Spent 2 hrs today in very onshore marginal conditions, 8-14 kt, hampered by constant onshore wash over shallows.
This is 1st impression only, not a proper test.
Have had a good look at new bar setup but running with Rev2 bar today. Bar is same as last year. Chicken loop setup is very compact, bar sits 3" closer to you, so quite a bit more reach. Lots of shiny aluminium, real neat release. Chickenloop rope starts out at 7mm, through a pulley & reduces for the return with a very cute little cleat.
As with the REV2 last yr I think this kite will prove better all round, but with standout characteristics.
Heaps of self launches & self lands - a piece of cake, nothing new there. Running at the kite so no line tension, well it still eventually tumbles out of the sky but not really sure how much longer it hangs in there.
Run upwind & whip kite back for a beach hop. First major surprise, shock actually. I nearly landed back in the dunes! Sooo much lift & float I couldn't believe it. I had to do it again & again. On the water it felt very much like the Rev. Standouts were, didn't feel at all like I was fighting against a 13m kite, working upwind against the current(felt more like a 9m here), & speed - felt so fast when I found a deep flat section on the inside. I kept going back into shore to see if the wind was up. I'm trying not to get too worked up after just 1 marginal session, but overall I'd say it's definately way more than just a Rev3.
cheers COL

Wow that kite sounds awesome.....

Seems perfect, just like the hellfish, seemed...

Lovely, you're quite entitled to be cynical. I'm just relaying my thoughts. I know there's loads of interest out there, people are craving information. Time will tell. But I think I've already seen why slingshot were looking for something a bit more dramatic than just "REV3".
Cheers COL

You're right Lovely. I've calmed down now. I did get too excited after my 1st sail. I'm a bit of a dill. I can't say for sure what the kite will be like overall.
Had a play with the 13m again yesterday, in flat water - ridiculously light wind. I actually got going, slowly losing ground in the gusts & walking back upwind in the lulls. Kite still responds crisply & hangs in the air effortlessly.
I'm extremely impressed with the bottom end of this kite!
66 pumps to inflate to 8psi, closer to 80 for the Rev.
New neoprene covers over strut clamps are too tight, restricting inflation & a real nuisance deflating.

Hey Col,
What's the bar pressure like? thinking of upgrading my Rev 13.
Does the canopy flap at all between the centre struts?
How does the bottom end compare to the Rev 13?
HAAK

Does anyone know if SS have published the wind ranges for all the octane sizes yet?

Wonder how it compares to the SS REV2?

I've always found the SS wind range chart (for the REVs) to be pretty much spot on for me at 70-75kgs.

are they using that extremely dodgy bungee for the QR.. they may as well use blu-tac

milko, if you are talking about the QR on the bar, that has changed to this system
hanglos.net/news/179722/kitesurfnews-slingshot-2010-chicken-loop.html
looks great cant wait for a demo
bump on the wind range request!!! anyone???

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gibo said...

milko, if you are talking about the QR on the bar, that has changed to this system
hanglos.net/news/179722/kitesurfnews-slingshot-2010-chicken-loop.html
looks great cant wait for a demo
bump on the wind range request!!! anyone???

It still has the bungee.. and unless there going to give me at least 50 replacement ones with the purchase of a new kite. I will be looking at a new brand this year.
I don't flag my kite very often. but when i do i don't want to be chasing it down the beach because that piss weak bungee broke.. GET IT RIGHT SS

So angry Milko, how easily you forget the great sessions at One Mile all of which were on SS kites. Take a breath I know how bad you want the 2010 Octane, just temper your envy and I'm sure Rob will provide you with one.
Constant winds,
Baz.

How much wide is that middle section!!! Lol can't wait for a ride

The Rev2 was generally considered to have a bit more bar pressure than the Rev. I didn't notice this & I also wouldn't say there's significant difference with this kite. It steers just like Rev2 & same bar input to hold kite in position.

No canopy flap at all, you wouldn't know there was a strut missing.

Rev2 13 arguably had significantly more bottom end than Rev. Octane seems to have way more than Rev2. I thought the 1st picture, looking upwind, told the story? I couldn't have got a Rev2 off the ground in that, let alone getting up on the plane!

The real beauty of the Rev2 was it's turning speed & it's kite speed compared to the Rev. Again I think it's largely improvements here (particularly kitespeed ) that make the difference.

