I'm trying to choose between a few kites.
I want an easy kite to progress on and also be a little different.
My website searching has narrowed it down to 3.
I like the reports on
1. Tribal 2
2. Torch 3
3. Eclipse Thruster.
It seems ok enough to get some comparison between the Top 2, but Does anyone have any comparison between the Torch3/Tribal2 and the Thruster?
I have already eliminated the other choices so don't bother pimping anything else. For that matter I'm not interested in any pimping just feedback from regular kiters who have tried them.
Unfortunately I can't compare the kites but I have a Torch 3 and have previously flown 06 North Rhino, North Rebel, Naish Boxer, Naish Raven, and the T2. The T3 was my favourite kite. It has fantastic depower, Jumps buses, will get you goin in less than 10 knotts and comes with a group of naked cheerleaders to cater for your every whim. OK BS aside I have the 12m and I have a mate who has the 14m they are really different kites and if you have to make a decision between the two definately have a fly before you buy.
Camo
OK I'll try to help here. Yes I am a shop owner but seing as you have already narrowed your selection and I sell both brands there is no need to suspect a biased opinion.
As camo said though these kites vary quite a bit depending on the size so that is something to consider.
Turning speed- fast, similar on both.
Bottom end- Torch parks earlier but hard to judge with odd/even sizing.
Top end- Tribal has more.
Pop- Torch has more
Jumping- Both jump very well.
Hang- Tribal has more hang, more pronounced in smaller sizes.
One pump- Torch
Integral depower- Tribal
Both great kites so you would be happy with either.
As for the Eclipse Thruster. Should know soon when they arrive in the country and our demo arrives.
Jason
ps- where are my naked chearleaders????? Do I need to call the customer care line?
I would have thought the choice would be obvious with a name like "Solar"
... Eclipse!! Thruster
But don't take my word for it as I have not had a chance to demo any of the three kites.
i suppose you have checked out the Eclipse website forum.
I have tried a Tribal 13 original 06 kite, I was expecting better performance in the low end (perhaps it was not set up right on my friends kite), but the Integral Depower was handy.
Solar eclipse. It was a good lurk at uni, getting in with the astromony clubbers. the chicks there were desperate for Non Nerd company.
Worked OK until I had to actually talk about Stars and stuff.
Anyway maybe I should sell this ID to the Eclipse guys.
maybe it's worth a free kite?
Maybe it will work on Kitergirl? Torch Yea!
The Torch 3 is a great kite to fly it really is a great kite 
but has a couple of problems which you should think about...
The worst is the front line pig tails WILL wear a hole in the leading edge material and burst the bladder if you do not fit the Kevlar Stick On panels Naish have sent out. They start to fall off after a few sessions. To date that is there best fix effort with no more in the future I send them e-mails and hear nothing!!
...
Secondly IMP the bag has to be the worst design out there. Its so small and only one small pocket for your stuff. I went an bought another brands bag for my Torch 3, thats how bad it is...
But all in all this the kite does every thing you expect from high performance kite it and has one of the best designed bars on the market...Cant wait for the Torch 4 when they fix these problems..
I havn't flown any of the others...
My 2 cents
The patches shouldn't fall off if the area was cleaned properly. Don't worry about contacting Naish, go back to the shop you purchased it from. Thats what we are here for.
You must have got a dodgy bag Thomo?? Mine have 2 pockets and my 14m fits in the 10m bag.
The Tribal 2 has more bottom end than last years for those wondering
Hey Jason, I think I read something not long ago it may have been from JB about there being another patch being sent out, that was a bit more effective than the first if there is I will go back to the retailer. Just wondering if you had heard anything.
Camo
I think you have narrowed your choices down nicely, I too have been considering the Tribal 2 and Torch 3. I have been a fan of Dimitri Maramenides since his Airush days and am sure that he would not assocaite his name with poor performing kites. I also get the impression from reading on other forums that his favourite model is the Thruster.
I'm not sure you could get a free kite by selling your name Solar but I reckon that would be a clever name for a model of a kite or board.
The Tribal 2 is still an option for me, as my mate will be a bit envious if I get a later model of his kite the 06 Tribal. I did try his kite a few times and it was nice to let go of the bar and because of the integral depower the kite would just sit and behave itself.
My friend ordered his kite original 06 Tribal through Jason at Briskites and was very happy with how he was looked after.
Solar, maybe you should try the kites first, although Tribals are very scarce at moment due to under estimated demand. As are Torches.
The Eclipse brand is getting some attention, certainly I have been asked the question about them, Still has has been said, you would be hard pressed to not be happy with any of the choices. And I believe any Torches available are probably post wear problem built and all should be well.
