I am amazed! A very smooth kite with a huge wind range. I used it from 9 up to 28 knots (75kg, 135-38 board). It is a very soft kite which is very reactive. It gives you an amazing hang time and you can go upwind like hell. When I used it for the first time I needed to familiarize myself with the soft feeling and very little pull. When landing badly I sometimes didn’t know where my kite was. However, after riding the new Nitro for a week I had no problems anymore and felt it like before. I first used the Nitro with RECON 2 but Cabrinha recalled it. The Recon 2two bar is even more reactive and unspins the front lines. However, it releases by accident. This might be one of the reasons why the called it back.
I also compared the Nitro with the new North Rhino 5. The Rhino 5 is a very good kite too with a good wind range, very good de-power and very good lift. It has more pull and is a bit less reactive than the Cabrihna. The Nitro has a looser feel (you just forget about your kite) a better de-power and a bigger wind range.
I also tried the new Slingshot 13 but there seems not to be any further development other than the autopilot (same feeling, wind range, etc.). I think the new Slingshot just didn‘t invest enough in research and didn’t push their products further. I loved my Slingshots but they are now just lacking behind the Rhinos and Nitros.
As regards the security I am somewhat uncertain: Recon works very well to relaunch your kite, but once you pulled the security the kite still develops significant power. I was almost unable to enrol my lines. The fifth element works also very well to relaunch your kite. Moreover, you can really depower your kite when you need to swim. The fifth element is definitively the better system for riding unhooked as you can link your bypass to the chicken loop which immediately depowers the kite when you loose it. However, the fifth line is a bit of az hassle and when your kite flips by accident (for example in waves) you are screwed.
Slingshots’ one pump system still beast the others. Pumping up the Cabrihna is a mess and the valves should be improved further. The North system is better but still not a good as the Slingshots.
Conclusion
I now sold my three Slingshots and got one 12m Nitro (currently RECON 1 equipped). It works very well in all conditions (waves, flat water, chop) and replaced my three Slingshots!!! Most people just can’t believe that I am going out with a 12m when they have to use a 16m. I could have gone for a Rhino too, but I think in direct comparison the Nitro2005 beats the Rhino 5 at it has a looser feel, better wind range and it more reactive.
Happy to discuss my findings with you.
