For ages now I have been waiting for somebody else to address what has been on everybody's minds: What is the better 08 kite....the Bandit or the Rev?

Without a doubt, I'm probably not the best person to layout the pros and cons of both kites..... So I thought I'd get the wheels rolling and leave the technical bits for everyone else.

Here's a start.....

The bandit has slightly better low-end than the Rev, whereas the Rev has slightly better top-end.

The bandit has slightly more bar pressure than the Rev.

In my opinion the Rev has slightly better relaunch, and the compact bridle on the Rev does not tangle as easy as the bandit's when rigging up the kite straight out of the bag.

The new slingshot bar on the rev is cleaner than the Bandit and also features a stopperball. If the kite was to invert, the Rev's lines can be untangled on the water whereas the Bandit cannot as its centre line branches out to 2 centre lines (I havent heard of either kites inverting tho). The Bandit's depower cleat can be hard to reach for midgets.

Both kites seem to be very evenly matched in both jumping and hangtime.

The Rev has onepump inflation. Some people prefer single point inflation, however I love onepump and wouldn't buy a kite without it.

The Rev is about $200 cheaper.

Could somebody please comment more on the Bandit as I am more familiar with the Rev.

walshd said...

the Bandit or the Rev?

neither, what other options are there? hang on, there are heaps.

walshd said...

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The Rev has onepump inflation. Some people prefer single point inflation, however I love onepump and wouldn't buy a kite without it.

I ride a Bandit 11m and kite with two mates that ride Revs. We set up and pack down in the same amount of time. SPI easier to repair.

Sky Hook said...

walshd said...

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The Rev has onepump inflation. Some people prefer single point inflation, however I love onepump and wouldn't buy a kite without it.

I ride a Bandit 11m and kite with two mates that ride Revs. We set up and pack down in the same amount of time. SPI easier to repair.

What do your mates do? Pump one handed?

I'll put money on the fact that a one pump is quicker to inflate at least and takes the same time to deflate. We did some comparisons previously and you can easily have your entire kite pumped by the time someone else has only just finished their struts. You can almost have your lines done by the time they are done with their leading edge.

OK...if you got out the stop watch the one pump would win... but my point is that the set up/break down time isn't THAT much different to justify never buying a SPI kite. Ya Dig

i dont care how long it takes to pump up, its just really annoying to have to effectively do it multiple times

Roger there Roger.....My bad Engrish

So whats it cawrled then...standard infration?

Hey Danny,
About time you tried the Rebel!!!.
AB

Correct me if im wrong but doesn't the 08 rev have the direct bar setup, which DOES NOT use pulleys

the rev uses the grey and white plastic pulleys while the bandit uses the stainless steel pulleys which are a bit more expensive. The bandit pulleys rotate a bit more freely with less friction. The question is stupid though, both pulley types can last for years or only for months if you dont maintain your gear properly.

Here are the bandit pulleys

Cheers AB,

We will have to swap kites so you can have a run on the Rev. I should get my 13 next week so bring on the 20-28knt winds.

When I originally posted this thread i didnt mean to cause a riot over the Best kite for 08'. I only wanted to compare the Rev and the Bandit because I couldnt decide which kite to get in a 13m. Hence I later changed the thread from "the best kite for 08" to "The better 08' kite".
Turns out I went for the Rev anyway.

I really wanted the Bandit for its bottom end but after weighing up onepump, the Slingy bar setup and the cost saving, I ended up going the Rev.