First things first the wind was not ideal. Lets say around 11-13 knots with very frequent bursts of 20 knots. But considering this it was not "unridable" wind, most kites would be fine in these conditions. I'd say I am an experienced rider, since I do a lot of unhooking in the surf im used to correctly trimming kites so they fly to their full potential and im used to gusty winds where I kite. Now we can get things started.

Control System
Both kites had very nice bars, good construction, nice grip and easy to adjust and normal colured lines (both were 08 bars).

Construction
Both had very sturdy leading edge material with scuff pads, but the helix didnt have as much reinforcement around the pointy bits on the leading edge as I was expecting but still looked sturdy. Sturdy but the kites still dont seem to have the strength of the Slingys or Flexifoil.

Most Importantly- Flying Characteristics
Firstly I set up the 12m Helix. Set it up and pumped it to 8 PSI to be sure it would fly to its full potential. A person launched me but it wouldnt exactly launch. The person through it up , I walked so the kite would be closer to the power zone but to no avail it was having a lot of trouble. I finally got it in the air and was very disapointed. The turning was slow and very delayed, there was some bar pressure (more than a C kite) but it was hard to tell exactly where the kite was, (strange feedback, something to get used to). I had to keep the kite moving to keep it from falling out of the sky which I thought was strange because arnt they meant to be extremely stable? At least thats what I was told on the website. One thing that was good on this kite was the lift, in the gusts I was thrown straight up in the air which has never happened to me before so has excellent boosting. Never took the kite out on the water, wasn’t confident that it would stay in the air. Knowing that the kite may be trimmed incorrectly I tried different increments on the depower and power strap but to no avail the characteristics where the same. Lastly this kite hates the edge of the window, at the edge of the window it slowly drops down to the sand and the only way to recover is to sprint as fast as you possibly can up wind.

Secondly I took out the 9m F one bandit. I was launched and the kite immediately flew up and easily went up to 12. Turned fast but I have flown faster kites. Turning was C-like and very good feed back. The kite was very grunty easily as powerful as an 11m C but as soon as you let go of the bar it kills all power and falls leading edge down amazingly in the perfect relaunch position, even on the beach you just pull 1 side line and it pops up immediately. I was confident to take this kite out and I was easily riding in the surf (excellent wave riding kite, not sure about unhooking though, didnt try) and having heaps of fun. The loops are the same as a C kite and have consistent power through the turn. Overall this kite amazed me, I am currently a C kite lover (ride SS fuels) and this kite is defiantly a consideration for next year.

Overall I found that the Bandit was a top performer, definitely going to be a stand out kite next season, same flying characteristics of a C kite with same depower and relaunch as a bow. The Helix however wasn’t quite what I was imagining it to be, unstable flying, delayed and slow turning. Even though the wind wasn’t great it still was easily enough wind to keep a kite in the air. I would like to try the helix in 15+ knots to see if it performs well which I expect it will with its excellent lift but this kite is definitely not a "one kite quiver", I think it will only excel in higher winds.

P.S I am not affiliated with any brand.

I have had to change my post regarding inflation, i was thinking in marshon pressure. 8 psi is very adiquate, the SIGMA manual states 7 psi to be recommended max. although I personally use more.

The SIGMA kites also like to ride a little sheeted out (more on the front lines), the bar comes on the middle knott, but if you are an unhooked rider, or someone who tends to like to ride with the bar fully sheeted on, I suggest lengthening the back lines to allow the kite to breath in this fully powered state. I personally set the bar up with the back lines even shorter than they come, but I like to fully over sheet the kite for wave riding (not the most efficient way to rig a kite, but it's the way I've always ridden)

I hope you get the chance to try the kite again, and possibly try the longer setting on the back lines.

JB

I can't believe that you had so much trouble getting the kite in the sky, nor can I believe what you say about stability- the kite turns well in almost no wind and is as solid as a rock. It sits happily in almost no wind in neutral. Something smells funny here, must be alot of bulls around..........

I tried all different trim set ups, im not new to adjusting the bar for unhooking so it definetly wasnt the lines. There were 5 other people there that would agree with me, i hope its the individual kite or something because it flew pretty bad.

Very weird Dustin, the wind must have been in a lull when you tested the Helix??
I have used the 12M in very crappy conditions, very similar to what you describe and we did not have any issues like you experienced.
Sure there was a slight tendency to drop once the kite was ALLOWED to sit at the edge, but because it was super gusty we just kept it away from there.
If you got lofted, you must be a puller? No offence meant, but because you are used to fuels, you will be used to a pulling on the bar for power or you ride the knot?
Either way you are set to over trim the Helix, which is a super front liney kite.

I rode the 9M Helix in decent (still crappy 17/18 - 25/28 knots) wind yesterday, it was great. Same feel as the 12M, inspires confidence.

Only things I don't like are the trim system (it works OK, just could be cleaner) having to deflate the struts separately (and remembering to seal them shut before pumping).
The 9M is fast, but not too fast, was able to dial it in for a couple of nice 15-20 foot jumps, in the super choppy onshore conditions.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

I have read what dustbin said and think he is talking a load of crock, why do we insist on beginners posting reviews, if you can't launch a high tech state of the art kite, then surely you aren't qualified to give a review!!

