Rider: 78kg intermediate
Style: Freeriding on a twintip (nobile 50fifty)
Weather: 15-30knots
Build Quality: 9.5/10
Satisfaction: 9.5/10
Disclosure: Ozone and SHQ team rider

My Comments: I've waited a while to review these kites as the start to our season was pretty ordinary, but I've had quite a few excellent sessions on them now and am ready to say a few words.

Firstly, I came straight off 2011 9m and 12m so I have a direct comparison. For those already familiar with C4s this is a significantly refined evolution of the 2011 kites. Compared to the 2011:

More bottom end. More parked power and a major increase in the kites' ability to pull forwards even when sheeted in and sining. It's like the foil shapes have some Edge influence as they really pull, even on the upstroke (good for catching you from mega-giga-hyperloops too, I'd imagine).

Better upwind. Related to the capacity to pull forward under load mentioned above, again the 2012s feel just a bit more "Edgey," like they can create a good lift/drag ratio through a large range of sheeting angle.

Similar top end. The stability is similar to last year's - amazing. By using the freeride setting (knot closest to the leading edge on the centre bridle attachment) you can get a bit more depower too which is useful in very gusty conditions.

Wider unhooking range. I'm a hack at unhooking but even so I'm comfortable to unhook over a big windrange on the 2012s, and only pull in trim at the very top of the range. The power is so steady and reliable that my confidence, if not yet my skills, has taken off. Maybe I'll try an s-bend later this season.

New colour options. Everyone comments favourably on the red/gold/black colours - bold, and a bit less sedate than the past two years' options.

Boosting. Perhaps I'm getting more used to the C4s in general but I'm definitely boosting bigger this season.

Trim. On the 9m I've gone to the shortest knot on the rear lines whereas the 12m and last years kites I ran on the middle knot. Don't be afraid to shorten your rear lines a bit if you're not getting enough low end. The kites are very resistant to stalling and getting the trim right will reward you with maximum range.

For those who've not ridden any of the C4s: There are far better riders than me to review these from an advanced perspective, so I'll stick to what's relevant for beginners to intermediates.

Firstly, you could learn on this kite. It wouldn't be ideal, but there are enough depower and relaunch capabilities that a beginner could handle it, and probably develop better flying skills as a result.

If you're beyond beginner, and bored with your bow/delta kites, this is the go-to kite. It's sedate if you just want to cruise, but the more and the better input you provide through trim, edging, and timing, the bigger the rewards in terms of being able to position the kite exactly where you want for the type of pull you want.

Edging and popping against this kite is delightful. Even for basic hooked-in rotations it gives great feedback on takeoff and throughout the jump. It's easy to feel and correct it if the kite is turning higher or lower than you'd like.

I don't do full-on kiteloops but I do downloop air transitions and regularly loop the kite when fun/useful during regular riding, landings and transitions. The loops are as wide or as tight as you like, and the pull is predictable and consistent through the turn. Even the 12 gets around very fast if you pull the bar right in, whilst offering a slower sweeping turn if you sheet out a few inches.

Boosting does require more skill than on a lower aspect bow/delta, however once you get the timing right it will rip you up high, and if you stay sheeted in and fly the kite actively it will let you down as gently as you'd like.

I prefer the wakestyle/newschool setting as the bar pressure is more constant through the throw range and the pull is more consistent. However, if you're used to having more depower at the bar then the freeride setting (knot closest the leading edge) will be more familiar, and also probably a better setting if you're using the kite in the waves hooked-in on a surfboard.

I like the lightest bar pressure setting on the 12 and the medium on the 9.

There is a good overlap in range from the 9 to the 12, and a 4 metre gap may be possible, though not ideal.

The bar is still the Ozone Contact bar and I love its simplicity and functionality. The lines are superb quality with 500kg on the front and 300kg on the rear so they'll last forever.

Construction is the usual Ozone impeccable standard: the elegance and attention to detail that you'd expect from a paraglider company.

