I heard they fixed a lot of issues with the 2011 envy with the 2012 but although it has supper smooth boost and controlled loft it does not quiet give you that aggressive pull off the water making the big jumps a little harder to achieve due to the wider/deeper canopy.

Having said that has anyone had a demo on the 2013 gear yet and can comment on the boostabilty of the 2013 envy....?

If you roll a turd in hundreds and thousands...
It will still be a turd underneath..

Better kites to be had.. Depends on your style of riding.

You can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter

Very constructive comments guys, but funny. I wasn't aware of any issues with the 2011 model. Mine were great. Very good for what its designed for. I'd be surprised if the boosting was any better because I don't think that's what the design is aiming for and it doesn't appear to be too different to the 2012 one. I miss the boosting aspect in the kite so I'm going to look at the 2013 Park and C4 if and when they are available for demo in WA.

What about chocolate sprinkles, surely they go better......!

The reason I ask is because you don't see a lot of LF kites around it would be interesting to see if they are any good or it is a case of "I always" get meatballs because they always have meatballs and I'm too scared to try the tuna and so because most stick with the widely available brands they know so there's little market presence, the reviews seem to indicate a well built/strong kite, anyone thrashed one and can compare it to general wear and tear of more common brands?

I've flown The HiFi and Envy for the last 2/3 season and Vegas prior to that. In my opinion the kites are very well built. Probably overbuilt to be honest. Protection and double/triple stitching everywhere. The bar itself I really like, but the durability isn't as good. Mainly the lines because they stretch too easily and feel a little spongey compared to other brands. This is more of a problem on the HiFi because the 5th line tensioning needs to be near spot on. I've had a chicken loop start to tear away from the plastic molding and a line snap in less than 6 months. Obviously this could just be an isolated case.

Probably don't see too many in WA because nobody stocks them. I went out at Sandgate in Brisbane last year and nearly half the kites where LF because the local dealer stocks them as the main brand.

i have the new 2013 envy but have yet to fly it due to rubbish wind, this week i should get out on it. i have pumped it up though and the kite itself is very well built with some really cool features.
its a really low aspect kite that is very short length ways.
the max flow valve is really all that, it does allow for faster easier inflation and deflation/rolling up the kite is 100 X better due to air escaping easier.

bar looks good in general with nice soft bar ends, the thing that stands out was the swivel. i have never felt a smoother swivel but only time will tell how it will stand up to my abuse of sand and salt with not washing.

i have not owned a LF product before so i cant comment on the bar and line falling apart, this can happen to any brand. i have seen it all on the biggest name brands, it comes down to how its looked after and i have seen some big name brands turn their backs on customers, LF does have an australian distribution point so it should be easy to get a warranty claim handled.

Wow didn't realise the Envy was so universally disliked. I've owned 5 different kite brand/models in a 12 month period (SS RPM 8/10m, LF Envy 9/12m (2012), Flexifoil Hadlow iD 8/10/12, Mutiny P-series 9m and more recently SS Fuels) and the Envy certainly wasn't the worst. One thing I have noticed, one kite wont tick all the boxes (out of the kites personally tested) although the Mutiny came pretty bloody close.

The Envy is significantly better in almost every aspect than the Hadlow iD, which probably isn't that hard to accomplish, but nonetheless it's an accomplishment.

The Envy isn't significantly outmatched by the RPM for instance (I certainly noticed that transitions and boosting needed more attention). Also, the long bridals meant the kite doesn't feel as responsive through turns compared to short or no bridal kites. I do like their bar pressure and being a general all round fun/easy kite to fly. I think the Envy performs exceptionally well unhooked, which isn't that surprising considering its the choice kite for team LF at the triple-S. If you don't agree with any of that, at the very least, last years graphic looked pretty sweet. Need to see this years in the air before I can fully comment if whether or not they've backed it up.

Without sounding all preachy, make your own mind up. Steve from Altona KSS will have all the new fleet on demo in time for the summer sea breezes no doubt. I'm just a person with an internet connection and can use a keyboard - what do I know; what does anybody know?

Don't disagree with that at all. I think the Envy is an excellent kite for what it is designed for and I wouldn't be surprised if that's what I settle with for the coming season. It really helps with progression. I just want to try others as well :-D

PS. I didn't have a problem with the lines on the envy, just on the HiFi when they start to stretch and become unbalanced it is a pain. Should probably just replace them.

Select to expand quote

Big eeeZeee said...

You can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter

Thought I'd just jump on the turd bandwagon. Never flown envy but love my LF influence board

so I guess u wont be buying my DLX afterall eezzeee

Select to expand quote

Big eeeZeee said...

You can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter

... apparently you can, the mythbusters did it!

Select to expand quote

iRideWainman said...

Wow didn't realise the Envy was so universally disliked.

Not at all I think they are great looking "that makes them fly better" and I like the fact that they are well built, just there are not many around or to demo. The only thing that stopped me putting my cash down and I was prepared to buy without a demo was the CRP QR and the fact that you had to pass your leash through the chicken loop in case you released and did not want to lose it and I have never had below the bar trim. I also heard that the old swivel did not really work so the new swivel looks the goods hope it does the job.....!

The other was the sizes I fly a 8,11 ATM and was not sure if the 9,12 was going to be too much for the heavier days......

Select to expand quote

Addikt said...
old swivel did not really work so the new swivel looks the goods hope it does the job.....!

Ha ha yeah the old swivel was, well, not a swivel to say the least.

2013 comes in 5,6,7,8,9,10.5,12,15

Does anyone know of any shops that stock Envys in NSW?

