just new to kiting, so still a wannabe. After much deliberating I've narrowed it down to 2 kites, 11m GK sonic and the 12m cabrinha switchblade. I know the sonic's a bit cheaper, that aside - could anybody please pass on their opinions and advice that will push me one way or the other.
I'm kiting around melbourne and weigh 75kg.
Cheers

try them both and decide for yourself.remember as Brian said "we are all individuals""

I'll tell you in a few weeks. I just bought the 11m sonic and my mate just bought the 12m switchblade. They'll be flying their maiden voyage tomorrow in mordy. We're both 75kg of noobie goodness. Both kites are the the best for noobs i'd say.

as you'd know, both depower, both have gread wind range, both are bastard to self launch and land. Only differences i can see
1 the sonic is faster turning
2 the switchblade is tougher i think, more reinfored. There is a sonic abuse video going around thats shows its pretty tough too.
3 The sonic is harder to trim, especially while riding
4 sonic has simpler bar, no pulley, no wear points on the lines
5 Sonic is $600 cheaper
6 switchblade probably better resale value
7 sonic is not technically a bow kite

"sonic is not technically a bow kite"

really?

well as far as i can see the GK sonic is a bow kite! in fact it clearly is. how is it not a bow kite??? i would like to know

Sorry Snoochie boochie - I have crossbow and swithcblade - self launching has never been easier with "ANY" kite (as easy as a foil - but different)(self landing - very good - better than C kite)).
ps.(I have had foils - Arcs and tubes)

Obviously your experiences are not good so I can only imagine that you have not been shown how to do it.

If anyone tells you it is not good - they also do not know how to do it..

Cheers

I dont think snoochie has much of an idea. have you actually flown both these kites or you just trying to act like you know what your talking about?? sounding more like a noobie then anything so your advice isnt very good.

quote:

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Originally posted by ginge

I dont think snoochie has much of an idea. have you actually flown both these kites or you just trying to act like you know what your talking about?? sounding more like a noobie then anything so your advice isnt very good.

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I would have thought it pretty obvious fom my post that i am a noob.. "75kg of noobie goodness" cant really be any clearer. "I just bought the 11m sonic and my mate just bought the 12m switchblade" also makes it pretty obvious that I have not flown both kites.

Still, i think i'd have a better idea than you due to my superior abilities in reading and comprehension.

quote:

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Originally posted by Pauloz

Sorry Snoochie boochie - I have crossbow and swithcblade - self launching has never been easier with "ANY" kite (as easy as a foil - but different)(self landing - very good - better than C kite)).
ps.(I have had foils - Arcs and tubes)

Obviously your experiences are not good so I can only imagine that you have not been shown how to do it.

If anyone tells you it is not good - they also do not know how to do it..

Cheers

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yes obviously my noobie experience (having owned a kite for 1 whole day now ) is not as good. If you could explain how launching and landing is done is appreciate it.

quote:

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Originally posted by ginge

well as far as i can see the GK sonic is a bow kite! in fact it clearly is. how is it not a bow kite??? i would like to know

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well ginge my gung ho friend, 'BOW' kite has become a term to describe all the new 'flat' or 'widespan' or 'Supported Leading Edge' bridled kites that are appearing or will be appearing.

'BOW KITE' actually refers to the Bruno Legainoux design that he patented... it is licensed out through another company 'diamond white' to other kite companies like Cabrinha, Takoon(BIC), Airush and Slingshot .. . they just do their own versions of the existing 'bow' design.

Bruno is no longer with Takoon... I guess he's got royalties coming in and is happy just doing his own thing in paradise.

The upcoming Naish SLE kite is also not technically a 'Bow' kite... however similar it is reported to be.

The Sonic does not use the same design or bridle system ... it has a direct back line attachment and uses Mat Pendle's (Globerider) patented KPO bridle set up to support the leading edge ... KPO is the active element as described above and as has been seen on the much smaller front 'bridles' on 04 and 05 Globes.

Mat Pendle was a co-founder of Takoon with Bruno in 2002... I'm sure they were playing with many design concepts back then... Mat and Bruno both left Wipika when control was sold out... to do their own thing with Takoon.

