ice wrote:maybe you should get the riders to rate out of 10 each kite attribute:
- low end
- upwind
- bar pressure (rather than out of 10, low, moderate or high)
- looping
- re launch
- drift
- speed across the window
- lift
- hang time
- top end to still ride safely, before changing down kite sizes
- bar
etc
apart from low end, it seems punters are looking for different attributes in a low wind kite - some want upwind, some want top end (wind range), some want low bar pressure, some want re-launch etc
thanks, by the way, it is a great initiative
One of our testers notes... pardon any misspellings
Cabirhna (where does the H go?) Contra 17
Pull- (9) Great pull but seems to stay deep in the window (not as deep as the Epic though)
Depower- (8) Great depower
Tricks (8) Good hang time, and nice pop. When looping unhooked it tended to stall.
Upwind ability (7) Seems to fly a little more forward than the Epic
Bar pressure (4) Pulling the bar in is easy for power, but turning takes serious effort. Its very clear where this kite is though.
Turn speed (8) Turns very well
Other thoughts: Contra was a blast on the down wind portion, and gave me more hang time, and opportunities to do spins, and grabs than the Ocean Rodeo Flight 2.
Slingshot Turbine 17
Pull (8)
Depower (8)
Tricks (8)
Upwind ability (9)
Bar pressure (8)
Turn speed (8)
Other thoughts: Still a great kite and the gold standard.
Core XR3 19
Pull (10)
Depower (6)
Tricks (8) Plenty of pop, and hang time from sent jumps. Not as prone to stalling out when looping unhooked, but the chicken loop is to small and becomes a struggle to hook in every time.
Upwind ability (8)
Bar pressure (9) very small bar with light pressure that still keeps you informed of where the kite is!
Turn speed (8) Unbelievable turn speed for the bar pressure and size
Other thoughts: Still a great kite and the gold standard.
Ocean Rodeo Flight 2
Pull (9)
Depower (9)
Tricks (7)
Upwind ability (9)
Bar pressure (9) Light bar pressure but with a direct feel
Turn speed (10) Turns very fast, even when riding the board flat or toward the kite
Other thoughts: This is an outstanding kite, because of it's "bang for the buck" It's turn speed, and incredible direct, light bar pressure!
If I were going to buy one today it would be the Ocean Rodeo Flight 2 (because of the value)
If I could have taken any kite home with me for free it would have been the Contra