a good price, I'd look at something like the TS as the different sizes in the range are designed independently so that they work better for their intended use
the gibbo
the gibbo
WA
776 posts
WA, 776 posts
24 Feb 2012 2:28pm
gmd said...

it is really a pitty that an OP cannot delete any posts on this forum and one has to put up with all this juvenile nonsense diluting the web. Guys go some where else where people actually may consider you worth being around.
have a nice day
and KIT33R thanks for the contribution
gmd



I find life a bit too serious so i waste time on here and have a laugh, you take thing to seriously mate, lighten up a bit gmd
As for diluting the web bawhaaaaaa its full of usless s h i t e

Anyway rode RRD for a couple of years fantastic(9/12), no probs at all and still going strong but too expensive

Swithched to Fluid(8/10) this year and really enjoying them, similar speed and seem to be built well for a better price, gonna buy a 12 soon i think
Review section would help also mate
stuntnaz
stuntnaz
NSW
540 posts
NSW, 540 posts
24 Feb 2012 5:29pm
gmd said...

stuntnaz said...

Cabrinah! Have not lost one in a tree yet . Im still riding 07, 08 cabs I really like the bar setup the overide mode .


could you please elaborate on "overide mode". what is it ? and sorry if I can read that somewhere else. I was told by a friend that the cabrinah's are a bit heavier on the bar
than others. Do you have the same experience ?

thanks
gmd




OVERRIDE™ 2
Overview
One of the most valuable features of the POWERDRIVE 2N1 is its ability to depower the kite by positioning the control bar into
Override™2 mode. By pushing the control bar past the OVERRIDE™2 ball and releasing it, the kite will depower and drop from
the sky. Our approach to security is to make it a seamless part of the way the kite functions. There is nothing to “turn on” no
handle to manually activate.
Hotspur
Hotspur
NSW
6 posts
NSW, 6 posts
24 Feb 2012 5:37pm
Try the new stabrena kite it great and dead cheap. Number 1
dusta
dusta
WA
2940 posts
WA, 2940 posts
24 Feb 2012 3:28pm
the gibbo said...



Anyway rode RRD for a couple of years fantastic(9/12), no probs at all and still going strong but too expensive


RRD are alot cheaper simply not purchasing them through SOS
Shayne86
Shayne86
WA
189 posts
WA, 189 posts
24 Feb 2012 3:34pm
KIT33R said...

Ozone.
Nice car stickers

Agreed!!!

who cares about the kite quality, the feel, customer support, price! Its all about the free stickers!!!!!! lol




BUT on a serious note I have had experience with only North Kites (I own 7m, 10m Fuses) and Best Kahoona'a at the school i learned at. I didnt like the Best, was just not my cup of tea and thats just my opinion as I know there are alot of crew that swear by it.

North have recently added an extra 6 months warenty on their range so that might float ya boat GMD
shannon8888
shannon8888
NSW
517 posts
NSW, 517 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:10pm
stuntnaz said...

Cabrinah! Have not lost one in a tree yet . Im still riding 07, 08 cabs I really like the bar setup the overide mode .


no am serious, have had a couple , all tree free ........ u should up grade

how do you get them to last more than 2 years???
unless you don't use them enough?... disclaimer.....
between pubs......will check in later
hamburglar
hamburglar
ACT
2174 posts
ACT, 2174 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:20pm
the gibbo said...




I find life a bit too serious so i waste time on here and have a laugh, you take thing to seriously mate, lighten up a bit gmd
As for diluting the web bawhaaaaaa its full of usless s h i t e

Anyway rode RRD for a couple of years fantastic(9/12), no probs at all and still going strong but too expensive

Swithched to Fluid(8/10) this year and really enjoying them, similar speed and seem to be built well for a better price, gonna buy a 12 soon i think
Review section would help also mate


^^^^^gibbo said
12m ,WA ,WTF you must weigh 120kg's .....unless it's all a pack of lies
Martyflyer
Martyflyer
NSW
131 posts
NSW, 131 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:24pm
I'm no expert as only a newbie but before you part with your hard earned cash see if you can demo a griffin argo.Im 75kg and own a 2011 10m and i've had this kite flying in the air in 8 knots when my cab. convert 12m wouldn't and is easy to control in 30 knots,huge wind range so might only need one kite
hamburglar
hamburglar
ACT
2174 posts
ACT, 2174 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:29pm
Martyflyer said...

I'm no expert as only a newbie but


GalahOnTheBay
GalahOnTheBay
NSW
4188 posts
NSW, 4188 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:47pm
westozwind said...

I'm off to get a big bowl of popcorn


Yep

stuntnaz
stuntnaz
NSW
540 posts
NSW, 540 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:48pm
shannon8888 said...

stuntnaz said...

Cabrinah! Have not lost one in a tree yet . Im still riding 07, 08 cabs I really like the bar setup the overide mode .


no am serious, have had a couple , all tree free ........ u should up grade

how do you get them to last more than 2 years???
unless you don't use them enough?... disclaimer.....
between pubs......will check in later

I don't no they just seem to last i live across the road from the beach so i'm out there all the time .Good kite control i guess all that old 2 line hang glider shaped kite flying when i was a kid , looking after them, I fix my own kites unless they rip in half , but am yet to rip one that bad, my favorite kite has so much sail tape and patches on it i'm thinking of calling it PATCH the bridal has multi colored lines from being fixed . And the 07 08 cab's relaunch really well good for the surf, i love wave riding .My next kite is the cab drifter just waiting for my car or bike to sell.
Skid
Skid
QLD
1499 posts
QLD, 1499 posts
24 Feb 2012 8:19pm
KIT33R said...

