No battens. Also on the 2013 Team version they have the new aramid load frame criss-crossing the canopy which they hope will prevent all LE to TE failures. In addtion what this does is make the whole structure more solid and I'd agree that it provides just a little bit extra something to the handling on what was already a very precise and direct kite.

Im kinda intereseted to see the new airush aramid criss cross stuff. I'm personally more intereseted in the wave which we have yet to really hear much about. Not much airush near me so it might not be soon.

I've traditionally heard people talk about their kites getting bagged out eventually and wonder if that really happens or not. That criss cross could probably reduce a lot of the load on the rip stop, but Im interested to see one in the air and see if it has any kinda quilted look or if the panels are uniform flat.

They are uniform and flat and it looks very cool (not that will make you a better kiter contrary to popular belief). The whole thing looks/feels/behaves more solid because of it and they fly almost on ESP!

I have used the 9m Wave - it is a very special kite and is a bit of an anomoly - I have a full write up on here with a video somewhere I think? In short I didn't think it would work being three struts, too low aspect, pullies etc. However it did and then some and it is getting some awesome feedback here in the UK with huge range and very easy to tap into performance.

Just searched and under my old user name (s29feb): viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2376615&p=756964&hilit=medano#p756964

A new site called kitecomparsion.com is a good place to start if you are unsure which kites to test.... Its never going to compare to getting out on the water but you can try compare 3 kites next to each other, so worth a look.

http://www.kitecomparison.com/airush/razor/razor-13m-razor
http://www.kitecomparison.com/naish/torch-2013/torch-12m

The aramid load frame is very impressive. To my knowledge, no-one in the uk has managed to go through a strand of it yet. You can put the panel inbetween out, but a front to back? not seen one yet..

Also for me, the 2 hidden advantages of this are;
- stops the overall canopy from stretching as much as it would ordinarily do
- promotes the shear of the kite (the way one wingtip will move infront of the other) as opposed to throwing a wing tip out like an anchor. This has a big effect of the kite powering through a turn as opposed to breaking through a turn. Makes the kite feel more athletic.

I know that the tape is very expensive at mfr, and there were discussions as to it's economic future. I sincerely hope it stays, as it's a very impressive bit of tech.

could be

but i also wonder if the local guy that fixes my kites when they brake would be able to do his stuff with that aramid thing in the middle