Rider: Level (advanced)
Style: Freestyle
Kite: 14, 10 , 8 Vegas
Build Quality: Solid
Satisfaction: Stoked
Disclosure: team rider for north

Have now got my 3 new kites the 14, 10 and 8 vegas. After today have now ridden all three.


Comments:

Recently just began using the kites and have been impressed by there solid peformance.

First fly of the Kites i was on my 8 m and it was between 25-30 knots, having come from the torch my first impression was the control of the kite is a lot less harsher then the torch, it is more smooth through turns and general flying of the kite. The loops i prefer on the Vegas because it is less of rip and instantly felt in more control, boosting was also impressive! I was really happy with my choice of the 8 because it is not that fast that it makes unhooking and passes still fine but also allows for sweet loops. So far my 8 has been my most used kite and have been really stoked with its performance.

The 10 m i have used in around the 20 knots mark mostly, really solid kite similar to the 8m obvisouly but a bit slower, still loops and catches, is my favourite size for unhooking because it is more stable then the 8 and still has all the pop and slack etc..

14m had a super sweet sesh on tonight, its great you just park it and ride, people say that big kites are bad because they don't move and are boring, but i totally reckon anyone should get out on big kites you can ride in light wind, increasing your time on the water. So yeah its basically just sits there and is sick for learning new moves because the kite doesn't go all over the place.

Quality: Obvisouly nothing has gone wrong on it, and the material used is good and looks solid.

Bar: The bar grip is different this year, it is more comfortable and almost feels like gel, have had no problems with it slipping or hurting, similar to last years it terms of de power rope etc..

Overall: Really happy with the set up and my sizes chosen, recommend it for a 3 kite setup. If any one sees me on the beach with my kites feel free to hit us up and have a demo, also same goes for questions..

Thanks Declan

How are you finding turning speed on 14 ? Do you think you have gained a lot of bottom end compared to if you had the 12
Cheers
Pete

great review Declan the red thumb trolls are just jealous cuz they cant do it like you do
I will post a review up soon we are loving the 2012 Vegas!

Good review mate honest and over the top (read the review on the bandit 5 - did my head in).

You didn't rave on, simple straight to the point...

Hey Declen,

Nice review.

How much do you weigh?

I weigh 68kgs and currently ride the 2011 Vegas 10m and 7m.
What quiver would you recommend?

Dan

Pete:

To be honest i have not flown a 12 m ever in any other year, so cant compare the two, Still only flown the 14 once, but the turning speed is as you would expect for a large kite not fast but i wouldn't say its necessarily any slower then any other 14 and i found it very manageable.

I know a lot of people enjoy smaller kites which is fair enough, but i think if you will fly a 12 you may as well fly a 14 because you will get those extra 2 knots on the low end and especially living in melbourne can be really handy on the often lighter sea breeze.

Dan:

I weigh over 80kgs, so thats a fair bit on top of you, I think if your going to be on 2 kites, what you have got going now is pretty ideal for your weight, i guess it really comes down to what conditions your ride in, i know i will be at the beach the moment it hits 15 knots, hence why i have a 14, but you know if you pick and choose your days, then a 10 and 7 will do most of the time anyway, although this year the vegas comes in pretty much every size from 5-14 (except 11 + 13) so you could if you wanted more bottom end get away with 12 and 8.

Declan

Hey! I weight 72kg and was planning on going Vegas 10 and 8.... Do you reckon I will cover most wind range? I'm not afraid on the bottom end as I am happy to get a surf when wind is lighter. But wondering whether I should go for 10 and 7 instead... arrggghh! I can't decide! Is there much of a diff between the 7 and the 8?

Select to expand quote

charlo said...

Hey! I weight 72kg and was planning on going Vegas 10 and 8.... Do you reckon I will cover most wind range? I'm not afraid on the bottom end as I am happy to get a surf when wind is lighter. But wondering whether I should go for 10 and 7 instead... arrggghh! I can't decide! Is there much of a diff between the 7 and the 8?

Hey dude,
I tested the 8m back to back with the 7m and I agree with Declan. It's a great size and I found it a lot easier to do unhooked tricks with than the 7. It was also very sweet to loop. Being a light weight I will need a 6 or 7m for 30++ days.

I reckon you will probably be able to hang onto it to 30-35 knots, if that's enough top end for you. I'm a huge fan of the 8!
:D

Charlo, theres is going to be a slight difference between the 7 and 8 and that will be most noticeable when unhooking, but i agree with salty you will still be able to hang on to the 8m in 30+ knots so if thats your limit of wind i'm sure you will be fine with the 8.
In saying that though if your not unhooking and your riding waves or jumping or whatever a 7 m will still be fine, in fact will probably do you better, i just love the 8 because its still stable unhooked.


Declan

Thanks heaps!!! I want to improve unhooked so I'll follow your reco and go for 10 and 8!!!! Looking forward to try them on the water! Cheers