Rider: 88kg,Level (advanced)
Style: Surf,
Disclosure: Man in the street

My Comments:

I don’t work for Core, but when trying to research this kite, other than the corekite website (www.corekites.com.au), I couldn’t find any customer based posts on the GT on the net – probably because the GT model has recently come out. I hope this helps someone out there.

I have had the Core Combat GT’s, for about 3 weeks now and have had wind between 10 and 25 knots on most days, so I reckon I have about 20-30 hours on the 12, 9 and 7, mostly in cross-onshore waves.
I have only ridden these using a strapless surfboard, so haven’t tested the jumping and hang time ability, but it feels like it will do it.

First of all, the GT, as would be expected from a German manufacturer, is constructed really well, is light weight, and has a good distribution of reinforced areas.

The bar is high quality and one size fits all. The bar is fitted with a micro loop, which allows you to hook in fully powered for the long trips out. It comes with a spare loop, so if you don’t like it, you can cut it off and replace it if you ever want to sell the kite.

There are three fixture points (2 on the 12) on the leading edge of the kites, where, by changing the position, you can set your bar pressure from light to “direct”. Moving this positioning changes how the kite feels and responds quite dramatically.
There are also three fixing knots on the back edge, which also affect the responsiveness and power of the kite.
.
After fiddling around I have settled on the middle knot on the leading edge and the innermost knot on the back lines.

The 12 GT is about as fast as my 9 late model bow kite and jumps ahead of my 12 bow, which seems to wallow in the window in comparison. I have used the 12 for wave riding and for a kite that big, it is extremely fast and manoeuvrable –if the 12 is fast, the 7 just whips around and the speed is scary to start off with, but once past the initial “wow” phase, it is really fun.
It also feels different to my last years bow in that it feels a lot “lighter” in the air and has a “softer” pull.

It is really great when riding the waves, and I find it easy to park the kite, so I can surf the wave, and when I need the power, the reaction when sheeting in or out is instantaneous, or if I am fully powered already, because it is so quick, it is quick to get it back in the power zone. The quickness in the air is also great for transitioning from riding left to right, smacking the lip, and then transitioning back to riding a left again. The power and depower is also instantaneous.
Relaunching the kite is a no brainer; it simply rolls onto its swept back leading edge and takes off. A few times I have over shot my turning point and ridden towards the kite and lost the pull from the strings, it has simply floated down without tipping over, so it is facing the correct way by the time I have been able to adjust my riding position to get power to the strings again.
Unhooked riding is easy, and the positioning of the donkey dick makes it easy to hook and unhook (the dick is fastened to the edge of the loop and not the middle, so if you unhook, the dick points out of the edge of the loop and the loop stays completely open, which makes it easy to slot into and out of).
The power and depower straps are easy and light.

In summary, I am stoked with my choice of kite – I feel my riding has already improved and will still get better with more time on these kites.

Hey John how are you?

Tell me more about the GT - how light is the bar setting and what is it like compared to the original combat? I flew the original (9m) and it was damn fast but too much bar pressure for me - how light is it on the new kite?

Also what is the turning speed like compared to the Combat? The combat was amazingly fast - scary in fact on my first ride.... but a lot of fun once used too it!

Cheers
Lance

Hi Lance – it has been so quiet from your side that I thought you’d gone troppo!

There are three fixing points on the leading edge on the 7 and 9 and 2 on the 12, where you can set the bar pressure.
I have never tried the setting with the least pressure as I like kiting with a fairly direct and immediate response. I ride on the middle fixing and it is lighter than the combat.

The bridle is longer, so there is probably 1-2 meters added onto the line length compared to the combat, so the GT is marginally slower than the Combat, but are still very fast.

The flying characteristics of the combat and GT seem pretty much the same if they are ridden on the direct response point, but change depending where you tie the fixing point on the leading edge and which knot you tie to on the back lines..

They are both delta C shape and the differences that I picked up between the two are:
• The GT is about 200-300mm narrower than the Combat,
• The stroke on the bar of the GT is 500mm compared to 400mm on the combat
• There seems to be a bit more of an aerofoil shape on main strut of the GT.
• The bridle is different, longer and the fixing points are in a different place
• The 5th line setup is different

I compared the plan shape of the GT to a 2009 Bandit Dos, and although the fixing setups are different, they are pretty similar.
I
Next time you are back in civilisation, give me a hoi if you want to feel how they go.

