Tried the 12m a week ago. Bottom end was very good.
Did you try the 08 or 09????

Yes it is considerably better. A few locals here in Brisbane tried it in light wind so maybe if they read this they can comment.

The 09 Helix had very good bottom end and they put a lot of effort into improving the bottom end of the 2010 Cult which seems to make as much power as last years Helix.

Video of the 09 12m Helix in light wind-

I ordered a 2010 Helix and I will get it in a week or so.
Can anyone write a proper review on 2010 Helix?

Have tried the 2010 Helix 9m on two short sessions:

Rider: 85kg, IKO Level 2 Instructor
Style: Surf, Freestyle, some wakestyle
Weather: 15-24knots Small 1m waves with flatwater inside.
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 7/10
Disclosure: Loyalty to good service at a couple of shops, work for a Kite school but no loyalty to brand or kites. I fly what impresses me.
Kite Type: Hybrid, bridled no pulleys.

Other kites flewn: 2010 Gaastra Jekyll, 09 Switchblades all sizes, 09 Gaastra Jekyll 8m, 08 Vapour 10m, 08 Gasstra Jekyll 10m(main personal kite), 7m Ozone Sport 2(strong wind personal kite), 08 Vapour 14m(light wind personal kite), 10.5m Flexifoil Ion 2, numerous older style kites over the years.

First session was too light for the kite so was not jumping or holding ground at all either on unstrapped surfboard or twintip. First impressions were that it was a bit unstable and tended to be very on and off on the power. Tended to fly very fast forwards in the window and then loose all it's power due to overflying. You really had to keep working it in the middle of the window to keep the power on.

Second session was much better wind 18-24knots. Relatively gusty
Again same thing with the power. Very on and off especially in the gusts. Once you got moving however it just kept powering up. Not so good because it was wavey and with large chop. Edge up over a wave and all the power was gone as it flew too far forward in the window.
Jumping was ok. Good up but a bit ploppy on the landing. It sort of dropped you just at the time you weren't expecting it. That said i was only out for about 45 minutes so not really long enough to get dialled in to the kite.
Didnt unhook.
Waves too small to bother unstrabbed on the surfboard.

Altho not my style of kite due to alot of crossover from surf to flatwater for different seasons I think it would make a great flatwater kite. Once you got going on a flat section it really powered up and held the power. I'd say it would be the same for unhooking. Turing was quick but not stupidly quick. Starts powered and then kicks into pivotal about 3/4 of the way thru a kiteloop so it gets back up high quick.

Like i've said not very long sessions and probably not in the conditions the kite is suited for. Be interested to hear what others think on flatwater.

Thanks for your review and I don't really understand why some people make your post red!!!

We all should be free to say our opinion and if some one disagrees then they can come forward and say their opinion instead of red thumbing your post without a reason.

Thanks for all the effort mate.

Cheers
Alex

inverted said...

Just remembered and forgot to add that the demo flewn apparently had some incorrect lenghts on the front bridle. Demos that were sent to shops had the wrong bridle lenghts for soem reason.
So this might help the stability. Or it might not.

By stability issues do you mean it fell out of the sky??

I can totally understand your review as it looks like you are a Switchblade rider. It really comes down to some folks like a kite that sits in the window no matter what. Then some of us like a kite that will punch to the edge when required. Comes down to personal choice really.

tested the10.5m yesterday in 20 knots, turns really fast and heaps quicker than the 09, low end was good i got going in 12 knots the day before. seems to boost pretty big. it had some serious acceleration. really good to loop. relaunch better than 09. depower cleat more user friendly than 09. anyway im buying one or 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No dodnt fall out of the sky. Just flew slightly too far forward in the window and lost it's power all the time. Had to keep sending it back into the middle of the window to keep the power on.

arrrrgh, it takes a canny man to tame this beast, are ye one?

hep just got mine in the post today and we have wind forecast for the next few days so i will keep you guy's posted.

