Eclipse Thruster 12 mtr Tested

[Rossall]

Finally got my hands on the new Eclipse Thruster 12 and 8 meter kites last month and have had a few sessions on the 12 already so thought I would give you my thoughts.

First of all I am a very good friend of the Co-owner of the company and am pleased to be on the Eclipse Team. That said I am also able to ride what I like and would ONLY ride a kite and board that I am 100% happy with.

First up and out of the bag the 2008 Eclipse kites just reek of quality. The build is un-matched in my opinion at the moment and the attention to detail is amazing, I have never seen a kite better reinforced and put together. Flexifoil would be the closest I have seen this year.

The bar is again very well thought out and the colour coding, safety systems and especially the idiot proof quick release chicken loop is amazing. This thing could be released, eyes closed, upside down being dragged backwards at 20 kts underwater and it actually can be re-engaged one handed whilst in the water being knocked about in the waves, I’ve done it.

Anyways kite once blown up is very stable with good pressure through out the one pump system. Each valve can be isolated if required and the one pump system disengaged, can’t imagine why but the choice is there.

In the air the kite is very stable and does not move without rider input. The 12 is very quick and steady through the air and responds well to the medium to light bar pressure.

On the water the kite seems to be very powerful for a 12 and easily depowered and powered up from the strap which you can actually reach easily. Sending the kite quick and back to about 12 or 1 gives a huge amount of lift even for my 85 kg’s the boost is amazing. Hangtime was also VERY impressive and I now know why Dimitri can complete multi tricks on every jump, I now have no excuse !!!

The Thruster is rock solid and super stable and up to now seems to have a huge range 12 ish kts to 25kts , its early days but looks very promising indeed. The 8 mtr top end should be 35 and more I guess, time will tell.

Overall a wonderful 12 mtr all round kite that will work well in waves and on the flat. The build is amazing and the reinforced LE has the finest protection I have seen on any kite.

But as I said I am a team rider, check out the photo’s and try one very soon.

Phil.

[AdrenalinDriven]

Seriously if they made a good solid C kite I would buy that so fast. Love their build quality and the guys at the company are soooo nice. So shout outs to Dimitri and Chris ITS TIME FOR A C KITE and I bet you that you would convert SO many of the c riders on here and on the world tour. I'm waiting........

Adrenalin
____________________________

Naish Torchs and Balance Pro 133
http://www.wearebalance.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gomarpyle]

The Thruster is the most C-shaped SLE I have seen.... I wonder how it would run as a C-kite with some modifications..

No question, I love this kite..... might make an awesome non SLE kite.... but for me.... I don't have any reason or desire to go that route..

[BullsShit.com]

Awesome.
Just got out of the water with my 12 Thruster.
Was a bit windy, should have been on the 8.

Thanx for writing the review. I suck at it, but love the kites.

[TomW]

I´m sorry, but owning 3 2008 Thrusters and owned Best, Naish and WindWing kites, plus looking at all kites on the beach, Thrusters are not constructed any better, or worse than most kites.
Those cool molded logos on the scuff pads and bridal attachment are not adding any quality- only looks.

On several points the Best kites have superior construction, not that it makes any difference in flight characteristics or durability.

Not bashing-just trying to get some balance in the construction hype.

[BullsShit.com]

I´m sorry, but owning 3 2008 Thrusters and owned Best, Naish and WindWing kites, plus looking at all kites on the beach, Thrusters are not constructed any better, or worse than most kites.
Those cool molded logos on the scuff pads and bridal attachment are not adding any quality- only looks.

On several points the Best kites have superior construction, not that it makes any difference in flight characteristics or durability.

Not bashing-just trying to get some balance in the construction hype.

It's hard to make a 08 kite badly. Eclipse has great quality just as much as any other kite company, but I think the hype is more the cost, what you get for your $, so Eclipse is way up there. for sure.
Best, WW, Naish, North, SS and Eclipse = same to me construction wise.
All have pros and cons...and we will have this discussion for all eternity.

[prayfawind27]

The Best Waroo pros are tanks, haven't seen construction like that on any kite
i Own a 08 Thruster, 07 Air rush DNAs never owned a Waroo so i'm not pimping just
stating the truth. Construction wise Best is the Best other aspect are a matter or opinion.

[BullsShit.com]

since there are no Best here to compare, and you have both, Eclipse and Best, do you have any pix, side by side?
Would be interesting to see.
Just curious, ...I compare my Thruster to North and SS and Naish (most common here), and see no diff.
PS: I switched from North to Eclipse (not because of quality)

[prayfawind27]

I've never own or planning to own a Best Waroo, but the local School is a Best dealer
so i demo and 99% of the riders here ride Best(not me) not a big fun of Best, but the construction
of the Pros is bullet proof. I'm a Air rush DNA rider bought that 08 16 Thruster because i'm a big fan of Diamitri and now i'm regretting that decision

[CameraGuy]

yo pray

what are you saying the 2008 16 thruster is a regret??
this kite has given me more great days then any other piece of gear i own.