Finally got to use my P3 8m after many months of ownership as an early summer seabreeze graced Sydney yesterday. All last summer my high wind kite was a 10m Pulse which I really enjoyed and now I have replaced it with the P3.

First thing that I did was replace the figure 8 knots with stopper balls and left everything else stock standard. Did a lightwind test several weeks ago and all was good except the initial tip tuck until the kite was fully inflated.

Conditions yesterday were 15/20 knots which last year was optimum Pulse 10m (on 18m lines and full soft) wind with my small board. So 8m (on 21m lines and medium steering) and small board was the go.

First thing I noticed was the extra 3m meant that I almost run out of beach space to launch, not an issue just something to note next time. Did a pretty thorough pre-inflation and up she went. Quite a bit of tip tuck until fully inflated and then it sat there perfect.

Kited for about an hour and for the most part was nicely powered up, able to get some good jumps, not overly high given the wind range but ok.

I think for me a 9m would be the perfect size but given that this was my first outing I think I’ve made the right choice of the 8m over the 10m P3. Most tube guys were on 12m bows so the P3 was very impressive by comparison.

Relative to the Pulse the P3 definitely shone in the quickness of steering (as to be expected) but I’ll be going to full soft next time out as my wrists were starting to ache after a while. When doing transitions it’s nice to know you can dive the kite hard and redirect right at the last second, not so simple with the Pulse. Obviously the Pulse relaunch is unmatched but having said that the one time I did drop the P3 it reversed launched super easy so no issue there.

The wind was at times patchy but the P3 was rock solid through the lulls, something I think the Pulse was weak at. My only complaint is that a suicide leash isn’t standard equipment. I did note that the standard leash has been beefed up considerably over the Pulse.

My only other gripe is an aesthetic one, the P3 graphics are the most lame I have ever seen, I would have thought the 2007 models would have been tweaked in that respect.

All in all I think the P3 will suit me better than the Pulse but both are terrific kites and I doubt you would be disappointed with either.

Robbo 1111 / You will find, if you power up the kite as it inflates the wind tips will open quickly .Plus if you put the adjustment to soft , the kite will turn quicker . The P3's are an awsume kite . Let us know how she goes .
Jeff Roberts.