So I bought a 12m Ozone C4 V6 2019.

My question: I'm finding that this thing really lacks power. Have had it out for a few sessions and while it goes well when theres really strong wind, I'm finding that the bottom end power is piss poor.

From my POV it looks like the kite is choked out when bar is set to full power (this was in about 18 knots, which should be enough for it to get going). Tried trimming it a bit with the depower cleat and didn't do much to improve performance. Flying it off a Switch bar.

Has the C4 lost quite a bit of low-end power, or are my expectations too high after riding the Switch Nitros for the last 5 years (grunty low end)?

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Chris_M said..
So I bought a 12m Ozone C4 V6 2019.

My question: I'm finding that this thing really lacks power. Have had it out for a few sessions and while it goes well when theres really strong wind, I'm finding that the bottom end power is piss poor.

From my POV it looks like the kite is choked out when bar is set to full power (this was in about 18 knots, which should be enough for it to get going). Tried trimming it a bit with the depower cleat and didn't do much to improve performance. Flying it off a Switch bar.

Has the C4 lost quite a bit of low-end power, or are my expectations too high after riding the Switch Nitros for the last 5 years (grunty low end)?

Your expectations are too high

Totally different kites the nitro and the C4. Nitro is a higher aspect design which generates its own static grunt as she hunts the edge of the window.hence it serves as a jumping free ride type kite.

The C4 is a pure C kite. You have to actively fly the kite to generate power such that when you unhook you can then quickly dump the power and generate slack lines to pass the bar.

Simple as that. Different kites for very different purpose hence very different flying characteristics.

Yeah I used to love the 2010 C4, but the newer model seems different. Like really different.

I know the marketing blurb says "completely redesigned" etc etc but just wondering if people are finding the same as me.

Something doesn't sound right. Maybe the switch bar?

Also you running in 5-line or 4-line? Maybe Rowdy can chime in, has been riding them almost exclusively for a very long time.

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Kitepower Australia said..
Something doesn't sound right. Maybe the switch bar?

Also you running in 5-line or 4-line? Maybe Rowdy can chime in, has been riding them almost exclusively for a very long time.

Thats my gut feeling. Its set up 4 line.

Seems like even with the bar just pulled in even a small amount seems to be choking it? Unless this thing really needs to be fully lit before it behaves nicely.

I have also owned and loved (aside from older C4's) the vegas (loved) torch (loved) fuel (was too much of a newb in 2006 to really love it, but it was ok).

I might have to find a local with an ozone bar and see if I can borrow...

Yeah but make sure it is a C4 bar, they have an even shorter throw (approx 30cm, just measured one) they pretty much only use these bars when designing/flying the prototypes before production.

Ok thanks will do

2010 C4 was really a free ride type C kite...almost a predecessor to the Hybrid C kites of today... well ahead of its time and yeh it was awesome.

The C4 is a full blood no compromise C kite now...and dude you gotta fly a proper C kite like that with a fifth line I reckon and definitely with the same throw with which it was designed around.

Try the AMP maybe, that's an unreal kite in 5 line setup for wakestyle stuff. Little less intense than the C4 to and in 4 line turns into a C hybrid style feel...sits between the 5 line AMP and the Enduro. Great kite the Amp.

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eppo said..
2010 C4 was really a free ride type C kite...almost a predecessor to the Hybrid C kites of today... well ahead of its time and yeh it was awesome.

The C4 is a full blood no compromise C kite now...and dude you gotta fly a proper C kite like that with a fifth line I reckon and definitely with the same throw with which it was designed around.

Try the AMP maybe, that's an unreal kite in 5 line setup for wakestyle stuff. Little less intense than the C4 to and in 4 line turns into a C hybrid style feel...sits between the 5 line AMP and the Enduro. Great kite the Amp.

Yeah it was jellyfishing around a bit so a 5th line would probably help prevent that. Was a shyte gusty wind though, however.....

Have got my feelers out there for a couple of bar options should me next session be equally as unsatisfying.

One positive about the kite was that I threw a couple of really nice kiteloops on it and it went great on those, which is the main thing I like doing right now. For a 12 it turned pretty fast!

I certainly recommend trying it with a well tuned 5th line, kites always fly better with 5th line vs Bridals IMO.

Got an 11, to me it hangs off it's power lines, with an open face a fair bit, certainly doesn't feel that great in lesser winds, but a sweet Kite when within its range, especially if you like to actively fly your kite you'll get rewards , certainly a different Kite in all ways to a nitro

Problem fixed! Turns out there was a knot removed from one side of the bridle lines (where you are supposed to be able to change between freeride to freestyle setting).

So put a knot back in and now its flying properly - it was looking quite distorted along the leading edge prior to my fixit.

Had a great session on it, and no longer have buyers regret :)

Thanks for everybodys input , much appreciated!

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Chris_M said..
Problem fixed! Turns out there was a knot removed from one side of the bridle lines (where you are supposed to be able to change between freeride to freestyle setting).

So put a knot back in and now its flying properly - it was looking quite distorted along the leading edge prior to my fixit.

Had a great session on it, and no longer have buyers regret :)

Thanks for everybodys input , much appreciated!

When you get an Ozone bar chuck a 5th line on it, you will be pleased you did.

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Ozone Kites Aus said..

Chris_M said..
Problem fixed! Turns out there was a knot removed from one side of the bridle lines (where you are supposed to be able to change between freeride to freestyle setting).

So put a knot back in and now its flying properly - it was looking quite distorted along the leading edge prior to my fixit.

Had a great session on it, and no longer have buyers regret :)

Thanks for everybodys input , much appreciated!

When you get an Ozone bar chuck a 5th line on it, you will be pleased you did.

K mean I will do that as soon as I see a good 2nd hand bargain and have spare money managed to not spend on beer by mistake...

It's called a C kite dude.

Not sure if the last 3 posts are meant for me or not, but to clarify:

The bridles were uneven, so it was flying like a sack of shyte

I fixed the bridles, now it flies like it should, and I am happy

I know how a C kite should fly, have mostly owned various C's before changing to hybrid C's a couple of years ago.

I just need a 7m now, its been blowing its tits off the last couple of days!

Hah so I took Ozone Kites Australia's advice and just got a new 5 line bar today.

Noticed a funny thing when I was detaching the old bridle..... the repairer put it back together sans the 2 pigtail attachments which give the bridle an extra 10cm or so! So now a perfectly flying 5 line C4, although am pretty interested to put that bridle back together and see how it goes on 4 lines with the correct bridle

Man, used kites eh, who'd have em'?