There is a difference between fast and twitchy. Well that's what I have found.

I got to see a new model 8m Reo handle a 40+ knot gust today from close range. I had just got tea-bagged on a 7m C kite and I was heading downwind towards Dave's Reo and too close for comfort. It briefly and very loudly folded almost in two, blew him off his strapless surfboard but he didn't go for a long flight and the kite went back to normal pretty quickly. He probably sheeted out so much that it briefly inverted. Not a criticism of the kite, just interesting. Certainly beats an uncontrolled lofting.

eppo said..

Jesus you guys crack me up. Listen the reos were a little smaller than the average , or had less power on 'average'. The new reos are more in line with the 'average' as are the new BWS kites.

From what I see they have made the smaller sizes a little less twitchy, good.

They have made the bigger sizes a bit quicker, good, the 10m wasn't real flash. Good.

They have made the chord profile a little longer and hence lower aspect. For wave riding, good.

But I must say, considering the market is fairly mature now and a lot of riders ride through winter now, ozone should revisit how long they take to bring their kites out. All debate on 2014 is not even here etc aside, crew are looking and asking and want answers now to position their quiver. But hey I might be wrong.

Hey Eppo

No offense intended;

Mostly I just sit back and read the forums these days (when I have time), and I tend to ignore a lot of your posts these days as well, because there are just too many AND you have a very strange way of describing kites, as in they have genetic materials from other kites embedded, kites are unstable when used beyond their ideal wind range, etc. I know what you mean sometimes or I think I do, but at other times your ramblings are just blinking obvious, OTT or way too over analytical.

Now you saying the 10M Reo "not too flash" thats just 100% BULLSH1T in my opinion, did/do you own one? How often do you ride one in waves on surfboards?

I've already explained several times here in the forum, Ozone produce their kites to a different beat. They do not copy they innovate and they also produce in a Just In Time production facility 100% owned by them and that only produces kites for them, and they only makes kites and high performance wings, which means they will always stagger the release of their models. Ozone customers accept this and it really is no different to the other brands as they all still have a 1 year release cycle.

This years Reo is bigger physically, than the previous year, but it also has had a substantial redesign from Rob Whitall, who is a strapless wave riding junkie. Lets just wait till some riders that ride in waves regularly, actually review this years kites.

Yes, it sucks a bit that the bar ends are not soft, but I'd still rather have them and the awesome kites they produce. There was a safety concern with the design of the proto soft ends we have been testings so they were scrapped in favor of another design now in testing (along with other control system components). Ozone will not release products unless they have been thoroughly tested, if an issue shows up in testing its back to the drawing board.

Big eeeZeee said..

pearl said..

New bag is larger. Bar looks good, still has hard bar ends. Push away safety with same elasticised rope outside plastic coated main line. Small 12" safety leash is a good idea, I've always done a mod on existing long ones to avoid them getting caught around your knee or looping in your arm. I can make it work even with a sliding hook. Safety won't suit those that unhook and do handle pass for a 360. I could see only marginal difference between 2013 and 2014 laying one over top of other. It's definitely had a small design tweak, not just adding extra material.

why do you say the new safety won't suit those that unhook?
.

^^^^^unhook AND do a handle pass^^^^^
Can't do an unhooked handle pass with that short safety leash, just keep a longer one in your kit if that's what your into. It's a way better, simpler, safer option for everyone else. You can have it connected at the front to your spreader bar. Most guys I see, just throw the whole bar around them still hooked in, if they do any kid of reverse or 360 anyway. It's only Rowdy or Stu I've seen regularly do otherwise. It's no biggy, just what length of safety leash you prefer. I like short.
Btw bar ends would not stop me from upgrading. I can see enough positive changes on ground to warrant new model. Only comment on kite after giving one decent airtime.

I'm not fussed about the bar ends , it's just annoying to hear of another set back to the development of a better bar.

I bought a new ion leash for passes as the existing leash is already too short when attaching it to the front of the spreader bar. Steve- I ended up ditching the handle pass system and opt for this safer option as I regularly get a line twisted around the bar end. All good peoples

Plummet said..

how short is the new short leash? my long leash is a pain in the arse!

