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northy1 said..
Are the handles the same design / dimension as current? (Thin and Wide)

no. the front will be longer than the current version as to allow one hand handling.
stock will be with rigid handles.

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northy1 said..
Are the handles the same design / dimension as current? (Thin and Wide)

Does anyone else prefer these shape of handles? I like the way you can use a twisting motion

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ArthurAlston said..

SlowlyButSurely said..
There is not a wing on the market with the same price/quality ratio than the Armstrong one.
They really nailed it with the XPS.
The XPS MkII will be pretty much the same with the only change being on the handle which was the weakest point of the first gen XPS. Not because the handles did not work, but because the stitches came off after a season. The MKII will have a rubberized finish which will last longer.

That's my experience too after using 4 different sized wings since they were released here - only issue is the stitching coming loose. Luckily in my case it's only superficial and the handle covering itself is not affected.
Agree 100% re the value:performance:longevity ratio. I don't know of any other wing that matches this.
im hoping for some small other incremental improvements. Read elsewhere that the windows will be removed but judging by the photos above they are still in place.

longevity when stiches start to fall apart after one session? Sound like it won't last long.

Why would it hold better Vs other wings?

The promo at 8:51:14 :
After it the replay of the hang10 of Cash

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Retina said..

ArthurAlston said..

SlowlyButSurely said..
There is not a wing on the market with the same price/quality ratio than the Armstrong one.
They really nailed it with the XPS.
The XPS MkII will be pretty much the same with the only change being on the handle which was the weakest point of the first gen XPS. Not because the handles did not work, but because the stitches came off after a season. The MKII will have a rubberized finish which will last longer.

That's my experience too after using 4 different sized wings since they were released here - only issue is the stitching coming loose. Luckily in my case it's only superficial and the handle covering itself is not affected.
Agree 100% re the value:performance:longevity ratio. I don't know of any other wing that matches this.
im hoping for some small other incremental improvements. Read elsewhere that the windows will be removed but judging by the photos above they are still in place.

longevity when stiches start to fall apart after one session? Sound like it won't last long.

Why would it hold better Vs other wings?

Stitches come loose after two seasons - Australian summer. It is superficial only and does not affect the strcuctrue nor integrity of the handle in any way.

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SlowlyButSurely said..

northy1 said..
Are the handles the same design / dimension as current? (Thin and Wide)

no. the front will be longer than the current version as to allow one hand handling.
stock will be with rigid handles.

Where are you getting the info, I cant find anything about the new MKII, holding out as the new Strike V5 looks nice, but would consider this MKII

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Donathon said..

SlowlyButSurely said..

northy1 said..
Are the handles the same design / dimension as current? (Thin and Wide)

no. the front will be longer than the current version as to allow one hand handling.
stock will be with rigid handles.

Where are you getting the info, I cant find anything about the new MKII, holding out as the new Strike V5 looks nice, but would consider this MKII

Yeah I'm thinking same especially in bigger size Alula 5m strike or maybe new XPS or Duotone float

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windsurftom said..

northy1 said..
Are the handles the same design / dimension as current? (Thin and Wide)

Does anyone else prefer these shape of handles? I like the way you can use a twisting motion

I do. They are a perfect design, much better than a round section handle in my experience ??

Still can't find any updates on the release or YT reviews

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Donathon said..
Still can't find any updates on the release or YT reviews

Not released yet, only a teaser on the GWA stream.

Still no update on release date, I don't understand it, they advertised it and now nothing at all??

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Donathon said..
Still no update on release date, I don't understand it, they advertised it and now nothing at all??

I imagine there is a bit of complexity involved in current international production, shipping, and sales...must be a total nightmare...

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Donathon said..
Still no update on release date, I don't understand it, they advertised it and now nothing at all??

Cash says next month or two on foil life podcast.

Search and you shall find . .

www.surfkeppler.de/media/image/armstrong/xpsmkii.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOorF2_qewyKy5Fyh7DfvOl1hSCRjlFWlhwHT2elE9UgttBsMBC7V

Thanks Hooksey very detailed.

Obviously coming soon www.instagram.com/reel/DJcajPpSI3s/?igsh=bmxpcWRhMHgzOWN6

Looks pretty low aspect?

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northy1 said..
Looks pretty low aspect?

Under the Outline heading it says it is now a lower aspect.
Much less width than comparable sized duotone wings

Yeah that's super interesting
Id guess more low end and better for someone less than six foot. Handles look super nice as well. Can't wait to hear more

%26Foil
?si=XLkKXBgYftSIW8kf
First reviews coming in now

Tried the 4.5m MK2 yday. standard handles as the boom still needs to be delivered.
As a reference, while I was waiting for the new MK2 after selling the XPS v1, I rode for a month the Duotone Float.

My initial impression on the Mk2 4.5 is meh.

I found them pretty uninspiring, the new handles are nice, but after getting used to the boom option of the Duotone Float, not having the boom takes some readjustment.

They turn pretty well, particularly for jibes.
For tacks, they really do suck. Gav at Hydrofoil academy kinda hinted at it, and I experience myself the exact same thing.
The wing tends to point leading edge down when changing side while tacking. Unless you put your hands very much in front, it takes some effort to keep the wing up in the new direction.
The Duotone Float changed side instantenously and smoothly; the XPS MK2 is way way more technical and overall worse than the v1 when tacking.

The bag is ok, smaller than last year. Construction overall is very v good.

Just bummed at the handling. Not what I expected. I hope with time I will get more used to its nuances.

But with no hesitation, I can say that if you want a no frill supper easy wing for freely and waves, the Float is on another level.