Hi Kenno
Yes, it is still a four line kite like the Combat.
The fifth line setup is a bit different to the Combat, but difficult to explain but I will give it a go:-
GT
On the GT, the internal lines setup is as follows:
Chicken loop (5th line runs through a hole in the middle), then
Double dyneema lines 500mm long (5th line runs parallel), then
Depower straps (5th line is kept in place by a few loops), then
3-4m long dyneema line (5th line runs parallel), then
Splits into two standard kite lines, then
kite.

When you engage the fifth line, the bar can slide up the centre line for about 3-4m before hitting a stopper ball, which totally depowers the kite.

If you have the kite overhead and ping off, it floats to the ground without dragging you along.

I had my first ride on a 10.5 m GT yesterday in mediocre conditions, but i really enjoyed that kite, i normally fly a 12 and the 10.5 GT seemed to have the same amount of grunt, an awsome handling in the turns and flying, the GT is da bomb, got to have one!

I flew the 10.5 Combat GT over the Chrissy new year gap, wind was light to start with, I really did not think I would be able to stay upwind, even with a 1.44x45 Switch board.
No other kites were out or able to stay upwind.
From the moment I launched it there was a feeling of power with this kite, combined with nice pivotal turning.
Stayed upwind and eventually the wind picked up to around 18-20 knots in which the kite was awesome, huge jumps with exceptional hangtime. The Combat GT has a lot of lift and I think that was one reason why I was able to stay upwind, just need to let the kite breathe and ride the board flatter.
When the wind was 20 knots there was still tons of depower, I had not touched the trim strap.
Crashed a few times and could not keep the thing in the water, just pointed the bar and relaunched, kept my board on my feet every time, nice.

Really like the bar setup with the fully spinning fifth through the centre of the c-loop, easy to replace 5th with just some 3mm amsteel.
One bar size suits all sizes, has adjustable ends.
Yes I am going to sell them, the 10.5 will retail for those that order or purchase in January at an introductory price of $1798

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCore

Demo the GT @ Caloundra today after 12.

Steve
When I first posted at the beginning of December, I had just ridden fairly onshore dumpers, which do not lend themselves to unhooked riding for any length of time.
Since then I spent 2 weeks kiting some good surf at a fairly long left, and was really pleased at how easy it is to ride these kites unhooked – give it a try!

Hi Guys,

Are there other people who have ridden these kites that would like to put down a few words too. Thanks Johnt and others, I'd like to hear more.

We have placed an order for Combat GT's and expect them into our store by the end of the week. We will also be demoing them at Kitestock for peeps in the west.

Time to leak some good news. There may be one given away as a major prize at Kitestock ...... maybe it'll be a 9m definately one lucky punter will be way happy!

I look forward to reviewing and riding them in a few more sleeps.

Bermand sent me a link to a review here:

kitemovement.com/gear/core-gt/

Kitehard did you get your kites yet? Dose the 7m GT have as much power as the Combat 7M? I hope to have my order this week, & look to keep a 10.5 & 7M for myself & the shop demo. How are people handling the power of these kites.
I would be keen to know.

Hey Jonno,

Our kites are stuck some where in Sydney. I hope to learn more tomorrow from the shipping agents. Maybe have ours on Wednesday unless they fly tonight.

Spewing!

Good winds,

Hi Jonno

I have been riding a 7m Combat as a high end complement to the 10m DOS. (I am 95kg, and the 10 DOS is my largest kite). Johnt has been riding the 7m GT in similar conditions. (We often sail together on surfboards in small to medium surf and 15 - 30 knots.)

From my experience the noticeable differences between the Core kites are: GT has significantly lighter bar pressure than Combat. (Combat bar pressure wears me out!) GT seems to have better stability, wind range and top end (flying more off front lines than the Combat). The Combat is faster turning than the GT(= lightning fast). Both drift well.

The draft (aerofoil shape) in the struts and canopy is very different. Further forward on the GT. The GT has a higher AR. Someone other than me can interpret the effects of these differences.

