Hi all.

Does the 2013 Reo have a similar power to a 2013 Cat? Or would a 12m Reo be more similar to a 10m Cat?

Cheers

Yep, in the 2013s, about a size smaller in the Cats for the same sort of power. As you said, 12 REO = 10m Cat

For 2014 the difference is smaller but Cats still a bit punchier.

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djdojo said..

Yep, in the 2013s, about a size smaller in the Cats for the same sort of power. As you said, 12 REO = 10m Cat

For 2014 the difference is smaller but Cats still a bit punchier.

Have not tried 2014 Cat but as above I have been out same time with 2014 Reo's when Djdojo been out and with the same kite size and we are similar in power but I am on Sb the new Reo's are insane love them

I own a 2012 12m Reo, a 2014 10m cat and a 2013 8m cat. There is definite power difference between them. I would say the most difference between the two is turning speed is hugely increased in the Reo. Also the cat seems more stable when its parked at 10/2 or at 12. Take your attention off the Reo for 2 seconds and the bloody thing starts diving off to the side or straight down at a hundred mph whereas the cat is more or less happy to stay put.

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Phoney said..

I own a 2012 12m Reo, a 2014 10m cat and a 2013 8m cat. There is definite power difference between them. I would say the most difference between the two is turning speed is hugely increased in the Reo. Also the cat seems more stable when its parked at 10/2 or at 12. Take your attention off the Reo for 2 seconds and the bloody thing starts diving off to the side or straight down at a hundred mph whereas the cat is more or less happy to stay put.

Mate you need to try 2014 Reo different to 2012,2013 kite Very stable after doing double backwoods roll the kite is parked at 11 o'clock and is still there after transition

Personally I prefer the 2012/13 Reo. The new Reo is a handful when its windy. Old Reo = awesome storm kite.

^^^ But what size 2014 Reo have you tried and in what winds?
The 2014 is a much better kite, but it is also a physically bigger kite than the years before. Its more stable in stronger winds, but you do need the right size.

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Kitepower Australia said..

^^^ But what size 2014 Reo have you tried and in what winds?
The 2014 is a much better kite, but it is also a physically bigger kite than the years before. Its more stable in stronger winds, but you do need the right size.

Ditto to this This kite give you more rang of kiting power or drift But always try to have appropriate size up Hate to be over powered in waves and have had the 6m out on Nuclear winds 'great kite'

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Kitepower Australia said..

^^^ But what size 2014 Reo have you tried and in what winds?
The 2014 is a much better kite, but it is also a physically bigger kite than the years before. Its more stable in stronger winds, but you do need the right size.

I was demoing a 10m in winds ranging from 22-26 knots. Sure its at the top end of the 10m wind range. I just didn't like how it performed at the top end. Its a shame because I really wanted one.... Sadly 2014 Reo doesn't suit my style.

That's not to say its not someone elses style. The morel of the story as it always. Demo, demo demo.

I don't think there's many bad kites out there these days. Just more specialist kites optimised to suit a particular style. Find the kite that suits your style.

On a side note. On my 2012 6m Reo yesterday in nuclear winds. Awesome fun. BIG grins.

^^^ At the risk of repeating myself, the REO's power delivery, bar pressure/depower profile etc are optimised for surfboards. Given that twinnies take more power to get going and stay going, you will be using a given size REO outside of its intended wind-range and application riding it on a twin tip. It may work OK, but this all-round riding is what the Catalyst is for.

I know you're not near a retailer with demos but Plummet I reckon you'll dig the 2014 Catalyst if you can get your hands on one - much closer to your beloved earlier generation C4s in feel, and significantly smoother than the 2013 Cats. A few 2011 C4 riders here have tried my Cats and been blown away. The stability and smoothness of the 2011-12 C4s with better upwind, boosting, drift and relaunch.

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djdojo said..
Given that twinnies take more power to get going and stay going, you will be using a given size REO outside of its intended wind-range and application riding it on a twin tip.

Not so in my case my man. Remember I'm not on a standard tt but a larger 142x43 mutant that's set up for waves. I'm in the waves 100% of the time.
Sure I enjoy a good boost and often use a kitesize bigger when I'm doing a boost only session.

