Sir Slingshot sounds like the latest brand pimp desperate to ensure sales for a product not quite matching its hype. Seen the Machine 17.5 beaten hands down by some 16m kites at the local break here. As for resale, here in Aus seen 12 month old Fuels selling second hand for about $800 ($2000 new). S...

The Fuel is not as good in the 15 and 17 when compared to the smaller sizes (13 and smaller). They have a good low end, but you also get overpowered quickly.

For upwind performance, the Naish's are slightly better.

Have not seen anyone out going upwind with ease in sub 10 knots on any kite. Fuel 19 was hyped as the ultimate light wind kite last year, but have not heard anyone (I know) so far who has owned one rave about it.

You don't want it to break while at the peak of a massive jump in shallow water - could be quite nasty.

Several ones here have also broken. One was only bought a couple of weeks ago and lasted about 6 uses. It must have been one of the newer ones I would have thought.

Personally I have found that the bigger kites will give you the most hangtime, and the smaller sizes (9-12) will give you the most height. As for the Fuel 9 being a hangtime machine - you are full of shit. Have ridden this kite and you can get a decent amount of air but it drops you very quick. The ...

Well, tell me where I can buy kites from a dealer with 20% discounts and I will be happy. Here in Aus we often have cartels where the importers make life difficult for the shops if they find they are giving big discounts. Shops therefore use the excuse that some are sponsored riders, or they are get...

For a 12m raven should I go for the 18 inch bar with 24m lines or the standard 20 inch bar with 27 lines? For me the 12m is a kite I use to ride waves sometimes, but mainly want to boost huge air in which case the 27m lines option sounds better. However, does it really make that much difference? Any...

Anyone tried or seen this kite yet? Supposedly it is starting to hit the shops now or very soon.

With a bypass leash on the recon it is not a spinning safety system like the 5th setup is on most kites. After rotations, you still end up tangled and therefore lots of people don't ride with it hooked up, they only connect it before doing an unhooked move. Still a much better option than a suicide ...