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2022 Duotone Unit Review

Created by Icebergmansion Icebergmansion  > 9 months ago, 22 Apr 2022
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DWF
DWF

DWF

710 posts

7 Jan 2023 7:45am
Select to expand quote
Sputnik11 said..





leepasty said..






Sputnik11 said..









Velocicraptor said..










omg said..
what is the reason for breakage; is it the white elliptical plastic sheet under the handle attachment points or is the stitching weakening the canvas fabric and then when pumping or under other pressure the fabric gives up and rips?












My understanding is that its the stitching, which runs parallel to the load. The 2023 design addresses this - which is essentially an admission of the design flaw.

Its really an excellent wing, but there have been so many issues with Duotone QC and design that I personally wouldn't touch it. Its not just this flaw - historical QC issues with kites, the valves, lack of a leash, etc. are all indicative of Duotone's lack of attention. If Cabrinha, Slingshot, or others had this design, it would be hard to beat.











I agree, I loved how it felt, for the 10 minutes before it exploded. Duotone are completely ignoring any message I send them. I this is the sort of disdain they have for their customers, letting them go out with a defective wing, knowing full well this could put them in real danger, I think you know everything you need to know about Duotone as a company.










Duotone don't deal with customers direct you need to go to the retailer you purchased it from and they will file the warranty claim for you. As far as I know Duotone will and have honoured these issues under warranty but you have to go through the shop you purchased it from !

you are the shops customer and the shop is Duotones customer. Think of it like this-
If you have a faulty Samsung fridge you don't contact Samsung in Korea you go back to the shop you bought it from, and they deal with Samsung in your country who dealwith Samsung hq Korea. Same goes for Duotone and is standard for all big brands







I went back to the shop (where I've shopped for decades) and they replaced it immediately, they were awesome to deal with. My issue is Duotone will know this is an issue. As someone else pointed out, they've reinforced the middle strut in the 2023 model, in other words, they know there is a design fault in the 2022.

Let me give you another analogy. Big Brand car maker realises there's a problem with their brakes in a particular model. They don't want a driver to die, so they do a recall and fix the brakes on all cars. It's not the dealer who initiates the recall, its the car maker. That's a much better analogy for this situation. Duotone know there's an issue with the 2022 Units, this could prove extremely dangerous for someone out winging, They need to own it.

I have a replacement, but to be honest, I am now just wondering where this one will blow out. How far out should I go? Should I stay close to shore? Should I pump it?






If you make 10,000 wings and 25 world wide blow up, do you throw away 10,000 wings, or just replace the .0025 % no questions asked.

Production was updated in 2022 immediately, when number 1 blew.

When Ensis had handles ripping off, did they thrown them all away. No, they handled the rare issues no questions asked.

When Naish had center struts blowing out from inadequate stitching. Did they throw them all away. No, the rare failures were warranties no questions asked.

This is how this industry works.
leepasty
leepasty

leepasty

424 posts

7 Jan 2023 4:12pm
Select to expand quote
Sputnik11 said..


leepasty said..



Sputnik11 said..






Velocicraptor said..







omg said..
what is the reason for breakage; is it the white elliptical plastic sheet under the handle attachment points or is the stitching weakening the canvas fabric and then when pumping or under other pressure the fabric gives up and rips?









My understanding is that its the stitching, which runs parallel to the load. The 2023 design addresses this - which is essentially an admission of the design flaw.

Its really an excellent wing, but there have been so many issues with Duotone QC and design that I personally wouldn't touch it. Its not just this flaw - historical QC issues with kites, the valves, lack of a leash, etc. are all indicative of Duotone's lack of attention. If Cabrinha, Slingshot, or others had this design, it would be hard to beat.








I agree, I loved how it felt, for the 10 minutes before it exploded. Duotone are completely ignoring any message I send them. I this is the sort of disdain they have for their customers, letting them go out with a defective wing, knowing full well this could put them in real danger, I think you know everything you need to know about Duotone as a company.







Duotone don't deal with customers direct you need to go to the retailer you purchased it from and they will file the warranty claim for you. As far as I know Duotone will and have honoured these issues under warranty but you have to go through the shop you purchased it from !

you are the shops customer and the shop is Duotones customer. Think of it like this-
If you have a faulty Samsung fridge you don't contact Samsung in Korea you go back to the shop you bought it from, and they deal with Samsung in your country who dealwith Samsung hq Korea. Same goes for Duotone and is standard for all big brands




I went back to the shop (where I've shopped for decades) and they replaced it immediately, they were awesome to deal with. My issue is Duotone will know this is an issue. As someone else pointed out, they've reinforced the middle strut in the 2023 model, in other words, they know there is a design fault in the 2022.

Let me give you another analogy. Big Brand car maker realises there's a problem with their brakes in a particular model. They don't want a driver to die, so they do a recall and fix the brakes on all cars. It's not the dealer who initiates the recall, its the car maker. That's a much better analogy for this situation. Duotone know there's an issue with the 2022 Units, this could prove extremely dangerous for someone out winging, They need to own it.

I have a replacement, but to be honest, I am now just wondering where this one will blow out. How far out should I go? Should I stay close to shore? Should I pump it?



