I was fortunate enough to win one of these babies at Kitestock, (cheers Drren and Ozone!!) So i guess its time to review her.

At kitestock i rode the entire range of Ozone kites sizes 13, 11 and a 9 of each type. The kite i liked the best was the Edge, not dissing the other varieties but the Edge was most suited to my style of riding.

I am 88kg, been riding Rebels for the last 2 years, been kiting for about 4 years. I ride a 138 addiction board. Wind in kitstock fo the review ranged from 20kn up to 35+ on the monday.

First Impression
When i was initially handed the kite the first thing that i noticed was a distinct lack of bar pressure. I said to Darren that there is something wrong with this, believing that it hasnt been rigged right, anyway was reassured and away i went.

Bar.
Very well organized the "oh sh1t" handle clips away nicely on the chicken loop, the trim strap is well within reach and cleats, very easy to cleat in and out. Chicken loop line is well made and shows no signs of disintegrating, the chicken loop is molded plastic so robust hard wearing and solid. Quick release is a trigger on the chicken loop. Bar itself is comfortable no complaints. Lines are bog standard sort, similar to Cabrinhas, with a no tangles feature.

Kite
First thing i noticed is the thin struts and leading edge, pumps up in no time, is a one pump too. Everything is at least double stitched, however due to the thin LE and struts this kite is light, very very light. Kite is a lot flatter than usual. Kite is a fifth line, however the fifth splits into two parts and again into three attaching itself at 6 points on the LE. There is a also a "no invert" line running from either wingtip. Its thin line and i guess with a goodly bit of force will break. Range for me is about 18kn up to 30. Anymore than 30kn, for me is uncomfortable. We tried a launch in 35kn and i felt unsafe!

In the air.
Kite is rock solid stable. Not a quiver anywhere at anytime even when driven hard through the window or looped. Its just stable. Bar pressure though phenomenally light still enables you to get feedback from the kite and you know where it is at all times. Very easy to fly the kite one handed with minimal effort toeside.
The kite is grunty seems to generate its own power, very boost worthy and so so so floaty. More floaty than any other kite i have tried ever. It is easy to loose 50m downwind on a regular jump.
The kite turns fast, slightly faster than my 9 Rebel but not as fast as you have no control. Very smooth
Realunch is a piece of cake. I dropped it in the waves, it got into a wierd shape but with some pulling and pushing up she went. Dont know how this would have gonehad i been in deep water though!

Conclusion
From the very first moment i got under the kite i was impressed, very impressed indeed. I haven't been taken so much with a new kite since i don't know when. For me it is everything i seek in a kite and at this point i have difficulty in finding any negatives. Everything seems to have been worked out and thought out well even the non issues like the bag. All the little bits are quality components and look like wear will not be an issue.
In fact i am so impressed that both my Rebels are for sale (08 12m and a 9m 07) at a bargin price so i can buy a 13m Edge II

I did warn you reli!!!....and you will like the 13m too, i couldn't be happier with my 13m and have just ordered a 9m (replacing my 07 10m Rhino). Thanks or the review on the 9m. You get better at the relaunch with a bit of practice I have found it on par with the Rebel in deep water.

Wow! You won one! Awesome, that's like giving a junkie a kilo of smack!!

I had to buy my smack and took it out yesterday, here's my review, I feel the need to share...

Where: East Inlet, Stanley, NW Tas. Flat water and waves out the at the mouth.
When: 12-2pm
What: Ozone Edge2 9m, 136 LF Recoil and (other guy) Sport 9m 07
Who: 98kg wet fatdevilman been kiting 7 years.
Why: Because I can...
Wind: 20-30kn ENE

...well its just the best damned kite ever built.. what an amazing kite!
It's a glider, so easy to whip, so easy to boost huge, so easy to speed up and slow down and cruise. This kite should be illegal.

I found myself giggling and laughing for no apparent reason.. boosting of the back of a wave, flying, still flying, whipping the kite above my head here and there like something you'd see of a snowkiting vid, then picking my landing on the face of the wave. I was jumping sand bars I'd never even considered jumping before. OMFG.

I found a negative thou... the beal line (main rope) will eat the skin between your fingers if you sheet out with one hand with your webbing jammed against the rope. After one bite you know not to do it again

How goods the upwind? I think it's super fantastic but can you compare that with any other kite you've flown?

I could go on, but let's just say Ozone were awesome last year and this year they are simply ****ing unreal.

My 2 cents.

for a 65kg rider on a smallish board (125 x 36) and a one-kite quiver, do you guys reckon the 11 is a good bet, or go for the 9?

i've been flying my 07 sonic 11m for ages and it has the best windrange i've found yet, i can (just) hold it down in 30 knots by moving the bridle forwards. the edge II looks like a great replacement/upgrade, but how's the range on these things?

