Rider: Weight 76KGS, Level Advanced
Style: Freestyle
Weather: 15-23 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Shop Owner / Team Rider

My Comments:
Got to take out the new 11m 2010 HIFI Comp on the weekend and my fist impressions were

The Bar
LF had redesigned the bar for 2010 it now has a "push out" style release for the chicken loop and easily clips back together after firing it off. The bar still has the below the bar depower strap, but the kites now come with a full flagging system under the bar. LF calls it CPR system, so you can now choose either 100% depower or the standard system which drops the kite to the edge of the wind window. The bar also has longer floaters and a new grip. There is not center swivel on the middle lines either (just learn to spin either way).

The Kite
The build quality of the kite is very good and the profile of the kite is a little deeper this year compared to last years 12m. You still get all the different settings that last year kites had, so you can vary the turning speed and bar pressure of the kite. The graphics are pretty sweet also

Riding

I was riding in 15-25knots offshore (which are pretty gusty). The kite is very stable and sits at 12o’clock without any hesitation of falling out of the sky. I had the kite on the fastest settings and I can say for an 11m it turns pretty quick. The power delivery in the loops is very smooth and you don’t feel like you are going to get axed mid loop. The kite boosts big with a heap of hangtime, the bar pressure is light to medium and has a progressive feel to it. The kite handled the gusts very easy and did not jump all over the place. When it came to unhooking, this kite comes into its own. The feeling of the kite is very direct and does not rip your arms as soon as you unhook. The relaunch of the kite is unreal for a “Hybrid C” kite and it launches from direct downwind with no problems at all. Overall this is a great freestyle / wakestyle kite which would help any rider progress to their next level of riding.

Give me a go!

You know who to call!!!!!

Have spent a bit of time on the 9m, absolutely love it...I have not been able to fault it yet.
This kite has got me very excited, it is not for everyone but is a super fun kite to fly.
I have spent the last few years on the Havoc but think I will need to make the switch this year and step it up.

Murf what 2 kite quiver would you recommend running in these?
I generally do most of my riding on a Havoc 10 and 8, in boots.

I would recommend a 11m and a 9m if you have been riding a 10 and 8 Havoc.

I am only 75kgs and I am going a 9/7/5 this year but year I am upsizing my board to the new KAOS 136 with the new CT Bindings. I was riding the Recoils before that.

Hope this helps.

I was thinking the 11 and 9... I weigh probably about 80kgs at my heaviest.
Will probably log a few more hours on the kites to decide.
I am thinking of running the same board set up, should be nice!

The only thing that I'm not 100% convinced of is the 5th line, how does the kite fly without it?

I'd have to agree with both the murph's on this one. Been riding the Havoc's since they made their way into the range and hadn't looked back... until now.

Jumped on the Hi Fi Comp 9m over the weekend and couldn't get enough of that solid feeling they give, the old c-kite with a whole lot more control and range have been rekindled. The last time I rode a similar range of kites was the M80 back in '06, but the Hi Fi appears to be higher aspect with a lot more refinement and responsiveness.

I'm in two minds as to what I'm going to ride this season... I'm around 70kg and looking at either an 11/7 or 11/9 quiver.

lol, great thread...
Now... can anyone who rides the 2009 Hifi Comp give a comparison??
For the people who already have the 2009 Hifi Comps, for what reason would they want to give up the best kite of 2009 for the 2010 Hifi Comps?

I want to know all the improovements/advantages/disadvantages for the 2010 Hifi's over the 2009!
Please dont tell me there was no sacrifices made to make the kite more stable etc...
I dont wana read the hype... i wana read the facts and i want the honest truth!