I have a 6m DLab that I use in light wind (7-15kts). I transitioned from the Armie V2 5.5m so the weight difference is huge. The stiffness/canopy tension is incredible. I'm wondering whether the DLab is worth it in the smaller sizes (3-4m). I've heard that the regular Unit is just as good in the smaller sizes (apart form the handle/strut blowout issue that some have experienced). Any feedback is appreciated.

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paulweller2 said..
I have a 6m DLab that I use in light wind (7-15kts). I transitioned from the Armie V2 5.5m so the weight difference is huge. The stiffness/canopy tension is incredible. I'm wondering whether the DLab is worth it in the smaller sizes (3-4m). I've heard that the regular Unit is just as good in the smaller sizes (apart form the handle/strut blowout issue that some have experienced). Any feedback is appreciated.

I have the 3m and 4.5m regular Units as well, and they are really nice. I think in 4.5+ I'd 100% prefer the D/LAB, and I think at the 3.5 size I could go either way. Going 3.5 D/LAB and 3.0 regular Unit seems to be a good spread actually as the 3.5 to me seems to have the power of a 4.0.

How did you find the 6m Dlab compare to the Awing V2 5.5? Does it give both more low wind range and also better high wind? Right now the AWing is my 'big wing' and i've been looking at the 6m or 6.5m Dlab as the replacement for the AWing.

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sunsetsailboards said..

paulweller2 said..
I have a 6m DLab that I use in light wind (7-15kts). I transitioned from the Armie V2 5.5m so the weight difference is huge. The stiffness/canopy tension is incredible. I'm wondering whether the DLab is worth it in the smaller sizes (3-4m). I've heard that the regular Unit is just as good in the smaller sizes (apart form the handle/strut blowout issue that some have experienced). Any feedback is appreciated.

I have the 3m and 4.5m regular Units as well, and they are really nice. I think in 4.5+ I'd 100% prefer the D/LAB, and I think at the 3.5 size I could go either way. Going 3.5 D/LAB and 3.0 regular Unit seems to be a good spread actually as the 3.5 to me seems to have the power of a 4.0.

Thanks!

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kiwiupover said..
How did you find the 6m Dlab compare to the Awing V2 5.5? Does it give both more low wind range and also better high wind? Right now the AWing is my 'big wing' and i've been looking at the 6m or 6.5m Dlab as the replacement for the AWing.

The V2 is a great wing-powerful, balanced, goes upwind well, but is on the heavy side, especially from 4.5 and up. I often had to push the wing through the wind when jibing or tacking in light wind.

The DLab has a super rigid profile, despite its light weight (and relatively low PSI fill pressure). The handles are fantastic for pumping, going upwind, and maneuvering the wing around (making Heineken jibes a lot easier, IMO).

I'm 82kg and can get going with my 60L board and 1325 HA foil from 7kts. I use my 925 HA foil for anything more than 12kts. I used to avoid using HA foils in light variable wind but the DLab is very efficient when it comes to filling the canopy and providing a sufficient push when doing maintenance pumps whilst up on foil. I used to end up breathing pretty hard after pumping to get on foil with my 5.5.

The DLab just makes thing easy. I'm now trying to justify another DLab (probably a 4), which is why I started this thread. I love the DLab but it's not a perfect wing. The luffing handle is rubbish and the inflation system is idiotic (and not to mention that there's no leash included). I don't know whether the DLab is worth the price-Aluula is a novel material with relatively minimal demand in the wind sport market so I don't think that prices will come down anytime soon. I think it's more likely that other brands will partner with other materials manufacturers to compete with Aluula.

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paulweller2 said..

kiwiupover said..
How did you find the 6m Dlab compare to the Awing V2 5.5? Does it give both more low wind range and also better high wind? Right now the AWing is my 'big wing' and i've been looking at the 6m or 6.5m Dlab as the replacement for the AWing.

The V2 is a great wing-powerful, balanced, goes upwind well, but is on the heavy side, especially from 4.5 and up. I often had to push the wing through the wind when jibing or tacking in light wind.

The DLab has a super rigid profile, despite its light weight (and relatively low PSI fill pressure). The handles are fantastic for pumping, going upwind, and maneuvering the wing around (making Heineken jibes a lot easier, IMO).

I'm 82kg and can get going with my 60L board and 1325 HA foil from 7kts. I use my 925 HA foil for anything more than 12kts. I used to avoid using HA foils in light variable wind but the DLab is very efficient when it comes to filling the canopy and providing a sufficient push when doing maintenance pumps whilst up on foil. I used to end up breathing pretty hard after pumping to get on foil with my 5.5.