You are one lucky mofo Reli!
I just picked up last years 9m Edge, can't comment about EdgeII, but at 68 kg ish, so far 11 knots on a surfboard - 23 knots pretty lit without using the strap. Well powered on a 128 FLX in 15 knots. Tough call Niell, demo em both in the low end ideally, I'm considering the 9 as my biggest kite, but using a surfboard in the light stuff.

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You are one lucky mofo Reli!

yeah i am lucky as all ****, even gonna buy a lotto ticket for the weekend.

Neill, try mate, try them first. you would probably get away with a 9 but try for yourself.

Hi,

I've got a couple of questions.

1.With the Ozone being a performance kite, minimal strut count with large areas between the struts, how would the canopy withstand the flutter after a while. When I flew the kite I noticed the canopy fluttering excessively at certain positions of flight and bar position - I've been told a kite sitting on the beach flapping shortens the life of the material.

2.This is to 2007 Ozone owners- hows the kite holding up?

3. As a surf kite how would it handle, can you detune the kite to fly further back in the window?

The kite is a flipping nice kite to fly I must say.
Cheers
Rich

richswing> I flew the 9m Light (3 strut wave kite) for about 2 hours..second time was in about 20 knots and I found it not "grunty" enough. Turns nice, and I did ask Darren about the flapping while flying sheeted out on the beach and he said that was normal stall I believe...really slows the thing down. However, it would be very rare for you to have to stall it like this when riding IMO. I am a crap wave rider though and would have to defer to more experienced riders for their thoughts. I'm 88 kgs and probably 91 with gear...was riding a 5'10 Fish. For me it just did not the punch I am looking for.

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richswing said...

Hi,

I've got a couple of questions.

1.With the Ozone being a performance kite, minimal strut count with large areas between the struts, how would the canopy withstand the flutter after a while. When I flew the kite I noticed the canopy fluttering excessively at certain positions of flight and bar position - I've been told a kite sitting on the beach flapping shortens the life of the material.

2.This is to 2007 Ozone owners- hows the kite holding up?

3. As a surf kite how would it handle, can you detune the kite to fly further back in the window?

The kite is a flipping nice kite to fly I must say.
Cheers
Rich

Canopy flutter was one thing i looked for in this kite as my Rebel flaps like mad when bing driven hard. It can even do other wierd stuff especially when looping.

The EDGE is very stable, very responsive, grunty and not a flapper.

The edge would be great for a wave kite as it holds lots of contollable power, gives great feedback and turns quick. It also doesnt back stall when you ride DTL either as it is so light and floaty.

The fact that the Edge does these things so well is what got me so excited about the kite.
My advice to you would be to try an edge.......

Oh sh**, got the kites confused, I flew the Sport 2,twit.

The Edge has more struts, doesn't it?

I think I need to try the Edge, is there a big difference between the two?

Cheers
Rich

Have you or anyone else tried unhooking with the edgeII?? What about kiteloops??

richswing: 2007 model Ozones are holding up exceptionally well. Still have a 13m sport that apart from me putting a hole in it, hasn't changed it's performance at all.
07 sport would flutter a bit when completing a kiteloop, but it's had zero effect on the material or kite. The good thing is when these kites are outside their wind range they behave exceptionally well and you can continue kiting.
I find the sport07 absorbs gusts better than the edge2.

You might have flown the light, that only has three struts and apparently is designed to flap. Dunno haven't flown one!

I had the 13m Edge2 in head high waves on a twin tip running down the line. It's really quick to turn and was really working with me. I had a ball. The excellent bit is it's upwind ability.

Only looped the 9m E2 DTL so don't know about all that ankle hurting stuff.. yet.[}:)]

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richswing said...

Hi,

I've got a couple of questions.

1.With the Ozone being a performance kite, minimal strut count with large areas between the struts, how would the canopy withstand the flutter after a while. When I flew the kite I noticed the canopy fluttering excessively at certain positions of flight and bar position - I've been told a kite sitting on the beach flapping shortens the life of the material.

2.This is to 2007 Ozone owners- hows the kite holding up?