But it's not every Unit that's breaking, I had 4 2022 Units I am 92kg and had no issues. used them all in a range of wind sometimes in way too much after wind picked up but had no issues. it's only a small number and unlike breaks failing on a car is not a life and death situation as you can always swim in and should never put yourself in a situation where if your wing breaks or something else fails you will die!
omg
omg

omg

292 posts

7 Jan 2023 4:19pm
Select to expand quote
DWF said..
...
Production was updated in 2022 immediately, when number 1 blew.

...



DWF, interesting, so if the stitching is the reason, can you see the difference between the old and the newer, modified version?

Thanks!
patronus
patronus

patronus

486 posts

8 Jan 2023 4:21am
Select to expand quote
DWF said..


Sputnik11 said..







leepasty said..








Sputnik11 said..











Velocicraptor said..












omg said..
what is the reason for breakage; is it the white elliptical plastic sheet under the handle attachment points or is the stitching weakening the canvas fabric and then when pumping or under other pressure the fabric gives up and rips?














My understanding is that its the stitching, which runs parallel to the load. The 2023 design addresses this - which is essentially an admission of the design flaw.

Its really an excellent wing, but there have been so many issues with Duotone QC and design that I personally wouldn't touch it. Its not just this flaw - historical QC issues with kites, the valves, lack of a leash, etc. are all indicative of Duotone's lack of attention. If Cabrinha, Slingshot, or others had this design, it would be hard to beat.













I agree, I loved how it felt, for the 10 minutes before it exploded. Duotone are completely ignoring any message I send them. I this is the sort of disdain they have for their customers, letting them go out with a defective wing, knowing full well this could put them in real danger, I think you know everything you need to know about Duotone as a company.












Duotone don't deal with customers direct you need to go to the retailer you purchased it from and they will file the warranty claim for you. As far as I know Duotone will and have honoured these issues under warranty but you have to go through the shop you purchased it from !

you are the shops customer and the shop is Duotones customer. Think of it like this-
If you have a faulty Samsung fridge you don't contact Samsung in Korea you go back to the shop you bought it from, and they deal with Samsung in your country who dealwith Samsung hq Korea. Same goes for Duotone and is standard for all big brands









I went back to the shop (where I've shopped for decades) and they replaced it immediately, they were awesome to deal with. My issue is Duotone will know this is an issue. As someone else pointed out, they've reinforced the middle strut in the 2023 model, in other words, they know there is a design fault in the 2022.

Let me give you another analogy. Big Brand car maker realises there's a problem with their brakes in a particular model. They don't want a driver to die, so they do a recall and fix the brakes on all cars. It's not the dealer who initiates the recall, its the car maker. That's a much better analogy for this situation. Duotone know there's an issue with the 2022 Units, this could prove extremely dangerous for someone out winging, They need to own it.

I have a replacement, but to be honest, I am now just wondering where this one will blow out. How far out should I go? Should I stay close to shore? Should I pump it?








If you make 10,000 wings and 25 world wide blow up, do you throw away 10,000 wings, or just replace the .0025 % no questions asked.

Production was updated in 2022 immediately, when number 1 blew.

When Ensis had handles ripping off, did they thrown them all away. No, they handled the rare issues no questions asked.

When Naish had center struts blowing out from inadequate stitching. Did they throw them all away. No, the rare failures were warranties no questions asked.

This is how this industry works.



The industry also works by some brands having a lot of failures in a particular model, blaming the customers, being slow on warranty replacements so they can sell stock. When the new model comes out they offer a free replacements, which is good,, but had carried on selling ones they know have a high chance of failure.
Most people accept the occasional failure, but some models have far too much and are continued to be sold.
Sputnik11
Sputnik11

Sputnik11

VIC

972 posts

8 Jan 2023 8:59am
Select to expand quote
patronus said..

DWF said..



Sputnik11 said..








leepasty said..









Sputnik11 said..












Velocicraptor said..













omg said..
what is the reason for breakage; is it the white elliptical plastic sheet under the handle attachment points or is the stitching weakening the canvas fabric and then when pumping or under other pressure the fabric gives up and rips?















My understanding is that its the stitching, which runs parallel to the load. The 2023 design addresses this - which is essentially an admission of the design flaw.

Its really an excellent wing, but there have been so many issues with Duotone QC and design that I personally wouldn't touch it. Its not just this flaw - historical QC issues with kites, the valves, lack of a leash, etc. are all indicative of Duotone's lack of attention. If Cabrinha, Slingshot, or others had this design, it would be hard to beat.














I agree, I loved how it felt, for the 10 minutes before it exploded. Duotone are completely ignoring any message I send them. I this is the sort of disdain they have for their customers, letting them go out with a defective wing, knowing full well this could put them in real danger, I think you know everything you need to know about Duotone as a company.













