Just the non race specific Hyperlink and Chrono3. Have been testing the Hyperlink 12 and 9 and Chrono 3, 11M in UL construction.
The Hyperlink is a durable, all rounder and can be used on water or land. I've used it for a few runs in a buggy on the beach at low tide here, its a very capable land kite with great depower and turning speed. Seems to love the quick apparent wind build up that happens when land kiting with a buggy. Was able to reach 40+kph in 10 knots of wind easy and I reckon it would have topped at a bit over 50, which is very impressive multiple of wind speed.
So the winds here now have turned to the typical Autumn pattern of light onshore breezes, generally no more than 15-17 knots and often mainly straight E or with a bit of S. Mix this with messy Easterly swell up to 2M and its a difficult and messy ocean to play in, but we have a long beach with an outer reef and large gutter and then a shorey to get through. High tide means you can ride down into the fish pond/boat channel area at the very south end of 7 mile, where the water is protected and very smooth, with RH breaking waves on the northern edge of this flat water area. Then from there its easy to ride up the gutter in between large dumping waves.
Boards I've used this last week or so have been an Evo 5'1" and mainly an Axis Patrol 1.48x47, best success/bottoem end is the axis board.
If the wind stays above 12 knots I can easily ride the Hyperlink 12M and have fun, but if its been dropping below that then the 11M Chrono3 in UL construction is simply amazing. The 11M weighs about 1.8kg and has the most confidence inspiring stability in light wind of any kite I've ever flown. (I'm ordering one for my own quiver today)
Chrono V3 is aimed at experienced kiters wanting foil kite performance as close as possible to a full race kite, The Chrono V3 is Ozone's fastest flying kite below the R1V2 race kite. The UL construction is the same construction as a race kite.
The Hyperlink V1 offers intermediate to experienced kites a simple to use, large wind range and high performance, crossover (land/water) foil kite, slightly lower aspect ratio, and tighter turning than a Chrono V3, its an amazing all rounder. Also available in UL construction.

Sharing the kites with other locals who have never flown foil kites has been an eye opener both for them and me (as a distributor). Anyone who has flown them has been blown away by the stability and performance of both kite models and especially the low wind performance.
Teaching others how to properly launch and land these kites is simple, and there are now some great online tutorials

Safety and setup



Launching



Landing



Ans the all important packing up process



And equally important self rescue



The UL construction versions of the Chrono V3 and Hyperlink V1 are amazing for their lightness and low wind stability, but this understandably comes at the price of strength and durability. These models should not be purchased or used by anyone other than very experienced kiters who know how to care for a foil kite and who basically would never have a high speed crash. Using either construction in waves has the potential for serious damage to the kite, but in saying that they are very hard to crash for an experienced kiter!

The Chono V3 is a better option for light wind kiting than any inflatable kite (I have Zephyr V5), inflatables just weigh so much more and cannot have the same aspect ratio and span that a foil kite can, the trade off is that the larger foils 13M and above especially do not have a tight turning radius, but do have an extremely powerful turn. You need room or height to down loop these kites, so you also need different technique (and experience helps) when setting up for turns and changes of direction in very low winds. It is possible to relaunch foil kites in very low winds, much lower than any inflatable, and with more ease.

No inflatable kite on the market can match these foil kites for upwind and downwind performance.

Currently blowing 7-12 East, more testing!