3. As a surf kite how would it handle, can you detune the kite to fly further back in the window?

The kite is a flipping nice kite to fly I must say.
Cheers
Rich

G'day Rich
There are 3 Ozone InstinctII models, the 3 strut LightII, the 5strut SportII, and the 7 Strut EdgeII.
All 3 kites have a super thin leading edge and the thinnest struts of any kite I have seen to date.
The EdgeII and SportII have no canopy flutter, in flight or parked at the edge of the window, depowered.
The LightII will flutter when depowered, and has almost 100% depower on tap at the bar - as in push the bar out and the power drops to almost nothing.
The LightII was designed as a multi purpose kite, to be both good for waves and due to the high depower at the bar also good for schools and people learning.
The kite is incredibly light and stable in the air, when ridden DTL on waves the kite floats and drifts back downwind incredibly well, as well as any foil kite I have used!
It is best for unstrapped wave riding, teaching, and begginers.
The Light is still very durable, the sail flutter does not occur all the time only when depowered or depowered and turned, and is a normal feature or function of this model of the Instinct range.

Neither of the other 2 Instinct 2008 models flutter when turned and depowered.

Letting any kite sit on a beach for hours in strong sunlight and wind, fluttering, will rapidly kill the sailcloth of any brand of kite.

All the Instinct models can be tuned to get some "oversheet" or stall, but I would not do it, they do not need to be tuned to fly further back in the window.
If a kite naturally sits back in the window, then it lacks performance and lift, or is badly tuned.
Good kites have a very large wind window, as large as possible, with tight crisp turning anywhere in the window, then its up to the rider to exploit the kites ability to be put anywhere in the window.

Another way to understand power at the dge of the window, and thats what I think you mean is this.
If you flew a kite statically on the beach, it is quite clear where its wind window is, but as you move across the wind, riding, then that wind window changes to an "apparent wind" window, and replaces the static wind window.
The effect for a rider is that the static wind window rotates, away from the direction of travel, thereby leaving the kite now sitting at the edge of an apparent wind window, with good power, and excellent upwind ability, in a modern high "lift" kite.

Stability at the edge, balance, lightness, turning reactivity, and tightness of turning radius are all desirable features that the top designers are seeking to build into modern kites for us to play with and get the most enjoyment from.

David Pilkington, the Ozone Instinct designer, and kitesurf addict, has incorporated those features extremely well in the 3rd revision of the Ozone InstinctII 2008 kites.

Did you like the SportII? What size did you fly?

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Hi Richswing,

I agree with everything Steve said. The Ozones are a plug and play kite. No adjustments to get confused over, they rig straight out of the bag and fly perfectly without the need to tune them. The only adjustment available is the ability to shorten the back lines with the trim adjusters on the ends of the bar. I do this with every new kite for the first few flights, it allows the front lines to stretch into the right length. Once the front lines are stretched, I let the adjusters out again. There is also a 2nd knot on the fifth line bridle which I imagine would help depower the kite in overpowered conditions but I have found no need to use this as yet.

The flutter is predominantly in the 3 Strut, Light II's. The less struts you have, the more the canopy can deform in certain points of the wind window and this is common to almost all kites, especially when looping or depowered. The more struts you have, the more rigid the canopy. The more rigid the canopy, the faster the kite in all areas of the wind window because flutter = drag.

A kite like the Light II, uses drag (flutter) to slow the canopy down in events like a noobie letting go of the bar (ie in a crash), this decellerated the canopy before impact. The design of the Light is to be as light as possible for wave riding and to be able to fly in light winds (so schools can fly in lighter winds and continue to earn revenue instead of calling lessons off).

Many kites from other manufacturers for schools are built to be tough, which means heavy, which means they need a good breeze to fly and turn. The Light is different, it is light, therefore has little mass therefore easier to slow down for impact and flies well in very light winds.

One of my favourite kites for looping is the Sport II, it is fast, pulls like an ox and is serious fun. It boosts well and provides some of the scariest kiteloops of all time. I near crapped mu daks several times at Kitestock looping the 9m and 7m Sport II's. Exhillarating loops, usually gets all the way around and slows down the impact, but you still land at mach 2.

You should maybe look at the Sport for waves and general riding, it is grunty, turns quick, doesn't stall or luff and has little bar pressure and is easy to turn one handed. The Edge is nice but I wouldn't choose it as a wave kite, too little power in the turns, I like something smaller and faster in the turns with good power.

Must say I haven't tried the Edge in the waves yet, but I do have some edge II 7.0m kites arriving soon, should be wicked! [}:)]

Let me know if you want to demo any of the kites. We have a full range of all sizes in all models.

Good winds,

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poor relative said...

For me it is everything i seek in a kite and at this point i have difficulty in finding any negatives.

How about $1800 for a 7m? is a shame as this was one of the potentials, but at that price i can't even justify a look.

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meerkat said...

poor relative said...

For me it is everything i seek in a kite and at this point i have difficulty in finding any negatives.

How about $1800 for a 7m? is a shame as this was one of the potentials, but at that price i can't even justify a look.