As a tip for Torch owners that are seeing the wear referred to. Try reversing the pigtail knot so as to present a flat contact area to the LE.
We are about to enter the North Hemisphere season and kite supply drys up, so choose what you like but do it quickly.
I'm too private a person to say where I'm from, but brisbane is a long drive.
from your comments RALINN do you intend to sell eclipse kites?
Are you in Vic?
I have been reading the eclipse forum and the Thruster gets talked up.
But how believable are forum comments on the brands website, like couldn't they just delete Negative posts?
I sell what people order, simple as that.
I have also been looking at the eclipse website and they are really making some big claims ( like Hurricane proof and 14m flying as fast as 9m).
So if and when Eclipse is Imported we will be sticking our hands up to be retailers, especially if the claims aren't proven bogus.
Yes we are in Vic, and if you did want a Tribal2 demo, we are in Geelong/Altona area Saturday depends on wind. we have a 9m and 13m to try.
quote:
Originally posted by cammck
I think I read something not long ago it may have been from JB about there being another patch being sent out, that was a bit more effective than the first if there is I will go back to the retailer. Just wondering if you had heard anything.
Hi Solar, hard descision isn't it. Depending on your body weight will make all the diff, nomatter what anybody says. Here's my storey, i weigh 97-100kg on a good day(without a gut load of piss that is). I've spoken to people and seen the other kites you mentioned in action and they look great. BUT, i recently begged/ stole to buy a 07 T3 12mtr and i fly it in 22-35 Knot winds with no probs (de-power unbeleivable).This is what i call my BIG WIND KITE. I know people with one of the other kite's you mentioned and they have little things breaking on them on a consistant bassis. (I may cop an earfull from a retailer for these coments but it's the truth). My ediction now has forced the family to start eating frozen ice cubes as i have now purchased a 07 T3 16mtr (MY PINK BABY)the de-power is unbeleavable, i'v had it out in 25 Knots and still felt safe. So if you want a great kite with performance and reliability go for a 07 T3. By the way i don't sell kites and the other kites you'r looking at are great as well. I hope my experiance helps you decide what to get. Cheers keep on Kiting.
Ral and Solar,
Certainly there will be riders who's opinions differ on turning speed of kites. Some will add hype BUT Eclipse will not do this!
Here is the original topic and response from the Brand owner himself Dimitri.http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2336010&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=10
Hello guys,
I have been reading the post on the speed of the 14 THRUSTER and I just wanted to let you know that the 14 THRUSTER has the power of a 16 meter C kite but the turning speed of a 11 or 12 meter C kite depending on the brand. Now the 10 Thruster is as fast as an 8 meter C kite but has the power of a 12 C kite.
The THRUSTER 12 is as fast as any 10 meter C kites and has the power of a 14 meter C kite.
Now for the new THRUSTER 16. This kite is sick for light wind. You can see it in action at www.eclipsekites.com I designed this kite for heavier riders. Me personaly I enjoy the 14 Th because I am 178 lbs and the Thruster 14 works very nice. For riders that are 195 to 260 lbs I would recomend to go with the THRUSTER 16. www.eclipsekites.com/kites/thruster_video.php?Video=thruster_16
This kite has the power of an 18 meter C kite but turns like a 13 or 14 meter C kite depending the brand.
For Me, the 10 Thruster is my favourite kite at the moment as it will truly get me going on a Nobile 666 129*39 at 14kts Upwind.
This fantastic 666 board comes courtesy of Jason from Briskites who will have a Thruster sooooooonnnnnn to demo.
Yep Ralinn will also have some too. Hopefully by Mid March
It seems that RAL INN will also have eclipse kites to demo.
so I have to time my next bush run so as to either line up with wind in Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.
watched a video of them in action in florida last night and it was good to see how average kiters rode and felt about them. Some even jumped as good as me.
Give us a call if u end up in Brissy mate. We have the whole range of Liquid Force (MIG, Havoc and Assault II) all available for demo.
Padi
quote:
Originally posted by SOLAR
It seems that RAL INN will also have eclipse kites to demo.
so I have to time my next bush run so as to either line up with wind in Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.
watched a video of them in action in florida last night and it was good to see how average kiters rode and felt about them. Some even jumped as good as me.
What part of this thread and the very first post did Padi not comprehend.
If I get to Brisbane it will be to get a try of the Thruster and then if the timing of it arriving lines up with my next road trip. The same goes for Sydney and Melbourne.
As for Liqiud Force, ruled them out early, down the list some where with Monkey. Now lets see, blatant pimping, oops LF off the list.
At this Stage I want to try a Thruster and Tribal together and then if they don't excite me, I will get a Torch3.
