The MKII gets better and better.
* After about half dozen uses, the tack issue became marginal.
It's a question of habit and technique. The front hand initiating the tack should be intentionally kept high and placed at the front of the handle. After few times using the wing it becomes second nature and I have 100% success rate on heel and toe side tacks both regular and switch.

* In terms of difference compared to v1, I gotta say that the upwind angles you can achieve are crazy. On par with the Ozone Flux which is an upwind machine.

* Differently from Gav's review, I found installing and removing the handle really easy. As long as the strut is properly deflated. it takes literally few seconds to remove them. A much better system (although a straight copy from F-One) than the bolt attachment type of, say, Duotone, which unfortunately is far from being a reliable one (saw already few cases of the bolt threading stripping).

* regarding the baffle, I report here some useful color from Matt @ Real Watersport:

"We talked to Armie about the baffle and it is loose by design. These wings are designed for longevity so they will "break in" and that baffle should get taught over time when you are powered up. Essentially they wanted the wing to stretch into the optimal shape so it should gain low end and performance after about a dozen sessions then keep that performance for a long time. A lot of wings are designed with the optimal shape and feel great for the first ten sessions then stretch and feel like crap. Our school v1 XPS have hundreds of sessions on them and they still ride really well."


Overall, liking it more and more. And I still havent tried it with the boom which is backordered fro another couple of weeks here in EU.

Thanks for the feedback

What size did you try / what weight are you?
Can you comment on the bottom end of the wing?

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northy1 said..
Thanks for the feedback

What size did you try / what weight are you?
Can you comment on the bottom end of the wing?

I purchased 3.5-4.5 and 6m.
To be honest, given the fact that I have a pretty efficient board and foil setup (KT Super K2 + Atlas) I ride the 4.5m from 10kt to 20kt and then I switch to the 3.5m.

I dont think I will use the 6m much.

Bottom end is very good. I read reports where the MKII had worse low end than v1, and I can confirm It is not the case.
If you want to improve low end, also I recommend to inflate mid strut 1-1.5psi less and remove trailing edge battens.

Rider ref: 92kg intermediate/advanced.

I thought I'd add another experience. Was on the Mk I since it was released in AU. So two full seasons. Loved the wing. It was everything it was positioned to be. So I didn't even consider another brand or wing.

Bought a 3, 4 and 5 quiver to replace a 3, 4 and 4.6 quiver. I've just had my first two days back to back in very average conditions.

I would not have known there was a tack issue based on my experience. The wing floats from side to side effortlessly, both toe and heel side. I did notice that my windward hand is at the front of the handle, luckily that's the way I tack anyway. Zero issues. If anything I'd say it tacks better than the previous version because it's so taut.

Baffle being loose is odd. I guess time will tell whether it settles in. I hope the settling is story it's not marketing nonsense. The rest of the package is so crisp and taut that it stands out by comparison. Also the flapping in the wind is a reminder.
Installing and removing handles is easy. Just follow the instructions on the official Armstrong video. I've only used the handles that are supplied, my booms arrive on Monday. I may continue to take them off after every session to put the wing in the backpack as I don't like the long bag that the boom is sold with.

Low end - the tautness of the canopy must mean that the low end is different. I found myself pumping the wing a bit differently compared to the previous wing. That will take some getting used to.
Overall the wing behaves very well. It flags well, it's very predictable in transitions eg Heineken jibes etc. The whole package feels responsive and manoeuvrable, but I am comparing it to wings that are two seasons old.
Based on my experience I think that "tack gate" is a non-issue. Well even Gavin said he solved it immediately by placing his leading near front of the handle.

Thanks Arthur...good to get some real world feedback. I'm collecting some new flux v2 tmrw to test..will also report back

Im on flux v2 aluula and convinced my armstrong fan boy mate to get them after being on his xps, he loves the the flux aluula, says its a step up from xps. They are a joy to tack and gybe.

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Mikedubs said..
Im on flux v2 aluula and convinced my armstrong fan boy mate to get them after being on his xps, he loves the the flux aluula, says its a step up from xps. They are a joy to tack and gybe.

Price is also a step up. More than double here in Australia. Apples vs oranges?

Maybe, theyre about same price as aluula strikes but will last longer.

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ArthurAlston said..
I thought I'd add another experience. Was on the Mk I since it was released in AU. So two full seasons. Loved the wing. It was everything it was positioned to be. So I didn't even consider another brand or wing.

