archie00 said...
I light wind kite through the leaner months on botany bay in Sydney and have purchased or trialed many light wind kites. (and boards)
The problem with Sydney is that the wind is up and down - and if you are on a foil and you get it wet - it can be a long swim. Personally I have not found the foils to have any great advantage in light wind when trialed in Sydney - even the sacred 19m flysurfer.
For the last couple of years, I have not been able to find a kite that could out perform the Bandit Dos 14m. This light wind advantage was lost on subsequent Bandits, so I have been looking for a replacement. I puchased a Zephur - no good. (looks good for heavier riders and has amazing high end). Trialed numerous kites - Cabrinha, Ozone, Slingshot, and Core in 14 -17m.
I have just purchased a 18m North Dyno and it is the first kite to have more grunt than the Bandit Dos. I was out yesterday and was at times the only one out or keeping up wind on Botany Bay. With a light wind board, once you hit 8-10 knots, was able to plane. Certainly liked more towards 10 knots, but possible from 8. Under 8 - forget it. Slow turning as you would expect and they make a 16m, which would be interesting to try. Behaved alot like a big North Rebel and lines interchangable.
Light wind kiting is just as much about the board as it is about the kite. There are many light wind boards now and they are generally 146 x 44/46 & flat. If you are really keen the new one out from Nobil looks great which is the flying carpet - but is enormous at 161cm long. I actually suggest getting a light wind board is more important and cheaper as a first step before an additional kite.
Race boards. Yes, I have one - but trying them for the first time in super light wind is not a good idea. It is a very different technique and I think better with a quicker turning kite and one you are more used to, like a 12 or 13m. Certainly is a light wind option - but takes a lot of practice.
In summary - North Dyno is a good option, especially if you have any other North Kites. Look at your board as well as this will often make more difference. Avoid reviews where they are written by the resellers and those with vested interest, which this forum is full of. There is a lack of independant broad experience reviews available and where you can try before you buy.
Nice post above, As mentioned though, the Argo 17m is designed to get going in 10 knots on a normal surfboard and turns fast for a LWK and has grunt.
Race boards and dedicated light wind boards are good for light winds but they are not much fun or imposable if you want to ride waves, jump and do fast turns.
Most light wind kites are $2500 to $4000 with bar, which may put off some people, the argo 17, price point will be about $1600 with bar or 1300 without bar, this is about the same as some boards.
First batch of 17ms have arrived in AUS and will be posted out today.
Re your comment about reviews from the companies making the kite, note that I was replying to comments, also as the kites are new there will not be many reviews so I provided some info. All the best.
) tis a big boys kite 4 sure ,yep will give you a go and will be intersted in your thoughts .am sure you will like 
Having said that I reckon there will be some lighter riders taht will enjoy the livelyness of this big mother in the light stuff and will indeed be amazed by the light wind riding and useabilty without destroying their arms and legs in trying to handle its raw grunt
) Anyway enough of my complaining...... Im 90 kgs....