Cheers

Select to expand quote

iRideWainman said...

so I guess u wont be buying my DLX afterall eezzeee

I was going to buy it mate. Only needed the one demo with boots. Decided on the influence with a bit less rocker and no channels.

Select to expand quote

chr15j said...


Probably don't see too many in WA because nobody stocks them. I went out at Sandgate in Brisbane last year and nearly half the kites where LF because the local dealer stocks them as the main brand.

Been doing the gear since 1999???

I was tempted to try an Envy as I like fat low-ish aspect kites for downwinders.

Seemed to tick all the boxes for fun, low stress session in metro mush for me (easy relaunch and stability).

Didn't give it a whirl tho as I hate clam cleats and I not going for a below bar cleat. Give me straps above the bar with a mini 5th every time.

Shame - if they offered a bar set up with straps and mini 5th line I'd probably be all over it.

Select to expand quote

WOK said...

chr15j said...


Probably don't see too many in WA because nobody stocks them. I went out at Sandgate in Brisbane last year and nearly half the kites where LF because the local dealer stocks them as the main brand.

Been doing the gear since 1999???

Apologies. I was under the impression you specialized in Ozone and Airush, and that LF was more of an available by order brand rather than stocking the range. Does this mean demo's are or will be available?

Select to expand quote

Hampo88 said...

Does anyone know of any shops that stock Envys in NSW?

Cheers

hampo88 give alliance gear a call, the site is being updated in the next few weeks to have all the 2013 stuff online.

www.alliancegear.com.au

Spent an hr or so on the new 2013 Envy 9m today, ill follow this up with a proper review after spending some more time on the kite on a TT and surfboard.

Conditions were a gusty westerly 15-25knts roughly riding a Cardboards tempo 135

Kite is what i describe as a well behaved kite, turns are not super fast but fast enough, good hang, great lift. Bar pressure is what i call medium light.
Its a kite that feels very comfy and stable, wait let me say super stable.
i didn't get to really put it through paces as my body was sore and tired, i think this will be a go to kite does most things well.

i will mention it again its a strange looking kite but graphics wise it stands out and looks great with a lot of comments on how nice it looked.
The Max-flow valve is amazing and will certainly change your life like they advertise, its stupendous how fast and easily you can pump the kite up :)


Just saw this vid on the LF site.

Kite sizes they have 10.5 is this because they are wide aspect so in Kite meters they call an 11 a 10.5 ?

I have heard they can run out of depower in the upper wind ranges so would you be better going for a 8 - 10.5 or a 9-12, I am 85 and ride a 128 or a 132 TT.

Select to expand quote

Addikt said...

Kite sizes they have 10.5 is this because they are wide aspect so in Kite meters they call an 11 a 10.5 ?

I have heard they can run out of depower in the upper wind ranges so would you be better going for a 8 - 10.5 or a 9-12, I am 85 and ride a 128 or a 132 TT.

Having ridden the envy's in WA last season I would recommend going for a 7 and a 9 or an 8 and a 10.5. I think the 12 wouldn't get a lot of use at all in the summer here. I had a 12 and sold it.

Thanks Chris,

Yeah they look a bit like the Dos Bandit and the 10 in that was lifting me off the beach in 22 plus winds de-powered.....similar profile.....so you reckon the 10.5 would be enough to get going up wind in 17 -18 knots?
Watched a review on it from kiteboarder mag a few minutes ago and they said that it was not a great kite for boosting.....?

Addikt i think the rationale behind the 10.5m is its spaced evenly between the 9 and the 12, LF seem to be filling out the range by adding more sizes.

Depending on your weight the 10.5 should get you going upwind in 17-18knts, i checked the graphs on the day i kited the 9m and i was staying up wind in 16knts and it im just over 80kg's last time i weighted in.

i don't know about the kiteboarder reviews, some things they claim are great are not etc etc. its best to give the kite a go for yourself and decide.

Select to expand quote

pro merc said...

Addikt i think the rationale behind the 10.5m is its spaced evenly between the 9 and the 12, LF seem to be filling out the range by adding more sizes.

Depending on your weight the 10.5 should get you going upwind in 17-18knts, i checked the graphs on the day i kited the 9m and i was staying up wind in 16knts and it im just over 80kg's last time i weighted in.

i don't know about the kiteboarder reviews, some things they claim are great are not etc etc. its best to give the kite a go for yourself and decide.

I could get going on the 10.5 (i'm 76kg) in about 15knots and held it up to about 25knots the other day. So i think LF were missing the main size in the Evny's so they brought out the 10.5 to cover it. For me the 16-23 knots is the best to ride in on the 10.5.
James sounds like you have put on few pounds since you got married! :)

yep wedding cake is the most fattening food in the world!

I spent an hour or two on a 9m Envy last week. I really liked it.

Stable. Predictable. Built strong. My kites get loads of use, and they cop a lot of abuse in the surf. The Envy looks like the perfect work horse to me.

If you are after an all rounder, i recon the 2013 Envy will definitely get the job done.

Select to expand quote

Craigus said...

I spent an hour or two on a 9m Envy last week. I really liked it.

Stable. Predictable. Built strong. My kites get loads of use, and they cop a lot of abuse in the surf. The Envy looks like the perfect work horse to me.

If you are after an all rounder, i recon the 2013 Envy will definitely get the job done.

What was the boosting like.... ?

Select to expand quote

What was the boosting like.... ?

See 0:45. Unfortunately, I don't know how to embed this movie.