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Ozone Kites Aus said..
Just the non race specific Hyperlink and Chrono3. Have been testing the Hyperlink 12 and 9 and Chrono 3, 11M in UL construction.
The Hyperlink is a durable, all rounder and can be used on water or land. I've used it for a few runs in a buggy on the beach at low tide here, its a very capable land kite with great depower and turning speed. Seems to love the quick apparent wind build up that happens when land kiting with a buggy. Was able to reach 40+kph in 10 knots of wind easy and I reckon it would have topped at a bit over 50, which is very impressive multiple of wind speed.
So the winds here now have turned to the typical Autumn pattern of light onshore breezes, generally no more than 15-17 knots and often mainly straight E or with a bit of S. Mix this with messy Easterly swell up to 2M and its a difficult and messy ocean to play in, but we have a long beach with an outer reef and large gutter and then a shorey to get through. High tide means you can ride down into the fish pond/boat channel area at the very south end of 7 mile, where the water is protected and very smooth, with RH breaking waves on the northern edge of this flat water area. Then from there its easy to ride up the gutter in between large dumping waves.
Boards I've used this last week or so have been an Evo 5'1" and mainly an Axis Patrol 1.48x47, best success/bottoem end is the axis board.
If the wind stays above 12 knots I can easily ride the Hyperlink 12M and have fun, but if its been dropping below that then the 11M Chrono3 in UL construction is simply amazing. The 11M weighs about 1.8kg and has the most confidence inspiring stability in light wind of any kite I've ever flown. (I'm ordering one for my own quiver today)
Chrono V3 is aimed at experienced kiters wanting foil kite performance as close as possible to a full race kite, The Chrono V3 is Ozone's fastest flying kite below the R1V2 race kite. The UL construction is the same construction as a race kite.
The Hyperlink V1 offers intermediate to experienced kites a simple to use, large wind range and high performance, crossover (land/water) foil kite, slightly lower aspect ratio, and tighter turning than a Chrono V3, its an amazing all rounder. Also available in UL construction.

Sharing the kites with other locals who have never flown foil kites has been an eye opener both for them and me (as a distributor). Anyone who has flown them has been blown away by the stability and performance of both kite models and especially the low wind performance.
Teaching others how to properly launch and land these kites is simple, and there are now some great online tutorials

Safety and setup

Launching

Landing

Ans the all important packing up process

And equally important self rescue

The UL construction versions of the Chrono V3 and Hyperlink V1 are amazing for their lightness and low wind stability, but this understandably comes at the price of strength and durability. These models should not be purchased or used by anyone other than very experienced kiters who know how to care for a foil kite and who basically would never have a high speed crash. Using either construction in waves has the potential for serious damage to the kite, but in saying that they are very hard to crash for an experienced kiter!

The Chono V3 is a better option for light wind kiting than any inflatable kite (I have Zephyr V5), inflatables just weigh so much more and cannot have the same aspect ratio and span that a foil kite can, the trade off is that the larger foils 13M and above especially do not have a tight turning radius, but do have an extremely powerful turn. You need room or height to down loop these kites, so you also need different technique (and experience helps) when setting up for turns and changes of direction in very low winds. It is possible to relaunch foil kites in very low winds, much lower than any inflatable, and with more ease.

No inflatable kite on the market can match these foil kites for upwind and downwind performance.

Currently blowing 7-12 East, more testing!

I have the 9m Hyperlink which easily gets me flying in 12knts on a hydrofoil. I've had it down to 10knts which requires a bit more work. I am looking at buying a 12m Hyperlink UL for 8-15knts. The true durability comparison between standard and UL version is a bit of a question. It was said to me by an owner of both that there is no durability difference whilst flying and the durability is more a factor when landing/launching ie.... having a wide sandy beach as opposed to a rocky one. Is this a fair comment ? The Ozone blurb does say the UL version needs to be handled with more care but what does that really mean? Any informed experience appreciated.

I have a zephyr v5 and had a chance to try the new chrono 11m in about 12 knotts back to back i was really impressed with its light wind performance against the zephyr and turning speed and bar pressure was great booosted with ease and soft landing i didint want to swap back to my zephyr probanly the nicest refined kite ive ever flown loved the new chrono

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snalberski said..


