I *really* hate when people write "foils are this, and foils are that". What foil? You can't bring all of the different types/brands/models under one label and say that they lack in performance, or have a small depower-range etc.
Foils are very, very different from each other. Don't you guys realize that stating "foil" is like if you'd use the term "LEI" to represent all the inflatos in the market.
I.e: "Hey, know what? I rode a LEI back in 2001... so all those LEI's suck compared to the latest and greatest foils".
Just doesn't work that way. Which in the LEI-case most people realize and therefore know that a BOW, hybrid and C are very different kites aimed at very different styles/customers.
The same also is equally (or even more so) true for "foils". First of all, there is in *no way* you can compare a "foil" of any kind, that has 2-3 years on its back, to a brand new high-depower one from a good brand.
And to be completely honest I'd list only 3 brands that have any sort of clue on how to build a modern foil... and only one of them (in my opinion) is really pushing the boundaries forward on foil-technology.
If you want solid freestyle performance from a foil you should try a Flysurfer Psycho4. I currently have a love affair with the P4 8.
It loops sooooo nicely and is really fast, even compared to the faster hybrids on the market.
I also ride (and own) a bunch of hybrids. The Mayhem X is an extremely nice kite (and super-fast, significantly faster turning/looping then most kites on the market) and a MX 9 is a tad faster then the P4 8 in the turns... but on the other hand the P4 provides more power per sqm. Besides those two differences they share a lot of good qualities.
Although I like the Mayhems very much there just is no way I'd use the hybrids on snow over my P4's (and Speed2's in light wind).... or when need to travel light.... or when I need to launch and land solo... or when I need to launch from a boat.
That said, the Mayhem's work really good on snow too, but the extra hassle with pumping and serious wear on the LE on ice etc makes the P4 a so much better option for snow.
So I'd say that performance-wise there isn't any reason for choosing one or the other (as long as you choose the right model of kite for your riding).
When it comes to *price* it is another thing though...