Rider: 78kg, Level: Intermediate/Advanced depending on your criteria
Style: Freeriding
Disclosure: SHQ Boardsports and Ozone team rider

I've ridden the 12 quite a bit, the 9 a couple of times, and still waiting for a spin on the 7.

My Comments: Regular forum readers will know that I rated the 2013 Cats and my review of them is still very relevant to the 2014s: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/2013-Ozone-Catalyst-Plug-and-Play-Perfection/

So, what's new?

1. A slightly more C-ish arc (primarily due to minor bridle mods I believe) and C-ish feel. By this I mean two specific things - the kite is more responsive to edging as a means of power control with minimal bar movement, and secondly, I am happier unhooking without trimming the kites.

2. Higher top-end. The 12 gets me going in barely a fart and yet I'm impressed by how long I can hold it down and ride in control with a decent stance too. How many knots - dunno, maybe still comfy at 22-23 - very hard to put precise figures but definitely more stable and less lateral pull/drag at top end. The 9 probably tops out for me at about 27-28 in terms of comfortably able to ride and boost with good stance and control. (I seem to ride smaller kites than most similar sized riders though)

3. Bolder graphics - brighter colour choices without succumbing to the kindergarten artwork craze of some companies (with apologies to our junior artistes).

4. Proprietary one-pump hose elbows and a more glossy-looking hose. These eliminate the cable-ties and the rubber covers from the last few years of Ozones for a sleeker look. The hoses are directed closer to the struts/leading edge too. The hoses seem less susceptible to sticking closed when deflating too.

The question for me is - who isn't this kite for!? It will suit the vast majority of riders in the vast majority of conditions.

But, if you're a racer (2% of aussie kiters?), get an Edge. If you're only interested in down the line wave-riding (15% of Aussie kiters?) get a REO. If you're only interested in unhooked freestyle (another 15%?) - get a C4 (though Patrick Blanc uses the Catalyst on the PKRA tour!).

Everyone else though, weekend warriors to all-rounders to advanced freeriders should demo a Catalyst. If superbly crafted, minimalist, pulley-free ease-of-use is your thing - you've found the kite. Demo - you won't be disappointed.

Tuning: This year I'm running the 12m on the middle rear line knot at the bar and the 9m on the shorter knot. All kites on the middle bar-pressure setting at the kite.

number 4 sounds interesting???
any pics of the one-pump system and hose fitting?
cheers.

Whats the negative points man?

Why does Patrick Blanc use a Cat on the tour over a C4?

How would the new Catalyst compare to the old C4s? Would you say the new Catalyst tries to fill the gap left when Ozone moved the C4 to a more aggressive freestyle/wakestyle machine?

I ask because I have the old C4s and love them... but I'll be after a replacement in the next year or so.

From the photos of the rios and cats it is very apparent that the 1st strutts are much longer than previous models meaning more canopy per size which means more grunt, djdojojojo, iyho has the 2014 got more parked power ,hangtime and lift than previous models

Surfingboye: Dunno if my camera would pick up the difference - I'll try it this arvo.

Plummet: What do you want me to say? That it doesn't relaunch, that it only turns anti-clockwise, that it has some secret Achilles' heel that will resolve your doubts about whether to switch from Ozones due to not liking the 2013 C4? I don't know if I can offer you anything to latch on to...

It's an all-rounder and a very good one. By definition it will not perform as well as specialised kites in their areas of specialisation. If that's a weakness, so be it, but that's its only weakness from my perspective. Get out on one - more like the older C4s in some ways - you may like it.

Default: I don't know. I'm sure he can ride whatever he wants so he must like them - or maybe he rides them to annoy Plummet? Either way, his results speak louder than my words.