In summary, if you want a versatile kite that will help you become a better rider and flyer, and that specialises in unhooking and looping then get on a C4. The simplicity of the very short and pulley-free bridle gives performance, range and relaunch to suit anyone from competent beginner to pro. The only reason I give 9.5s rather than 10s is to allow room for the inevitable improvements that Ozone will undoubtedly devise for the next model!

Good review I reckon. I especially like the comment on unhooked range which is rarely included in reviews because often either:
a) Reviewer is an advanced/pro with a 5-kite quiver
b) Reviewer doesn't unhook

Also kudos to Ozone for continuing to do 1m size gaps without a (reported) dud through the range. The choice of a 7/10, 8/11 or 9/12 quiver is awesome. Hopefully next year I can afford some new kites....

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djdojo said...

Everyone comments favourably on the red/gold/black colours.

Yes, I certainly have!

I bought a 2012 9m and all I can say is it's super smooth, loops are awesome with constant power delivery. I'm 90kg and can unhook from 23-28 kts and top end so far is 30 without depower, should go close to 35

How do you guys find the safety/depower connection when you unhook do you ever find your leash getting twisted around the chicken loop if you don't use the suicide point?

^^^ no problems. i always ride suicide with the clip around the depower line and not the little metallic loop they have

I use the ring with the ozones, unless I'm in waves or big winds. Then I'll use the flag line incase it all goes tits up.

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Big eeeZeee said...

^^^ no problems. i always ride suicide with the clip around the depower line and not the little metallic loop they have

Does that allow you to release and the flagging line slip off the chicken loop?

^^^^ Nah, with your leash on the depower line you're just as suicide as on the metal ring. I choose the metal ring so that the chicken loop engages the bar more positively when unhooked (easier to hook back in) and so there's less chance of the leash twisting around the depower line when rotating.

The flagging option means that you can't do infinite loops in one direction else the leash will wrap around the depower line. This is no hassle though as it's easy to unspin manually while riding so you don't have to loop equally in both directions.

Totally agree with Djdojo review.

Just took 9m C4 out last weekend in 25 - 30 knots and loved it. So much so I bought a 9m and 12m on the Monday.

Used to use North Vegas, but with these kites I will be more confident to loop and unhook.

What about the durability of this kite. Do you think the material are better then 2011? I have had the 2011 for only 1 year (of course) and it is falling apart. I do quite a lot of unhocked tricks and the kite fall often in the water but in the last two months I had a big rip when it was flying, two valve changes and the zip on the leading broken which made the bladder blowing up.
Is it normal for a kite after 30ish session?

The materials are the same for 2012 as 2011 and the durability of all Ozone kites is great. There was a batch issue with valves and replacement bladders were made available for free for all affected kites.

If it's falling apart after 30 sessions then you probably should be treating it better (and this is true of any kite).

Don't:

Leave it flogging in the wind, sun and sand when not in use.

Pack or store or transport it in such a way that it's being rubbed on itself or by other objects.

Over inflate.

Do:

Remove as much sand as possible before packing up.

Check for and remove any sand/shells etc between the leading edge and the front of the canopy.

Use the inner bag provided to prevent abrasion by other gear.

Stick to these basics and you should get a good few seasons even if you're crashing (on water) a fair bit.

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aleamodio said...

What about the durability of this kite. Do you think the material are better then 2011? I have had the 2011 for only 1 year (of course) and it is falling apart. I do quite a lot of unhocked tricks and the kite fall often in the water but in the last two months I had a big rip when it was flying, two valve changes and the zip on the leading broken which made the bladder blowing up.
Is it normal for a kite after 30ish session?

I've come to the conclusion that kites just don't last the distance when you do freestyle and are constantly dropping the kite, no matter what brand. From now on i'm buying new/second hand 11m c4's every year and replacing my other kites every 2 to 3 years. Just a fact. I still think ozone manufacture THE best quality kites, and i don't think it's so much general beach wear, but wear from smashing them around p.s I don't ride for ozone, but plan to in the future

As they seem to be an all round kite now with the freeride setting, are these 2012 C4's also good for waveriding or would a Catalyst be a better bet for waves and freeride?

