I am curious about these two kites and from people that have ridden both. I have found conflicting reports on the 2011 Hifi that people either love it or hate it but the fact that the Nirvana is a one year production run makes me curious as to why. Ultimately I believe that it comes down to just name changes on the kite and nothing more. I am just looking to see if the nirvana is a better kite than the 2011 Hifi? If what are the pro's and con's for either kite? Anyone seen or heard anything about the Hifi X?

James
www.theglobalartist.com

No takers? I use to own a 2009 Hifi and a 2009 Hifi comp and really liked the kites. I liked the Hifi the best and was hoping that the 2011 is similar to the previous Hifi that I owned. Never tried the nirvana and figure that it is just the Hifi with a name change. Is it worth going for the nirvana?

James
www.theglobalartist.com

I have owned a set of Hifi 2009 (not comp) and kite now with Hifi 2011.

The 2011 are not quite as stable as the 2009 hanging over your head. When sailing it is rock stable. It feel to have the same amount of grunt. It has better lowend though while it flies quite a bit faster.
I like these 2011 a lot! They fell like having overall more performance than the 2009.
I have not flied other versions.

The only cavanat: For me 115kg (260lb) I have to pump them very hard in order to prevent them for bending in the tips when loading it hard.

Regarding naming: I think it is just naming. Nirvana was the Hifi 2012

Regards Poul

As you say it is just the name, the Nirvana is the 2012 Hifi and they have gone back to the name for 2013.

It feels very similar to the 2010 Hifi but slightly deeper canopy in the centre. This gives it better stability and grunt but a little less air speed so not as big jumping or looping. The 2011 4 strut Hifi was very different and not very popular as it did not have the performance and direct feel of the previous models, was a bit mushy.

The Hifi X has gone back to its roots in 2009 when it was full on and higher aspect. Take a look at some photos we took earlier in this year of our demo kites to show its new shape: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 271&type=3

Both are lousy, in my opinion. 2009 was ok.

Nirvana was a different design with battens in the wingtips

2009 was the best year for wakestyle.

2010 and 2011 were more all arounders.

2013 looks a lot more like the 2011 Hifi then the 2012 Nirvana

Why not get a North Vegas?