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I really think it comes down to these kites for absolute best light wind:

North Dyno 18m
Slingshot whatever they are calling it 17-18m
Ozone Zephyr 17m
Best Taboo 17m

GK keeps saying they are going to make one, but I've never seen it. Realistically, I think the Xbow 16m is just too heavy with 7 struts to quite keep up (too much mass, too much weight). The Airush One is maybe a hair off the low end too just because of size (even though it turns better)

Once those four are all out on the water, then I'd like to hear what they all do. Just my opinion. Please don't flame me.

- Droffats

Just out of curiosity - has anybody tested the 2010 and 2011 Zephyr back to back? What were the differences?
Im especially interested in how it performs unhooked in low winds (8-12 knots).

droffats wrote:I really think it comes down to these kites for absolute best light wind:

North Dyno 18m
Slingshot whatever they are calling it 17-18m
Ozone Zephyr 17m
Best Taboo 17m

GK keeps saying they are going to make one, but I've never seen it. Realistically, I think the Xbow 16m is just too heavy with 7 struts to quite keep up (too much mass, too much weight). The Airush One is maybe a hair off the low end too just because of size (even though it turns better)

Once those four are all out on the water, then I'd like to hear what they all do. Just my opinion. Please don't flame me.

- Droffats

hi Droffats
i've seen your video one vs zephyr on vimeo.
so what's your opinion on two of them? which is best on conditions on video?


winds

A couple of years ago I went out in some really light 8-11knot stuff with a buddy. We both weighed about 195 lbs and had similar boards. I was on the "old school" 2006 Rhino 20 and he flew a Slingshot T2 14. I could not believe it, but he blew me away. The Rhino 20 would fall from the sky in the lulls. Due to its lighter weight, the SS T2 would just motor along. That experience more than any other made me a believer that the newer bow style kites were more efficient light air kites than the older style big C's. Since then I have had a Flysurfer Speed 17, a Crossbow 16, a T2 14, and am now flying the T3 17, which is very similar to the Contra 17 from what others report. The big foils are powerful and efficient, but slow and not very convenient for inland lakes with small beaches. I would upgrade to a Zephyr or a Taboo or something similar to make flying in the light stuff more fun, but I don't want to give up the raw power of the 17m bow kite. I have an 09' Nemesis HP14 which I jump on when the wind picks up a bit. Is the Zephyr going to be a worthy replacement of the 17m bow?

I still think the EH EZE13 ranks as one of the top light wind inflatables. Its ultra flat design makes it pull like a 16, but still handle like a 13. It has super pull, lift and float. Its one drawback is that it tops out at about 19 mph for me (175 lbs). When it's in its sweet spot, 11-18 mph (9.5-15.5 knots) it's a champ!

The EZE 13 pulls like a truck, but wants to kill you when it blows over 19. It's great in lighter winds, except when you want to relaunch it. Got rid of mine.

We have a friend that has a EH EZE 13m.. It has same low end of a flat 14m of other brands or an old C kite 16m.. Nothing more!! Doesn't come close to a ZEP or a specific light wind kite!

We know because when we are riding and he is sitting on the beach....

There are more light wind inflatable kites in the market this year would be good to make a nice test!!! We are ready...

North Dyno 18m (nobody has seen one yet)
Slingshot 17-18m
Ozone Zephyr 17m
Best Taboo 17m
Cabrinha SB 16m
Core XR XL 17m
Epic Infinite

Bye Jankie

this one?

In my opinion, as i am reading, the title will be between North Dyno and Epic Infinity. But those kites have very very diferences in designs...

We are not looking olny for riding in light wind, but still a "regular" performance in terms of turning speed and lift/hang time.