2019 Slingshot Turbine

[BiteMe]

Looks like Slingshot has released their 2019 Turbine kites. I have an old 2015 that I was thinking of replacing.

Does anyone know if there have been any changes to these kites in the last couple years? Seems like besides the standard new colors not much has changed in the 15m and 17m sizes. Just wondering if I was better off getting a 2017 or 2018 and save some money. Maybe even a 2016 if it's the same as the new ones

[grigorib]

2015/2016/2017 were the same great kite from what I’ve seen. 2015 15m for my 200lbs delivered magic, especially on long lines.
So this spring I saw 2017s on good sale and somehow managed to sell mine trying to upgrade while missing the sale. And I decided that 2018 might be the trial year without huge LW kite but instead on huge 633 foil wing.
It did work out.

[Greenturtle]

Compared 2014 to 2017 - the leading edge diameter in wingtip area only, is thicker on the 2017, in order to (from my visual impression) support the whole kite being a bit more open / flat.
Performance-wise though, pretty similar.

Get whatever year has the best sale going. Save the money, any year will deliver.

Btw turbines are way bigger than most other brands, at least the 17m and 19m sizes I have experience with.
(Like a whole quiver step bigger, the 17m turbine looks like a 20m kite, laid out and compared to brand x’s 17m)
Basically, from what I can tell, a 15m Turbine is more comparable to most other 17m kites on the market.
Not sure if this holds true with 2019 but it certainly does for 2017 and earlier.

[lisaped]

Turbine 17m 2012 of the very 1st release was a brilliant kite.
Since next year it started to get whose and worse.
2016 - 2018 got to be the worst. 2019 is of no change because they just don't know how to make it better.
Two old farters who are chief designer and president and who are brothers fired all young modern designers who invented RPM and other best of Slingshot.
Now they change colours of their kites year to year and even hired a special International sales manager Andy Steel specialising in selling condoms and other similar staff to promote their products in Europe although it is not of help any more as Slingshot is not popular in Europe any more as before. I am not sure of USA market but reading http://www.nwkite.com/forums/f-1.html the local forum of SS in USA one might find topics proving that Slingshot is a looser even at homeland.

[lisaped]

……………………..


There is no change to the Turbine in 2019…….


ANDY STEEL
Director of International Sales
Slingshot / RideEngine
A.Steel@7-Nation.com
Cell / Mobile / WhatsApp / Facetime: +44 (0) 7765 136885
Skype: andysteel365
HQ Address:
1218 Wasco Street
Hood River OR 97031
SLINGSHOT | MOONSHINE MFG. | RIDE ENGINE

[Matteo V]

Turbine 17m 2012 of the very 1st release was a brilliant kite......

.....2016 - 2018 got to be the worst. 2019 is of no change because they just don't know how to make it better.
Two old farters Tony Logosz and Jeff Logosz who are chief designer and president and who are brothers fired all young modern designers who invented RPM and other best of Slingshot.

This is what I really respect from a kite company. Just let your designers stop/not change for the sake of change, when ever they they nail the design or just can't improve on it. I have been through so many kites that were "new and improved for this year" and were a step down in overall performance from last years. Definitely no need to fire the designers, but let them come to the conclusion that they can't improve the design with the testing on the experimental kites so far.

The best formula for happy customers would be:

1. Keep those designers designing.
2. Don't change the design if it is going to make the kite model worse.
3. Don't keep the same model name if you completely redesign the kite.
4. And DON'T put out a bad kite next year just to change back the following year to increase sales - like the "new Coke" thing!

For having the guts to keep the same designs, I like Slingshot. But if they completely give up on the pursuit of innovation, that is less than honorable.

[james]

……………………..


There is no change to the Turbine in 2019…….


ANDY STEEL
Director of International Sales
Slingshot / RideEngine
A.Steel@7-Nation.com
Cell / Mobile / WhatsApp / Facetime: +44 (0) 7765 136885
Skype: andysteel365
HQ Address:
1218 Wasco Street
Hood River OR 97031
SLINGSHOT | MOONSHINE MFG. | RIDE ENGINE

That’s not super cool posting all his contact details unless he said it was ok.

[lisaped]

I don't intend to be cool. It is not personal info. Why not to know the heroes of kiteworld from Slingshot?

[Matteo V]

I don't intend to be cool. It is not personal info. Why not to know the heroes of kiteworld from Slingshot?

So could you tell us a little about your feelings toward Slingshot? Maybe discuss your experiences?

[james]

So posting his personal cell number isn’t “personal” then?

Wtf