Much has been said about the new bar and lines, so will not mention those.
The Light2 bag is not as substantial as the Sport2 and Edge2 bags, but is still a well designed draw string type design, except the draw part is a clever webbing design, fast and simple to open and close.
Bar pocket inside the bag same as the others.

Well, the kite has simply blown me away with its performance. I really did not expect to like this kite, I thought it was aimed more at begginers and was low performance.
I was very wrong. I've tested it now on 2 occassions, a total of approx 3+ hrs on the water, in winds ranging from 12 to 22 knots according to Seabreeze graphs.

The kite has very good bottom end, with my 1.52x44 07 FLX, I was able to easily ride upwind in 11/12 knots, and the kite/board combo was easily outperforming larger and similar sized kites on the Bay over the last 2 nights, there are many witnesses!

Once the wind hits 14/15 knots then this kite really comes alive it is a very quick and nimble 14M kite. I was surprised how easily it boosts and the hang time it has. In 20 knots it is amazing and boosts in the 15-20 foot range are easy and can be had anytime, on demand. If you can line a up a kicker/ramp to jump off, then you can easily get higher still and have good float and hang time. Its easy to hold the bar in till the last moment and then redirect for a smooth and powered landing. Kiteloops are easy, mid power and the kite turns and flies fast, with a very direct C kite feel, especially to the turns. The kite needs to be redirected like a C kite for jumping, its not just a ride fast and pull the bar in booster like many bridled/bow style kites.
Expect to have to learn to jump (timing too) these kites if you get straight on to them from anything that has pulleys.

Relauch and self launching and landing are easy. Relaunch is a point the bar task, occassionally if the kite is a bit deeper in the window (more downwind) you can pull one leader to hasten the relaunch. Self launch is bow slide/pivot style and landing is - flag to either side upper front line flagging ring. I relaunched it several times in deep water from a variety of positions, very easily, its a real confidence booster.

Super stable, can be ridden at quite fast for long periods and the kite drifts back very nicely, and I am sure this years Light2 is the best choice for unhooked and unstrapped style wave riders.

The canopy only flutters in tight turns, a bit, or when the bar is fully sheeted out. The canopy is a moderate aspect ratio and the kite is the most C shaped or least flat (still a hybrid/high depower design though) of the 3, 2008 Instinct models. Leading edge is really tiny, so are the struts, so its similar in design to the other models in the Instinct range. I pumped it to 10PSI with a hand pump one night and electric last night.

My 14M SB3, which I really really like, has been replaced and is for sale!

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Good review Steve