Slingshot rpm 2012, is the 12m really a 12m

[boyceduke]

Hi, guys, I have bought a quiver of 2012 Rpms, so to make sure I am always on the write kite I bought the 8,10,12. I have been out on the 10 and 12 twice each and from my experience can't feel much diff between the two, I had them both out today in 20kts, cross on. Bottom end is very similar indeed infact a bit to similar, the 10m turns a tad faster and the 10m.

I decided to lay them on top off each other to see what the difference in size was, I was shocked with the result, not much diff at all, def not 2sq metres of fabric, if it is not meant to be 2m larger why is it labeled a 12sq m kite... Is this a case of false marketing? Would like to hear your opinions, thanks, I don't normally singe but after spending over £2000 on two kites that feel with similar I am slightly pissed...


10m Blue kite
12m. White kite

Both were laid directly on top of each other with centre struts parallel

[boyceduke]

pics taken today

[JGTR]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2373093&hilit=Rpm+size

Shame your dealer didn't tell you about this

[Kanuto]

There have been other posts regarding the same issue in the past, in particular one comparing the Rally sizes, from 6 up to 14, and the same issue was noted: there was very little difference in the 10 to 12m size but yet a big difference in price.... search the forum for that.

I sold my 12m Rally, even though I really liked it when the wind was good (higher than avg 15mph) because it was almost like my smaller size kite, so it was pointless to have and I needed a better low end. Still, the kite was great when the wind was good; fast and responsive. A better spread is 10/14, if you can still talk to the dealer and change, and I know some guys that love the 14m

Here are some other threads

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2373437

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2374569&hilit=slingshot+rally+slingshot+rally+sizes

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2373093&p=728551&hilit=slingshot+rally+slingshot+rally+sizes#p728551

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2373437&p=726537&hilit=slingshot+rally+slingshot+rally+sizes#p726537

[McAbe]

SS makes the smaller kite sizes lager than actual size because costumers seems to prefer smaller kites with more power and less turning speed, they make the larger kites smaller than actual size because many want big kites that turns fast.
Thats why you get a 10 and 12 that have almost the same size.
An interesting detail is that the difference in price is about the same as between the other sizes.
Its really false marketing and bad business ethics by SS.

[speedyRider]

I have a 9m 2012 which i absolutely love, the kite is excellent and has a nice low end for a 9m. I have ridden it everyday if its at least 15 knots with a TT...obviously not too powered at 15 knots but enough to ride, well powered from 16-17 knots...

I had a 12m and a 7m in the way but they are out of stock now, so i still havent placed my order. Now i dont know what to do seeing this.

Is the 12m-9m gap enough? maybe 14m for ultimate light wind freeride/freestyle would be better? but i guess 14m is really slow and too much gap with the 9m and maybe too much for my weight anyway (75 kgs)

[boyceduke]

At 75 kg, you should be fine on the 12m. I believe there is a diff between the 9 and 12m. My 12m is up for sale now if your interested and based in the uk. Used twice, message me if interested, save on new. Cheers

[aeberl]

I think the point here is not wether one kite feels larger/smaller/faster/slower rather than the fact that we are being misled by the manufacturers/brands.
Price differences can no longer be related to size differences, furthermoer, when comparing one kite to the next, we no longer know if the basis of comparison is valid at all.
Objectivity has been totally displaced by marketing and hype and manufacturers/brands are pushing their products based on perception only, and are taking good care this does not change!
When conparing kites, they should actually be mesured (not only compared or layed over each other) and flown with same line and bar length.
Not only size is important, but we could make us a very good idea of a kites behavior without even testing it if we had data like angular acceleration, turning speed, combined and single line tension, steering delay, etc. Today we have cheap technology to measure all of that, all that is required are the measuring standards and more demanding consumers.

[pmaggie]

One question: is in your opinion the 12 "undersized" or is the 10 "oversized"? From the picture shown in the other thread, it seems it's the 12 that's smaller than its declared size.

[boyceduke]

I would defiantly say the 12m is undersized compared to the 10m.. The 10m feels Like a 10m. I remember now seeing a post re the ozone reo and cab switchblade, both 10m, the switchblade was much bigger, I am now of the opinion you can't test kites size for size against other manufactures as they aren't made to the same size.