Rider: 95kg Old
Style: Freeriding, Surf,
Weather: 15-20 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction:8/10
Disclosure: Retailer

This is the first Zeeko Notus to hit our shores and comes ahead of some enthusiastic reports from Europe.

In the conditions flown kite proved to be very stable and while in the short time on it nothing glaringly wrong stood out. It did possess some nice attributes.

the 3 rear line settings give a very distinct and different Character to the Kite one of which will suit an individual more than another which someone else will prefer.

what I'm getting at is that there is enough difference to make it imperative that if you get a chance to fly one, that you try all the settings.

So yes it Jumps great, Hands a long time, and is very controllable. Grunt for size is normal for these days. Top end I don't know yet.

So at this point the impression is of a kite that will please a lot of kiters, with a build spec and quality as good as any major brand.

So them being about $500 cheaper than the major brands makes them great value.

I'm not good at these reviews so any questions, just ask.

Q.What part of the market are they pointing this kite at? Freeride/wave/new skool/or is it a swiss army knife?

A.It's a swiss army knife. but you have to pull out the appropriate implement for the job. Those that use the rear settings will get a lot out of this kite plus taking off the line extensions for waves. But the Cstyle setting will really appeal to those wanting to go unhooked based on me trying some maneuvers unhooked and with bar fully in throughout some jumps. I'm not much at unhooked stuff but this kite did behave much better than many others.
Freeriders will find a setting that suits them, and the Hangtime and easy Boost will inspire many to try some old school tricks.

Q2. Will the kite work on any 4 line bar or are the pig tails different lengths?

all lines are same length the pigtail on rear of kite is way long. using another bar will mean you don't bother with the ERA line. and many will remove it anyway I suspect.

the bar can be 2 sizes as per the North system.

but hunting through that link is well worth the info in contains.

things like the pocket inside the tips for stashing the excess bridle and the pulley were at first thought a gimmick. But it actually proved to be brilliant and once used you can see how it will help the longevity of the pulley.

Anything I say will be seen as biased, but I did enjoy it a lot.

At Pt Henry yesterday(sunday) just using the centre setting on rear lines.

This kite is extremely smooth and predictable.
I find that the difference between this setting and 'C' style is that on this setting the peak of the jump height flattens out and stretches out the jump length. So you trade some jump height for jump distance.
And landings are Smoooooth. makes you want to try harder in the boost stage because you know the landing will be soft and smoothly powered away from.
There is nice power through the kite turns which makes carving downloop transitions smooth and well powered throughout.

The thing I noticed most was after the day I realised that throughout the session at Brighton and all day at Pt Henry with 2 diiferent riders. the depower strap was on full power and NEVER touched.

This kite pretty much ate up the conditions at PT Henry (which was nice Flat water) as it also did at Brighton (Chop and Gusty).
on a direct downwind blast to a rescue it showed it could back up as good as any, and bringing a board back from the centre of Corio bay it's stability and smooth power made the upwind Tacks back to shore simple.

As tested this kite is nearly $600 below the same size in major brands. In using it and its Build quality etc. you quickly realise there is not $600 difference maybe to the picky you could say $50. and that could go above or below.

I enjoyed it, had a great day, and look forward to another session. Just what kiting should be.

Friday i had a test session with some frinds.
Here you see some pictures of that day.
Wind is 30 knts and rider on the Red 7m2 Notus is +/- 70 kg

had the 12m up at Bowen Qld. last Saturday and had a ball.

very very easy kite to use and jump with.

Thanks to the Bowen crew who are a friendly bunch and so patient with me every time I forgot how far I traveled in the air. I'm sure they were cursing as they had to take avoiding action.

Nice looking kite. How's the relaunch compared to other models you have flown Ral Inn?

Is this classed as a Delta shape?

Relaunch is standard bow type. just pull a steering line.
you seem to need to pull a healthy length of the steering line, but I have dry and wet self launched with no bother, and nothing that stands out with it being out of the ordinary.

It does have the ERA line which is a line running up the left steering line and attaching to the rear of the second strut. this is used to assist rolling over in light wind.

for those that remember the Airblast reverse launch bridle. this acts like that but only on one side.

If the kite wasn't for demo and was mine alone, I'd remove it. but for those kiting in marginal conditions it could save a big swim.

PS: as for comparing relaunch to your Thrusters, safe to say the zeeko is smoother and easier, but with that extra bit of line to pull in.

looks very similar to the switchblade idsx in outline

Select to expand quote

myusernam said...

looks very similar to the switchblade idsx in outline

there are some outline pictures and flying view pics on this page.
http://www.ralkiteboarding.com/?cat=8

I would say that if you placed a SB ids over a Bandit dos then the Zeeko would fit in between somewhere.

but they don't go all the way to full Delta shape that's for sure.

I used the 10m last Friday in some of the first seabreezes for west oz , stoked with the performance and the construction of this kite .
When boosting the kite is so stable in the air
wave riding no hint of stalling
Zeeko is on a winer here I think

I just got word that a French Mag has just done a test of a pile of 2010 kites and guess who won?

Igfin, your winner prediction is coming true quicker than you may have guessed.

What settings did you use?

I had it on the middle setting ,first sesh was more of a fly and try day,
will put it on the back setting for the surf . Have heeps of wind and swell coming ,
plenty of time to get the Notus tuned to my liking.
Its good to be on something new as last season I lost all interest with kiteboarding the brand I was flying would invert Tried to invert the Notus not a hint,
sometimes the ones who claim to be the best still dont have 1 pump and will invert.
will keep you posted

This French magazine has just done a back to back test of a pile of 2010 kites

I got to demo the 10m Zeeko the other day , very impressed with the all
round performance of this kite .felt bit like a C but when I changed the settings
felt like a hibrid,fast but very positive.
When boosting the kite performed sooo smooth
bar pressure not to heavy , good in the surf to
summing up good all round kite .

I have been testing the 12m2 and 9m2 over the last cople of weeks.
I hope to add a review over a cople of days.
Here is a slideshow of some detail pictures

Enjoy

s258.photobucket.com/user/HJ11-250/library?action=view¤t=31bb2e5c.pbw&t=1257006709