Zarb: Yeah, the shifts from 2013 to 2014 bring the Cat closer to the 2012 C4s, especially the increased responsiveness to edging as mentioned above. Cats are more powerful per m2, primarily due to greater % of projected area. Cats relaunch quicker (slightly lower aspect and slightly more swept leading edge). Old C4s sit a bit deeper for unhooked stuff. Both provide similar power delivery (predictable and smooth) through turns/loops. Similar boosting technique for both kites but the Cats are a bit more forgiving on the way down. The 2011 and 2012 C4s were rockin kites - and the 2014 Cat has many of their best elements.

Cauncy: Can't comment on REOs due to limited sessions on them. I haven't laid kites on top of each other but I don't know that the 2014 Cats are lower aspect at all - maybe, but not to my eye. The 2014 Cats would not (imho) have more parked power than the 2013s, perhaps even a smidge less, but they feel a bit more efficient so they'd have the same bottom end and better top end - for my style of riding at least. Similar hangtime I'd say, and again, with a more refined feel when boosting.

Disclosure: It's ages since I rode an Edge (2011 I think!) so I have not much idea what the 2013 Edges are like on all these fronts. Clearly for some free-riders the Edge is more their cup of tea while for me I prefer the more C-ish qualities of the Cats and C4s. Demo demo demo.

@ djdojo,how would you compare the 9m to last years 10 meter(power wise,bottom end and top end) Got a 2013 8 10 and 12 meter and have been thinking to upgrade to 2014 models.
Trying to figure out whether I should go with a 7 9 12 quiver or again with a 8 10 12.
I am about 75 KG.

Good to read the review djdojo, I have a 2014 12 + 9 on the way, should arrive any day now. They will replace my trusty 2011 11+8 C4s, which have been great, which is why I held on to them for 3 seasons.

Planing to add a s/hand 2013 6m cat before winter to complete the quiver off.

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Muller said..

@ djdojo,how would you compare the 9m to last years 10 meter(power wise,bottom end and top end) Got a 2013 8 10 and 12 meter and have been thinking to upgrade to 2014 models.
Trying to figure out whether I should go with a 7 9 12 quiver or again with a 8 10 12.
I am about 75 KG.

At 75kg in WA I'd def go 12, 9, 7. Plenty of overlap from 12 to 9, and the 7 should give a good few knots extra top end on the 2013 8 which was very powerful.

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djdojo said..

Plummet: What do you want me to say? That it doesn't relaunch, that it only turns anti-clockwise, that it has some secret Achilles' heel that will resolve your doubts about whether to switch from Ozones due to not liking the 2013 C4? I don't know if I can offer you anything to latch on to...

A review that only gushes positives and doesn't state any negatives is not a review at all. Its a sales pitch to entice others to buy the kite.

Reviews that give honest opinion including good and bad points are the most useful reviews.

^^^ So ride one and tell me the bad points.

I can ride whatever kites I like - I choose the Catalyst and for me it has no bad points - nothing sticks out as a weak area. This is not to say it won't be improved upon down the track, but for now it will do smoothly and easily whatever I feel I can expect of a kite - within a twintip free-riding context. Is that so hard to believe?

Put another way, this is a kite that meets its design brief very effectively - and not every kite does. The brief does not include course racing titles nor massive slack for bar passes therefore I don't consider the absence of those capabilities to be weaknesses - feel free to disagree.

The design brief and company spiel for the Catalyst does include all the factors that matter to most regular riders most of the time. My review addresses those factors.

Djdojo

Do you think that Cat would also work for heavyweight riders - 100kg +. Is it solid enough with only three struts to handle increased loads of a heavyweight rider in stronger winds.

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djdojo said..

^^^ So ride one and tell me the bad points.

There in lies the problem for me. I can't. There is no catalyst to demo in my area. I have to rely on reviews on the internet if I am to purchase a 2014 catalyst.

I know what these kites do well. What I don't know is what they don't do well. That us what will help me make a decision to purchase. Unfortunately this review doesn't address any negative points. So it tells me nothing more than what I already know and what I can read on the ozone web site.

You say you can fly any kite you like and choose the cat. What other 2014 kites have you flown to compare the differences with? how did you come to the conclusion that this kite was for you? or did you simply order a 2014 cat because you enjoyed the 2013 model?

