I want to upgrade from my 2018 Naish M thrust to Armstrong and can't decide between:
- cf800
-hs1050
-cf1200

not looking to go super fast bit still like to zip around at the max speed the naish goes.
would be looking for similar low end to the naish and similar pump ability. Prefer if I can also use it for occasional surf paddle session like I can with naish
leaning towards the hs1050 kit with 72.5cm mast (preferred for shallower spots and surfing) with the HS tail wing. Probably get the hs1550 in the future for small wave surf. Maybe with enough time and money a small kite wing also.

anyone have any experience with the hs1050?

I just upgraded to Armstrong from Liquid Force Impulse and Thruster Foils.
I only foil on a lake. And weigh 65kg.
I went for the hs1050 for my first wing with hs tail wing and 85cm mast. The clincher for me was that it sinks.
Was told the cf800 and cf1200 float on their sides.
I have had two sessions now on it. And its all I hoped it would be.
Very good low end.And pretty good top end as well. Feels very efficient. And silent as hell.
The Hs625 wingwill be my next addition.

This helped me decide as well.

Select to expand quote

KiteHume said..
I just upgraded to Armstrong from Liquid Force Impulse and Thruster Foils.
I only foil on a lake. And weigh 65kg.
I went for the hs1050 for my first wing with hs tail wing and 85cm mast. The clincher for me was that it sinks.
Was told the cf800 and cf1200 float on their sides.
I have had two sessions now on it. And its all I hoped it would be.
Very good low end.And pretty good top end as well. Feels very efficient. And silent as hell.
The Hs625 wingwill be my next addition.

Thanks for the info mate.
I have also heard the 1200 floats on its side but note you say you kite on a lake, presumably freshwater. Could this have anything to do with your foil sinking? They're all made from same materials and if the 800 floats I would assume the 1050 floats too.
can you make any comparisons between the 1050 and the naish thrust M in terms of bottom end?

cheers

Yeah fresh water lake. Don't know if the hs1050 would float in salt water. But sinks straight away in fresh water.
The hs wings have less volume then the cf range of wings. So that may be why.
Maybe give Stonker a ring in Melbourne. They have been very helpful for me.

I have no experience with Naish Foils.

I have all those wings. I wrote a long review on the 800 and 1200 which is a few post down on this forum.

I've recently added the 1050 and 232 tail for kite-surfing. I'm 88Kg so bare that in mind with my comments.

The 1200 is an awesome wing for light wind under powered kiting in waves, its reasonably fast and so smooth but becomes a handful on big swell fully powered. It tops out around mid 30Kmph and cruises at 22-24 kph.
The 800 is fun, fast and turns on a dime, cruises at around 28Kmph and down big waves well over 40Kmph. The problem is I can't feel the foil glide I want on the wave with the 800.

Hence I bought the Armstrong 1050 with the 232 rear hoping it would be both fast and offer good glide. It's a much thinner profile than the other 2 and sinks on my pocket board.
The first hour I felt it was a little twitchy due to the small rear but you soon get used to it. It's very low resistance and fast about the same speed as the 800 but is glides so nice you really feel the wave. Overhead waves so much fun, It's very reactive and turns hard at speed.
Wind dropped right out on one session and I was still able to instant launch on my pocket board so lift isn't allot less than the 1200. Therefore it has a huge range.

As you already have good experience foiling with the Naish I would suggest going straight with the 1050 and 232.

That would be a good start.

KB7

Select to expand quote

KB7 said..
I have all those wings. I wrote a long review on the 800 and 1200 which is a few post down on this forum.

I've recently added the 1050 and 232 tail for kite-surfing. I'm 88Kg so bare that in mind with my comments.

The 1200 is an awesome wing for light wind under powered kiting in waves, its reasonably fast and so smooth but becomes a handful on big swell fully powered. It tops out around mid 30Kmph and cruises at 22-24 kph.
The 800 is fun, fast and turns on a dime, cruises at around 28Kmph and down big waves well over 40Kmph. The problem is I can't feel the foil glide I want on the wave with the 800.

Hence I bought the Armstrong 1050 with the 232 rear hoping it would be both fast and offer good glide. It's a much thinner profile than the other 2 and sinks on my pocket board.
The first hour I felt it was a little twitchy due to the small rear but you soon get used to it. It's very low resistance and fast about the same speed as the 800 but is glides so nice you really feel the wave. Overhead waves so much fun, It's very reactive and turns hard at speed.
Wind dropped right out on one session and I was still able to instant launch on my pocket board so lift isn't allot less than the 1200. Therefore it has a huge range.

As you already have good experience foiling with the Naish I would suggest going straight with the 1050 and 232.

That would be a good start.

KB7

Thanks mate, yeah I am well familiar with your 800 and 1200 review.
I note on the real water sports review he rates the 300 tail wing better for kiting due to stability. Sounds like you prefer the 232?

sounds like the 1050 will be the go for me, just need to arrange interest free credit card now ;)

This might help. I have both stabilisers.
Have only used the 232 so far though.

I think if you are just cruising on flat water like the real water sports video then the 300 rear is a smoother ride for sure.

I'm always out in waves and like to turn as fast and tight as possible then back the kite off and glide the 1020/232 combo does this better. Plus you have less resistance so its faster on the top end.
If you are an experience foiler the reduced stability is marginal and you soon get used to it.

Does the sinking make it harder to waterstart strapless. I'm planning to upgrade from a slingshot infinity/ alien air later in the year. I find waterstarting my gear when strapless hard due to being hard to keep the board on an edge. I'd prefer to go strapless but use a foot hook or front strap for that reason. I heard the boards that float sideways are easier to go strapless.

Are you guys all using the t60 fuse for kite foiling ?

I have the hs1550/hs1050 with 50cm fuse +1 shim 232 chopped rear and 85cm mast for mainly kiting. Just ordered a hs625 and hs 1850 to go faster and wind wing with. I like the 1550 for less than 15 kts and for pumping on swell while drifting my cloud kites.