Bought a 3, 4 and 5 quiver to replace a 3, 4 and 4.6 quiver. I've just had my first two days back to back in very average conditions.

I would not have known there was a tack issue based on my experience. The wing floats from side to side effortlessly, both toe and heel side. I did notice that my windward hand is at the front of the handle, luckily that's the way I tack anyway. Zero issues. If anything I'd say it tacks better than the previous version because it's so taut.

Baffle being loose is odd. I guess time will tell whether it settles in. I hope the settling is story it's not marketing nonsense. The rest of the package is so crisp and taut that it stands out by comparison. Also the flapping in the wind is a reminder.
Installing and removing handles is easy. Just follow the instructions on the official Armstrong video. I've only used the handles that are supplied, my booms arrive on Monday. I may continue to take them off after every session to put the wing in the backpack as I don't like the long bag that the boom is sold with.

Low end - the tautness of the canopy must mean that the low end is different. I found myself pumping the wing a bit differently compared to the previous wing. That will take some getting used to.
Overall the wing behaves very well. It flags well, it's very predictable in transitions eg Heineken jibes etc. The whole package feels responsive and manoeuvrable, but I am comparing it to wings that are two seasons old.
Based on my experience I think that "tack gate" is a non-issue. Well even Gavin said he solved it immediately by placing his leading near front of the handle.

Very good review Arthur thank you. I also come from XPS MKI and the MKII feels pretty similar.Now regarding the "tack gate" as you call it. I identified and reported that issue to the Forum as I just got the MKII after coming from a 1 month riding with the Duotone Float. My view is:
- Versus the MKI, the MKII tacks in a very similar fashion.- Versus the Duotone Float, the MKII definitely required, at the beginning, hand fwd to prevent the LE pushing you down. Having said so, after couple of weeks riding the MKII, the tack gate issue for me is no longer relevant. Muscle memory completely offsets that and I have 100% success rate on any tack.Furthermore, the Ozone Flux v2 Ultra, tacks very very similar to the XPS MK2. I needed consciously hand fwd also on the Flux v2 compared to the care-free hand placement of the Duotone.

I'm looking at replacing my wings, I've been on V1 Flux for nearly 2 years.I'm looking at the XPS and see the span of a 5m is 3100mm vs the Flux V1 3445mm - so significantly reduced. The v2 Flux (non Aluula) appears have even more span and weigh more than the V1 - interesting.The XPS is also quite a bit cheaper in the UK Does the narrow XPS span have a significant advantages/disadvantages vs the the Flux v1 or v2?

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spikefoil said..
I'm looking at replacing my wings, I've been on V1 Flux for nearly 2 years.I'm looking at the XPS and see the span of a 5m is 3100mm vs the Flux V1 3445mm - so significantly reduced. The v2 Flux (non Aluula) appears have even more span and weigh more than the V1 - interesting.The XPS is also quite a bit cheaper in the UK Does the narrow XPS span have a significant advantages/disadvantages vs the the Flux v1 or v2?

I came from Flux v1 before going to XPS MK1 and now on MK2.
Particularly on larger sizes, the reduced span on the XPS was such a welcome thing for me.
You will find also that the longer strut on the XPS (mk1 and mk2) promotes stability when flagged on the wave.

True the Flux feels sportier and goes upwind better, but that was not my priority anyway.

I dont regret for a bit the switch from Flux to XPS.

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SlowlyButSurely said..

spikefoil said..
I'm looking at replacing my wings, I've been on V1 Flux for nearly 2 years.I'm looking at the XPS and see the span of a 5m is 3100mm vs the Flux V1 3445mm - so significantly reduced. The v2 Flux (non Aluula) appears have even more span and weigh more than the V1 - interesting.The XPS is also quite a bit cheaper in the UK Does the narrow XPS span have a significant advantages/disadvantages vs the the Flux v1 or v2?

I came from Flux v1 before going to XPS MK1 and now on MK2.
Particularly on larger sizes, the reduced span on the XPS was such a welcome thing for me.
You will find also that the longer strut on the XPS (mk1 and mk2) promotes stability when flagged on the wave.

True the Flux feels sportier and goes upwind better, but that was not my priority anyway.

I dont regret for a bit the switch from Flux to XPS.

Thanks for the feedback. Is the sizing Flux to XPS similar?
Im using Flux 5.7 and 4.3 and was hoping to size down to 5 and 4 maybe???

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Mikedubs said..
Maybe, theyre about same price as aluula strikes but will last longer.