One of the things coming through about this years cat is that it is gruntier than previous models. Well you don't add extra grunt and retain the exact same top end. what happens is you loose top end performance. My 2012 6, reo and 8m cat lack grunt in the low end. To be honest they are very boring kites at the bottom end. But they are awesome kites at the top end. So they are ideal kites for what I want them to do.

The 2014 10 reo that I flew had lots of grunt. But I was too grunty at the top end. Had too much down wind pull when powered up. I would prefer the reo range with less grunt!....

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Plummet said..


One of the things coming through about this years cat is that it is gruntier than previous models. Well you don't add extra grunt and retain the exact same top end. what happens is you loose top end performance. My 2012 6, reo and 8m cat lack grunt in the low end. To be honest they are very boring kites at the bottom end. But they are awesome kites at the top end. So they are ideal kites for what I want them to do.

The 2014 10 reo that I flew had lots of grunt. But I was too grunty at the top end. Had too much down wind pull when powered up. I would prefer the reo range with less grunt!....

OK, on this I can comment constructively. The 2013 Cat was the gruntiest and totally different to previous models and yes for a given size it had less top end than the earlier (2010-2012) Cats. It gained usability for heavy riders that those earlier models seemed to lack (from what I heard from big guys). The 2014 feels more slippery and has less of the "down wind pull when powered up." This said, it still may have more of that than you want if you're comparing to Edges and the earlier REOs and Cats.

Have you tried smaller Edges? I'm guessing they might give more of what you're after.

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BigZeee said..

Djdojo

Do you think that Cat would also work for heavyweight riders - 100kg +. Is it solid enough with only three struts to handle increased loads of a heavyweight rider in stronger winds.

The 2013 and 2014 Cats should be excellent for big guys. I can't exactly strap on 30kg to find out, so it'd be good to have some larger guys comment but they are very solid. I know some big guys weren't sold on the earlier (2010-2012) Cats but the 2013 and 2014 are totally different.

They have larger leading edge and struts.

They have a more even and C-ish arc.

They have a deeper foil section.

These factors combine to give more stability under load and more power per m2. Demo if you can, but I'd say you'll be fine.

please continue, im curretly in the same boat lookin for a new 7m and lookin between 7m rpm or cat

I put my 8m 2013 cat on top off 2014 model loosely, Both appeared similar in size / profile. I purely wanted to quickly check similarities. I did notice the steering kite pigtail was shortened by 50 mm. I have had 3 demos on 12m cat and 2 on 10 cat. I was interested in 12,9, 7.I opted for12,10, 8 and purchased,
I also have 2013 6m cat which I really enjoyed last winter. The cat does not have static pull, power is progressive with movement. I have used my 12m half a dozen times, winds from 10/22 knots me 95 kgs. At lower wind range you really have to work and sine kite 10/12, using new ultra light wind axis 148/48 twin tip, safety bay pond flat water, was planning not fully comfortable though, 13/16 comfortable.16/22 axis limited 132/41 sweet ride, the kite feels more stable and more refined and handles the gusts better and turns faster and down loops better than last year. The boosts are higher and float is similar with comfortable landings. Adjustments made to 12m make it more all round efficient and a pleasure to use. However I did notice at 22 the gusts were trying to pull me off my edge on a few occasions, so still some power and punch there, but much improved, I do need to ride 22/25 and comment further. I really enjoy my zephyr 17 great all round good wind range, my new 12 cat is giving me the same impression although it is a different kite. The 12 cat will work for heavy people match it with good board size, demo for your own satisfaction. I am lucky to get my demos from Jason /Westozz boardsports who is very helpful and conveniently 5 mins from me. I have in past used liquid force, Airush, wainman and Blade kites and have enjoyed them, have settled with Ozone I really enjoy the edges, zephyr and cats and feel they are a good package and no problems to deal with and good service. I need more time to work out 10m cat, feel 1st impression more c , less power, used it in16/20 but not been comfortably powered on it yet to find its performance. Djdojo, steering lines already shortened 50mm, why shorten further?? My 10m on new bar already feels back stally at 16/20 which would possibly be the the low end range off this kite for my weight. Thanks Rob

Rob, rig it how you like it - as I said, the 12m is working well for me on the middle knots. The 9m just wanted that fraction more sheeting for my feel.