That's 1 thing I've never questioned, just kept putting up with a leash that gets caught around your knees, caught around your fin, & just getting in the way. How long does a leash need to be for just surfing?

I like that little leash.

Whats the part number i want to order one.

.. nice looking new Ozone bar with push away release, can you still unswivel the front lines on this new setup?

ste said..

Anyone know if you can fit the new safety to the old bar?cheers

yes you can, personally ill stick with the old bar though, as a bloke i like a pull not a push

@ stE

yup the new leash swivel makes it even better, you can untwist the front lines very very easily, and the bonus is the leash line just unspins on the swivel, not more leash twisting, which is perfect for schools or folks who Don't unhook that often.

AMPED on the new QR, looks and more importantly feels really nice and easy to use.

I was seriously looking at buying a 6,8 and 12m Reos but I could not justify the price,instead I bought a 7,9 and 12m Best TS v2 which Im totally stoked on

I've tried the 2014 12m now twice and was waiting until today to try in the lighter winds. I'm about 83kg and ride kite surfboards, been kiting over 10 years.

I absolutely rated 10/10 the 2013 10m and 8m and tried the 2013 12m but didn't find it grunty enough for me, so was hanging out for this release.

The first time I rode it over powered in about 22 knots - I liked it and felt comfortable on it. Today was light and gusty, probably between 11 - 16 knots and I'm really impressed. Agree with what both Turtle lover and Pearl say.

It just felt right. I'd rate it almost perfect. The only negatives being that I reckon as a big light wind kite, it seems like every gram counts when drifting. It seems like Ozone could save a bit of extra weight by being more minimal on screen printing; the number of panels on the kite seemed like more (seams and stitching); and does the light wind kite really need the 6 x mini trailing edge battens?

On the few waves I got when it was light on the inside and I had a tiny bit of speed, I wanted the kite drifting away like they do so well when powered and those grams might make a difference.

Overall fantastic and keep up the good work Ozone, and don't go the way of the other brands with graphics, excess material, over engineering etc.

Buy one or three if you can afford it - especially if you reckon your old kite is keeping your standard down in the waves!

Disclaimer: No affiliation to any brand or shop!

^^ Well I'm from the west and really like my 2013 10m. Actually, in its optimum conditions, I prefer it over my more used 8m - because its more floaty for punting..

If I'm doing a downwinder, do prefer the lighter weight option of 8 or even 6 - but really for their superior drift. Just love hammering down the line continually.

We're not all the same over here believe it or not

ex said...

gokid said..

I was seriously looking at buying a 6,8 and 12m Reos but I could not justify the price,instead I bought a 7,9 and 12m Best TS v2 which Im totally stoked on

I agree they are not cheap but what happens in 2 years when you trade in or sell. The reo will be worth more and sell or trade easier, will that be the case for your best? The reo has a good reputation in the air, build quality and resale/trade in.

I'm happy for you but I have found the cheaper option is not always the Best option!

$1650 for a 10mtr complete, imo I wouldnt say that's over the top

gokid said...

cauncy said..

ex said...

gokid said..

I was seriously looking at buying a 6,8 and 12m Reos but I could not justify the price,instead I bought a 7,9 and 12m Best TS v2 which Im totally stoked on

I agree they are not cheap but what happens in 2 years when you trade in or sell. The reo will be worth more and sell or trade easier, will that be the case for your best? The reo has a good reputation in the air, build quality and resale/trade in.

I'm happy for you but I have found the cheaper option is not always the Best option!

$1650 for a 10mtr complete, imo I wouldnt say that's over the top

I dont want to say say how much I payed for my 3 new Best kites over the net but it was a huge difference between them and the Reos,a lot of my mates have Reos and Edges and they are super good kites,no doubt about it,I have ridden a 8 and 10m Reos and I really liked them both,if the difference between the two brands was only a few hundred dollars I would of got the Reos, but it wasn't,I think that Ozone kites are overpriced but if you really love them and have the money buy them but remember not everyones income is the same

I completely agree, especially on individual financial situations, personally i always buy a year behind as the kites are generally tweeked slightly , good savings too, the are plentiful cashed up people flying the latest gear when they havnt flown their previous kites within a mile of its capabilities