"Maybe"We must have different definitions of the word.

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spikefoil said..

SlowlyButSurely said..

spikefoil said..
I'm looking at replacing my wings, I've been on V1 Flux for nearly 2 years.I'm looking at the XPS and see the span of a 5m is 3100mm vs the Flux V1 3445mm - so significantly reduced. The v2 Flux (non Aluula) appears have even more span and weigh more than the V1 - interesting.The XPS is also quite a bit cheaper in the UK Does the narrow XPS span have a significant advantages/disadvantages vs the the Flux v1 or v2?

I came from Flux v1 before going to XPS MK1 and now on MK2.
Particularly on larger sizes, the reduced span on the XPS was such a welcome thing for me.
You will find also that the longer strut on the XPS (mk1 and mk2) promotes stability when flagged on the wave.

True the Flux feels sportier and goes upwind better, but that was not my priority anyway.

I dont regret for a bit the switch from Flux to XPS.

Thanks for the feedback. Is the sizing Flux to XPS similar?
Im using Flux 5.7 and 4.3 and was hoping to size down to 5 and 4 maybe???

hmm i think the flux 5.7 to XPS 5m is a bit aggressive, although, the XPS MK2 with the reduced wingspan, is much easier to vigorously pump than a Flux v1 5.7m. If you pumping technique is dialed in, maybe yes.I went from 6.5 / 5/ 3.5 Flux to 6.1/4.6/3.5 MKI and, now, 6/4.5/3.5 MKII.
But my technique improved vastly and I am using ML boards so I am riding 90% of the time with the 4.5m even in 10kts and I am 90kg/200lbs. The 6m XPS MKII will go on sale very soon as I dont see a use case for me any longer.

The flux are about 10% understated. The 4.3 is equal to a 5m other brand. The 5m flux is huge, like a 5.6 or so, just look at the dimensions. My old 5.7m flux was bigger than my 6m CWC f one.
Bear in mind when comparing sizes

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Mikedubs said..
The flux are about 10% understated. The 4.3 is equal to a 5m other brand. The 5m flux is huge, like a 5.6 or so, just look at the dimensions. My old 5.7m flux was bigger than my 6m CWC f one.
Bear in mind when comparing sizes

Hi, maybe you can help me out with the Flux. I want to replace my 2023 Duotone Dlabs 6.0, 5.0, 3.5. I was considering the Flux V2 Ultra X in 5.0 and 4.3 but unsure if the 5.0 Flux has enough low end to match the old 6.0.

Thanks and sorry for being off topic.

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SlowlyButSurely said..

spikefoil said..

SlowlyButSurely said..

spikefoil said..
I'm looking at replacing my wings, I've been on V1 Flux for nearly 2 years.I'm looking at the XPS and see the span of a 5m is 3100mm vs the Flux V1 3445mm - so significantly reduced. The v2 Flux (non Aluula) appears have even more span and weigh more than the V1 - interesting.The XPS is also quite a bit cheaper in the UK Does the narrow XPS span have a significant advantages/disadvantages vs the the Flux v1 or v2?

I came from Flux v1 before going to XPS MK1 and now on MK2.
Particularly on larger sizes, the reduced span on the XPS was such a welcome thing for me.
You will find also that the longer strut on the XPS (mk1 and mk2) promotes stability when flagged on the wave.

True the Flux feels sportier and goes upwind better, but that was not my priority anyway.

I dont regret for a bit the switch from Flux to XPS.

Thanks for the feedback. Is the sizing Flux to XPS similar?
Im using Flux 5.7 and 4.3 and was hoping to size down to 5 and 4 maybe???

hmm i think the flux 5.7 to XPS 5m is a bit aggressive, although, the XPS MK2 with the reduced wingspan, is much easier to vigorously pump than a Flux v1 5.7m. If you pumping technique is dialed in, maybe yes.I went from 6.5 / 5/ 3.5 Flux to 6.1/4.6/3.5 MKI and, now, 6/4.5/3.5 MKII.
But my technique improved vastly and I am using ML boards so I am riding 90% of the time with the 4.5m even in 10kts and I am 90kg/200lbs. The 6m XPS MKII will go on sale very soon as I dont see a use case for me any longer.

Ok thanks. My pumping, especially with the 5.7 is not great. In light winds I have trouble with the tips catching. I'll see if I can try a 5.5 XPS and take it from there.