Cheers
Graham

I will have my GT's tomorow , will fly on friday & post some pic's, of all the boy that have bought them in action. at Maroochy, feel free to come & demo one on friday avo the Cores may be at Caloundra on Sunday might see you here or there.[}:)]
Cool

Hi peeps,

For WA kiters who want to check these kites out, I have been promised by Toll and customs that I will also have my kites tomorrow. I'll have them available for demo from tomorrow (Thursday) onwards......finally!

I'll have 7, 9 and 10.5 for demo.

First order is not huge so if you are keen to get in, make it quick as two of the ten in the first shipment have been sold already.

Good winds,

Hi Peeps,

Hooray!, the kites arrived today .....finally!

The Core Combat GT is a sweet kite, I rode both the 10.5 and 9m today in winds from 13-14 knots on the 10.5, up to 17-20 knots. I was fairly depowered on the 10.5 in 17-20 so changed down to the 9m GT. Perfect!

The first thing you notice is the simplistic but high quality construction. These kites are well made from top materials and look the goods. The bar is excellent and safety system is amazing. Everything spins and untwists itself, it is impossible to get the leash twisted around anything and unspinning lines is just automatic as the swivel is below the bar, not above it like on every other kite.

The power is amazing, so grunty with great lift in jumps, the kite moves quite quickly and turns fast all with huge power! I felt quite powered up on the 9m in 18-20 knots riding a 132 Jaimie Pro board.

These kites loop easily and with smooth power and good pull, the relaunch is almost automatic and fast with a little tug on the steering lines. I tested flag out and it was great, this kite is a sweet unit and has good bar feedback, moderate bar pressure and stable but direct steering, just park and ride!

I'm stoked, demos available, just ask if they aren't on the beach already.

Good winds,

I had a fly on a 13.5m GT the other day in light winds and it was such a different animal compared to my cult, a lot of hard work!!. Other reactions on the beach were the same as mine. Possibly not a great beginner/novice kite. Bar pressure seemed a lot more than anything i have flown before. Hopefully the 9m i bought wont be as hard to fly the 13.5m.

Has anyone else had a fly on a 13.5m yet?

Hi Orynoco,

The 9m is sweet as! If you don't like the bar pressure, move the aft bridle attachment point back to the last position on the leading edge. On the 9m it made a huge difference to the bar pressure and also turning speed. much faster and lighter.

I was really powered in 20 knots on the 10.5, I can't imagine the power of the 13.5

Try fiddling with the tuning settings, it makes a big difference.

Good winds,

Hi Kitehard.

I had my first session on my 9m GT a few days ago and what a wepon it is!!!

Bar pressure on the middle setting was reasonably heavy so i changed it to the light setting and as you suggested made a huge difference. It totaly changes the whole feel of the kite,a stack lighter on the bar and turns so fast it puts a big smile on your dial when playing on the waves.

The wind was only about 17knots when i went out and the kite had way more grunt than i was expecting, now i cant wait to see lots of green arrows!!

Hi orynoco,

Big Dave borrowed my demo 9m the other day in strong wind for a boosting session, Dave loves going big and is quite good at it. Wind was 23-27 knots and Dave took her for s spin with no depower on the trim as he was unsure as to which loop to depower.

I saw Dave two times boost as high as I've ever seen anyone boost from extremely choppy water where he complained of not being able to get a decent edge. He was still clearing well over 35 feet!

They're not really supposed to be boosting kites, but .......

I've ridden the 7m once on a surfboard in about 15 knots of wind and was able to stay upwind by just hooking the chicken loop into the micro loop and working the kite with one arm. So fast! Just can't wait to put it through it's paces at Kitestock in 30+ knots.

Just love the power and speed! I think these kites will really surprise people. Very similar to Dos, but with more power, steadier flight, and a much stronger pull in turns.

Good winds,

Very impressed with 7m, up and going upwind on a small surfboard 5ft 8 in 15 -18knots, the setup is really simple compared to Bandit dos, only requires 6.5 PSI, one pump system works really well, this kite is super stable even in marginal winds for it's size, the quality of bar, lines, kite canopy is all first class. an expandable bag would have been nice, but you can't have it all. I am super stoked with my quiver of 7 and 10.5 for WA conditions. Others were riding 12m kites whilst we were on 7's. I may have to try a 5m for ballistic days.