Depending on your style you could use them for waveriding (would suit hooked-in more than unhooked down-the-line I suspect), and the freeride setting will definitely be the better setting for that. However they are still higher aspect with less projected area and two more struts than the catalyst so they're never going to drift as well, and relaunch, though quick for a C, is not as fast.

Unless you really want the freestyle (unhooked tricks and loops) potential of the C4, the Catalyst will be the better all-rounder to hit the waves and still be fun on a twintip.

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djdojo said...

The materials are the same for 2012 as 2011 and the durability of all Ozone kites is great. There was a batch issue with valves and replacement bladders were made available for free for all affected kites.

If it's falling apart after 30 sessions then you probably should be treating it better (and this is true of any kite).

Don't:

Leave it flogging in the wind, sun and sand when not in use.

Pack or store or transport it in such a way that it's being rubbed on itself or by other objects.

Over inflate.

Do:

Remove as much sand as possible before packing up.

Check for and remove any sand/shells etc between the leading edge and the front of the canopy.

Use the inner bag provided to prevent abrasion by other gear.

Stick to these basics and you should get a good few seasons even if you're crashing (on water) a fair bit.

I don't think it is matter of how you treat the kite, if you have the 2 valves broken in a month (broken doesn't mean unglued)... and believe me you would be surprise to see how I treath my kites. Maybe it's correct saying that you need to change the kite often if you do freestyle. However I also think that there are kites more durable in the market. My question was genuin and not polemic. I like the way the medium/big size C4 fly and if they had improved the material I would have considered to try again with the 2012. Because it is not like that I don't feel confortable in buying it again. I finish to destroy this one and I will move to another brands!!

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Big eeeZeee said...

aleamodio said...

What about the durability of this kite. Do you think the material are better then 2011? I have had the 2011 for only 1 year (of course) and it is falling apart. I do quite a lot of unhocked tricks and the kite fall often in the water but in the last two months I had a big rip when it was flying, two valve changes and the zip on the leading broken which made the bladder blowing up.
Is it normal for a kite after 30ish session?

I've come to the conclusion that kites just don't last the distance when you do freestyle and are constantly dropping the kite, no matter what brand. From now on i'm buying new/second hand 11m c4's every year and replacing my other kites every 2 to 3 years. Just a fact. I still think ozone manufacture THE best quality kites, and i don't think it's so much general beach wear, but wear from smashing them around p.s I don't ride for ozone, but plan to in the future

I think you are right, one year is the right time!

Hmmm, good luck finding a better constructed kite than an Ozone. There are a couple of brands that are close, but once you're using primo materials, have a dedicated factory, and a great design team, you come up against the fundamental limits of current technology. I'm not saying there's no room for improvement, but unless a rad new material or construction technique is invented, the top brands - including Ozone - are getting as much durability as can be expected given the materials and usage parameters.

^^^^ yep.

ozone = attention to detail, quality.

although i don't know about the 2012 bag. Thought the 2011 poops on it

^^^^ yep.

ozone = attention to detail, quality.

although i don't know about the 2012 bag. Thought the 2011 poops on it

nice review. except i don't believe all the hype. come on the 2012 is "significantly" refined over the 2011 C4?. I call booolarks to that. . no doubt it will be tweeked and slightly better than last years model but significanlty?
Team riders say that every year. i heard the same thing for the 2010 to 2011 c4.... the reality. slighty better but feels almost exactly the same!.

Well, demo one and see for yourself. Yes, a similar feel (what C4 riders love) AND a wider range and better upwind. Even in my intermediate hands the refinements feel significant.

It's still just a kite though - a bunch of woven plastic on strings - nobody's claiming that it has supernatural powers, just that it's quite noticeably better than last years bunch of woven plastic on strings.

Enjoy!

One thing I don't like about the Ozones in 2012 is the value! Higher price than last year yet downgraded bag, no travel bag and no pump!

