Hi guys,

Rider: 80kg, intermediate
Style: Big jumps and Surf
Weather: 18-35knots

Im looking at both kites in the 11m size. Cant decide between the reliability of the big boosting switchblade (only tried the 2010 version) which I love but I really hate the feel on my arms after an hour! Too much bar pressure. Have they reduced this on the 2011 version?

The Bandit I tried was a 2011 10m in very low wind so dont know enough about it and have heard bad things online about its safety.

Has anyone any info on the Bandit safety and whats the new bar like...??? A bit sus on the exposed aluminium tips!

C

regarding barpressure.
Its pretty much the same for 2011. The kite might be a tad fresher/quicker now that the backlines are connected directly to the kite.
However it is very likely that the heavier barpressure you notice on the Switchblade is caused by incorrect tuning of the kite.
I fly the Switchblades myself and dont have any barpressure problems on my own kites. But I sometimes try other ppl's kites, and notice they are tuned too powerfull. Which will result in excessive barpressure.

Also when standing on the beach with your kite in the air, there is no apparent wind in your kite. Meaning the barpressure is low. Tricking you into thinking you have no power. So you setup the kite for more power.
But once you get on the water and riding, the apparent wind kicks in. And you'll find the bar tends to pull away from you > heavy barpressure.

Cabrinha made a tech video for tuning the controlbar. Well worth to have a look at.

I did check my lines! They are perfect....so what to do??

Does the Bandit 4 12m equal the switchblade 12m??

HELP!

The switchblade pulls like a truck and if its too heavy on the bar why don't you look at the North fuse, very light on the bar yet loads power for its size. I haven't flown the Bandit but have a mate who is changing B4 to Fuse as he likes it so much.

I just changed from an 11 core Xr (also a truck) to a 10 fuse ( same power with light bar pressure).
Fuse is awesome in the surf and also a big jumper with good hang time so will tick all your boxes.

Disclaimer: no affiliation with North just really happy with my new purchase

Haven't ridden a new switchblade only the 09 and it's bar pressure was way to heavy. I ride the Bandit 4's and they are fantastic kites, so easy to use the best all round kite I've ever ridden, unhooked, handle passes, wave riding etc. (Boosts are huge : -) )

Safety: Standard it has a mini 5th through the bar or it has a suicide attachment. Personally I only use the suicide connection as to me it offers enough depower. But if you are after more safety use the mini fifth and it will completely kill the kite just float on its back. The safety release has no mechanical/ moving parts so I believe it has much less chance of stuffing up.
The bar is aluminium all the way through (v.strong), it's covered wear it needs to be comfy, tips are exposed where the lines connect thus no wear or rubbing marks from the lines (vice versa lines aren't going to get marked by aluminium whereas plastic may cause some wear)

If you don't like the feel of a switchblade... go test the Bandit 4 with some wind.... they are awesome.

Go the B4....best all round kite ive ever ridden since 2000....ride the 11m with the larger bar and it rocks in the surf and boosts huge...Perfect bar pressure.if you are an experienced kiter the flag out system wont worry you. wont need another kite! And this is not a pimp!

ok..Im a dufus...so I bought the 12m switchblade cos back to back with a bandit of same size it was just more powerful... It also felt smoother than last year and even more powerful (even though I was told it shouldnt be?). Got the grey pattern/red color which looks great. Monster jumps...love it and it feels safe :)

Guess I just gotta beef up those arms...sorry Bandit guys

Both great kites and you cant go wrong with either. Both companies have put a lot into these kites and refined over time with extensive R&D.

That being said don't expect anything positive on this forum for Cabrinha kites. Their seems to be a growing contingent who bag them at every opportunity. 9/10 of these people have their own agendas /reasons. But enough said on that

Well you guys are pretty new to kiting then if you think a 2010 -2011 Switchblade has heavy bar pressure lol

They are not even close to what one would call heavy bar pressure try flying a kite from 2005

Man up I say ....and so does chopper

Has the Switchy been rigged on the correct pigtails at the kite. - By changing the lines to the featherlight bar pressure, this may help. Though if it is still pulling like a truck on this setting, then take some of Harry Potter's advice

Tried both kites in LIGHT WIND (approx 12 kts) and here's what I observed:

12m Switchy: Better bottom end power, relaunched better in light wind
12m Bandit 4: Turns faster, slightly less bar pressure