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Tried to reply to another thread, but it was deemed as being 'too old' already.

I'm very happy with my -

2009 Nobile 666/NHP XTR 143 x 48
2009 Nobile T5 137 x 42

I have replaced the IFS pads/straps (on both)
with 2009-2010 Litewave Hybrid Lace-Up pads/straps.

In 2009, the T5 was "90% wood/10% honeycomb"
For 2010, the T5 is now "100% wood"
However, the 2010 NHP series still makes use of honeycomb.

I've seen some comments in the forum regarding 2010 Nobile NHP,
but recall the comparisons were made to 2007/2008 Nobiles.

Primarily, I am interested in hearing more about riders experiences
comparing the 2009 666/NHP vs. 2010 NHP boards.

Of course, I welcome any feedback on the 2009 T5 vs. 2010 T5 as well.

Some suggested points of comparison -

Ease of 'pop'
More effort/less effort to go upwind
More effort/less effort when toeside & carving
More skatey/less skatey feel
Handles chop with ease/somewhat abruptly
Generally feels slower/faster than previous year

Marc

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FLK,

Looking at your quiver the only board I would be upgrading is the 2009 666 to the 2010 NHP. There is very little modification in the other two boards you own ie the 2009 T5 and 2009 XTR, when compared to the 2010, therefore no need to upgrade.
If you ride in nothing but butter flat conditions there might be a very small percentage for you to not upgrade to the 2010 NHP. The 2009 NHP as I am sure you are aware has exceptional upwind ability, on flat water the 09 NHP is super easy to load up for big moves whether hooked or unhooked and because of the fast flat rocker allows the board to ride in very light winds considering its size. Now the 2010 NHP may not have the same light wind capability (may lose a knot if that) as the 2009 NHP, or may not point upwind quite as high... (more noticeable in lighter winds by only a fraction) as the 2009 NHP but the overall gains with the 2010 NHP in my opinion are huge. These gains are:

- The 2010 NHP can be ridden in the choppiest of chop, and will produce very very little spray. Ridden in normal conditions you will not even notice the spray until you switch back to the other 2 boards you own which in general would now be best for lighter wind conditions (5% or your riding time potentially).

- The 2010 NHP is an extremely smooth riding board and loads up very well as it can handle conditions which are not perfectly flat with ease.

- The 2010 NHP is loose and ridden with the smallest fins offered ie 35mm and provides an even skatier feel when ridden flat, but the minute you load the edge... you will have tons of traction.

- Landings on the 2010 NHP are very forgiving and with the new IFS Pro pads (super comfy) and the added rocker, I feel there is more control and added dampening to ensure you stick more landings and save the knees.

-I personally feel there is much less effort required now on the 2010 NHP for toe/heel side turns which makes the 2010 NHP more forgiving due to more control.

- The 2010 NHP will feel a tad slower than all previous Nobile boards due to the added rocker but this is just a fraction and only an issue when ridden in the lightest of winds where you might want to feel more loaded up.

All in all the 2010 NHP is that board which will give you the biggest grin. If you ride in real world conditions, flat to chop to waves.. the NHP can handle this with ease. If you are a freerider, freestyler and want all the bells and whistles which come with a top of the line board... the 2010 NHP is it.

Nice review IWB... You had me up until you said the IFS pads are super comfy.
April fools was yesterday.

Couldn't be happier with my '10' 134 just don't like the pads/straps at all so I use another brand.

Had last years T5 and the misses has this years... They're the same besides a few outline changes on the tips.

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IWB said...
FLK - Looking at your quiver the only board I would be upgrading is the 2009 666 to the 2010 NHP. There is very little modification in the other two boards you own ie the 2009 T5 and 2009 XTR, when compared to the 2010, therefore no need to upgrade.

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond, IWB.
Thanks for chiming in as well, 'Nutt.

Sorry for any confusion. I only own two 2009 Nobile boards - a XTR and a T5.
In 2009, Nobile still labelled the XTR with both the 666 & NHP logos, thus my noting it so.

I do not own any other 2009/2010 666/NHP boards as of yet.

I'm 5'10 200lbs (180lbs again someday...)
I'm riding in saltwater 99% of the time with small chop and 3-4 foot swells.
Virtually flat conditions (when I drive to the Keys a few times a year)
or when we get N/NNE winds locally (not often enough for me)

It seems my next move would be to try a

2010 NHP 137x44 (and/or a 134x42) vs. my 'super-friendly' 2009 T5 137x42...

I am uncertain if I would want to keep both the '09 T5 and a 2010 NHP in my quiver.

