Switch Labs

[Laughingman]

i don't understand why so much fuss about pretty much nothing?

any technical university can make similar videos anywhere in the world. so what the fuss about?
switch made this videos first? so what? it does not make switches kites better than they are...

Are yah havin a bad day eere? I'm not currently a fan of switch kites but I may be one day especially if they continue to be as transparent as they have been within this thread and others come to think of it. Bill is this companies asset. When they start making kites that perform like I want them to it will be hard to resist. The fact they recognized that the single center line safety is a required option says they are listening to everyone, not just their team riders.
Carry on switch people, I'm excited to see what you do next!
Sincerely
Pete

[Westozzy]

Let's be honest, there is more just mechanical scientific enquiry in this approach. It is technical marketing. But one thing seems true that switch through Bill is consistently giving information in all areas (such as pricing in another post) so this consistency has (for what it's worth) got my tick of approval. But the purchasing proof is in the kites and how they ride in the end.

[rtz]

One thing about Switch is their accessibility and availability. A lot of the people at most companies might as well live and work on Mars as far as having any line of communication with them goes.

With that said; Switch kites have the potential to be the best kite. They just need to know what to change or how to make them the best.

How could a kite be changed up to make it absolutely the best? They really do read and reply to emails. So it's not like with most companies where you wonder if they even got the email and it was read.

With current cost of materials, the rates the factories are charging for construction, plus the outrageous shipping rates these days, plus inflation, the value of the dollar compared to other currencies; times were a lot different 10 years ago when kites were $300-$400. Cheaper materials; lower factory rates; shipping seemed almost free back then compared to now. Also too, $600-$700 kites compared to the $1,000-$2,000 kites from most all other companies right now.

I have an Element. Construction and materials is top notch and just as good or better as other brands. The bar(1st version) is very similar to Norths bar.

Anyone needing a new kite on a budget; free shipping and 30 day money back and you'll have it in less than 10 days. No reason at all now to not try out one of these kites. Fly it; offer feedback and makes these the best kites.

http://switchkites.com/guarantee

[flat trixx]

From the switchkites homepage:
Front Lines: white, 1.7mm diameter, 0.55% elongation at 80daN, 395 daN breaking strength
Rear Lines: white/blue and white/red, 1.45mm diameter, 1.00% elongation at 80daN, 310 daN breaking strength

These information could be fantastic, but it´s worthless if the competitors don´t let us know what they use. Is this quality or shit? I don´t know.

[mr_daruman]

Thats the thing though there is little technical info on kite products. Switch tries to bring this out in their tech & specs (very detailed) page and the bar test videos, but we don't really have anything to compare it too...
And kite magazine reviews are a joke, all kites and boards a basically amazing (Kiteworld...). On a scale from 1 to 5 its always a 4 or a 5 ....

[JamesVegas]

Loving these videos Switch, it's easy to see why we are seeing more of these kites on UK shores now.

Will you guys be doing any canopy material test videos? There are a few of the big brands claiming their new material is stronger, stiffer and more hard wearing than standard ripstop, having had kites with D2 for a few years they certainly feel better and I've never torn one but I'd be interested to see some comparisons done if you guys have got a bit of time on your hands!

[Hansen Design]

Hi James:
Yes. Canopy and tube fabrics. Seam construction as well.

Will you guys be doing any canopy material test videos?

[ZigZag]

A few days ago, I pulled back the float on my Switch bar, and noticed what appeared to be fraying of the short lines that attach the leader to the bar ends. So today I removed the leader line, and the fraying was more noticeable.

I undid the overhand knot, and removed the line. This is what it looked like:

This is what the other side looked like:

I reversed the line, and secured it with an overhand knot. The frayed section is now protected by the bar end, and is no longer subject to abrasion.

Done! The bar is good for another 2 years of kiteboarding!

I fly Switch Method V1's, famous for their bar pressure. No doubt this contributed to the rate of wear. If I had a quiver of kites with wimpy bar pressure, I am sure those lines would be in much better condition.

[Faxie]

No matter what gear from what brand, it's always important to check it from time to time.

Switch sells pigtail kits for the bar.

[windybrit]

A few days ago, I pulled back the float on my Switch bar, and noticed what appeared to be fraying of the short lines that attach the leader to the bar ends. So today I removed the leader line, and the fraying was more noticeable.

1.jpg

I undid the overhand knot, and removed the line. This is what it looked like:

2.jpg

This is what the other side looked like:

4.jpg

I reversed the line, and secured it with an overhand knot. The frayed section is now protected by the bar end, and is no longer subject to abrasion.

3.jpg

Done! The bar is good for another 2 years of kiteboarding!

I fly Switch Method V1's, famous for their bar pressure. No doubt this contributed to the rate of wear. If I had a quiver of kites with wimpy bar pressure, I am sure those lines would be in much better condition.

Interesting post, I note the photos show the bar has decent use, how many sessions do you suppose you have on it, is the the only one you have ?