Looking to buy a great all round 9m2.
Can't decide between a catalyst and a bandit.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Andy.

Hi Andrew, my 2014 9m Catalyst is on its way so I'll review as soon as I have a spin on it, but based on my experience of the 2013 8m and 10m, I expect it to rock.

Simple streamlined design, no pulleys, and just the right amount of practical reinforcing. Totally gimmick-free, as with all Ozone kites.

Boosts, drifts, turns, goes upwind, relaunches, unhooks, has big range, plenty of depower at the bar - ticks all the free-rider/all-rounder boxes.

For me the perfect session on this kite involves some kickers on the outside, slicks on the inside, and a combination of boosting, high g-force slashing transitions, and some work on my paltry but oh-so-much-fun unhooked repertoire.

If you don't want to unhook and are more into boosting and less into playing in waves then you may consider the Edge too. The Edge is more Van Halen, while the Catalyst is AC/DC.

Well I have ridden both and they both tick all the all round boxes.

It will come down to the feel and the power delivery so I suggest you demo both.

I felt I could go bigger on the bandit and was quicker turning. The cat drifted slightly better in the waves. Both unhooked really easily with a little depower on the trim.

In hoping to get on the new cat this arvo which by all accounts from riders I trust to be impartial it is far more smoother and refined and if so would be my choice over the two due to reasons mentioned above.

I'm also getting on the new blade trigger so if crew want to know what I think email me.

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djdojo said...
Hi Andrew, my 2014 9m Catalyst is on its way so I'll review as soon as I have a spin on it, but based on my experience of the 2013 8m and 10m, I expect it to rock.

Simple streamlined design, no pulleys, and just the right amount of practical reinforcing. Totally gimmick-free, as with all Ozone kites.

Boosts, drifts, turns, goes upwind, relaunches, unhooks, has big range, plenty of depower at the bar - ticks all the free-rider/all-rounder boxes.

For me the perfect session on this kite involves some kickers on the outside, slicks on the inside, and a combination of boosting, high g-force slashing transitions, and some work on my paltry but oh-so-much-fun unhooked repertoire.

If you don't want to unhook and are more into boosting and less into playing in waves then you may consider the Edge too. The Edge is more Van Halen, while the Catalyst is AC/DC.

If you have the 8, 9 ordered and the 10 , you surely like a lot the catalyst :))

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djdojo said..

Hi Andrew, my 2014 9m Catalyst is on its way so I'll review as soon as I have a spin on it, but based on my experience of the 2013 8m and 10m, I expect it to rock.

Simple streamlined design, no pulleys, and just the right amount of practical reinforcing. Totally gimmick-free, as with all Ozone kites.

Boosts, drifts, turns, goes upwind, relaunches, unhooks, has big range, plenty of depower at the bar - ticks all the free-rider/all-rounder boxes.

For me the perfect session on this kite involves some kickers on the outside, slicks on the inside, and a combination of boosting, high g-force slashing transitions, and some work on my paltry but oh-so-much-fun unhooked repertoire.

If you don't want to unhook and are more into boosting and less into playing in waves then you may consider the Edge too. The Edge is more Van Halen, while the Catalyst is AC/DC.

I currently use a 2013 C4 11m as my main Kite but I'm looking at getting a 9, as the 11m C4 seems to have a lot more power than my 2010. Let me know how the Cat goes as I may switch to that instead...

maybe give it a bit more timr till theyve been on the market a while, however the last couple of years id give the bandit the edge over the catalyst for pure flying and allround performance, but id put the catalyst a long way ahead in reliability and build quality, this year though the bandit 7 is using the double rip stop material producing an even more stable conopy and a new bar and lines, ive a mate in the uk who used to test for north and is a rider for a shop riding vegas,s he reckons the b7 is a superb allround kite

Beersy - will post review as soon as it arrives and I get out on it. Meantime you're welcome to have a spin on my 8m 2013 Cat if you see me about - mostly at Brighton.

Diverbelow - I'm a team rider - switching from a 14/10/8 quiver of 2013 Cats (8 still for sale ) to a 12/9/7 of the 2014s - no need of an 8, 9 and 10.

2014 Catalyst will have you frothing. Have been riding a 10m and its super smooth, awesome to unhook, nice boots and hang time and flies almost as nice as an Edge.

i reckon the go to kite for all-round in Ozone range.

highly recommend to try one if you can!!

haven't flown new bandit yet so can't comment.

fone make heaps better product videos than ozone

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cauncy said..

fone make heaps better product videos than ozone

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djdojo said..

If you don't want to unhook and are more into boosting and less into playing in waves then you may consider the Edge too. The Edge is more Van Halen, while the Catalyst is AC/DC.

Oh dear..

It should read " The Edge is more "Burt Humperdink", while the Catalyst is "Vengaboys".

I mean the edge does jump big, but is a slow turning easy to ride kite.

The Catalyst is an all rounder and p*ss easy to ride. Suitable for newbs and older riders looking to play it safe or mow the lawn. Well suited to old mate Eppo's style.. Bahahahahahah!

Ha ha ha..true the body is starting to feel it.

I take it you don't get sarcasm NOBS...(and yet I know you do ).

...anyhow just because it is 'easy' doesn't mean you can't ride it aggressively and hard...like the rider in the promo vid, does he look like an old man mowing the lawn to you?

a good rider can make any kite look good....

Chuck ewan jaspen on a 2008 airush flow and people would be "frothing like a tooheys extra dry after being dropped on the floor"....On the flipside of that, waveslave can make any kite look bad with his kooky style and poop stance.

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NoBS said..

a good rider can make any kite look good....

Chuck ewan jaspen on a 2008 airush flow and people would be "frothing like a tooheys extra dry after being dropped on the floor"....On the flipside of that, waveslave can make any kite look bad with his kooky style and poop stance.

Agreed. Seen Lou Wainmen on the older kites, still killing the freeriders even at today's standards....


Probably not the place, but while we are at it, I'm getting spanked trying to land a double back roll, with a backloop into the second roll to pull you out...

any tips??

Here's my tip

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djdojo said..

Beersy - will post review as soon as it arrives and I get out on it. Meantime you're welcome to have a spin on my 8m 2013 Cat if you see me about - mostly at Brighton.

Diverbelow - I'm a team rider - switching from a 14/10/8 quiver of 2013 Cats (8 still for sale ) to a 12/9/7 of the 2014s - no need of an 8, 9 and 10.

Cheers, I don t get down to brighton often, but if i'm ever down there I might take you up on that