New wipika kites - Any comments?

[PNey]

Has anyone tried the new WIPIKA kites like the Hydro, AMP and the Airblast?
Any comments?

[Xboy]

We only getting them in a months time here in South Africa cant wait to see em.....

[Peter_Frank]

Got the very first AMP 14 last week.
Out today in perfect wind.

It is a bloody Powerhouse !

I think this 14m2 has the same power as the Airblast 16m2( 11.8 )...

The AMP 14 turns even faster than the Airblast 13.6m2(10.0).

And one BIG difference:
You can fly 100% on the backlines (with slack frontlines) - without stalling the AMP (it will just slow down of course) !
And 100% on the frontlines works just as well as on the Airblasts - amazing.

And absolutely no jellyfishing any more.

The centre is wider than the Airblast, and the tips are narrower.

Don't know if the upper windlimit is better on the Airblast, yet (one would expect so...), as I have not tried overpowered conditions with the AMP.

But I went out today fully powered, with the AMP 14, and my Airblast 13.6 - to compare and test.

The details are improved all over.
Coloured matching pigtails and line sockets, segmented front tube and struts, kevlar reinforcements on the tips and struts. Emergency handle, hidden multiple connection points, no drag from the front tube seam - as it is totally smooth (seam is placed on the upper part instead). Better velcro valve lockings, and valves turned on the side to avoid drag.
Smooth strut ends - can not catch a line any more.
Bar comes with really short leader lines - and a free running safety leash through a ring.
This means you don't get the leader lines to "stick" after multiple rotations.

And the pulley for the bridles has been moved further forward than the normal connection points.
This means you get better feel with the kite, and more depower range - and you are still able to make a reverse relaunch at any time !
Only problem with bridles could be the missing leader lines (for reverse launch that is).

These are my first impressions of the AMP !

_________________
Kindly - Peter Frank

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Peter_Frank on 2002-11-21 17:34 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Peter_Frank on 2002-11-21 18:10 ]</font>

[PNey]

That sounds great Peter.
I´m looking for a reason to change my airblasts and I found it.
My doubt is about the small sizes and if it better to have the hydro rather than an airblasts for small sizes?
Any suggestions?

PNey

[Peter_Frank]

In the small sizes the kites becomes very similar (lower AR), so you can choose whichever type you prefer here.

The new Hydro 2 has very low AR - so they should flick around and relaunch extremely fast.

We have got two Hydro 2's - but not tested any yet.

But I would still say, that in the smaller sizes it is not important which type you choose !

[Sake]

Thx for the update Peter_Frank
Much appreciated.

When you get to test other AMP's or AB2003 Let us know! Especially the AMP11.9.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sake on 2002-11-21 23:07 ]</font>

[mariochi]

On 2002-11-21 17:34, Peter_Frank wrote:
Got the very first AMP 14 last week.
Out today in perfect wind.

It is a bloody Powerhouse !

I think this 14m2 has the same power as the Airblast 16m2( 11.8 )...

The AMP 14 turns even faster than the Airblast 13.6m2(10.0).

Do you think that the "powerhouse" sensation makes you glide better in light wind or is only a sensation of power given from the lower AR (comparing to 2002 AirBlast 10.0)that limit the window of the kite??? ( and also the upwind performance)

[Peter_Frank]

The power comes from a fuller profile in the kite (struts) - the AR is slightly lower, but not much.

So the low end grunt is extremely good (one kitesize better, at least), and you go upwind like on the Airblasts (because of the thin leading edge).

But we have still not had a chance to test the upper windlimit, which should be waaaay higher on the Airblast - I think...

We were out again yesterday, testing the AMP 14m2 and the Hydro+ 15m2.

Both fly very different from the 2002 models !

[mariochi]

the upper windlimit, which should be waaaay higher on the Airblast - I think...

I agree with you.
Thank you Peter .
When it is possible let me know the upper wind limits of the AMP 10.3 versus AB 10.0 because this year I used always AB 10.0 between 10 and 20 knots and I am satisfacted.