But most times I'm on the same size kite as my surfboard riding buddies.

For you reference these pic's are from my local spots and represent the type of waves I ride in when its cranking. In these instances don't you think a wave kite would be ideal?

Firstly, sweet pics - I have wave envy.

In terms of what kite for what job, it also comes down to how much you want to be able to switch off the power as well as how much peak or static power you need.

Beyond that, I'm just saying that if you loved your 2011 C4 10m, then in that size range the Cat will be closer in feel and performance than the REO. I'd suggest 9m 2014 Catalyst as having comparable wind range.

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djdojo said..

Beyond that, I'm just saying that if you loved your 2011 C4 10m, then in that size range the Cat will be closer in feel and performance than the REO. I'd suggest 9m 2014 Catalyst as having comparable wind range.

I enjoyed the 2011 C4. But i'm not searching for a kite similar to the c4 anymore. I've moved on since then and want a change. If I get a chance to demo the cat I will. But from what i hear reading the reviews it seems to me that both the cat and the reo are moving in a direction that conflicts with my style.

Its a shame for me because it means I have to look outside the ozone range in that size......

But still loving my other ozone 13 edge 8 cat and 6 reo. I'll be happy to punt up and buy a 13 edge without a demo. Plus this new chrono which lets face it is a speed4 competitor might mean that i can ditch the flysurfer and run the chrono. So all is not lost on the ozone front.

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Plummet said..

Kitepower Australia said..

^^^ But what size 2014 Reo have you tried and in what winds?
The 2014 is a much better kite, but it is also a physically bigger kite than the years before. Its more stable in stronger winds, but you do need the right size.

I was demoing a 10m in winds ranging from 22-26 knots. Sure its at the top end of the 10m wind range. I just didn't like how it performed at the top end. Its a shame because I really wanted one.... Sadly 2014 Reo doesn't suit my style.

That's not to say its not someone elses style. The morel of the story as it always. Demo, demo demo.

I don't think there's many bad kites out there these days. Just more specialist kites optimised to suit a particular style. Find the kite that suits your style.

On a side note. On my 2012 6m Reo yesterday in nuclear winds. Awesome fun. BIG grins.

Been travelling, was just in NZ, but south island, now off to Wa tomorrow. 10M 2014 Reo on a surfboard in 22-26 is a bit much, but why judge the whole model range from one overpowered ride? Just makes no sense to do that.
I still think that the kite for you and "your style" is the 2014 C4, in the freeride setting, on a normal bar, its a very good kite with heaps of boost, float and drift.

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Kitepower Australia said..

Plummet said..

Kitepower Australia said..

^^^ But what size 2014 Reo have you tried and in what winds?
The 2014 is a much better kite, but it is also a physically bigger kite than the years before. Its more stable in stronger winds, but you do need the right size.

I was demoing a 10m in winds ranging from 22-26 knots. Sure its at the top end of the 10m wind range. I just didn't like how it performed at the top end. Its a shame because I really wanted one.... Sadly 2014 Reo doesn't suit my style.

That's not to say its not someone elses style. The morel of the story as it always. Demo, demo demo.

I don't think there's many bad kites out there these days. Just more specialist kites optimised to suit a particular style. Find the kite that suits your style.

On a side note. On my 2012 6m Reo yesterday in nuclear winds. Awesome fun. BIG grins.

Been travelling, was just in NZ, but south island, now off to Wa tomorrow. 10M 2014 Reo on a surfboard in 22-26 is a bit much, but why judge the whole model range from one overpowered ride? Just makes no sense to do that.
I still think that the kite for you and "your style" is the 2014 C4, in the freeride setting, on a normal bar, its a very good kite with heaps of boost, float and drift.

Well I know the Reo is awesome in the low end of its range for wave riding. That is without question. The question I had was how did it ride in the upper end of its wind range. I didn't like how it flew at the top end of its range. For me that's a deal breaker.

As for the C4. Has the 2014 C4 changed dramatically from the 2013? If it still has that high bar pressure as the 2013 its a deal breaker for my stuffed wrist and elbow.