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SlowlyButSurely said..
Tried the 4.5m MK2 yday. standard handles as the boom still needs to be delivered.
As a reference, while I was waiting for the new MK2 after selling the XPS v1, I rode for a month the Duotone Float.

My initial impression on the Mk2 4.5 is meh.

I found them pretty uninspiring, the new handles are nice, but after getting used to the boom option of the Duotone Float, not having the boom takes some readjustment.

They turn pretty well, particularly for jibes.
For tacks, they really do suck. Gav at Hydrofoil academy kinda hinted at it, and I experience myself the exact same thing.
The wing tends to point leading edge down when changing side while tacking. Unless you put your hands very much in front, it takes some effort to keep the wing up in the new direction.
The Duotone Float changed side instantenously and smoothly; the XPS MK2 is way way more technical and overall worse than the v1 when tacking.

The bag is ok, smaller than last year. Construction overall is very v good.

Just bummed at the handling. Not what I expected. I hope with time I will get more used to its nuances.

But with no hesitation, I can say that if you want a no frill supper easy wing for freely and waves, the Float is on another level.

You nailed the review. I wanted to love this XPS MK II wing on a 4 and 5m demo with handles. Pumped each strut according to spec. It does everything well except tacking. The wing pushes down hard on the switch to the other side. I thought it was me at first until I asked my friend to demo that came back with the same reaction. Also, the web between the center strut and canopy is loosely flapping and never in tension. This is not right either a design issue or poorly manufactured.

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SlowlyButSurely said..
Tried the 4.5m MK2 yday. standard handles as the boom still needs to be delivered.
As a reference, while I was waiting for the new MK2 after selling the XPS v1, I rode for a month the Duotone Float.

My initial impression on the Mk2 4.5 is meh.

I found them pretty uninspiring, the new handles are nice, but after getting used to the boom option of the Duotone Float, not having the boom takes some readjustment.

They turn pretty well, particularly for jibes.
For tacks, they really do suck. Gav at Hydrofoil academy kinda hinted at it, and I experience myself the exact same thing.
The wing tends to point leading edge down when changing side while tacking. Unless you put your hands very much in front, it takes some effort to keep the wing up in the new direction.
The Duotone Float changed side instantenously and smoothly; the XPS MK2 is way way more technical and overall worse than the v1 when tacking.

The bag is ok, smaller than last year. Construction overall is very v good.

Just bummed at the handling. Not what I expected. I hope with time I will get more used to its nuances.

But with no hesitation, I can say that if you want a no frill supper easy wing for freely and waves, the Float is on another level.

I never realized it's possible to tack (any wing) with your front hand anywhere but at the very front, until I watched Gav's review.

I guess it depends on what wings you are used to. I was previously on North Mode Pro's and had no issues tacking the new XPS wings from the get go. I saw on another forum that the looseness of the central webbing is apparently by design. Once the canopy settles in it's supposed to disappear. Time will tell I guess....

Interested in these...but wonder about the handle/boom diameter compared to others out there.

I've also read some reviews that pumping is...weird/not great (but that might be another issue of adjustment)

No issue at all with the central webbing. Didn't flap, even in strong gusts. construction wise the XPS Mk2 remains at the very industry top. I used and abused the XPS v1 and it appeared as new even after 100s of sessions.
the nose down tendency while tacking could well be due to the pistol grip of the handles. I am anxiously waiting to test the wings with the boom and report back my feelings about the wing.

the tack performance concern is a bit annoying (on paper)..was about to order some of these but gonna wait to hear more / maybe see if i can borrow one.

The ozone flux v2 also looks really good but concerned about the high aspect / wingspan....30cm wider than equivalent Fone swing/strike and 45cm more than XPS (the 6m for example is 384cm..and 5.5m is 370cm. Thats compared to the strike 5.5 that's 3.40 and the new xps 6m that's low aspect at 3.39...45cm shorter)

Interesting reading. I tested 4.5 and I didn't notice any nose down beaviour in tack and I made tens of them in very gusty conditions. I do have tendency in tacks to keep front had more backwards in light condition, but no issue even then.

Comparing to previous model, jump were more floaty and mkii eats gusts even better. This also felt stiffer, but it's not fair comparison since old 4.6 has seen something like 150 session.

I also have 5.0 race wing from 2024 and new XPS felt so easy and stable to ride that I'm confident that I could break my personal speed record with mkii.

I wouldn't hold back and wait to buy a MK2 if asked. its a great wing and today, in my second long session, tacks were pretty dialed in.
actually I tested the Ozone flux v2 in aluula few weeks back, and tacks were v similar
It's an overall v good wing.
but the Float, in my humble opinion, remains the best freefly/ wave wing of its category this year

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northy1 said..
the tack performance concern is a bit annoying (on paper)..was about to order some of these but gonna wait to hear more / maybe see if i can borrow one.

The ozone flux v2 also looks really good but concerned about the high aspect / wingspan....30cm wider than equivalent Fone swing/strike and 45cm more than XPS (the 6m for example is 384cm..and 5.5m is 370cm. Thats compared to the strike 5.5 that's 3.40 and the new xps 6m that's low aspect at 3.39...45cm shorter)

Make sure you're not comparing a 5m strike with a ozone flux 5m. The ozones are 10% understated. My 4.3m is only marginally smaller than my swing/strike v5.
Ive been on fluxs 2yrs with strikes before and aluula strikes for 2 months waiting for my aluula flux v2s to arrive. I have 4.3, 3.6, 3m and they are directly comparable to a 5m, 4m and a powerful 3m strike. I find the span shorter as a result and the extra chord helps the balance.

The 5m flux is huge and bigger than a 5.5m swing or strike. They also generate and develope power brilliantly.
Mike