Received my GK Sonic 8m today. Was tossing up whether to get it or not as I have the 11m which has heaps of range. Decided to go for it as a small kite is just sweet in strong wind when you want want manoeuvrability over lift. The wind was around 10 to 15 knots and dropping but ya just gotta try new stuff whatever the conditions! I weigh about 65kg so I had a chance at planing.
Anyway I got the kite in the air, trimmed it and went out on a North Jaime 128 board. The only other person was out on a 15m F-One Tribal. The 8m Sonic rocks!! I was was comfortably planing, staying up wind easily, jumping, no problems even in the lulls. It doesn't feel twitchy as I thought such a small kite would. It feels very similar to the 11m Sonic so it's real easy to adjust to. If you've got to work the kite in the lulls it's easy and effective and light on the arms of course unlike some other bow style kites.
The guy on the 15m Tribal came in before me as he was having trouble staying upwind. He was quite a bit heavier. I stayed out till the wind dropped below 10 knots and still came back to where I started from. Can't wait to get it out in some decent wind.
So if you were thinking about the 8m Sonic, give it a try and I think you'll want one. Yet to try it in strong wind but if it's got the range of the 11m that should be no problem.
And of course I've got to comment on the GK Sonic bar. I like it. It's as simple as you can get so nothing to really go wrong, easy to adjust when you pull tension on the centre line and pull through the cleat and strong and safe. I know there have been many comments on the bar but seriously it just works without fuss and that's what I want.
Interested to hear others experience with the 8m Sonic so add your post.
Have fun, Dave (Dr Surf Australia ph: 02 4443 7665)