To answer you questions:

1. Yes you need the ball otherwise your bar will get chewed when you push it into the EZ Lock.

2. For 2008 the leash puts tension on both the front lines.

Any stopper system is for advanced riders ONLY.

If you feel you need the security of a push through stopper system you probably shouldn't be using the EZ lock. The main point of the EZ lock is to the lock the bar to enable the rider to do big air tricks like boards off and so on. A push out stopper makes those moves more difficult if not impossible especially with the depower our kites make.

Guys,
We made few videos on the new EZ lock for the new ECLIPSE web site.
http://www.eclipsekites.com/kites/video ... system.mov
http://www.eclipsekites.com/kites/image ... unlock.jpg
http://www.eclipsekites.com/kites/video ... r_2008.mov

Also when you receive the kite and bar you will have a WARNING on the EZ lock system. Also in order to activate the EZ you will have to unscrew the screw that is on the ball in order to be able to slide it down.

I personally agree with bleighty and disagree with sbkiter and North. I like to be able to rest against a stopper BUT be able to "push the bar out through" the stopper in a gust (such as on the North 2007 bar and unlike the upgrade on the 2008 bar). However, just as bleighty and sbkiter don't agree on this, this ability to push through the stopper is subject to personal rising style and taste. Given an "push-through"-able stopper or give me death. In the latter case, I would not use the stopper.

All I know is that by using some of the stopper balls that are out there when you are doing a jump and holding the bar with one hand while the other hand is grabing the board or doing something stylish, the ball has tendency of sliding so you are loosing all the power and hang time because you are pushing against the ball.
I had an advance customer that took lessons from me 4 weeks ago in order to learn how to do different moves and boards off. After an hour or trying we finally understood what was going on. His ball was sliding every time he was using one hand.
So finally I gave him my gear. He was amazed on how different it was and how he was able to do some moves just by realeasing one hand.
If something goes wrong and the EZ is still locked in all you have to do is pull on the EZ CL RELEASER. (see video) But the EZ always come out when you pull it or tap it or when you slam into the water hard.

Dimitri:
I can't wait to get my hands on Eclipse and the bar.
I had such awe full experiences with stopper's, you won't believe.
I love riding in control fully powered, just like your style.
arms extended and powered.
But the option to de-power with control,...so far I had none of that.
Can't wait to get the Thruster and Nano

Maybe you have heard what I had to deal with (ask Chris)

The stopper cleat Eclipse has, I think, only stopper which works.
And I have not even used it.
SS stopper seems awesome, but if in trouble, no way and no time to push it up.
Any way,
Dimitri: I hope we can ride together sometime. You come to Oahu any time soon?

don'ty know where you got 2o dollars from bud cos firstly i looked on ur site


Here's the pic




As u can see its listed at 30 dollars and this doesn't include the postage.

The price in the UK is 40 dollars and neither does that include postage.

So where you get 20 dollars from i don't know.

As i have already said its a bit of kit i've ordered and hope will be really useful but come on the price is as steep as could be.

dont mind even 30 dollars in the UK i spose but 40 is a bit too rich to be honest.

Yes you are right it is $30USD we raised the prices.

Sounds like it would end up rather pricey in my corner of Europe. I'll have a bash at making one. I reckon a chunk of nylon chopping board bolted onto the cleat should be pretty similar to the red block. Sounds like it is good to make it reasonably big and/or heavy to aide release.

Yes make sure it is heavy and balanced. We spent a lot of R&D between us and ClamCleat to come up with this system.

Thanks for that Dimitri - and good luck to you.