Fan of the small kite. Using a 5m and 7m Neo at the moment - thinking of replacing the 7m with the SLS.

Has anyone got any (firsthand) experience comparing the Neo SLS and Neo in same size, and could I drop a size for the same performance wafveriding?

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CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Fan of the small kite. Using a 5m and 7m Neo at the moment - thinking of replacing the 7m with the SLS.

Has anyone got any (firsthand) experience comparing the Neo SLS and Neo in same size, and could I drop a size for the same performance wafveriding?

Hey mate - I had 2019 6m and 11m and the 2020 8m, switched these for the SLS in 6, 8 and 10.

There is definitely better low end and the handling is significantly improved, especially in light winds and if you are using them for foiling. The benefits of SLS are most apparent in the larger sizes. If your 7m is up for replacement I would switch it out for the SLS because the improvement in handling is worth it alone, but I would probably refrain from sizing down, because at the end of the day 7m2 is 7m2, and then you would have a 5m and 6m kite quiver.

Thanks! Sounds like 7 it is and it is worth the upgrade, i use it for foiling as well.

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CJ2478 said..

CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Fan of the small kite. Using a 5m and 7m Neo at the moment - thinking of replacing the 7m with the SLS.

Has anyone got any (firsthand) experience comparing the Neo SLS and Neo in same size, and could I drop a size for the same performance wafveriding?

...because at the end of the day 7m2 is 7m2...

Unless it's a neo, and then, 7m2 is 7.5m2

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mazdon said..

CJ2478 said..

CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Fan of the small kite. Using a 5m and 7m Neo at the moment - thinking of replacing the 7m with the SLS.

Has anyone got any (firsthand) experience comparing the Neo SLS and Neo in same size, and could I drop a size for the same performance wafveriding?

...because at the end of the day 7m2 is 7m2...

Unless it's a neo, and then, 7m2 is 7.5m2

Thats good for the consumer I guess. The SLS is around the same price as a Core Nexus 2. Standard Neo is less than the Reo. If you are correct you are getting more square metres of kite for your dollar

For comparing the power of two kites, there is more to it, then their size. For one, it is the flying characteristics of the kite. Dedicated wave kites (those I've flown) have less grunt power and generate less power at turn than all-rounders. Obviously you do not want a reactive kite on the waves. The more skillful / experienced the kiter the more these characteristics matter.

In my experience, what makes the Neo feel bigger or more powerful is that it generates more power when it moves and has a bit more grunt power in comparison with other wave kites. I have not noticed an unusual power at turn. This extra power may not be welcome for someone just starting on the waves, but it is very useful in the hand of a more experienced rider. This might be a reason for the Neo's good reputation among pro's (so I've read).

It would be interesting to see the exact specifications (e.g. surface area, projected area etc) for different brands and models.

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Andrash said..
For comparing the power of two kites, there is more to it, then their size. For one, it is the flying characteristics of the kite. Dedicated wave kites (those I've flown) have less grunt power and generate less power at turn than all-rounders. Obviously you do not want a reactive kite on the waves. The more skillful / experienced the kiter the more these characteristics matter.

In my experience, what makes the Neo feel bigger or more powerful is that it generates more power when it moves and has a bit more grunt power in comparison with other wave kites. I have not noticed an unusual power at turn. This extra power may not be welcome for someone just starting on the waves, but it is very useful in the hand of a more experienced rider. This might be a reason for the Neo's good reputation among pro's (so I've read).

It would be interesting to see the exact specifications (e.g. surface area, projected area etc) for different brands and models.

Exactly mate. the number on the side of kites is a mystery how it is derived. Is it laid flat area? it is projected area? they wont tell us. So anyone comparing Xm2 kite size between different brands will most likely find discrepancies.

I think with the Neo one of the main reasons for the power is the larger diameter of the leading edge. This leads to a deeper aero foil and more grunt. The LE diameter of other wave kites that have less grunt is significantly less from what I have seen of the reo, section and roam.

With the grunt you either like it or you don't. Whatever floats your boat. I like it; powering upwind back to the peak, power to punch through the break when its big with lots of water moving around, ability to ride 2m2 less than aforementioned other wave kites and when you want to send it off a kicker if your powered it can send you into a low earth orbit then bring you down with a nice cushy landing that wont break your favourite board.