I have the 9m Hyperlink which easily gets me flying in 12knts on a hydrofoil. I've had it down to 10knts which requires a bit more work. I am looking at buying a 12m Hyperlink UL for 8-15knts. The true durability comparison between standard and UL version is a bit of a question. It was said to me by an owner of both that there is no durability difference whilst flying and the durability is more a factor when landing/launching ie.... having a wide sandy beach as opposed to a rocky one. Is this a fair comment ? The Ozone blurb does say the UL version needs to be handled with more care but what does that really mean? Any informed experience appreciated.

Hi Snailberski
Sorry for the slow reply, too much time at the beach in these light E winds!
The Hyperlink and Chrono UL versions use the same top skin as a standard kite (thats where they are different to an R1). The top skin is the part of the kite that cops the most abuse from launching and landing and this is the main time when you can damage a foil kite if you don't have a clean area to launch from or land on.
On The UL versions the bottom skin is replaced with a very lightweight super thin but very high quality material and it is fragile. So the comment from Ozone and myself is really directed at inexperienced foil kiters and especially those that do not have clean areas to kite in.
Sounds like you would be fine and you will really notice the extra performance. Having now spent some time on UL versions and living in an area with clean beaches, I've ordered a 13M UL Chrono 3 for myself.
There would be a greater risk of damage if an UL kite was dropped in breaking waves, but in saying that, no foil kite should be dumped in breaking surf and not be expected to suffer some damage or even be destroyed beyond repair.

9m hyperlink 26m lines, moses foil, 88kgs, cruising from 8 knots.

First foil kite. Piece of cake to fly and land, still working on the launching though!

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Macster said..
9m hyperlink 26m lines, moses foil, 88kgs, cruising from 8 knots.

First foil kite. Piece of cake to fly and land, still working on the launching though!

I found pre inflation to be critical. Although I haven't tried it yet someone has suggested using a mattress inflator which I think would great.... I used to use one one large LEI kites. If the wingtips collapse violently when launching tugging on the rear leader lines (left-right-left-right as in the Ozone launching tips and tricks vid) pulls the front skin away from the back skin and sucks air in quickly.

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snalberski said..

Macster said..
9m hyperlink 26m lines, moses foil, 88kgs, cruising from 8 knots.

First foil kite. Piece of cake to fly and land, still working on the launching though!

I found pre inflation to be critical. Although I haven't tried it yet someone has suggested using a mattress inflator which I think would great.... I used to use one one large LEI kites. If the wingtips collapse violently when launching tugging on the rear leader lines (left-right-left-right as in the Ozone launching tips and tricks vid) pulls the front skin away from the back skin and sucks air in quickly.

Hold the vents up to the wind, one by one. Easier without mesh over the vents, but some pre-inflation is better than none. Lots is better than some :D

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Macster said..
9m hyperlink 26m lines, moses foil, 88kgs, cruising from 8 knots.

First foil kite. Piece of cake to fly and land, still working on the launching though!

Hi Macster

Watch this video, and do what it demonstrates. I've found that all thats required is the technique shown at 0.35, where the guy is standing on one end and holding the other, pump your arms up and down and in and out fills the kite quickly, then just let go of the upper tip and let it fall back directly downwind, the tip should stap cupped and standing up slightly. Go back to the back and with the lines at 45 degrees to the wind walk away from the kite slowly, pumping the front lines a bit. Once the kite leaves the ground keep pressure on the rear lines do not sheet out with the bar rapidly. Fly the kite from side to side and if needed pump the rear lines with the black brake handle. The kite will fill quickly.
If you are land kiting open the zips in the vents prior to launch the kite fills much quicker.

The mesh is used to stop snow and debris entering the kite, but mainly snow. It does affect the rate of inflation but not by so much that its an issue.

Thanks guys. I wasnt preinflating, nor giving it enough time to inflate on its side when at 45 and I think i was sheeting out too quickly resulting in a bow tie and then frustraing inversion.

I've watched that video before but sometimes you need to go out and try it a few times and re-watch to actually grasp what is being said!

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Macster said..
Thanks guys. I wasnt preinflating, nor giving it enough time to inflate on its side when at 45 and I think i was sheeting out too quickly resulting in a bow tie and then frustraing inversion.