Sent you a PM, but basically it says talk to Darren directly for any pricing and sales.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Hi Meerkat,

Give me a call or a PM if you are keen to try one of the kites. The Ozones are comparable in price to most other big name brands, but the quality and stuff you get with them is better IMHO.

The Edge is a High Aspect ratio kite designed to fly fast and give maximum lift and hangtime. If you are into old school riding then this is the kite. Massive air and big hangtime is the signature as those watching the big air at Kitestock noted. The Edge consistently jumped massive with massive hangtime, every jump!

If you are looking for a more all-round kite then the sport is possibly better suited to you. My team riders love the Edge, but they prefer the sport II's. The sport II's loop better, relaunch easier, turn faster, and have more grunt especially in the turns. The sport II is the same price as the Naish Cult, Cabrinha SB3, Slingshot Fuel and probably a bit cheaper than the North Rebel.

At Kitestock we frequently heard feedback like, "These are the best kites I have ever flown". At the end of the day, it comes down to what it's like to fly and if it suits your riding style. If it's 20+% better than what you are riding currently isn't it worth another $100. Would you really compromise your riding enjoyment by 20-30% for a price difference of around 5%?

You REALLY need to ride these kites before you write off a $100 price difference.

Contact me in any case and we can chat.

Good winds,

cheers. I don't habituate the sport in the city so a demo may be a bit tough.

And it would have to be a 7m. Where do you normally kite? perhaps in the off season, hahahahah(whenever that is), i can pop along for a shot.

BTW: i am not questioning the quality/price/etc, more the fact that my bank balance has drained somewhat over the last few months thanks to junior.

How can something so small cost so much!!

Hi Meerkat,

I know what you mean. Get 'em out of nappies soon, they cost a fortune! Mate, I normally ride regularly in winter at places like Cottesloe, Trigg Point, Scarborough and Wedge.

PM me and let me know where you are and I'll try and pack the toy truck and come to you!

Good winds,

Hi guys do the kites have the two bar sizes again ? 60 cm for 13m and above and the 40 cm bar for the under 11m s ?

Yes, the 11/12/13/15M sizes use the 60cm bar, and the smaller sizes 3/5/7/9M use the 50cm size bar.

Cya and

Goodwinds

steve

I sent the 9m in gusts over 34knots today. OMFG
Ozone really should say something about requiring a para gliding license to fly these kites. This kite is seriously off the show.

oh and on the life spans of the ozones, i have an 06 instinct, and it hasnt got a tare on the canopy at all, the only damage i have done, is scuffs and a few inhead size hole on the leading edge from it scraping on the sand too much.

i beleve that problem was solved with the latter models thou.

HI guys,

Just have to say, I had a powered up session on the 9m Edge II today. Oh my God! What a phenomenal kite! I had so much fun on it.

My passion for kiting is right back up there.

Good winds,

Darren, you've flown a million kites, how does this compare to others for sheer boost and hang?

Let me add my 2c in as I just got off the water with a huge grim after testing 9 m (for the second time).
They have definitely changed the low end. Kite does not like low wind as much as her 07 sister did. No feedback on the bar had almost put me off first time I have tried it. However….I took the test 9 m from Steve this weekend and had it on 25 knt wind….and let me tell you. No disappointment there at all. Like high rpm engine of Honda CBR 600 RR this kite gets a new kick and a new life when yanked past 8000 rpm (here 22 knt).
No comparison to any other. There were only few kites like that on the market Naish X4 and X10 the most powerful ones – no compromise in jumping. Raven was a playground toy in comparison to X series. Skoop 1 and 3 – another powerful machine. Even current kites like Rhino (past 07) cannot compare to Edge with its upwind and jumping performance. The only kite I had so much fun on was Rhino 05, 06 which I consider one of The Toys.
Kitedevil – there are no kites like Edge (haven’t try T3 yet though – anyone ?) No other kite will pull you higher, faster and harder upwind then Edge.

hi Kitedevil,

Dapole is right on the money. The only kite I can compare the Edge II to is the Airush 2003 Lift Pro for sheer boost and crazy hang although the Edge II is like a super smooth really polished version, much easier to fly and without the bad stalling and luffing issues associated with the old Lift Pro.

There is nothing that really compares to the current Edge II, it's in a class of it's own. People ask me to categorise this kite all the time asking what it's like, and it just isn't like anything else.

Upwindability makes me grin like an idiot cause I reckon I point 10-15 degreees higher than everyone else which means I get a return tack half as far out to sea which means I get twice as many jumps per run or twice as many waves.

