Airush have done a great job of getting Vapors out to mags for some early reviews - here they are:
IKSurf uk online:
"Classic kite feel with bow like depower, smooth fast turning and light bar pressure, a great all round kite that will suit lots of riders."
"The Vapor is a totally new hybrid kite from Airush and is in a class of its own."
"What Airush have managed to create here is a kite that has nearly all the characteristics of a great classic kite, yet thrown in the depower and range of a great bow."
"A fantastic little kite from Airush that packs plenty of punch with an impressive range."
Kitesurf UK, May / June 2007
"The bar we especially liked; the safety is activated via a red ‘switch’ that cleanly releases a clip letting the Vapor leash out onto its 5th line."
"the fact that we were having fun on this 10m while those on 12m SLE kites were struggling cannot be overlooked."
"relaunch was academic thanks to the swept back tips and any slight reluctance was easily countered by tensioning the fifth line via the toggle near the chicken loop."
"The quick release switch is a revelation (Auswind edit: the same one Airush have been using for 2 seasons now!) – I personally would have no qualms about hitting that in a split second since it is so easy to set up again."
"Airush have bridged the gap between the beginner friendly / freeride SLE kites and the high performance competition kites, not by adding lengths of line and pulleys, but by taking away. 18 months ago, who would think that would have been the answer?"
Links to the full review pfs are up on the website if you'd like to read the full versions.
airush.com/news/
Matt here from Auswind
Tuning the Vapor is pretty much like any kite:
the bar should be zeroed (all lines same length with CL butted up against the bar.With the depower fully extended. check your bar regularly as lines can stretch differentially with wipeouts and other variables. We are constantly amazed at how far out people's bars are when they think there is a problem with a kite.
At this setting the kite will feel like it has tons of static pull - but wont go upwind very well as the trailing edge is too pulled in to flow through the air efficiently (this setting can work on a light wind downwinder where upwind ability is not an issue) If you were to pull in the back lines any further the kite will fly backward - thats how you know that you have gone to far- this will happen with ANY kite.
As with any extended depower kite the sheeting range means you wont be able to use it all with your given arms reach -well you can try but we are talking serious poo stance... so you have to calibrate the kite by pulling the depower rope and cleating to a setting that gives you the right power range for how windy it is at any given time. You can recalibrate on the fly - i often do it once or twice on each tack if its really gusty. Like the old Airush depowe strap = The airush rope, cleat depower works beautifully!
After 10 minutes with the kite using various power settings via the depower system you should have a good idea of how to set up your kite for max power , medium wind and windy conditions for that given size.
As for 5th line - universal rules apply here too - there shouldnt be any excessive tension onh the 5th line (this will kill your kite's flying and turning ability) , but it shouldnt be excessively loose either.
The kite is tuned to fly straight out of the bag. I usually go for even pig tails - any differences here are micro calibtations that you can do far more effectively using the depower system.
Seat harnesses will give extra depower as there is more travel between harness hook and bar - seat harnesses do give a lower centre of gravity and mean you can hold a little more power and edge, Waist harnesses TEND to be favoured as a more comfortable option to free up legs for high performance moves - there is a little less sheeting range as the hook and the bar are closer together. A question of personal choice
These standard principles really apply to any kite. There are no other magical tips for tuning. Check your lines regularly!
As the vapor is not so much a static pull grunt kite but more a fast wing design- active kite flyers will get the most performance out of this design.
The super speed of the kite works with its area and wing foil shaping to deliver a "multiplier effect" for dynamic riders -crew that like kite loops, fast transitions , super fast active wave riding styles (Felix Pivec style) delivering superior upwind and boost (and paradoxically with the vapor serious float too)- F16 pilots will have a blast with this weapon
If you like to just park the kite and cruise along look to the flow or DNA. PErsonally i like the flow and vapor equally but for different reasons - the Flow has sensational pivotal turning that is awesome in the surf, the Vapor is a turbo charged lift machine that gets you high in the air and whips through kite loops.
Thanks heaps for the feedback- much appreciated, can't wait to get it on the water tomorrow morning !!!!!!!!!!
quote:
Airush have bridged the gap between the beginner friendly / freeride SLE kites and the high performance competition kites
quote:
Originally posted by Kalavasquote:
Airush have bridged the gap between the beginner friendly / freeride SLE kites and the high performance competition kites
So... any good for a beginer who was looking at buying a Flow at the start of next season?
what about all the guys that have bought latest airush models only to find newer models released 5-6 months later?
be good for resale value, good work airush!!
The Flows and DNAs currently on the market are still current designs- the Vapor is a new style of kite in the range designed for a different rider - A flat 5th line - offering a non bridled alternative that flies in a very different style to the current Flow / DNA Hybrid SLE designs.
Beginners shouldnt get onto a vapor.
- however Flow/ DNAs are suitable for beginners through to pros
Here are some excerpts from the new Kiteworld review :
"The vapor was well recieved by the test team - it jumped well, was powerful , fast and the construction was solid"
"a great stopper system that slides under pressure"
"so light on the steering"
"steering..very direct and light - "
"overall construction and quality is definitely up there"
" plenty of boost"
"loads of poke through the turns , C like loops"
" goes upwind really well - cant fault it for freestyle"
"unhooked is solid"
"good constant pull - , nice , solid drive"
"A good bet if you want an all round kite with loads of depower, familiar C kite handling"
