Yesterday, F.one Australia recieved their first shipment of F.one Impact Short Lines. In the arvo, it was blowing about 12 knots, way to light for these high performance kites. But we tried them anyway.
The kite felt totally different to the Tribal2. Kinda slower but You can feel how good it will be for unhooking in over 25 knots.
Also. compared to last years Impact, this kite is so much slower and more controlable, even though its on 17 or 16m lines, not sure which.
....Bit of info....
Kite: F.one Impact SL
Size: 8m
Bar size: 45cm
Recomended wind range for this kite: 23-39 knots
Our wind: approx 12 knots.
Lewis....
To add: All new F.one kites come with a new and improved bar, Its completely white, with a black strip down it with the F.one logo on it. The new bar is similar to the Wipika bars and doesnt have all of that Zebra coloured grippy stuff on it. Bar is more comfortable, thinner and way more confortable. Yes I know I said comfortable several times, because its so true.
forgot to add that all new f.one kites have a new bar.
The new bar is completely white, and doesnt have grippy stuff all over it.
It is now very similar to the Wipika bar, plain, comfortable and not to thick.
latas...
No one takes any notice what lewis says anyway!
quote:
Originally posted by clanga
how much did matt and drew pay you to write that
especially when they write a test on an 8 they tryed in 12 knots with short lines
but dont worry, its not a disguised promo for f1. you can guess its written by someone associated with its sellers from the over hyped writing.
anyone really tried this one/ paid money for it and gone out over powered, underpowered and perfectly powered?
I tested the 8m SL on weekend.
Saturday at Inverloch. Wind meter avg around 32kts gusts to 36kts.
Sunday at Pt Danger. more wind than Inverloch.
Believe the hype.
although as a freestyle kite it would be best for light weights who are right into unhooked Sbend kiteloops etc.
As a wave kite, well If you're into waves and don't have one?????
Then suffer in ya shorts 
This kite is now going to Kitestock, if there's waves then que up for a go. If for no other reason than to prove me wrong.
Tony's (Ral Inn) internet service provider is only providing service when it feels like it
. I forward he's review:
A report on the 8M SL Impact.
By all accounts this maybe the first high wind test of this kite in Australia, with some previous flyers testing it in much lighter winds and trying to imagine it’s topend.
The short answer for its topend is 40kts for me. 95kg wet on an M8 141x41 TT board.
I say 40kts based on being out the previous day at Inverloch. Where the wind meter showed 30kts and regular gusts to 36kts.
Pt Danger on Sunday was more, the lulls were closer to the mid 30’s and at one stage the windage of just the board was forcing me backwards.
The kite looks very stubby sort of retro 2line classic stubby. It does still need plenty of air pressure. The lines at 18m really stick the kite in your face, and response is just plane brilliant.
The New Bar has a Stainless ferule that should work well and reduce line wear. The bar padding has changed to be smooth, not much to say but a change for changes sake maybe.
For me under 30kts (guess) the kite needed working to get me up and going but it is so responsive and agile, this is actually fun, once at speed no problems.
This kite brings back the art of edging and is super reactive to edging, even more fun.
The depower range within the bar travel is the lot. I had the kite fully powered at the strap and the steering line adjustment fully in, and still had slack lines at the last 80mm of bar travel, This being where it would go to Stop&go. At 40kts S&G maybe fine but the drag of the wind just on the leading edge is enough.
When under way the bar going all the way out shuts you down, so after a spin or loop letting go to unspin the lines has to be quick.
The micro harness line is now incorporated in bar, some may like this idea, until the first time you accidentally hook in then find out when you quickly sheet out in a 40+kt bullet. That’s embarrassing.
On waves it is pure indulgent fun. A fast ride along the face turning up then down in quick slalom type riding, just park the kite and let bar go. You are only riding the wave and totally forgetting the kite. Keep one eye on the water ahead as the forgotten kite may eventually come into view. The Short lines make recovery from slack lines so much easier.
Any questions please ask and I’ll describe specifics.
All the hype you have heard is not hype.
As a frestyle kite, yes but for the really hardcore unhooked rubber boned brigade.
For light weight beginners brilliant. And safe.
For waves. A must have. Absolutely a must have. An 8 or 9m could be the only choice for riding waves from say 22kts and above just change board size.
An 8’ mini mal and the 8m could be huge fun in only 20kts.
Those interested in one, there is only one more chance to get an order in before the Northern Hemi season kicks in. then we are put on the backburner.
Best winds
Tony
hi guys
have you tested and gathered more experience on Impact SL? My dilemma is if I should go for Impact SL 9m or Tribal 2 9m2?
Is the Impact SL that bad in hangtime and jumping height as F-one states in their site that those attributes are not that good as the kite is more unhook and wave focused... ? Do the short lines limit the hangtime and jumping potential of the kite?
I would like to have a super responsive kite and I'm not sure if the Tribal 2 fits the bill. Which one, Tribal or Impact deals better with gusts?
And hey, almost forgot to ask regarding the speed; what do you mean when you say that the kite is much slower than last year's Impact, do you mean turning speed or flying speed wise?
Please help 
the SL Impact is reactive that's for sure, but so is the Tribal 9m.
Jumps on the Impact forget it, but a tribal line set connects straight on.
with either one don't worry about gusts.
and don't worry about speed.
The short lines, the low AR, the depower, are all pluses for big waves.
a tribal does the wave thing real well and better than most, the SL Impact just resets the bar.
thanks, so the Impact is really not the kite for jumping then? Even with longer lines?
Have you tried the kite with 20cm shorter back lines like somewhere it was recommended?
Thanks!
ive used the SL on 24m lines, it flew, but just didnt seem right, going back onto standard lines it flew beautifly. Go for a Tribal 2 9m instead of a SL, unless you're only riding in 25+ knots.