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Mikedubs said..
The flux are about 10% understated. The 4.3 is equal to a 5m other brand. The 5m flux is huge, like a 5.6 or so, just look at the dimensions. My old 5.7m flux was bigger than my 6m CWC f one.
Bear in mind when comparing sizes

Will do. Thanks for your comments.

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SlowlyButSurely said..

.................Furthermore, the Ozone Flux v2 Ultra, tacks very very similar to the XPS MK2. I needed consciously hand fwd also on the Flux v2 compared to the care-free hand placement of the Duotone.

I assume that is not what the Ozone fanboy(s) are likely to hear
A product - expensive as the Flux V2 with a valve, even outfashioned in kiteboarding years ago, and crappy handles like they are - "Come ON Ozone", you must be kiddin?.....

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Frankenbeutel said..

Mikedubs said..
The flux are about 10% understated. The 4.3 is equal to a 5m other brand. The 5m flux is huge, like a 5.6 or so, just look at the dimensions. My old 5.7m flux was bigger than my 6m CWC f one.
Bear in mind when comparing sizes

Hi, maybe you can help me out with the Flux. I want to replace my 2023 Duotone Dlabs 6.0, 5.0, 3.5. I was considering the Flux V2 Ultra X in 5.0 and 4.3 but unsure if the 5.0 Flux has enough low end to match the old 6.0.

Thanks and sorry for being off topic.

I think your board and foil are important considerations.

Im 83kg, upper intermediate, i ride 7' f one supfoil and 75l midlength, I ride a Code 970/720 combo and use flux 4.3, 3.6, and 3, the first two being aluula.

With my 7', 980, and 4.3 and can get going in maybe 12mph, when I borrowed my mates 1075R foil, I got up whilst guys on 7m wings were just floating.

I dont know duotone wings, but I dont need anything bigger than 4.3m, as it pumps so well. When I had 5m and 5.7m flux last year, before my 7', I found them too big.

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Frankenbeutel said..

Mikedubs said..
The flux are about 10% understated. The 4.3 is equal to a 5m other brand. The 5m flux is huge, like a 5.6 or so, just look at the dimensions. My old 5.7m flux was bigger than my 6m CWC f one.
Bear in mind when comparing sizes

Hi, maybe you can help me out with the Flux. I want to replace my 2023 Duotone Dlabs 6.0, 5.0, 3.5. I was considering the Flux V2 Ultra X in 5.0 and 4.3 but unsure if the 5.0 Flux has enough low end to match the old 6.0.

Thanks and sorry for being off topic.

Well I am 86 kg on a 70L Midlength with Duotone 900 Glide 2.0 and consider myself as an advanced rider. That you can use your 4.3 in 10 knots sounds too good to be true ??. I should give it a try and demo the wing. With that much money on the table you can't go by luck. Maybe first sell my 5.0 and if the 4.3 works really well I can also sell the 6.0.

Thanks ??

Update on the XPS MKII

Couple of things
1. ended up selling the 6m and getting the 5.5m. The XPS MkII 6m was too bulky for my likings and it felt that way particularly in onshore conditions while on waves. The 5.5m offers a much better riding experience, and it has that original XPS v1 feel I was after. Might be the lower aspect mods in the MKII but I am not sure these very low aspect designs work well in larger sizes. With the 5.5m maybe you lose 1kt of low end but the riding quality is much better compared to the 6m.

2. finally got ahold of the dyna booms! What a difference. I'd say that the only reason why you should upgrade to the MKII is the BOOM. It is that good. All the maneuvers are easier and the tacking issues I previously highlighted have virtually disappeared (perhaps the culprit was the pistol grip shape of the handles?). With the boom you also receive a proper bag for storing which I really dig. Installing and removing the boom is easy and the whole setup is stiff and performance oriented.

3. Next I need to weight the new wings as the reported weights on the Armstrong website do seem suspiciously too light and they don't state whether the weights includes handles

I was debating 6,5,4 at 86kg but maybe I should go 5.5, 4.5, 3.5....I hear the 4.5 is particularly sweet.

Currently on swing v4s...5.5 4.5, 3.5...but considering a change.

Had a quick 20 min spin on a mk2 xps and felt good...not as forgetful in hands in transitions as the swing (soft handles) but better in many other aspects. Not sure flagging in waves as it was flat. Felt the xps handles could have been a tad thinner?