I've watched that video before but sometimes you need to go out and try it a few times and re-watch to actually grasp what is being said!

Yep, the froth factor sometimes needs to be dealt with by experience first then education ha! Happens to all of us frothers!

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Macster said..
Thanks guys. I wasnt preinflating, nor giving it enough time to inflate on its side when at 45 and I think i was sheeting out too quickly resulting in a bow tie and then frustraing inversion.

I've watched that video before but sometimes you need to go out and try it a few times and re-watch to actually grasp what is being said!

This vid is much the same but sorta shows dealing with collapsed wing tips at 3.05. I've been doing the same but grabbing high up the leader lines, which I think I may now modify to the shown technique.... I was told by an experienced foil kiter to keep the kite low and at the side of the window while it fully inflates, before allowing it to zenith.

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Ozone Kites Aus said..
The mesh is used to stop snow and debris entering the kite, but mainly snow. It does affect the rate of inflation but not by so much that its an issue.

That's not what I said, or at least what I meant. Without the mesh, it's a whole lot easier literally pick up the kite by the vent and hold it open into the wind, opening the "sock" if it's sticking closed due to static electricity.

I've never understood the mesh-over-vents idea. Twigs and grass and crap gets caught in it. And you lose access to the internals, which makes simple repairs a headache when you have to open the TE. Although if you have the massive zip on the back, that's a moot point. Zips come with their own drawbacks though...

ANYWAY

Pre-fill as much as you can, then side launch, let the center fill then get the tips inflated. In the lightest winds you're still going to have the kite slide around downwind, so don't worry. You can pump the center lines to get air into it if necessary.

Keep some tension on the bar...but not too much ;)

Select to expand quote

snalberski said..

Macster said..
Thanks guys. I wasnt preinflating, nor giving it enough time to inflate on its side when at 45 and I think i was sheeting out too quickly resulting in a bow tie and then frustraing inversion.

I've watched that video before but sometimes you need to go out and try it a few times and re-watch to actually grasp what is being said!

This vid is much the same but sorta shows dealing with collapsed wing tips at 3.05. I've been doing the same but grabbing high up the leader lines, which I think I may now modify to the shown technique.... I was told by an experienced foil kiter to keep the kite low and at the side of the window while it fully inflates, before allowing it to zenith.

Yeah its a bit more detailed is some ways, but its also an older kite model and the newer kites are capable of inflating faster and are less prone to tip collapse. BUT the same techniques apply and using the brake handle will give the best result and its the easiest method too.
The advice the foil kiter gave was sound for sure, and avoid flying any kite and especially foils at zenith when on land or near the shore.

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Kamikuza said..

That's not what I said, or at least what I meant. Without the mesh, it's a whole lot easier literally pick up the kite by the vent and hold it open into the wind, opening the "sock" if it's sticking closed due to static electricity.

I've never understood the mesh-over-vents idea. Twigs and grass and crap gets caught in it. And you lose access to the internals, which makes simple repairs a headache when you have to open the TE. Although if you have the massive zip on the back, that's a moot point. Zips come with their own drawbacks though...

I think we are saying the same thing, and the videos show both methods. I've found its just much faster and easier to use the stand on one end method to pre inflate.

The mesh is use to stop snow and debris entering the kite, AND also to assist the vent area of the leading edge to hold its shape, I'm fairly sure all the main foil brands use mesh now for that reason, any disturbance to airflow at the leading edge has a consequentially negative effect on speed and performance of the kite.

I found standing on the tip almost useless in light wind, and uncomfortable in stronger wind. Plus, standing on the kite at our beach with very coarse sand...it's very harsh on the material. I don't like letting the kite slide on launch either, I've seen it slice up wing tips.

If mesh was that important to speed and performance, you'd find it on paragliders. I still don't like it even if every manufacturer did it

Why are you all posting old videos that have been done to death and talking over and over the same thing?!