It looks like the same Elastic . That is a weakness & you have to keep an eye on it. The 3 lines are less bulky now & the entry to chicken loop assembly is much neater so there may not be the same pinching of the line against the bar. There was a spare elastic in the bag BTW. Slingshot have been supplying Elastics & 'P' lines free of charge too.
cheers Col

the first time i ever used my QR. that bungee snapped... the kite was not very old..and that bungee was the only thing attaching me to the kite.. I really like my SS kites. but I wish i could have more faith in the safety system.

Latest news is Slingshot is going back to 5 struts on the Octane.

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milko said...

the first time i ever used my QR. that bungee snapped... the kite was not very old..and that bungee was the only thing attaching me to the kite.. I really like my SS kites. but I wish i could have more faith in the safety system.

Just get a different leash. Mystic 1's seem the goods

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YoMoFo said...

milko said...

the first time i ever used my QR. that bungee snapped... the kite was not very old..and that bungee was the only thing attaching me to the kite.. I really like my SS kites. but I wish i could have more faith in the safety system.

Just get a different leash. Mystic 1's seem the goods

i don't think he is taliking about the leash but the bungee on the CSS line

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jackgearo said...

YoMoFo said...

milko said...

the first time i ever used my QR. that bungee snapped... the kite was not very old..and that bungee was the only thing attaching me to the kite.. I really like my SS kites. but I wish i could have more faith in the safety system.

Just get a different leash. Mystic 1's seem the goods

i don't think he is taliking about the leash but the bungee on the CSS line

thats the one

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Hammerhead said...

Latest news is Slingshot is going back to 5 struts on the Octane.

really ?? so are the ones we are seeing around just prototypes ??

yep, slingshot was going to release them with 4 and at the last minute tried it with 5 and they thought it was better. the ones u r seeing here are still prototypes.

I guess that begs the question, better in what way?
constant winds,
Baz.
Milko you should buy one or two then between the crew we will have covered the whole Slingshot range.

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jackgearo said...

yep, slingshot was going to release them with 4 and at the last minute tried it with 5 and they thought it was better. the ones u r seeing here are still prototypes.

That doesn't sound very scientific. I always imagined hours of research, computer modeling, testing in wind tunnels ect before it even gets in the hand of a kiter, so to just add lib a strut here or there at the last minute sounds kind of amaturish. Or maybe I am just being naieve about the kite design process.

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bennie said...

jackgearo said...

yep, slingshot was going to release them with 4 and at the last minute tried it with 5 and they thought it was better. the ones u r seeing here are still prototypes.

That doesn't sound very scientific. I always imagined hours of research, computer modeling, testing in wind tunnels ect before it even gets in the hand of a kiter, so to just add lib a strut here or there at the last minute sounds kind of amaturish. Or maybe I am just being naieve about the kite design process.

got to agree with you there bennie..maybe SS have seen some of the comments on the size of that centre panel and thought "this cant be good..I know! we can just whack a strut in"

sorry bad wording i think they have been trying them out for ages.. don't quote me on anything i have no link to slingshot at all.

^^^^ slingshot link, i get it, hahahahahaa

Try this link, slingshotoctane.com/ it should clarify the octane story.
constant winds,
Baz.

Can anyone see a centre strut in those pictures
I know it says 5 strut.

Just got my pics and brochers of the OCTANE and they have center sruts it apears there have been some proto types kicking around .But these are what they sent me, have not ridden mine yet so cant reveiwe yet but am looking forward too it, as I love my RPM.
Have Fun
GEORGE (PS MAY HAVE POSTED TWICE BY ACCIDENT)

Had the 11m Octane up this arvo not quiet enough wind to get going but put the kite up to see what looks like in the air,seems to look Rev like with the struts more evenly spaced and the leading edge a bit thicker at the ends ,the attention to detail and the finish on this kite is top notch and the bar what a improvement, looks great.

Hi guys had the 11 out several times last week twice in the river mouth at noosa. I flew it for less time than i would have liked because no one wanted to give it back. General feeling from everyone was it felt great, first impressions: light bar pressure, not too light, quick turning, little gruntier than 11rev, good unhooked, easy relaunch, nice hangtime and good lift. Seemed very stable, but cant give proper review yet til I get more time on it. Haven't had it in the surf yet, but still so far both me and the other riders are pretty impressed.
Have fun
GEORGE

Ok now I'm interested.
Currently have Slingshot T3's in a 14m & 9m, thinking the Octane in a 13m & 9m might be worth a look. Primarily play time is in the waves on a TT & strapped directional. Wondering if the low end grunt, turning speed, stability, depower and top end is comparible/better? Looking forward to an in depth review.
Constant winds,
Baz.