And secondly why did he post it in the helix review then start his own post with the same review?????

bowski what makes you think dustin is a beginner? he starts off by saying he is an experienced rider, and the review sounds to me like he knows a bit about kites.
its almost as though anyone who has a criticism of these sigma kites is written off as not knowing what they're talking about, or they had the kite set up wrong.
a review from ANYONE is valid

Hey Stamp, because anyone who is prepared to give a review, an unbiased honest one at that, would make sure that he tested the product in ideal conditions wouldn't they? If for example, i wanted to test a 9m bandit and i took it out in 12 knots and i weigh 80kg, how could honestly evaluate the kite?? I just rode an Eclipse over in the cocos for 5 sessions and I still don't think i could give a comprehensive review of the kite, I am just sick of these 30 min demos for a 1 page review.

BTW we have not acted on the cable park idea for over in VIC yet, been flat out with my other businesses.

Bowski,
kites have to be tested in bad conditions as occasionally, and more often than not in winter, the conditions ARE bad...why limit to the test to ideal conditions? Chances are most new kites will perform brilliantly. Besides which, the bloke has indicated how well the bandit flew in comparison!
Don't be too harsh mate...I'd rather hear a review like this than an importer/retailers "reviews".

The helix is nothing special.
Just a bow kite with a kink .
The Zigma shape is not a quantum leap in kite design.
If you ride with your fists close to the chickenline, the quick release at the front of the CL is too fat and smacks into your thumbs when sheeting in hard.

Bowski, dont you think a "super adavanced, super stable, super fast turning, next generation breakthrough (or so advertised) kite " should easiy handle the conditions? Especially us wave riders seem to kite in terrible gusty conditions becasue this is when the waves are best, so waht would testing a kite in "ideal" conditons prove? Most kites are really good in ideal condions, its the bad conitions which seperates them.

Yes,why is it if someone posts a critical reveiw,they are jumped on by those with vested interests in the brand and their blind followers ?

The alarm bells go off for me as soon as I read things like:

"You could not have the kite trimmed right"
or: "It's a super front liney kite" ???
"it will fall down if you ALLOW it to sit at the edge"

Or,the old ignorant retort:

You don't know how to fly a kite" !!!

Heard it all before somewhere.....????

Time for an improved format for reviews I think.

Declare your brand affiliation, time kiting , (I know Dustin and he is no beginner), kite you normally ride, wind conditions of the test, score out of 10 etc.

Commercial Reviews by brand pimps and personal attacks should be posted somewhere else.

I'd like to see good honest reviews, (like Dustin's), by people who are from all ranges of experience.

Then we can make informed decisions without the crap!

Pricks up ears and growls....

There seems to be an assumption that people are stupid enough to part with their hard earned cash on the basis of a review on this site. I mean, honestly, is anyone really thick enough to buy a kite without a demo first?

As for the constant slagging of other peoples reviews, anybody who has been around here long enough knows exactly who sells which brands and who uses second names to post reviews or to flame others reviews. It ain't big and it ain't clever.

Just accept that most posts are pimps, unless stated otherwise and test the damn things out for yourself!

mutter, mutter, grumble, grumble.

Gets back into basket.

I think newbie’s might be stupid enough too, they may read up on kites in reviews to get some basic idea, especially learners that rnt close to schools or kite shops, why? because there are so many "designs" out there with so many riders of conflicting opinions and that’s before all the hype even gets a mention, your right to point out to demo if your experienced but the newbie’s and people only into the sport first season have little to go on unless experienced riders can review without bias bull****. (biased as in, only say good or only point out bad things - all kites - bless their little fabric souls - have good and bad points)

I like reading reviews not for how well the kite fly's per say but the little things the reviewer points out. Waveslaves short post as an example. Spending money on these expensive toys it doesn’t hurt (sic) to read up on the reviews to pick stuff out that you might not otherwise think of while riding a demo.

Here’s a philosophical line of thought young grasshopper, different experiences in kite surfing and kite reviews are just a projection of those experiences from an individual or corporation.


Footnote: People that demo then post a review have far more creditability than those that bought the kite then post a review.

I see you boys are having a great time in here!

Some posts have been removed, as it became "special"

Please can we respect the reviewer?

Keep it technical, and focus on the kite - ask for more info, no need to flame the author: query - yes, flame - no.

How about letting others read the review come to their own decisions/ask questions?

You'll only be depriving yourself of more reviews if you jump on reviewers...

Enjoy .. Lozza

yeah bring on the reviews by whoever whenever, the good bad an the ugly

I tried a 11m bandit it light wind an it was very impressive,fast turning an power enough to get me up wind when others are walking. I'd love to give it a go in the surf in decent wind,should be a real contender in the top 5 kites for 08 I rekon.It has a lot going for it,simple clean bar an its almost a 3 line kite(have to see to know what I mean)
It does have a couple of pulleys an they need a replaceable bit of line where they run like the 07 waroo,thats easy enough to do yourself when the lines show enough wear an tear where the the pulleys run, befor you snap a line halfway on a mega downwinder or when your about to put the pedal down to escape a big beast wave like last sat at sunnycoast..ha

The build quality,not sure.Needs a good floggin to test that.
my 2c worth.

www.iksurfmag.com/ has reviews and videos of most of the new kites.