Duotone don't deal with customers direct you need to go to the retailer you purchased it from and they will file the warranty claim for you. As far as I know Duotone will and have honoured these issues under warranty but you have to go through the shop you purchased it from !

you are the shops customer and the shop is Duotones customer. Think of it like this-
If you have a faulty Samsung fridge you don't contact Samsung in Korea you go back to the shop you bought it from, and they deal with Samsung in your country who dealwith Samsung hq Korea. Same goes for Duotone and is standard for all big brands










I went back to the shop (where I've shopped for decades) and they replaced it immediately, they were awesome to deal with. My issue is Duotone will know this is an issue. As someone else pointed out, they've reinforced the middle strut in the 2023 model, in other words, they know there is a design fault in the 2022.

Let me give you another analogy. Big Brand car maker realises there's a problem with their brakes in a particular model. They don't want a driver to die, so they do a recall and fix the brakes on all cars. It's not the dealer who initiates the recall, its the car maker. That's a much better analogy for this situation. Duotone know there's an issue with the 2022 Units, this could prove extremely dangerous for someone out winging, They need to own it.

I have a replacement, but to be honest, I am now just wondering where this one will blow out. How far out should I go? Should I stay close to shore? Should I pump it?









If you make 10,000 wings and 25 world wide blow up, do you throw away 10,000 wings, or just replace the .0025 % no questions asked.

Production was updated in 2022 immediately, when number 1 blew.

When Ensis had handles ripping off, did they thrown them all away. No, they handled the rare issues no questions asked.

When Naish had center struts blowing out from inadequate stitching. Did they throw them all away. No, the rare failures were warranties no questions asked.

This is how this industry works.




The industry also works by some brands having a lot of failures in a particular model, blaming the customers, being slow on warranty replacements so they can sell stock. When the new model comes out they offer a free replacements, which is good,, but had carried on selling ones they know have a high chance of failure.
Most people accept the occasional failure, but some models have far too much and are continued to be sold.


In my opinion, from my research, this is exactly what's happening with the 2022 Units. There are many, many failures. Quite a few riders have had to go through the warranty rigmarole which is entirely unfair for a known fault.

I am extremely grateful of how fairly I was treated by the retailer I purchased from.
leepasty
leepasty

leepasty

424 posts

8 Jan 2023 5:15pm
@sputnik11
i think you'd be surprised at the numbers it's probably 1% or less that have broken. around me there were about 30 people with 2022 Units most with more than 1 size and zero breakages. In the whole uk I heard of 2 breakages but prob more than 1000 units were sold, I don't know actual figures but there's a lot of Units around I know 1 shop that had 100!
Dick Tatta
Dick Tatta

Dick Tatta

NSW

344 posts

9 Jan 2023 10:07am
My experience with the 22 unit first the main valve delaminated then the dump valve delaminated.

No not left in the sun or hot car.

wouldn't touch a unit again
LoL
LoL

LoL

WA

47 posts

12 May 2023 3:59pm
Had the very same experience...twice in a row with a 2022 5.0 Unit. They replaced the first one, no question asked, and now i'm waiting for the second response on my warranty claim...
I don't believe it happens on d-lab, since the fabric is different, and probably more likely on bigger size wing.
JakeSki
JakeSki

JakeSki

26 posts

12 May 2023 8:31pm
Select to expand quote
LoL said..
Had the very same experience...twice in a row with a 2022 5.0 Unit. They replaced the first one, no question asked, and now i'm waiting for the second response on my warranty claim...
I don't believe it happens on d-lab, since the fabric is different, and probably more likely on bigger size wing.


Might be the same batch that was affected? We've sold plenty and haven't had one coming back with issues (touch wood now I've said it ). That goes for standard and the D/Lab.
boardsurfr
boardsurfr

boardsurfr

WA

2454 posts

13 May 2023 12:59am
Select to expand quote
JakeSki said..
Might be the same batch that was affected? We've sold plenty and haven't had one coming back with issues (touch wood now I've said it ). That goes for standard and the D/Lab.


Quite possible. One of our local windsurfers had a Duotone mast break the 3rd time he used it. Got a warranty replacement without problems, but the serial number on the new mast was almost identical (3 or so higher). That mast also broke very quickly. Unfortunately, he did not get a second warranty replacement. I hope they handle problems with Unit handles better.
RAF142134
RAF142134

RAF142134

451 posts

15 May 2023 8:40pm
Just picked up a used unit - it's a wing and does it's job, negatives are - the trailing edge materials rips easily, the tips scuff easily, the valve is rubbish (as is the need for the stupid adapter, (where a Boston valve would do a better job), the rubber hose for the one pump system doesn't last long and the center strut dump valve breaks where you pull it out, the material gets dry over time and if it is creased in the same area is prone to rip - and the center strut really needs a zip access for the refitting of the bladder - it's just way too fiddly in my opinion - it's great that we have access to this equipment but I would like to see more thought and testing go into the designs
Robert211
Robert211

Robert211

51 posts

24 May 2023 6:57pm
Select to expand quote
LoL said..
Had the very same experience...twice in a row with a 2022 5.0 Unit. They replaced the first one, no question asked, and now i'm waiting for the second response on my warranty claim...
I don't believe it happens on d-lab, since the fabric is different, and probably more likely on bigger size wing.


Also happening on the DLab, I have one tearing on the seam between the two handles. Would like to post a photo, but I can't since I just registered.
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