Hyperlink is just another foil, with an optional open/closed cell feature. Wooopyyy... it's been done before.

Oooh cue the stakes and pitch forks!

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Kamikuza said..
I found standing on the tip almost useless in light wind, and uncomfortable in stronger wind. Plus, standing on the kite at our beach with very coarse sand...it's very harsh on the material. I don't like letting the kite slide on launch either, I've seen it slice up wing tips.

If mesh was that important to speed and performance, you'd find it on paragliders. I still don't like it even if every manufacturer did it

You don't need to do it in stronger winds, you just do it like in the video, leave one tip cupped and hold it until enough air has entered the kite, pull it up a bit further and then it will start to fill quite quickly, keep rear line pressure as the kite lifts off and pump the rears using the break and the kite inflates quite quickly and is stable.
Sounds like you have your method sorted to suit your location, this discussion is to help newcomers who have clean beaches which is very common throughout Australia.
Don't like kites with gauze vents covers, don't buy one. I find standing on the tip and pumping the kite up and down with my arms to fill it quite quickly in very low winds, like I've had here recently. BUT I also watched another kite launched by an experienced kiter with no bow tie and with zero pre inflation , yesterday in approx 6-8 knts.

A cheap tarp can be laid down to launch from and a couple of sand bags sound like they would be handy in your location.
Paragliders are not kites, they are actually very different construction and their vents are located much further under the LE than on kites. We were shown right through the paraglider factories when we visited Ozone in Vietnam. There are many things learned from paragliding that Ozone do incorporate into kites, but intake vents on water relaunching kites is not one of them.

Except for all the pissing dogs and Euro poop, eh?

Is there a lot of snow kiting in Oz? I thought you were a bit challenged in that area.

To tell the truth, I don't usually bother with pre-filling either, only if the launch is a bit sketchy or in a wind shadow.

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Kamikuza said..
Except for all the pissing dogs and Euro poop, eh?

Is there a lot of snow kiting in Oz? I thought you were a bit challenged in that area.

To tell the truth, I don't usually bother with pre-filling either, only if the launch is a bit sketchy or in a wind shadow.

Depends On what you call alot. Snow kiting in OZ has definetly been around for many years. Its growing alot too with Jennie Milton even starting a Snow Kite School here.

Hey one other question on the hyperlink.

Its got those semi-rigid compartments (like a rib cage in my words). Someone was saying you have to be careful when folding / packing up the kite not to bend them... any truth to that?

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Macster said..
Hey one other question on the hyperlink.

Its got those semi-rigid compartments (like a rib cage in my words). Someone was saying you have to be careful when folding / packing up the kite not to bend them... any truth to that?

Yeah there is some truth to it. The hoops or ribs are designed to hold the leading edge in shape, this gives the kite more speed and mch better stability, as well as easier inflation.
Pack the kite as shown in the video's, but if you are not going to use the kite for a long time, say over winter, then pack the kite indoors so that you can start at the middle and lay each "hoop" flat on the next moving from the centre to one tip, then just flip the flattened cells 180 and pack the other side on top. Fold in half and store in an Ozone foil kite compressor bag or in the original bar taking care to keep the hoops flat.
Disconnect the lines and store the bridles under the velcro tab in the middle of the TE.
On my own kites I roll them up loosely as shown in the video above taking care not to squash the leading edge hoops, I normally keep the bar outside the bag in the side pocket, but with lines still connected. I secure the bridle/line pigs to the velcro tab.

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Ozone Kites Aus said..

Macster said..
Hey one other question on the hyperlink.

Its got those semi-rigid compartments (like a rib cage in my words). Someone was saying you have to be careful when folding / packing up the kite not to bend them... any truth to that?

Yeah there is some truth to it. The hoops or ribs are designed to hold the leading edge in shape, this gives the kite more speed and mch better stability, as well as easier inflation.

