Seb...you're affiliated with the epic brand.....

I know, this sort of stuff doesn't happen very often - a non affiliate writing about epic kites. This is definitely outside the programme.

Kind of like THX 1138, of if you're a bit younger, Logan's Run, or if you're a bit younger, the Truman Show.......this wasn't meant to happen!

Really? I ride on Cabrinha and F-One board, I have two Flysurfer Speed3 and one Epic Screamer. Few months ago I was riding Cabrinha kites. Am I really that much affiliate, I don't think so and I will always give my honest opinion, I try a lot of kites in a year and I tell what I think.

I'd like to ask how criteria is determined. For example. The first kite anyone tests is more or less the control no? If that kite has bar pressure, the kites tested after would be compared to the first and so on. I'd like to see pro's and con's but not things that can't be measured consistently. Most kites today boast of an easy relaunch... but unless they test all kites on the same day, at the same time, the results will vary. So really... these tests sound like a comparison of apples to oranges.

I always look forward to the SBC Kiteboard reviews as they are free, well written and focus more on the strengths/weakness rather than comparison.

I've never been part of a test group like this, but how do they set a benchmark? Turning speed, relaunch, bar pressure, low end... all of these things only mean something when compared to something else.

Any thoughts?

The screamer of last year WAS a slow turner, glad a Mag finally owned up to it. It was still a fun kite, unhooked ok and slow turning is not a bad thing, but I guess they have a marketing idea and reality doesn't matter.

I don't know what's available exactly through the store ... but I've definitely been charged for the mag even though I still can't download it. Would sure like to by the pdf version now ... but not ready to pay two times

Sorry Seb - I stupidly concluded that you are affiliated with epic because you are listed on the epic site as an epic dealer.

You may want to talk to Dimitiri to tell him he has made a mistake. Yawn.

Yes we are an Epic dealer but we sell many different kite brand and I try them all every year and will always give my honest opinion on any of them so our clients can make the right decision. So that is why I mean to say I am not more affiliate with Epic than I can be with all the other brands we sell. I am equally affiliate with all the brand we sell but I have my own preference as a rider and that is why this year I selected the Screamer as I like big air and it is a great kite for this. Next year it might be an other brand. One thing is sure, I will never recommend an Epic Screamer 9 or 7m to a newbie because...it turn too fast and could be dangerous, whatever theses guys said. Anyway, I think you got my point.

Reviews; only 2 small paragraphs... with not much info on each kite.

Honest... maybe, interesting ... well yes and no. Not really if you are into buying a new kite. Too much stuff being reviewed without enough info on each kite. There is no way to make comparison between the kites being reviewed.

my honest impression
Jules

Each review is consists of a two paragraph summary, pros, cons, comments directly from the forms our testers filled out, and the number of testers who would recommend that product to a friend.

To jumarcil and anyone else who has viewed the review, what could we add to make it better next time? Is there information you think we missed?

aTi, send me an email at paul@thekiteboarder.com and we'll get you sorted out.

Given that the rest of your quiver consists of flysurfers and cabrinhas it explains why your epic kite seems ultra fast.