It really is a machine. Boost is super smooth, unlike the Lift Pro which was just aggressive and powerful, hangtime is long and landing is smooth.

It's impossible to do writeups without nseeming to be a mad pimp, so again, I encourage you to come and test the kites with your local Ozone dealer.

I'm off to "test fly" a few more Instincts <insert maniacal laugh and grin here>

Good winds,

thought so, nothing compares from my quivers of past either.

very tempted with the edge 2!
but there expensive kites
for a 90 kg
130tt & skim
what range would i get from a 11m?
one kite quiver
cheers

Nemo - You think they are expensive and I say - reassuringly expensive. Ozone had always name for quality. I have never heard of issues like you hear a lot about other brands (streched canopy, ripped or stretched lines, leaking tubes etc etc). Their roots are in paraglyding, hangliding etc where most important thing are your lines and canopy (apart from the pilot:). Strong build yet light and really really good with with keeping its quality and colour even when exposed to UV for a long period of time (which matters a lot if you are going to Egypt or Oz for Holiday :). Lines - well there are no better lines than Ozone prestreched dyneema. Tubes are another story in kiting world.can be your best friend or worst nightmare you have ever had. In Ozone just like other parts of the kite - Quality. Ask around how many poeple had leaking ozone tube (due to bad craftmanship not puncturing with fork:)...and lastly - they hold their price. Second hand market is not filled with them cos it is fairly new brand on water market (3 seasons only) so if you want to upgrade new years model - sell, top up and of you pop....god I am starting to sounds like a sellsman hahahah...wind range for 11m - I tell you what although low end has changed in 08 when everybody is on 14 I am laughing at them from upwind on my 11 (I am 71 kg and with my 129 board I go out on 16 knt >)....but dont expect miracles mate even ozone will not pull you on 10 knt wind

My new 2008 11m Edge II arrived this afternoon. Given that this thread is about the 9m, and the fact that I only had enough time to fly it on the beach after work, I will not offer a review that gets into flying characteristics, etc. What I can comment on is the other stuff that I assume would apply to all models and sizes. Before today I was flying North Rebels, a quiver of two 07's last year and a 12m 08 this year. Before that a 06 Vegas, a 03 Rhino and some Best kites... Think one was called a Waa-rooo and the other a Nemy or something. Bought the Ozone just to try something a little different, not because I don't enjoy using my Rebel as I think it's an awesome kite. Go North...! By the way send me a PM if you’re interested in acquiring a next to new kite for a decent price....

Initial impression is that the Ozone bag (well actually bag(s) as there is a mini kite bag inside main bag, a neat idea but not sure if I will bother using mini bag again given that kite has to be folded away almost perfectly to fit), kite, bar, lines, etc. are all very high quality. Time will tell... I like the bag, but kind of wish there was also room for my pump on the inside rather than just the internal pocket for bar that's provided. After all, most of the time, unless you’re travelling a bit, your bar is soaken wet after use (not going to put it right back in bag ) and you want somewhere to throw your pump in after the first few minutes. Anyways... pump up the kite, inflates in almost no time with the Slingshot modelled one pump and the extra small struts, and head out to the beach. Notice the "anti inversion" line flapping around in the breeze and wonder if it's all that necessary. Must admit that it seems like a bit of a pain when pumping up kite and putting away. Perhaps the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience... Again, time will tell. So... I unwrap the 60cm bar and sort out my lines. All color and number coded, super easy. The bar setup looks great and I'm excited (but... also wondering why an 11m kite requires a 60cm bar, seems a bit wide...?). Kite goes up in air, rear lines feel slack and then I remember that there are rear line adjusters just above the bar. What a great idea! Pull the rear lines a bit tighter and kite feels real good. OK...I said I wouldn't get into flying characteristics of the 11m, but perhaps just a little indulgence. Kite flies up to around 12 right away and just sits there; sits there rock solid. No flutter, no flapping, just "hovers". Around 15 knots with 20 knot+ bullets coming thru and it was just sitting there well behaved. Very little to no bar pressure (at least compared to Rebel). Had me a bit worried as I initially thought, "this thing isn't going to turn, so much for direct steering like I have on the Rebel". But...it turns just as quick, just different feedback on the bar than I'm used to. Can't wait to take it out for a decent session. Hopefully all of the hype I have read is true. Was looking for a boost and hang time machine. Unfortunately up here we don't have the luxury of demoing all of the new brands so I gambled, but so far, so good. Oh... almost forgot, it didn't come with an owner's manual. Perhaps it's hiding in a secret pocket that I haven't discovered yet? Did come with losts of repair gear, Ozone stickers and info about the new bar. Manual was easily downloaded off the Ozone site in 50+ languages.