Ozone.
Quality build.
No pulleys
Simple set up (no battens, no elastic thingys)
Did I mention - no pulleys
Big dump valve
One pump
Big inlet means less pump pressure when inflating
Bar is comfortable and light bar pressure
Fly well forward in the window - motor upwind
Easy relaunch
Short bridle means less chance of mishaps
Good carry bag with lots of spare bits
Replacement parts are cheap

Been making paragliders forever and understand how to build a flying machine.

Kook resistant kite/line attachments. One knot, no decision, trim on the fly only.

Gave a mate a fly of my 10m Reo 11m Edge and he felt at home on it had 'kite envy' straight away

Nice car stickers (Stickers are nice if that floats your boat. Not much car crime where I kite but still don't want to advertise which car belongs to the kiter who is too far away to see someone breaking in, and too far away to catch said low life even if spotted.)



^^ a slight edit to KIT33R's post and that's my $0.02 worth
Mr float
Mr float
NSW
3452 posts
NSW, 3452 posts
24 Feb 2012 9:52pm
arrrrghhhh poirate koits .cause Theyre cool


and the qaulity is to die for
the gibbo
the gibbo
WA
776 posts
WA, 776 posts
25 Feb 2012 10:05am
hamburglar said...

the gibbo said...




I find life a bit too serious so i waste time on here and have a laugh, you take thing to seriously mate, lighten up a bit gmd
As for diluting the web bawhaaaaaa its full of usless s h i t e

Anyway rode RRD for a couple of years fantastic(9/12), no probs at all and still going strong but too expensive

Swithched to Fluid(8/10) this year and really enjoying them, similar speed and seem to be built well for a better price, gonna buy a 12 soon i think
Review section would help also mate


^^^^^gibbo said
12m ,WA ,WTF you must weigh 120kg's .....unless it's all a pack of lies



WTF also you obviously dont live here
Use the 12m rrd regularly and i'm 80kg's dripping wet, no porkys mate

Dusta lots of things are cheaper in other places, but the ol chesnut of keep it local applies

SOS have always looked after me and John has done alot for the sport in WA, all business needs to make money, personel choice to shop there or not
Berg K1t3r
Berg K1t3r
QLD
106 posts
QLD, 106 posts
25 Feb 2012 12:51pm
Just thought i'd update this one because its all true!
Ozone represent!

KIT33R said...

Ozone.
Quality build.
No pulleys
Simple set up (no battens, no elastic thingys)
Did I mention - no pulleys
Big dump valve
One pump
Big inlet means less pump pressure when inflating
Bar is comfortable and light bar pressure
Fly well forward in the window - motor upwind
Easy relaunch
Short bridle means less chance of mishaps
Good carry bag with lots of spare bits
Replacement parts are cheap

Been making paragliders forever and understand how to build a flying machine.

Gave a mate a fly of my 10m Reo and he felt at home on it straight away

Nice car stickers


djdojo
djdojo
VIC
1614 posts
VIC, 1614 posts
25 Feb 2012 2:42pm
Martyflyer said...

I'm no expert as only a newbie but before you part with your hard earned cash see if you can demo a griffin argo.Im 75kg and own a 2011 10m and i've had this kite flying in the air in 8 knots when my cab. convert 12m wouldn't and is easy to control in 30 knots,huge wind range so might only need one kite


75kg noob with a 10m in 30 knots. Either you're delusive, or wilfully propagating BS.

Laws of physics say there's a certain relationship between apparent wind speed, angle of attack, surface area, foil section and lift/drag. No matter what foil section you use, that much surface area in 30 real knots will have to be at such a small angle of attack to reduce the lift to a controllable amount for your weight that it would be producing so much drag that you'd barely move. You may just survive on it, but you won't be kiting, and you'll be risking a serious spanking if it picks up further.

RPM
RPM
WA
1549 posts
RPM RPM
WA, 1549 posts
25 Feb 2012 1:51pm
some people don't know what a real 25 or 30 knots is...

A solid 25knots 9m gets put away and the 7 comes out.. [u]30 knots fully powered on 7m[/u

A noob on a 10m in 30 knots.. Your pulling your doodle... Charl DV will agree me thinks..
eppo
eppo
WA
9790 posts
WA, 9790 posts
25 Feb 2012 1:55pm
Once you have narrows down a few options, then demo each one before you buy. Looks like you are searching for a specific wave kite. Consider a ozone reo, give the Argo a go as they are meant to be extremely forgiving and stable and even a bws if cash is tight. Ring or go an see a couple of retailers and explain specifically what you are looking for and where you want to progress to. Then again demo. I have wasted a lot of money not demoing kites.

Oh crew are raving about the best TS, so that should be in your mix as well.
eppo
eppo
WA
9790 posts
WA, 9790 posts
25 Feb 2012 1:57pm
eppo said...

Once you have narrows down a few options, then demo each one before you buy. Looks like you are searching for a specific wave kite. Consider a ozone reo, give the Argo a go as they are meant to be extremely forgiving and stable and even a bws if cash is tight. Ring or go an see a couple of retailers and explain specifically what you are looking for and where you want to progress to. Then again demo. I have wasted a lot of money not demoing kites.

Oh crew are raving about the best TS, so that should be in your mix as well.


What do you weigh?? A 10m in 30 knots for a beginner would be dire, unless you weigh over 100 kg, and even then you want some experience under your belt.
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