I've not heard of any ram-air foil out there that has to use a plastic or firm rib to hold its LE shape. Man we're going back to the stone ages with those designs. Flysurfer kites are truly on a league of their own, with their Peak for example. But even you guys designed the ozone xxlite. What happened there?

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NorthernKitesAUS said..

Ozone Kites Aus said..

Macster said..
Hey one other question on the hyperlink.

Its got those semi-rigid compartments (like a rib cage in my words). Someone was saying you have to be careful when folding / packing up the kite not to bend them... any truth to that?

Yeah there is some truth to it. The hoops or ribs are designed to hold the leading edge in shape, this gives the kite more speed and mch better stability, as well as easier inflation.

I've not heard of any ram-air foil out there that has to use a plastic or firm rib to hold its LE shape. Man we're going back to the stone ages with those designs. Flysurfer kites are truly on a league of their own, with their Peak for example. But even you guys designed the ozone xxlite. What happened there?

Hi Fernando
Give me a call if you want to discuss this in more detail. There is a lot of info on Ozone's website about the XXlite - www.flyozone.com/paragliders/products/gliders/xxlite
Its a very specialised paraglider though and not a kite, foil kites and paragliders looks similar, but they are very different in as many ways as they are similar.
Matt Taggart has flown the XXlite and he told me its hike and fly potential and suitability is great but definitely not for inexperienced pilots, stall it and you are toast, he thinks to would be practically impossible to recover from any significant canopy collapse.
Ozone chose not to release a single skin foil kite because of related stability issues, and their UL construction kites performed better anyway.

There are many brands using battens or LE stiffener panels, especially in higher performance kites (race kites in particular).
Sorry can't agree with your opinion about the stone ages, the results from users of Ozone foil kites (and gliders) in competition speak for themselves don't they?

Hmm in that case my apologies. I thought all modern race kites were purely designed without a batten or rib for the LE. Certainly the Flysurfers I've seen and the Chrono do not have it - or does it? Which models are you referring to?

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NorthernKitesAUS said..
Hmm in that case my apologies. I thought all modern race kites were purely designed without a batten or rib for the LE. Certainly the Flysurfers I've seen and the Chrono do not have it - or does it? Which models are you referring to?

Speed 4 was the first FS to use it IIRC, they call it "Rigid Foil Technology", licensed it from Gin, who'd been doing it for a while too but I don't know if that came from their gliders or not. Chrono V1 had them too. Old news.

It like to see a Weight comparison chart of the weight of the 11m chrono V1, V2, V2 UL V3 and V3 UL

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Scanno said..
It like to see a Weight comparison chart of the weight of the 11m chrono V1, V2, V2 UL V3 and V3 UL

Can't help you with that, maybe some owners can post the weight of their kites? I'll see what I've got laying around and weight them asap. What I can tell you is that the construction of a V3 UL Chrono is essentially the same as the R1 V2.

My Hyperlink 9m UL weighed 1535g on delivery . Including bridles and mixer.

I've found low end is 10 knots on freeride Hydrofoil, 75 kgs. I can handle lulls to 8, but lower and it's not fun, risky to drop it.
25m standard Ozone lines.

I'm totally sold on foil kites for Hydrofoiling. It's sooooo soooomth !! It's like comparing a 66 VW beetle with 4 speed stick and blown sync, to a new BMW with 8 speed automatic transmission.

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TomW059 said..
My Hyperlink 9m UL weighed 1535g on delivery . Including bridles and mixer.

I've found low end is 10 knots on freeride Hydrofoil, 75 kgs. I can handle lulls to 8, but lower and it's not fun, risky to drop it.
25m standard Ozone lines.

I'm totally sold on foil kites for Hydrofoiling. It's sooooo soooomth !! It's like comparing a 66 VW beetle with 4 speed stick and blown sync, to a new BMW with 8 speed automatic transmission.

Guess that depends how you foil. I think foil kites are horrible for the kind of foiling I like to do