For the benefit of non-Ozone riders I'd modify your assertion that the Cat does not have static pull. It has more static pull than any other Ozone kite (per m2), the 2013 most of all, and the 2014 in second place after that. However, for riders coming from kites like Switchblades, Fuses, and other grunty kites, all Ozone kites may initially feel less powerful - until you get used to flying them more dynamically - better input yields better output.

thanks djdojo, I rephrase my above post by static pull I was actually meaning grunt from rest. Today wind was strong, had my 12 fully depowered was powerful and easy to control at 22 and can carry it to 25knots,I loose the ability to edge and pop, so time to move to 10cat at 22knots. I am well pleased with the 12 cat

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rcr46401 said...
I put my 8m 2013 cat on top off 2014 model loosely, Both appeared similar in size / profile. I purely wanted to quickly check similarities. I did notice the steering kite pigtail was shortened by 50 mm. I have had 3 demos on 12m cat and 2 on 10 cat. I was interested in 12,9, 7.I opted for12,10, 8 and purchased,
I also have 2013 6m cat which I really enjoyed last winter. The cat does not have static pull, power is progressive with movement. I have used my 12m half a dozen times, winds from 10/22 knots me 95 kgs. At lower wind range you really have to work and sine kite 10/12, using new ultra light wind axis 148/48 twin tip, safety bay pond flat water, was planning not fully comfortable though, 13/16 comfortable.16/22 axis limited 132/41 sweet ride, the kite feels more stable and more refined and handles the gusts better and turns faster and down loops better than last year. The boosts are higher and float is similar with comfortable landings. Adjustments made to 12m make it more all round efficient and a pleasure to use. However I did notice at 22 the gusts were trying to pull me off my edge on a few occasions, so still some power and punch there, but much improved, I do need to ride 22/25 and comment further. I really enjoy my zephyr 17 great all round good wind range, my new 12 cat is giving me the same impression although it is a different kite. The 12 cat will work for heavy people match it with good board size, demo for your own satisfaction. I am lucky to get my demos from Jason /Westozz boardsports who is very helpful and conveniently 5 mins from me. I have in past used liquid force, Airush, wainman and Blade kites and have enjoyed them, have settled with Ozone I really enjoy the edges, zephyr and cats and feel they are a good package and no problems to deal with and good service. I need more time to work out 10m cat, feel 1st impression more c , less power, used it in16/20 but not been comfortably powered on it yet to find its performance. Djdojo, steering lines already shortened 50mm, why shorten further?? My 10m on new bar already feels back stally at 16/20 which would possibly be the the low end range off this kite for my weight. Thanks Rob

I got a earlier model zephyr and 2013 12 m cat plus a high wind 2011 C4 I live in tropics so the 17 will take me out from say 13 to 18 knots then ill jump on a 12 if is pumping 15 already to 27 knots then if its 20 plus ill use my wardrobe kite lol point being I think zephyr and cats are reasonable combo
also to mention my weight is 65 kgs

Took my new 2014 9m Cat out yesterday at Brighton (VIC) on a sb in low 20s, very pleased with the kite. Coming from 2011 C4s I felt at home straight away, first impressions of the Cat...Significantly better drift, similar bar feedback, more stable, very happy that they have attached the deflate\inflate valve to the kite as I lost 3 of them on the old C4s.

Love the new bar\QR, the only negative for me personally is the the bar is much thinner than the 2011 version, something I need to get used to.

I'll write up a review once I've had a few sessions on them both.

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sk1nner said..