The DLab just makes thing easy. I'm now trying to justify another DLab (probably a 4), which is why I started this thread. I love the DLab but it's not a perfect wing. The luffing handle is rubbish and the inflation system is idiotic (and not to mention that there's no leash included). I don't know whether the DLab is worth the price-Aluula is a novel material with relatively minimal demand in the wind sport market so I don't think that prices will come down anytime soon. I think it's more likely that other brands will partner with other materials manufacturers to compete with Aluula.

I have a regular 4m Unit and really like using it once i'm up on foil... the handles are great, the control is awesome, love the light weight, and the way it cuts upwind is really nice. Everything else is frustrating, like you say... the stupid adapter to pump it up (had to wait a week to get it once i realized i needed it), one of the dump valves started leaking which resulted in a 5 day downtime to get a warranty repair (luckily i was in Hood River at the time and Airtime worked magic to get me done in 2 days), the luff handle is weak, one valve vs. two, etc.

The Awing is a beast, solid but heavy. Great power, but heavy. It's built like a tank by comparison. It's a workout using it on long sessions if the wind is consistently above 15kn+. Looking for that goldilocks lightweight 10-20kn wing :-)

I think the OR Glide is perfect... if they ever decide to release the handles or the boom... Or if the Unit loses all the dump valves and goes to a 2 valve inflation.

Around Hood and San Fran, folks with discretionary cash are rocking the DLab in small sizes but those with a limited budget are blasting around on the regular unit in the small sizes.

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kiwiupover said..

paulweller2 said..

kiwiupover said..
How did you find the 6m Dlab compare to the Awing V2 5.5? Does it give both more low wind range and also better high wind? Right now the AWing is my 'big wing' and i've been looking at the 6m or 6.5m Dlab as the replacement for the AWing.

The V2 is a great wing-powerful, balanced, goes upwind well, but is on the heavy side, especially from 4.5 and up. I often had to push the wing through the wind when jibing or tacking in light wind.

The DLab has a super rigid profile, despite its light weight (and relatively low PSI fill pressure). The handles are fantastic for pumping, going upwind, and maneuvering the wing around (making Heineken jibes a lot easier, IMO).

I'm 82kg and can get going with my 60L board and 1325 HA foil from 7kts. I use my 925 HA foil for anything more than 12kts. I used to avoid using HA foils in light variable wind but the DLab is very efficient when it comes to filling the canopy and providing a sufficient push when doing maintenance pumps whilst up on foil. I used to end up breathing pretty hard after pumping to get on foil with my 5.5.

The DLab just makes thing easy. I'm now trying to justify another DLab (probably a 4), which is why I started this thread. I love the DLab but it's not a perfect wing. The luffing handle is rubbish and the inflation system is idiotic (and not to mention that there's no leash included). I don't know whether the DLab is worth the price-Aluula is a novel material with relatively minimal demand in the wind sport market so I don't think that prices will come down anytime soon. I think it's more likely that other brands will partner with other materials manufacturers to compete with Aluula.

I have a regular 4m Unit and really like using it once i'm up on foil... the handles are great, the control is awesome, love the light weight, and the way it cuts upwind is really nice. Everything else is frustrating, like you say... the stupid adapter to pump it up (had to wait a week to get it once i realized i needed it), one of the dump valves started leaking which resulted in a 5 day downtime to get a warranty repair (luckily i was in Hood River at the time and Airtime worked magic to get me done in 2 days), the luff handle is weak, one valve vs. two, etc.

The Awing is a beast, solid but heavy. Great power, but heavy. It's built like a tank by comparison. It's a workout using it on long sessions if the wind is consistently above 15kn+. Looking for that goldilocks lightweight 10-20kn wing :-)

I think the OR Glide is perfect... if they ever decide to release the handles or the boom... Or if the Unit loses all the dump valves and goes to a 2 valve inflation.

Around Hood and San Fran, folks with discretionary cash are rocking the DLab in small sizes but those with a limited budget are blasting around on the regular unit in the small sizes.

I had the OR Glide for a bit but gave up on waiting for the carbon handles, which is why I got the DLab. IMO, soft handles have no place in an Aluula wing. I'm not against soft handles writ large-actually getting used to them with my new Strike V2 wings.

A friend of mine told me that new gear should be released in a week or two during the AWSI event in Hood. I'd like to see Armstrong release the next big thing. A lightweight wing with Aluula or something else would get me going.