I know reviews are pretty spread out on this... I was wondering if someone with good experience would recommend the kite, what they thought about it... etc...

it's a great freestyle kite but for anything else I'd reccomend a hybrid/bow kite
like a north rebel or rhino(2007)

yes, good kite with power.
If you are into big air excellent kite!
But e.g. the Vegas06 has similar performance with more depower, so less aggressive. I preferred it over the R6 12.

Great Kite. I am getting the Rhino 08 10m, but I will keep my 12m in case I come across a great day for a C kite. I wouldn't recomend the bigger sizes. I'm looking to sell my 16m, which is nice, but doesn't fit my quiver or conditions well (too grunty). The 12m however is one of my favorite kites. If you get a 16 to 22kt day, you are in the sweet spot and jumping higher than most other kites on the water. Including a lot of the new style kites. Very fast, very responsive, and a lot of power. It is almost a one kite quiver for me, but I have a little too much light stuff. That is the only reason I'm going to the new rhino.

The vegas is a much different feeling kite to me. I haven't tried one since the 05 or 06, but there is more bar pressure and a different feel altogether. The newer Rebels are closer, but still different. The Rhino has a distinct performance feel with lighter bar pressure, some freestylers might not like it, but the older "soul" kiters who want sailing performance and HUGE air love it.

Toby, it would be interesting to get your reveiw on the Rhino 08 as well. I don't think I've seen one yet.

Not sure if I even saw one! For sure I didn't try it yet, sorry!