Took my new 2014 9m Cat out yesterday at Brighton (VIC) on a sb in low 20s, very pleased with the kite. Coming from 2011 C4s I felt at home straight away, first impressions of the Cat...Significantly better drift, similar bar feedback, more stable, very happy that they have attached the deflate\inflate valve to the kite as I lost 3 of them on the old C4s.

Love the new bar\QR, the only negative for me personally is the the bar is much thinner than the 2011 version, something I need to get used to.

I'll write up a review once I've had a few sessions on them both.

Interesting.

I'd like to know the mid to low end jumping ability compared to your 2011 c4's.

The reason i'm looking to replace my 2012 c4, which lets face it is in pristine condition, is because the mid to low end jumping is pretty average to be honest.

No Problems Plummet, ill let you know when I've had a few sessions on them, couldn't really gauge it yesterday as I was on a sb (and had just lost a fin) I'll be mixing it up on the SB and TT too.

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I got a earlier model zephyr and 2013 12 m cat plus a high wind 2011 C4 I live in tropics so the 17 will take me out from say 13 to 18 knots then ill jump on a 12 if is pumping 15 already to 27 knots then if its 20 plus ill use my wardrobe kite lol point being I think zephyr and cats are reasonable combo
also to mention my weight is 65 kgs

Glo kite. What board do you have mate? Interested in that quiver you got. Well the kite board combo as im about to get a new quiver of ozones.
Cheers

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mattkennedy said...


I got a earlier model zephyr and 2013 12 m cat plus a high wind 2011 C4 I live in tropics so the 17 will take me out from say 13 to 18 knots then ill jump on a 12 if is pumping 15 already to 27 knots then if its 20 plus ill use my wardrobe kite lol point being I think zephyr and cats are reasonable combo
also to mention my weight is 65 kgs

Glo kite. What board do you have mate? Interested in that quiver you got. Well the kite board combo as im about to get a new quiver of ozones.
Cheers

I have a 135 laluz 2013, I think is a great board except the footpads get some decent ones say maybe Apex straps, it's my go to board. If its not blowing 13knots in Broome I don't bother lol ha ha I think I learnt from trail and error, effort of doing lots of walk of shames ha ha

As for my quiver a

2010 Zephyr 17m
2013 Catalyst 12m
2011 C4 8m
Use a 55cm bar for the 12 and 17
And a 45 for the 8

Hope it helps
Cheers

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nedflanders79 said...
Cheers mate. Thats a great help. Youd get a fair wind range there.
Know what ya mean with that laluz I used to have a 132 and went through a few set of foot straps. Geez they wear out. Whats the kiting like up north in wa. Been keen to check out nigaloo.. is it any good

The laluz footstraps just didn't hold my feet every time I did a front roll one foot was hangin and then I'd **** myself lol ha ha. I think the further north you go the bigger square metre your kite gets due to air density. I think I got pretty lucky with getting my quiver right I think lol and getting a decent board lol

I don't know too much about nigaloo but wet season westerlies are pretty good and generally consistent. Also I'm glad I kinder learnt here as the winds are not too harsh or unpredictable, unless you wanna test your courage and kite in cyclone conditions lol
Other then that great beaches and relaxing.

The dry season you get spikes of eastlies and that can be great but got to be cautious of sorrounding lol

Whats a laluz? Brand

Matt, Axis kite boards work well with Ozone kites. I use 148/47 l/wind, 140/ 43 limited and 131/41 limited and enjoy them using kites 19m down to 6m edges , zephyr and cats. Axis facebook has info , westoz boardsports and kitepower stock/demo possibly ,the new range is now released. There are also plenty off other good brands around.

Xenon laluz that is mate
If you can demo demo demo
Heard shinn boards are pretty good too got mates that vouch for them

Cheers fellas I actually emailed sir rowdy yesterday as I was chasing some info on the axis boards keen to check em out.
So you run a 17 12 8 quiver glokite. Im about the same weight as you and use my 9m heaps. Whats your go to kite mate