Rider: 78 kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Freestyle
Weather: ?-? knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments:
I am looking for something to substitute my Switchblade 3 (2008), 10m. Although I have been very happy with it, I recently bought a Nemesis NXG 9m and that made me think of something a bit more exiting (faster mostly) than the SB but with similar low end. Priorities are kiteloops, and unhooking but also jumping. For the sake of variation I would prefer not to get another SB or NXG. I was thinking of RPM, HiFi comp, C4, all of them probably 11 or 12 m to get similar low end. Maybe also RRD Obsession 10m. I am more or less convinced (or not so much concerned) about quality issues, relaunch, depower and high end. How do these kites compare on the issues given above and/or anything else interesting ? Are they a lot more C-kite like than the NXG (don’t like my 2005 C-kites much but don’t have any experience on anything newer) ? I realise this is kind of a big open question so any partial answer (i.e. RPM vs HiFi comp etc) would be much appreciated.

You definately need to show up at Kitestock this year and demo back to back all the kites you can. Remember the mid season releases coming out in March from Best and Slingshot. I know we will be demoing the new kites from Best at Kitestock.

Yes, I know I should try different kites, but i live in Mozambique and there are very few kites here.. I'll be going to Europe in March and I'm hoping to buy then, but there isn't much kiting there then so I probably still won't be able to try anything.

Select to expand quote

arsa said...

You definately need to show up at Kitestock this year and demo back to back all the kites you can. Remember the mid season releases coming out in March from Best and Slingshot. I know we will be demoing the new kites from Best at Kitestock.

ARSA
What new BEST kites will you have availble for demo ... at kitestock ? Cheers

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Pemba said...


Rider: 78 kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Freestyle
Weather: ?-? knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments:
I am looking for something to substitute my Switchblade 3 (2008), 10m. Although I have been very happy with it, I recently bought a Nemesis NXG 9m and that made me think of something a bit more exiting (faster mostly) than the SB but with similar low end. Priorities are kiteloops, and unhooking but also jumping. For the sake of variation I would prefer not to get another SB or NXG. I was thinking of RPM, HiFi comp, C4, all of them probably 11 or 12 m to get similar low end. Maybe also RRD Obsession 10m. I am more or less convinced (or not so much concerned) about quality issues, relaunch, depower and high end. How do these kites compare on the issues given above and/or anything else interesting ? Are they a lot more C-kite like than the NXG (don’t like my 2005 C-kites much but don’t have any experience on anything newer) ? I realise this is kind of a big open question so any partial answer (i.e. RPM vs HiFi comp etc) would be much appreciated.

In all honesty (and I hate saying this because I hate Cabrinha), you're comparing a 2008 kite to a 2010 kite. No matter what kite you try out it will seem better. Every kite has got faster turning ever year and you're old kite canopy and lines will stretch making the performance seem lethargic. I'd also throw a 2011 switchblade into the mix to see how it compares to the rest of the kites you're testing.

I'm sure you are right, the stuff that i have is pretty much worn out. I have actually changed lines once already because it always pulled to one side. Obviously I would try anything I could get my hands on but I live in Mozambique and there are hardly any kites here. It is very unlikely that i will be able to try out or even see any of the kites I mentioned, before buying something when i go on holiday to europe in March, so any way i can focuss on a model would be good.