^^^ Perhaps just an issue in Belgium? In Oz the kites are the same price including the backpack, inner bag and pump.

I got no inner bag with my 9 ? was i supposed to get one as i find them very handy.

Pretty sure you should have got the inner bag. I know you can customise your order but most shops stock the kites complete. Steve McKitepower will be able to answer all such questions more accurately than I can.

Isn't that the whole purpose of tweaking a kite, to improve it, not change its feel or purpose? My Opinion... Ozone kites, quality and attention to detail is unmatched, the kites do exactly what they are said to do, in the right hands the possibilities with these kites especially the C4 are almost endless. And ozone are always trying to improve an already awesome line of kites, so small tweaks is all that is needed.
I currently ride a 8 - 11 quiver of C4's, 8mtr is 2011, 11mtr is 2012 (just upgraded) with a 132 board, Range from 13 - 30knts , 82 kgs rider. Not exactly sure what my unhooked range would be, if it feels good pop it.

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Plummet said...

nice review. except i don't believe all the hype. come on the 2012 is "significantly" refined over the 2011 C4?. I call booolarks to that. . no doubt it will be tweeked and slightly better than last years model but significanlty?
Team riders say that every year. i heard the same thing for the 2010 to 2011 c4.... the reality. slighty better but feels almost exactly the same!.

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Berg K1t3r said...

Isn't that the whole purpose of tweaking a kite, to improve it, not change its feel or purpose? My Opinion... Ozone kites, quality and attention to detail is unmatched, the kites do exactly what they are said to do, in the right hands the possibilities with these kites especially the C4 are almost endless. And ozone are always trying to improve an already awesome line of kites, so small tweaks is all that is needed.
I currently ride a 8 - 11 quiver of C4's, 8mtr is 2011, 11mtr is 2012 (just upgraded) with a 132 board, Range from 13 - 30knts , 82 kgs rider. Not exactly sure what my unhooked range would be, if it feels good pop it.

Plummet said...

nice review. except i don't believe all the hype. come on the 2012 is "significantly" refined over the 2011 C4?. I call booolarks to that. . no doubt it will be tweeked and slightly better than last years model but significanlty?
Team riders say that every year. i heard the same thing for the 2010 to 2011 c4.... the reality. slighty better but feels almost exactly the same!.

yes your right. the kites year from year are slightlty tweeked and slightly better. They are not significantlty better. that was my whole point. Killing the instinct sport range and releasing the c4 was a significant change. 2010 to 2011 c4. slight tweeks.

My rant was not about djdojo in particular or ozone in particular. I see it every year with every kite brands team riders. "this years kite is soooo much beter than last years...." blah, blah, blah ,blah. Unless your introducing a whole new technology like going from C kite to SLE or to hybrid C or something like that then there is only slight changes to be made and only slight improvements each year.

Hi guys,

The story with kite companies releasing new kites every year is not necessarily for you to have to upgrade every year. The newer kites are a progression in design so each year, the latest developments are released to the market. You shouldn't need to upgrade your kites for at least two years.

The every year upgrades are for people new to the brand or model, coming from another brand. It is the kiting community that feels the need to upgrade each year, it has nothing to do with the kite companies. No one is saying you wont be able to ride without having the latest gear or that old gear is obsolete (except Best with the Hellfish [}:)]).

There are rarely "significant" improvements from the top companies as each new model gets refined. Also depends on how you scale significant. If you are a designer and have been bugged for years about how to remove something as small as a bit of flutter from a wingtip and you finally manage it, then this to them, could be a significant improvement, whereas consumers may see significant as the change in windrange from "C" kites to bridled hybrids as significant.

It's all in your mind. Be happy with what you have and demo new gear if you aren't. If you feel the improvements are significantly better and that the price to upgrade is worth it, then do so, otherwise, stick with what you have.

DM

It'll be "significant" once the 2013 bar arrives!

I think thbe biggest improvement on the C4 has already been made between the 2010 - 2011, i thought the low end in all sizes was terrible (2010), there was definately a 'significant' improvement there for me.