It is my understanding that the T5 incorporates a more 'forgiving flex' approach
and the NHP is stiffer. As per Mr. Shinn -

"the (555)T5 is a freeride board for all round fiding and ease of use.
The NHP (666) is a freestyle board designed to give the maximum grip, pop and efficiency."

I'm trying to focus on purchasing boards that I'll actually use (makes sense, right?)
I say this as I am selling off a Litewave 132x40 board because I barely use it
and need to be quite powered to do so.

I'm also trying to minimize "capability overlap" between my boards.

Thinking out loud here...

Size-wise, I'm compelled to aim for a NHP 134x42
(if I were to also keep the T5 137x42.)

However, a NHP 137x44 may negate keeping the T5 137x42 altogether.

Then again...
my XTR 143x48 can cover quite a bit of range and may
be the catalyst for focusing on the suitability of a NHP 134x42
and selling the T5 137x42.

I believe the first step would be to audition a 2010 NHP 134x42
and see how it handles and how powered I need to be on it.


Marc

FLK,
No worries about the review. The 2010 NHP is that board for me which now makes even more kite sessions great!! I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about going to the NHP 2010, which is advertised as that hardcore freestyle board as I was looking for more an all round board. My previous board (2009 Nobile Shinn) which I personally thought was the best all round board and a very forgiving ride, would be very hard to beat in all round real world conditions (flat,waves, chop) and thus would still be used in combination with the new NHP 2010. I too was concerned about the low end and the upwind ability of the new 2010 NHP due to the heavy rocker.
My first 3 sessions were pretty much in flat, small waves and heavy chop and each time I started with my old board and then switched to the new 2010 NHP. No matter the condition, the 2010 NHP way out performed the old board. Winds ranged from 14knots to 25knots in the 3 sessions. In the very first session I had with the NHP 2010 winds were on the light end at 14/15knots. The starting wind was about 14knots with my old board and the new 2010 NHP was able to ride in the exact same winds and stay upwind. I did feel slightly less powered up on the NHP in the very light winds when compared to the old board however I still could stay upwind, and do some light wind tricks.
The biggest selling point for me with the 2010 NHP is how this board easily handles very choppy conditions which unfortunately make a large part of the conditions I am forced to ride in. The NHP in these conditions makes landing easier, produces very little spray, almost never trips up, and makes the ride so so much more smooth. Riding in very choppy conditions used to be frustrating, however now with the NHP I leave feeling stoked!
Needles to say my NHP 2010 is used 100% of the time and my old board has been set out to pasture. The 2010 NHP is by far a more forgiving, more fun, all round board. Yes it may be a hardcore freestyle board.... but it is also an extremely forgiving board which offers incredible control and in my opinion is an awesome freeride board.

FLK, apologies for going off on a tangent there. I think the 2010 NHP will easily replace your 2009 T5 which in its own right is an awesome board. This goes to show you how highly I think about the 2010 NHP. At your weight the 134/42 or 137/44 would be the 2 models to look at. With the added rocker on the NHP you can easily go up a size board(without them feeling big) when comparing to the T5. I think your riding style in many ways will determine which NHP size you would choose. I too chose a NHP board 1 size larger than my old board. The NHP does not feel any bigger.
If you have the ability to demo the NHP great. If you don't it will be the best gamble you will have ever taken.

Nice review! Did you by any chance also try the Fifty50 for comparison?

Steen,
Unfortunately I haven't tried the Fifty50. I have kept up with the reviews and there does seem like there are positive responses. In the last PKRA event I see that the Nobile rider(s) were using the Fifty50. Very encouraging to see.

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I think it is important to remember that the 2010 NHP has more rocker than the previous year's T5 or NHP boards.
As a result, it has been mentioned that one could "go up a size," so to speak, without regret.

As stated earlier, I discovered that a 132x40 was too small for me to get used very much.
I'm happy on my '09 Nobile T5 137x42, so I'm sure a 2010 NHP 137x44 is a safe bet.
However, I am compelled for some reason to get the smallest board I can make work.
(thus my semi-impulsive purchase of the aforementioned 132x40 size board)

So, I'm still toiling over the choice between the 134x42 and 137x44.

I know a Nobile dealer's whose main board is a 2009 Nobile NHP 134x42.
Unfortunately, he has yet to find the time to get his 2010 NHP 3D 134x42 wet.
It will be useful to see how he feels (personally) about the 2010's increased rocker.