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CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Thanks! Sounds like 7 it is and it is worth the upgrade, i use it for foiling as well.

Just to let you know, I've been waiting for ages for our local shop to get in more stock. I'm waiting on a 7 as well, which will be my main kite. I guess, luckily, this season so far has been pretty crap here so my 9SLS has been perfect for me. I was using a 9m Mono 2020 as my foiling kite as I found my 10 ReoV4 too heavy for the light wind, but the SLS is awesome with a foil.

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COL said..

CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Thanks! Sounds like 7 it is and it is worth the upgrade, i use it for foiling as well.

Just to let you know, I've been waiting for ages for our local shop to get in more stock. I'm waiting on a 7 as well, which will be my main kite. I guess, luckily, this season so far has been pretty crap here so my 9SLS has been perfect for me. I was using a 9m Mono 2020 as my foiling kite as I found my 10 ReoV4 too heavy for the light wind, but the SLS is awesome with a foil.

Cheers - that was one of the reasons for my original question, as the 7m isn't in stock i was thinking of going the 6 so i can have it NOW... !

I got rid of my 9m Neo and got a 5m Peak4, it covers me for the foil from when I would ride the 7m down to about 10kt, with hopefully an extra couple of knots with the SLS I reckon i will be covered for foiling and surfing in just about anything.

We live in good times (kiting-wise, rest of the world is ****)

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CJ2478 said..
...
With the grunt you either like it or you don't. Whatever floats your boat. I like it; powering upwind back to the peak, power to punch through the break when its big with lots of water moving around, ability to ride 2m2 less than aforementioned other wave kites and when you want to send it off a kicker if your powered it can send you into a low earth orbit then bring you down with a nice cushy landing that wont break your favourite board.

I think, those who like to ride waves powered up in smaller fast boards (like myself) will like the grunt and the readily available power. Park and ride surfers on larger strapless boards, who never intend to leave the surface of the water, could find the extra power troublesome.

Heeey, ok I have the SLS in 7 and 9, too tell you how much better the SLS is than the normal Neo, I brought the normal Neo in Sept not knowing the SLS was going to be available a few weeks later, then when I tried the SLS it was so dramatically better that had to go and get it, I foung the 9 turns like an 8 or 7 but pulls when you fully power up like a 10, although I do agree with CJ that changing 7 for 6 wouldn't be logical as it would give you a 5 and 6. I would stay with the 7 and just enjoy the extra power! I had 9 and 7 before and am happy still with 9 and 7 in SLS.
PS anyone want to buy a brand new NEO 2020 in 9?

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CH3MTR4IL5 said..

COL said..

CH3MTR4IL5 said..
Thanks! Sounds like 7 it is and it is worth the upgrade, i use it for foiling as well.

Just to let you know, I've been waiting for ages for our local shop to get in more stock. I'm waiting on a 7 as well, which will be my main kite. I guess, luckily, this season so far has been pretty crap here so my 9SLS has been perfect for me. I was using a 9m Mono 2020 as my foiling kite as I found my 10 ReoV4 too heavy for the light wind, but the SLS is awesome with a foil.

Cheers - that was one of the reasons for my original question, as the 7m isn't in stock i was thinking of going the 6 so i can have it NOW... !

I got rid of my 9m Neo and got a 5m Peak4, it covers me for the foil from when I would ride the 7m down to about 10kt, with hopefully an extra couple of knots with the SLS I reckon i will be covered for foiling and surfing in just about anything.

We live in good times (kiting-wise, rest of the world is ****)

Just so you guys know, I think maybe even Boards and more were surprised by the sales of the SLS or maybe something to do with production hold ups as even here in Europe there are very few of them available to buy and I was told the bar which I received was one of the last they had in stock

Ordered, thanks team - will now start a separate thread bashing the SLS and praising the 2018 Neo as the perfect kite as i put my gear in the for sale section...!

Its got increased performance ie speed, drift, ease of turning on bar. But not power NEO vs SLS. Power is roughly the same. BUt NEOs are grunty AF anyway

no you cannot drop a size.