Has anyone had 'issues' with the DOS chicken loop or harnest safety release? I sure have had my fair share of prob with it- The harnest one released (on it's own) twice while unhooked and loosing the bar- leading to a wild chase down the (thank god) shallow waters- then BOTH released (again on their own) twice- leading to loosing a spanking new board and then 2 days ago resulted in my kite being VERY damaged- leading edge, bladder, canopy and leaving me with a fair share of blood coming out!

I know of one other person having had similar issues with the velcro system- would appreciate anyone else's problems....

I have had issues with the DOS safety system. I have only used the system three times and it has never worked properly. Twice the velcro attachment on the harness has let go and the third time I had hold of the safety leash itself but the safety jammed around the front line due to too many rotations in the one direction.

The velcro system seams to hold when I check it leading me to think that the velcro system lets go due to the safety jamming around the front line and then not being able to handle the full power of the kite.

there is a small flap of Velcro extending past the point of where the red handle strap attaches. You need to make sure this is stuck down as well.
sometimes it gets folded in under the rest of the Velcro which allows the loading moment to start to peel open the velcro.
that extra flap simply stops the start of the peeling.

once you have this sussed it will be the end of such issues.

Yep I agree with Ral Inn, if it is secured properly in the first place you shouldn't have a problem.
I used Bandits for the last two seasons and did not have one false release, but found it worked fine on the couple of occassions I tried to release.

The leash that comes with the dos is a bit flimsy and short, i have broken on and have had them come undone, so i dont use them.

the chicken loop safety just needs to be checked before use that it is put together proply and i give it a squise to make sure the velcro is together correctly.

You need to check the leash attachment point to make sure you havent looped it through itself making a half hitch on the bottom ring.

You need to check the swivel on the centre lines to make sure it is not notchy or seized as this can cause your kite to not flag out under some conditions. eg a thew twists on the centre lines and a snaged wingtip(loop session).

Last bit is the week plastic part that the chicken loop mounts on breaks easily so it pays to keep one spare.

This season i had more failures with the dos safety than times it actually worked correctly resulting with many lost kites. Luckily no damage to them but a lot of running and other kiters helping to catch them. As much as i love the kite I really hate the bar lines safety settup unless they fix this i will probably make up my own bar next year.

Glad to see i'm NOT the ONLY one with that prob. ThanX for the advice Ral Inn, but i 'de-sand and re-apply that damn velcro bit everytime i go out- still no success as the tears, busted leading edge and gashes on my chest are a chilling reminder that the system is...crap!
I'm in touch with F-one in france at teh mo to see what they have to say about it before someone gets REALLY hurt.
Now don;t get me wrong, the dos (in my opinion) is one of teh best kites (if not THE best kite) out there but the safety system SuX

yeh, I agree the safety sucks BIG time!

I used to ride North for a couple of years and they have developed their release every year towards lighter and more secure system.

Befor North I rode Impacts from 2006 and guess what! The same ****ty system I had on them is found now in 2009 Dosses! Go figure.

The kite is really really nice, especially the 14, glad I made the choice. It's really sweet! But the safety release is just plain crap.

There are many companies who have copied/adopted North's chicken loop, so why frenchies can't do it?

The release is flimsy, but also I wouldn't dream of finding the release strap when **** hits the fan; going backwards at mach 1 head underwater etc. Who really thinks he can pull the quick release strap??? No one - period.

Urgh!

I sure all companies are searching for improvement, but for a French company that is bound more by French Law this could be harder to get around.

It is the French that stipulate that kites sold in France must have a 7kg maximum force required to operate the safety. So maybe this is a factor in the unchanged QR.
Who knows for sure?

But I do know that KNOWING your QR operation intimately has the most impact on using it effectively and correctly when you need to.

might be, but how come they still sell about all the kite brands and models in France?

with the bandit kite i think it is the best kite i have ever rode but as far as the saftey system goes i don't like it my chicken loope saftey has come undone a couple of times i reset it every time de sand it and ensure it is togeather proply but it has still come undone . and my saftey leash connected to my harness has has come undone the velcro strap just came undone then my kite was was just flying away?

Have u guys seen this North safety release fitted to Bandit Dos? thinking of trying it. Any ideas on where to got a couple cheap ones

? Or something else suitable?

I've had to use the safety a few times last summer on a DOS, due to my own negligence (forgot to attach lines, self launch, in a hurry - then go oh ****, that line should really be up there on the kite - QR)

havent seem to have any probs. Make sure the centre line saftey isnt wrapped around anything so it works.

Iron hart mod looks good, but do they still rip your hands apart and catch your 5th line? The cab one may be better even though the chicken loop falls right off.

saw a dos bar with a best mechanical safety today (thanX to adrenaline rush (Joe) for the idea)- had a quick look but seems good a glance-
Will be having a better look tonight tho. and try to get a pic on here if it works