Had a quick session on mine a couple of days ago, 10.5 mtr kite winds were gusting 25 to 35 knots , I knew I should have put a smaller kite but I had to test it out.
What I noticed was the kite has more C kite characteristics in it than last years the power is not on off at all you need to edge your board as well as push the bar out to depower the kite and it flies to the edge of the window nicely sought of reminded me of the torch.

This baby boosts big , turns slightly faster than last years only had about 15 minutes on the kite as I was over powered but the kite is super nice to fly cant wait to test this baby out in its proper wind range of about 18 to 25 knots.
For your extensions use them in the flat water and use the 20mtr lines in the waves.Will post more when I test it out in the waves and flat when the kite is in its comfortable wind range.

The older Naish one-pump system has some tricky valve system, so when one strut blows up the leading edge will empty as it used a one way value system.

Also when put pressure on the leading edge (crash), it would send more air into the struts as you cant cleat the values. This could cause issues with the struts.

Does anyone know if this is fixed yet, coz they are great kites to fly.

Ive had the 12 out a couple of times now.

It is very impressive, The kite is so fast and light on the bar its mind boggling! the 12m feels faster and lighter than a 8m or 9m bow/hybrid.

The new Helix has got the bottom end it was missing over the last few years that is for sure, however you still need to fly the kite and sign it through the power zone a little more so than a Bow/Hybrid kite.
This is not a issue as the kite is so fast and light on the bar it's just asking and tempting you to fly and turn it through the sky. with the slightest imput it almost dose it itself!
If you are after a park and ride kite where you can just lean back and pull in on the bar to gain your power and board speed then you would be better off with a something else like a Bow or Delta shape.

Relaunch is super easy and by far the quickest kite to pop out of the water with very little effort that I have ever tested.

My jumps where not as big as I had hoped which is just a timeing thing I can tell the potential is there I just need more time to get it dialled.

You seem to gain speed on this kite fast it dose not take long to get going and you seem to just gain speed quickly and go faster and faster until you feel the need to jump or push the bar away to slow down.

As soon as I get a smaller one out in the waves ill report back.

Get your self a go on one these you will be impressed.

Cheers

Luke

orynoco said...

Hey Idiot,

Great reveiw mate, what board were you riding with the helix?

I have a cheep anti G board (very heavy & 135 cm)

Kite: Naish Helix 12m 2010
My previous kites: from a 2 line 1999 Sky Pirate to a 2010 Cult, including RRD, North, Airrush, Naish, Gaastra.
Rider: Weight 80kg ,Level=long term competent, 10 years
Style: Freeriding + some boosts, old school - if I could take a pill and do KGBs and not break myself I would (fond of wakestyle)
Tricks (as indication of style/level): hooked-in Fronts, backs, reverts, grabs, transitions
Weather: 10-15 knots (two sessions)
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10 (in its genre)
Disclosure: no alliances, sponsorship, special deals but I salute Naish for their vision and guts introducing sigma = innovative and committed to our sport.
Wisdom: Don't let your ego determine your equipment and be wary of 'advisors' with hidden agenda. Also, you get what you pay for.
=======

Review:
Wild kite - not for beginners, agree with Idiot.

As a surfer who likes to get amongst it when it's flat and windy and spin about and have fun the Cult is perfect for me but rode the Helix and was blown away.

If you like jumping and you're quite competent prepare to go sky-ward!
Rode in 10k and was jumping about street parking sign height which was ridiculous given how light it was. (checked BOM)
Rode again in 15k and screwed up a few jumps (out of enthusiasm) and got slapped - but was my fault - kite is amazing.

Also, as an aside, bear in mind those who've dissed the sigma concept - they've effectively locked themselves out of significant innovation and are left to fluff about the edges with cyclical variations to C and Bow kites; naish are on a winner.

Again, I prefer the Cult for it's super user-friendly and super versatile nature but dial into a helix in 25k and you'll need oxygen. Fortunately one of my kiting friends owns one so I can scab a go when I'm feeling like going into orbit.