Could anyone comment on the difference between the two in regards to free ride kiting. Boosting would be an advantage. I weigh 83kgs. I already have a quiver of Edges 7,9,11,13,15.

Obviously not short on cash, just buy em both and then tell us!

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thorn said...

Could anyone comment on the difference between the two in regards to free ride kiting. Boosting would be an advantage. I weigh 83kgs. I already have a quiver of Edges 7,9,11,13,15.

If you have your Edges because you are doing some racing, then get the 17 Edge, but if you are into freeriding and boosting, get the Zephyr.
Both kites rip upwind, but the Edge will point higher. The Zephyr turns tighter and goes into a turn quicker and sharper, so it boosts better. I've found the 17 Edge harder to jump than the Zephyr. I've ridden the Zephyr with my Airush sector66 and its works really well as a light wind option but the guys on proper race boards and 17 Edges are flying compared to me.

I swopped the 2013 17 edge for 17 zephyr .The zephyr is more all round free ride and for me more enjoyable. Goes upwind easily. Turns faster and has a tighter turning arc than edge. Similar bar pressure and feel as the edge. At 95 kgs I feel the edge developed more low down power and powered up earlier, I was using my axis patrol l/wind tt 144/46 and am kiting from 10 knots. Zephyr easy to boost and plenty hang time, the more powered up you can hold it the higher you go, have carried it from 10 to 23 knots, really good for boosting 14/ 23 knots ,I like to be well powered up. I have the 19 edge for 8/15 knots on same tt and feel 19 edge better than 17 way more low down power and have carried it to 18 knots. you can youse it in similar style as zephyr video and on a sector board. Zephyr has a great wing range and easy to control at its upper wind range, because of this I feel you may find your 15 edge and 17 zephyr too close together, try a demo. At 22 knots I change down to 11 edge or 10 catalyst. The new zephyr is a really nice kite I would recommend.

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rcr46401 said...
I swopped the 2013 17 edge for 17 zephyr .The zephyr is more all round free ride and for me more enjoyable. Goes upwind easily. Turns faster and has a tighter turning arc than edge. Similar bar pressure and feel as the edge. At 95 kgs I feel the edge developed more low down power and powered up earlier, I was using my axis patrol l/wind tt 144/46 and am kiting from 10 knots. Zephyr easy to boost and plenty hang time, the more powered up you can hold it the higher you go, have carried it from 10 to 23 knots, really good for boosting 14/ 23 knots ,I like to be well powered up. I have the 19 edge for 8/15 knots on same tt and feel 19 edge better than 17 way more low down power and have carried it to 18 knots. you can youse it in similar style as zephyr video and on a sector board. Zephyr has a great wing range and easy to control at its upper wind range, because of this I feel you may find your 15 edge and 17 zephyr too close together, try a demo. At 22 knots I change down to 11 edge or 10 catalyst. The new zephyr is a really nice kite I would recommend.

Agree Zephyr is a great kite I've used mine in 25 kts and I get a lot of guys asking me how I'm using such a big kite in strong winds and I'm only 82kg. It just has a great wind range and it just punches through any wind gaps.

Thanks for the feedback, now time for a demo.