Royal Era 2009 Up Close

[singlemalt]

The 2009 Royal Eras showed up today and right out of the bag the kite looks really good. The 2008 Eras are awesome kites and the 2009 version looks to be even better.
Here is a thread with more pics here http://www.extremekiteskiteboarding.com ... php?t=1417

[zeppelin]

Hmmm, I guess I have seen new Era somewhere before....

[eree]

twelve points zeppelin

[ToastSYN]

-20 points. Its a 5 strut kite not a 7.

[Starsky]

The original era is a very very very well designed kite. Super gutsy, great stability, ample depower, very light and quick and unlike most sle's it actually does ok unhooked in the upper half of its range with a ton of strap pulled in. Loved the short depower throw. Simone has some serious talent. Gotta say that I really really like the 08 graphics. Pretty much one of the best all time, taking its queues from the simplicity of the type wave. I have no doubt the new model improves on the last, but the graphic has clearly been done and is nothing like what they started with. Kind of parallels their departure from the simplicity mission that Royal arrived on the scene with (one kite one board). That kind of set them apart. Now with two SLE's and three boards there is less distinction between them and other brands. I realize that one kite cant do it all, but the original era was a nice effort.

[zeppelin]

I have spent some time riding Sonic and Era- both are good kites, I just think, that design of the new era sucks.

[ed257]

I have spent some time riding Sonic and Era- both are good kites, I just think, that design of the new era sucks.

How would you compare the performance of the two kites (Sonic vs Era) in terms of:

- boost
- upwind
- turning speed
- speed riding
- bar pressure
- depower
- re-launch.

Thanks,

Ed

[truthonwater]

I just think you suck, 'cause you try to rape the thread with your stupid GK advertising!

I have spent some time riding Sonic and Era- both are good kites, I just think, that design of the new era sucks.

[poldo]

I don't like this design...prefer the old one

[zeppelin]

I have spent some time riding Sonic and Era- both are good kites, I just think, that design of the new era sucks.

How would you compare the performance of the two kites (Sonic vs Era) in terms of:

- boost
- upwind
- turning speed
- speed riding
- bar pressure
- depower
- re-launch.

Thanks,

Ed

I can only comment on 2007 Sonic and 2008 Era.
Both kites are pretty similar- light bar pressure, turns fast, depower is also good. Era is little bit better for unhooked because of chickenloop construction, but of course these both are more freeride kites, not wakestyle. Sonic is wery good upwind and for speed, it flys very close to the edge of the window and accelerates with apearant wind. Constuction is good on both.