I spent 4 hours yesterday demoing a 4.5m. Pretty cool wing. It was around 20 knots gusting to low 30s with ocean swell coming from one direction and wind swell coming from another, so not the easiest of conditions. My wing experience is limited, having predominantly sailed my own NP Fly 4.0 and 5.4 and some RRD rental wings in Greece.

I think they handled being overpowered pretty well. I was so powered that I could get foiling holding the very front of both handles with zero pumping. I think I would have been struggling on my 4.0 (I don't think the NP Fly v1 wings handle being overpowered very well).

I liked the handles, especially the long front handle. Not sure about how they talked to numerous "luxury car manufacturers" (according to one review on youtube) because I've never driven a car with a handle that's just a carbon tube with a thin foam cover, but for a wing handle, definitely no complaints. No issues with rigidity with the dynalink system - no creaks or groans or movement or anything like that. Riding one handed was cool but not easy in high wind. I'd love to try the boom.

Seems to go upwind pretty well, and seems fast, but hard to tell since I was so overpowered. My average speeds were slower than my normal wings but when the wind dropped a bit I was able to hold the wing further back on the handles and bear away and match or exceed my usual top speeds.

The canopy tension was cool - even overpowered the wing was very quiet and pretty stable. There was a small rustle from the bit that connects the canopy to the strut but that's been spoken about before and I definitely didn't find it annoying.

Only issue I had was quite an annoying one - after falling the wing would flip over at every opportunity. I'd have to hold it on quite a short leash (like 10-15cm) to avoid it flipping, and then it would constantly flap, so trying to climb onto the board with the wing on a short leash, it'd flap and bounce off my head. Lucky I'm wearing a helmet. I put this down to being overpowered as another guy I was chatting to had no issues with his 4.0 or the exact same 4.5 I was using when he demoed it on another day with more appropriate wind.

I would love to consider some of these wings but not sure what quiver size. I think I'd wait until I get my new midlength and then determine the biggest size I'd need, and probably go down in 1 or 1.5m increments.

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SlowlyButSurely said..
Update on the XPS MKII

Couple of things
1. ended up selling the 6m and getting the 5.5m. The XPS MkII 6m was too bulky for my likings and it felt that way particularly in onshore conditions while on waves. The 5.5m offers a much better riding experience

Can I just ask what did you mean about the riding experience of the 6m vs the 5.5?

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dieseagull said..

SlowlyButSurely said..
Update on the XPS MKII

Couple of things
1. ended up selling the 6m and getting the 5.5m. The XPS MkII 6m was too bulky for my likings and it felt that way particularly in onshore conditions while on waves. The 5.5m offers a much better riding experience

Can I just ask what did you mean about the riding experience of the 6m vs the 5.5?

I have a pretty well defined set of maneuvers by which I judge a wing. They consist in tacks toe and heel, race-duck-heineken jibes and change of hands on a wave.
The 6m felt sluggish, heavy, cumbersome particularly in onshore conditions.
The 5.5m is only 0.5m smaller but its more playful, easier when thrown in the air after a Heineken etc.
I lose 1-2kt of low end, but the riding playfulness is almost on par with the 4.5m.

Tried the 5M MK2 on Friday in a nice Seabreeze, small swell. This is coming from the old XPS which I really enjoyed.
Felt brilliant straight out of the box. I only pumped the centre strut to 8, ( pref 9) thinking id need a little more pump until the wind picked up. it did later but I left it at 8.
Handled superbly. honestly couldn't fault it. Thought tacking was going to be different after hearing varied reports. It was effortless. It felt like tacking my old Dlabs. Toe side perfect, Heel side was so easy with the handles. So easy to find them without looking.
Handled perfectly riding wind waves and lumps, upwind like the old ones, loads of grunt. A different pump to get going but easily adjustable from the old style. Still felt it had low down juice, just had to find where it was. No problem.
I was always hoping the new version was going to be at least as good as the old, but so far, I'm extremely happy.
Got the 4.5 as well and 4.0 coming soon, I hope. Hanging on the old 6 for desperation times.
Now just to get the harness lines set right. Front handle is much longer so maybe on the front. I'll work it out.
Never was a boom fan so I haven't thought about that yet but certainly will give it a crack some time.
If you're thinking about upgrading like I was and loved the old version, you'll love the new one.