When Takoon started going the way of BIC ... Mat Pendle left and launched Globerider in 2003... to do his own thing... this gives him much more control over his designs and product... hence the fast response to feedback... he's keen. Globe are based in Mauritius which is great for R'n'D and he's close to the factory in HK so keeps on top of things there.

The Sonic is the result of his design process... that is why it is not technicaly a 'BOW' kite ... though it shares much of the same features that we like... such as the big wind range, let go the bar de-power and esy realaunch etc.

In essence... If a kite company buys the 'BOW' design license and use it to make a kite... its a BOW kite.

If they design their own ... its not a 'BOW' kite however similar it may be.

(source: sean, a distributer in the UK, http://212.67.202.47/%7Etonyshep/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=6684 )

so there you go, looks like a bow, flies like a bow, but TECHNICALLY not a bow.

Snoochie Boochies!

Hi Snoochie

Re launchinging the bows see
http://www.inflatablekite.com/site%20bow/movies.html

In the movie called "One of the beach take off methods" the wind is basically coming from the right of screen. Rig your bar down wind of the kite / ensure the lines are correct (remember your bar will be upside down when rigged downwind). Turn the kite a little towards yourself (as in the video). Turn your bar over as you move to 45 degrees to the kite.

Move back tightening the lines as you go pulling the kite around so it is side on the wind. Move a little closer to the wind so the kite/lines are about 50% off the wind.

The kite will basically sit up on its side ready for a normal side launch as you tighten the lines. You may need a little tug on the left steering line to get the kite to point to the sky. Remember - SHEET OUT as it Launches.

Anyway, I am quite uncomfortable trying to explain this, where are you based ? Are there some locals who can show you? It really is simple once shown, and works every time (except if there is not enough wind). I just rig my lines, take a little sand off the kite (not all) and move to launch.

Have a look at the videos, but best, let's see if we can tee you up with someone who knows how to do it. It is not an advanced technique - just not an obvious one.

Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that, awesome. Cant wait to try it out. I found this vid for the relaunch too... http://212.67.202.191/~kitemad1/soniclaunch1.wmv looks pretty straight forward, but i hope i dont have to drag the leading edge over the sand every time.

I'm in melbourne and i'm going to find an instructor who knows the sonic to give me a lesson or two. Probably at stkilda

I flew the sonic for a few hours on the weekend and had a lot of trouble getting the trim right. It seemed to be overpowered at times, flying backwards, then other times it had too little power and just wouldn't respond to the bar. Once I stuffed around with the cleat for a while i think I had it right and it was much more reliable.

Have to say, the relaunch is fantastic! Drop the bar and the kite just powers down, flys to the edge of the window and softly lands in the water. Its as if it goes into auto pilot. Then grab the bar and it powers up and takes off. Its hard to believe how easy it is.


now.... how do you land the thing? i guess i can land it, unhook, then grab the centre lines and walk up to it. Is that what you do?

Note to self: Do not add snoochie to the drinking list.When asked to,"go and grab the esky from the car",he may return empty handed having left the Willow cooler still in the car.

If the kite's a bow shape,it's a bow

If ya put beers in it,it's an Esky

quote:

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Originally posted by doppelganger

Note to self: Do not add snoochie to the drinking list.When asked to,"go and grab the esky from the car",he may return empty handed having left the Willow cooler still in the car.

If the kite's a bow shape,it's a bow

If ya put beers in it,it's an Esky

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yes, but technically....

quote:

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Originally posted by doppelganger

Note to self: Do not add snoochie to the drinking list.When asked to,"go and grab the esky from the car",he may return empty handed having left the Willow cooler still in the car.

If the kite's a bow shape,it's a bow

If ya put beers in it,it's an Esky

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Unless you're in NewZealand, where its a ChillyBin (or Chullybun in the kiwi accent)

and for the last word on this subject, checkout - bowkite.com

and.........

"yo,mikeEP.With a name like Chully Bun,your on the drinking list

quote:

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Originally posted by doppelganger

"yo,mikeEP.With a name like Chully Bun,your on the drinking list

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