Kite weight - 2.3kg
My Weight - 77kg
Bar - 53cm Lines 23m used same bar for back to back test.
Board TT - 135 x 40 C6
Skill - advanced amateur, Megaloop Heli loops nothing too fancy. Can fly kites very light footed in light winds...
Normally ride smaller 7,8 & 9m Edge Ultra X Aluula from 15 knots to nasty Black Cloud Squalls that flatten everyone !

This is a Demo kite that ActionSports Kite in Perth was kind enough to let me Demo, thanks guys..
Its the only one in W.A so if you want to demo it, give them a bell. ActionSportswa.com.au

I'll make some comparisons to my 9m Edge Ultra X Aluula as I think its valid in 'some' respects and may help people decide which maybe more suitable for their conditions.. you'll see later why.

1st Test - Bottom end light wind.
On a river, I'm the only one there and thinking to myself this is ridiculous, there's not much wind, the forecast was maybe (hit & miss unreliable this time of year) for about 15 - 18 knots onshore.. I set up anyway, I'll find the bottom end or drown :) which is good to know in case of an unexpected wind drop. (I would normally go home)
First thing I noticed after pumping it up, the weight - it seems very very light at 2.3kg compared to my slightly heavier Edge that weighs 2.5kg. The Edge obviously has 2 more struts and has extra reinforcing.. another friend picked it up and said geez this weighs nothing !
So a few people start to turn up and watch me with that light wind 9m drown grin.
The kite goes up on the beach and again I'm surprised at how light it feels in the air.
I am used to the 16 point bridle on the Edge making the kite Stiffer so expected to feel a little resistance to the initial turn input, yes it has it also, but takes off with intent very quickly - compared.
The wind has picked up few knots to about 15 so time to get wet..



The first dive - plenty of power and speed and I'm up and going in light wind though I expected to be tea bagging it along the shore line. The listed wind range says 17-34 knots, so the bottom end feels about right with good 'light wind flying' skills and better than the Edge because its lighter but seems to make good power too.
The wind picks up a bit, very patchy gusting from 15-20 but enough to feel the power surge and the kite fly forward to the edge of the window just like the Edge.
I throw in a few standard loops and backroll kiteloops... very nice and smooth with good height and a wide Heli loop landing on a lucky gust..

It cranks upwind very well with no sign of a front stall in the few times the wind dropped down low.
At this point although its crappy and gusty wind - I'm really enjoying myself on this nice light flickable 3 strut kite that feels in some ways very similar to the Edge but easier and more FUN do it all- style :)
Bar pressure is light but gives the right feedback..
Well that's the bottom end done.
9m Vortex V2 versus 9m Edge Ultra X bottom end - Vortex V2 Wins.

2nd Test - Midrange
Wind 18-25 knots. Out at Woodies on the Ocean with a swell side and groin protected flatwater side.
Back to back test of Vortex & Edge. Now I did a short test on the wave side with a few good ramps and gusts to what I felt was around the 25 knot mark.
First up the Edge, just to make sure I didn't change my jump style timing to favour one or the other.
The Edge instantly feels Locked in and a little heavier and slower through the air - but its a 5 strut so was expected.
First jump for Height and distance, the Edge does this very well and no hint of moving off its intended path as it was designed specifically to do that with nice float and Heli loops down...
Second jump the Loop yes its slower and deeper, more power on the loop obviously but still has the floaty heli loops.

The Vortex V2, that nice light fast steering 'FUN' kite feeling is back again...
First jump Height & distance, I have to say it felt very close to the Edge in height, it was stable but not locked in.. meaning it was obviously waiting for some big air trick and wondering what this lame rider was waiting for... bugger :) The distance was slightly less although the hang time felt close, it was only at the end it would drop you shorter...
Second jump The Loop - the kite climbs vertically high and Loops very easily, not quite as fast as I expected but with a nice balance of power and easy catch.. you can position it at any angle for the heli loops - you've got plenty of time.. this makes for a great Trick kite.
There obviously has been a trade off in turn speed versus power - But - your probably forgetting one thing.. go down a kite size, you will have Both !

Midrange Vortex vs Edge - Vortex Wins...
However this is where they start to separate in their intended performance aspects.

Top End - Edge.
I've ridden this in 45 knots, sent it hard and Mega looped it - it stayed 100% rock solid, no nasty flex or wingtip folds then came in not long after as it was getting hard to stay down on the water. The Ozone wind range top is 35..
That locked in stable Top end overpowered performance is what the Edge is best at..

Top End - Vortex.
No test yet - we are in a season change, of no wind 99% boredom 1 % Storm fun :) What I can say is that in 25 knots it felt very easy, not strenuous to ride so imagine its top end will be a whole lotta FUN too at 35 knots..
Can it keeps its stability like the Edge at 35 + knots ?

Here's are a few interesting pics of 'Why' I compared the Edge.
Not claiming to know anything about kite design Except they look similar when laid flat and felt similar to ride..

I think they've done a great job to merge both kites for the Best of both Worlds !

The first pic is of both laying on top of each other Zoom in and you can see the bridle seams all the same.
The 16 Bridal positions look the same but attachment points are slightly different.
Leading edge appear the same until last section of wing tip.
Trailing edge slightly different 3 strut to 5 strut
Panelling distance the same until struts then resume

What Ozone says..
LEAD DESIGNER, DOM ZIMMERMANN:
A tweaked the bridle for the Vortex V2..
The Vortex’s high-aspect shape is similar to our pure big air and hangtime machine, the Edge.
While the Vortex also has a lot of depower, and is awesome for any sort of boosting, the difference is that it has more handling response for megaloop performance – and even double and triple loops if you dare!
Much of that comes from the extra arc shape, which increases the handling response. It also moves the rotation point further into the middle of the kite. The Vortex has a beautiful balance between movement and power, gripping the entire way around its turn.





My cat thinks the Vortex is better because its nearly the same colour as him 😉 hidden detail missed 🙃🐱