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1adsy said..
Tried the 5M MK2 on Friday in a nice Seabreeze, small swell. This is coming from the old XPS which I really enjoyed.
Felt brilliant straight out of the box. I only pumped the centre strut to 8, ( pref 9) thinking id need a little more pump until the wind picked up. it did later but I left it at 8.
Handled superbly. honestly couldn't fault it. Thought tacking was going to be different after hearing varied reports. It was effortless. It felt like tacking my old Dlabs. Toe side perfect, Heel side was so easy with the handles. So easy to find them without looking.
Handled perfectly riding wind waves and lumps, upwind like the old ones, loads of grunt. A different pump to get going but easily adjustable from the old style. Still felt it had low down juice, just had to find where it was. No problem.
I was always hoping the new version was going to be at least as good as the old, but so far, I'm extremely happy.
Got the 4.5 as well and 4.0 coming soon, I hope. Hanging on the old 6 for desperation times.
Now just to get the harness lines set right. Front handle is much longer so maybe on the front. I'll work it out.
Never was a boom fan so I haven't thought about that yet but certainly will give it a crack some time.
If you're thinking about upgrading like I was and loved the old version, you'll love the new one.

I found out that after 5-6 session, just like Windsurfing sails, mk2 will reach a performance that it's designed for. Of course there is riders adaption factor too, but it can be seen visually too. Beyond first few sessions I can see or feel any changes.

After demoing a 4.5m a few months ago (my experience was in this thread) I decided to buy a 5.5m XPS Mk2 to replace my existing Neil Pryde Fly 5.4m. That 5.4m was my largest wing and it was a great (and cheap) wing as a beginner, but it had some problems for me. Primarily, I think the low end was good but the upper end was limited because the wing got overpowered quite quickly and the balance point would shift around. It would also flap like crazy on the trailing edge which was annoying. I've also got a midlength coming and after demoing a different 82l midlength (I'm 92 kgs so it was below neutral) I thought it would really help to have a wing which I can hold powered with 1 hand for stability while getting onto my knees.

I've had 3 sessions on the 5.5m XPS Mk2 now, totalling about 90km, and especially after the last session I'm very happy.

The first 2 sessions were in relatively light wind, gusting about 15-18 knots. In terms of low end with my limited skills 15 knot gusts were what I need to get up on foil with the NP fly, and I don't think this is any different (or maybe marginally better?) with the XPS Mk2. So far I've run the wing with the trailing edge battens installed but the 2nd session I did try reducing the central strut pressure by 1psi. So pretty similar low-end and something I'm sure will improve with my skills (and getting the midlength).

The 3rd and most recent session was in 22-23 knots gusting up to 26-28-ish, which for a 5.5m wing in my experience with my NP fly would have been miles overpowered. It would have been super difficult for me to control, and prior to getting the XPS Mk2 I would have just gone out on my 4.0m wing and not even considered the 5.4 in that much wind.

This stability overpowered matches my experience when I demoed the XPS Mk2 4.5m, where I was sailing it in gusts up to 32-33 knots. I was even able to get extended toe-side rides (at one point I didn't fall off for 25 minutes & 11 gybes) which given the overpowered conditions and my skill issues with toeside riding is a testament to how stable and easy to control the XPS Mk2 is in overpowered conditions. Compared to my old wing it feels more like a rigid airfoil than something made out of fabric & inflatable.

One thing I struggled with on the 4.5m demo was the wing constantly wanting to flip over after a fall. I put this down to being (what I felt was) quite overpowered conditions on that wing in 32-33knot gusts. I haven't have this issue anywhere near as much on the 5.5m yet. Granted I didn't feel as overpowered as on the 4.5m (where I had enough wind during gusts to easily take off without pumping while holding the very front of both handles). I also like that due to the slightly reduced wingspan compared to my NP Fly, I can easily flip the wing back over while sitting or kneeling on the board, which I could never do on the NP Fly.

A common note people have mentioned is the material above the central strut is loose and does flutter slightly. I'll keep an eye on this and report back if it stays loose or if it tightens up as the wing relaxes into its intended shape with a few more sessions as Armie has said it should. The fluttering is quite subtle and for me in no way annoying compared to the excessive flapping of my old wings when overpowered.

So in summary it's got a similar low end, way better top end, slightly faster, 1-handed riding position, slightly harder to heineken gybe (skill issue). Really happy thus far. A bit more time sailing in overpowered conditions and working on the low end will hopefully help me work out which quiver of smaller (and potentially larger) wings to get.

Which size would I get at 75kg intermediate skill? Something that can run in the 15-25kn range. I already have a Strike V1 5m and I think it's overkill for my weight once the wind starts going. Was thinking of getting XPS mk2 4.0?