Looking for a kite below my big kite (12m Lithium) that is fast/boosty when I'm on my TT and not the SB/Wave kite.
These are two kites that are on my short list.
Can someone compare/contrast these two?
Thanks
Tony

Allano is right this is one for me...

Very different kites of course as per sail design, bridal config and overall feel of Airush versus Ozone.

First thing, both brands offer a smooth refined feel and either one will do just nicely...you make do with what you choose. Both kites will also ask a lot more of you as a rider as opposed to the plug and play of the lithuim (which I highly rate by the way).

Practically the VX has that airush feel and you can use the same smart bar. This will make the transition between kites easier and quicker to dial in. Also if you are going to go a VX highly recommend the 2012 as opposed to the 2013...the 2013 is the VX highly tuned and exaggerates the VXness...fast flying balls to the walls kite, that will boost you to the moon. To go from a 2013 VX from a lithuim will be a much greater ask than a 2012. Riders who loved the 2012 will love the challenge of the 2013 though.

VX is a SLE with some C in it. Very very fast across the window, good for onshore surf but you will need good technique to make it work cross, cross on. Flies to fast. But tecnhique can make it work. Like a C, you need to whip this kite from low to high and actively fly it in the air. It almost demands a down/forward loop when going big. Very direct feel, but still has that slight spongy steering that any bridalled kite will have. But this is only a subtle thing with the VX. The power delivery is also on/off, hence you can kill the power very quickly and put it back on. It turns faster than the edge, but this is the C at work. Also the VX suites lighter riders, heavy riders will cause this kite to fly across the window very quickly. it is a ferarri.

The edge is a very different animal. As I said the change from the lithuim to the edge would be quite something. A high aspect race kite that can turn into a great free ride kite in the smaller sizes such as the 10. Very smooth, consistent power delivery and as mentioned many times before develops plenty of apparent wind, so you better know how to edge properly to convert that power into upwind speed and vertical height. The jumping takes technique, (just as the VX) but more so. Kite speed is paramount and a delicate balance between edging enough and not too much is needed. The edge doesn't liked to be swept from low to high...keep at 1030/11 and send it. (Rusty dida great description in an earlier post somewhere). it was spot on.

Both kites are awesome...any more specific questions just ask.


in summary, the VX you need to ride fast and aggressive - within certain invidual riders makeup...but if you try and park and ride this thing it will fly like a plastic bag with strings. Go hard and fast and it gives it back to you in spades.

The edge can be ridden as hard or fast as you like...or can be used for a park and ride cruise if you so feel the need. The jumps don't rip you off the water like the VX, everything is smooth and graceful...but in higher winds this changes and it becomes a power house. Beleive it or not prefer the edge in the surf to the VX. The edge much mroe forgiving on the descent.

Both kites loves wind, the more wind, the better they get...but the VX needs it!

The edge will have a much greater wind range as in lighter winds on an efficient board it will go early due to its apparent wind build up. The VX is not great in its lower end. It craves wind...but both unlike a lot of kites enjoy being at the meduim to top end. Edge is better in gusty conditions, with the power delivery less on/off. Steering is more direct...no pulleys.

Eppo,

Thanks for the detailed response. I figured you had a good handle on these.
Makes me lean towards the Edge and maybe more the 9m vs the 10m.

Is there much difference between the 2012 and the 2013 Edge in the 9m size?
Is it worth the extra $$ for the 2013?

I know it's a different direction, but also considering the 10m C4 ... I miss my old C kites.

What you weigh, your boards, and wind speed, cold or hot wind?

I thought about a bit more and funny enough the move from the lithium to the edge might actually be less of a difference than with the VX as the lithium does have that delta pull and surprisingly does seem to fly forward in the window. But the VX flies forward quicker! Lol.

I can't comment on 2012 versus 2013 I have only used the 2013. Some say 20 percent diff, others who I also rate have said little difference just slightly quicker turning. Sorry need to look elsewhere to get this info.

C4 yep why not. If you rode the old c kites then the new C4 will feel more at home with you than the earlier models.

You need to demo if you can you have asked about three very very different kites and feel.

There is the catalyst. Bit of C4 and edge and closer to a plug and play but a little more exciting than the lithium. Just saying. Lol

I'm not sure about the old Airush kites but new VX 2013 has a valve which can take much bigger nozzle and for bigger kites this means a lot. I like it.

I do not like the molded bar tho. Or need some more time with it.

The fact that a bar can be converted to 5 lines in less than 1min is appealing.

Really didn't know that about the 2013 bar? Cool.

Yeh I wasn't a fan of the moulded thingies, turned the bar into a really wide bar in your hands.

But apparently it helps the freestyles keep a grip in their fan dangled spins and handle passes.

For free ride it gave me the Sh1ts,,,but you get used to it.

The self landing setup is just superb. Throw the bar away at 12 o'clock and softly softly she comes down onto the nose, that was a blessing when out in crazy winds with just another riders who refued to come in until I landed mine..yep my brother.

He's a landing snake man. Once we kept kiting for an hour over the last juices had drained from our bodies, flying past each other, with tongue hanging out, blurred vision, legs numb, hands locked into some arthritic fixed position. I refused to give in!

I eventually crashed his kite from exhaustion and came in...ha ha ha h....ouch, i couldn't walk the next day

There is a new Kite Comparison site out there, worth a look. Never the same as riding the kite but a good starting place to check data.

www.kitecomparison.com/airush/varial-x

www.kitecomparison.com/ozone/edge-2013/edge-9m

Ya looked at the site. My info is better. Ha ha ha

Which way did you end up going ??

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kiter22 said...
There is a new Kite Comparison site out there, worth a look. Never the same as riding the kite but a good starting place to check data.

www.kitecomparison.com/airush/varial-x

www.kitecomparison.com/ozone/edge-2013/edge-9m

that would have to be the most useless site to compare kites .

I was expecting actual detailed reviews

Read above all you need to know n

A bit off topic, but I'm considering buying a varial X, probably 2012, as a substitute for my vapor X 11m. Unfortunately the VX doesn't come in 11m. Which size, 10 or 12m would be closer to the vapourX 11m ? I don't really want to lose much bottom end but I also enjoy lowish wind kiteloops, wouldn't really want something significantly slower turning than the VapourX 11. Other kites i should defenately be looking at in stead ?

Hey get in touch with a guy called Mike Birt in the UK...he understands these airush kites better than most...

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Pemba said...
A bit off topic, but I'm considering buying a varial X, probably 2012, as a substitute for my vapor X 11m. Unfortunately the VX doesn't come in 11m. Which size, 10 or 12m would be closer to the vapourX 11m ? I don't really want to lose much bottom end but I also enjoy lowish wind kiteloops, wouldn't really want something significantly slower turning than the VapourX 11. Other kites i should defenately be looking at in stead ?

I'm riding my VX 12m 2013 in 13kn min (no max yet:). To loop it with a jump, needs min 16kn. That is on a smallest bar settings, quickest kite settings.

Adding 3m lines extensions will add to the bottom end, like 11-12kn. But no loops, no quick response ether, just mowing...Same bar and kite settings.