"Nevertheless, we do have a responsibility to inform newcomers to the sport that choosing ram airs will handicap them. People outlay big $ to setup in this sport."
-Anon
So what are we really debating here? Best type of kite for Pros or newcomers? Should a newbie ride an X-10?
I ride both inflatables and ARCs (Foil/Sled)
Personally, when I was learning, I felt that the inflatables I was learning on handicapped me, not my ARC 840. Sucker required so much attention in the sky that I could barely get in the straps. Take your eye off it and you're teabaggin along with your leashed board flogging you. In fact, once I got my foil, my progress accelerated.
Didn't need help launching and landing, kite was super stable. Only bad thing was it got OP'd easy, but that was due to technique also.
As for $ outlay, the ARC was cheaper too and I believe more resistant to the abuse a beginner will put the kite through. So I believe it was a better value.
I would recommend the ARC to a newbie anyday.
As for an intermediate and up, I love my F-One inflatable and also my F-ARC. I'm sure I would have a blast on any of the new generation kites. Foil or inflatable.
Don't really care much what a pro does aside from a passing interest in new improvements. I don't plan on buying a new kite every year (been there and done that with windsurfing). I'll ride what I personally feel is best for me and concentrate on getting better with what I have.
-Eric
p.s. Anono, you really would carry more weight in your argument if you had first hand, on the water experience with both foils and LEIs.