On a side note -
The 2010 50Fifty is offered in 139x40, 140x41, & 141x43 sizes, and I believe
that's probably due to the 50Fifty's rocker being more pronounced than that of the 2010 NHP boards.
Here's a review thread for the 2010 Nobile 50Fifty -

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57280


Marc

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FLKiteboardR said...

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I think it is important to remember that the 2010 NHP has more rocker than the previous year's T5 or NHP boards.
As a result, it has been mentioned that one could "go up a size," so to speak, without regret.

@ 84kg (a bit heavier than you FLK) I rode the 2009 NHP in a 132cm and have moved to the 134cm for the 2010 model. The 2010 is a little slower but surprisingly still has great upwind performance even in light wind.
After half a season on the 134cm I can confirm it was the correct size choice for me.

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FLKiteboardR said...I'm 5'10 200lbs (180lbs again someday...)

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BrisKites said...@ 84kg (a bit heavier than you FLK)
I rode the 2009 NHP in a 132cm and have moved to the 134cm for the 2010 model.

@ 84kg (185.188lbs) you are a bit LIGHTER than I @ 90.718kg (200lbs)

I should probably get down to 180lbs and reward myself with the 2010 NHP 134x42.

Trouble is, I know someone who is 6 foot 3" / 220lbs (100kg) and his favorite combo is
a 12m and a 132x40 (in 20+ mph winds, as I recall). I just don't have those skills yet.

As an example, I need 20+mph wind to ride my T5 137x42 with my 11m Nano and not slog
(Any less wind and I bring out the '09 666/NHP 143x48 XTR and if warranted, the 13.5m Cult and have a blast)

That said, I'm having my doubts that a 2010 NHP 134x42 with more rocker would be any easier
than my 137x42 T5 under the same 20+mph conditions - leaning more towards the 2010 NHP 137x44 every week.

My gut tells me I really need to demo both the 2010 NHP 134 and 137 to be certain.


Marc

I had the 09 nhp 666 134x42, I wish I hadn't sold it as I went to the 2010 nhp 134x42 from that and it wasn't as good so traded the 2010 board in for the fifty 50 140. The fifty is really nice but is not very efficient for light wind riding. In chop it is the smoothest board I have ever ridden and I love it.
I was disappointed with the 2010 666 it just lost the feel that the NHP 09 board did i thought. The rocker also makes it inefficient for lower winds. Mark Shinn's new creations ie the Lugi have flattened out the rocker again and use a stifffer centre section very much like the 09 nhp but due to the tips handles the chop better than the 09 NHP so a very nice and exciting ride. I would try a Luigi or Luigi brother before buying.
Not sure which is the better board of the Luig or the 09 NHP. I did look to buy to buy an 09 666 back again a while back as i missed the old 09 NHP but there are none for sale any more. Couldn't find a second hand one locally either and couldn't afford the Luigi at the time.


For info i used to ride a 137 555 in 2008 when i was a beginner, i switched to the 09 NHP as the 555 sometimes felt as though riding over gravel which i put down to the amount of flex in the board hence going over to the stiffer 666 and then NHP's in 2009.
I am 12.5 stone and had no problem going down in size from the 137 to the 134x42. The wide width gets you plaining well easy on the 42 wide boards and you dont really notice the length difference except all your basic tricks like your backloops etc become easier.

The 2010 T5 isn't all that different, its got a few improvments over last year, and the new pads are great, but all over I can't say there is a huge difference.

The NHP on the other hand is a totally different beast. Its no longer the slippery fast high wind board like the 666 was, don't get me wrong its still plenty slippery enough (especially when you take the fins off ) but the feel is quite different.

IWB summed it up quite well. The shoes of the '09 666 have really being filled by the Fifty-50 in my opinion, the NHP 2010 is really the ultimate all-rounder.

If i'm travelling somewhere and can only take one board with me, the NHP is the one i'll take. Its one of the only boards you can hop on in 13-14 knots and hold your ground, yet still take it out in 35 and not feel like you have a big cumbersome board strapped to your feet. Something about the added width and the way the board is supposed to flatten off in light wind just make it ride in light wind like no other.

Also, most people have gone a size down from what they would normally ride. The 131 has being the most popular locally as opposed to 133-136 in other boards.

The only way you can really experience it is to try it, be careful though, you might have to buy one after your ridden it