Three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to test the Waroo-9m², Shockwave-9m² & -12m², Vegas06-9m² and Speed-7m²
on a (frozen) lake in Italy (Reschensee). Many thanks to the organizers and sponsors of this event:
Marco, Element Sports (for Best and North), Flysurfer and Naish.
Last year in August I could test the Crossbow-12m² from Susi Mai in Cabarete for three hours,
and I guess, my next kites will be Bows (or SLE’s). I don't ride unhooked and I like the depower,
especially in waves and at spots with gusty winds and a lot of traffic or other obstacles.
Shockwave 9m²:
Shockwave 9m²: Among all the kites in 9m² the Shockwave had the shortest lines and it looked (therefore?) the biggest,
and it was the heaviest. It is not so flat like the Crossbow and the trailing edge is not concave,
but the flight characteristics were bow-like: Huge depower and close kiteloops with or without power (depending on bar position).
Because of the transmissions (pulley) at the bar, the steering is effective but slightly indirect.
If you power the kite (too much), the holding forces at the bar were heavy.
You can easily re-launch the kite reverse (backwards) in the power zone, just by pulling both steering lines.
Shockwave 9m²:
Waroo 9m²: As surprise this was my favorite kite in this test. In the air (see the picture) it looked more flat and bow-like
than the Shockwave. And the flight characteristics were also bow-like with one exception:
There are no transmissions at the bar and therefore the steering is a little more direct und the holding forces are light at the bar.
I could not feel restricted depower or too long ways for depower. The Waroo flew convenient, stable and straightforward.
Unfortunately I could not test sufficiently the lift and hang time (on the snow).
Waroo 9m²:
Vegas 9m²: People, who were accustomed only to C-kites, were happy with this kite. But I was disappointed.
The depower was far less, compared to the Shockwave and the Waroo.
It was comparable to my Boxer-10m² from 2004, which I flew on the next day in more gusty winds.
And the radii of kiteloops were much bigger (compared to the bows) with the same position (turn) of the bar.
The only big advantage was the direct steering. Otherwise to relaunch the Vegas, you have first to turn it over
with the fifth line, and to move it to the edge of the wind window. You can not start directly in the power zone.
Waroo 9m² and Vegas 9m²:
Speed 7m²: The Speed was powerful, although it was the smallest kite in this test.
But the force evolvements and the reactions were soft.
Sometimes the kite collapsed in sudden lulls, but I could manage these situations with careful depower.
If you are unhooked and let go the bar, then you can land the kite in the power zone (only connected to the safety).
And you can re-launch it from this position.
Speed 7m²:
Unfortunately I could not yet test other bow kites, like Switchblade, Turbo Diesel or Halo.
You will find more pictures in my gallery:
http://gallery.kiteforum.com/gallery/vi ... me=albuq06
Detlef