Just got a 15m Dyno for this summer light wind, but so far have only tried it in 10 to 15 kts. I like it better than the 16, it's faster, less bar pressure and for me seems just as powerful. I'm 75kg and yesterday in 15kts waswell powered on a 128 Jamie.
The leading edge seems smallerthan the 16, don't know about the material. Flies great on 4 lines, jumps good, and lands like a feather.
Will see how it does in 6kts.

I found the 18 to have a better range than 16.
Once the 16 gets speed it pulls strong. The 18 is easier.

Not everyone wants it faster and less bar pressure...I fly the 18 on the inner bar setting...

I have been on 3 sessions by now with the dyno 2012 17. Tried once a 18 and once the 16 2011.

My impression is that 17 has a considerable greater upper range than 18 2011. Regarding jumps, I did not try with 2011, but I love jumping with the 17, pop is normal and hangtime is just amazing. Take in consideration this is the first >17m kite I own.

Leading edge... I can´t tell the difference because I have only seen once the 2011.

Quality of the clothe and leading edge... I own also a rebel, and nothing against the rebel, but clothe on the dyno seems way nicer. I don´t know if it is the same material but just seems better.

Lowend... it is too soon to tell for me. Only 3 sessions and only one of them with marginal wind.

... for anyone interested, I got a response on another forum and was told that the material is the same, as in the 2012 leading edge material is the same as the 2011.

cheers,

Robbie

The 17 climbs much faster and feels alot like the 16 but it is more of a park and pull kite like the 18 was last year but it feels a bunch more playful.

I really like the 17 for old school, I am sure you would also.(since you are much beter at it then I am!) The 17 seems to be a little "softer feeling" it eats up gusts unlike the 18, but that also seems to change how the kite feels when you really send it, the kite has a bit of cushion when you sheet in hard but then it flys and floats like the 18m. I had a bunch of 8+ second jumps in around 10-15K, in over 15 k the jumps gets very loftey and you can still helo loop the kite out of monster airs for a very nice soft landing. I found my self doing big airs with lots of rotations and then doing full down loops to the zenith before landing, something I was able to do on the 16 last year but not the 18, with the 17 I feel more stylish, and bold perhaps even braver then with the 18. On the world cup lines the kite feels even better, almost like the 15 on stock lines.

The 17 also turns very controlled, it is not fast but it is quicker then the 18m and allows some great kite flying to be rewarded with great results. I was out on twintip last night in around 12-16K and was just going for it. While others were doing 10 foot airs I was able to go twice as high and long with aggressive kite flying. Just a treat.

When My 17 is out lots of other big kite flyers ask to try it and the feed back has been great.

There are also no battons in this years kites so they are alot quiter then last years, plus easier to fold.

I can say with out a doubt that this years Dynos are better then last years is many ways, and I am sure that was Ken Winners goal, he did a great job.

I have had some time on race board with them also now and WOW what a easy to sail kite.

And to the OP I think the fabric is the same. I dont have any of my 2011 left to compare it too first hand but it looks the same. I didn't have issues with the contruction last year and I snowkited and water kited hard on my 2011 Dynos. Maybe 70+ days on my 16m.

BB

... thanks for that!

Could anyone comment on how the light weight materials would hold up with heavy riders?
Not sure if heavy riders put more stress on material. I have never had much of a problem with any other kites. I weigh 285#

There are a couple of big guys who kite with me most of them are still 40 pounds lighter then you and I have never heard any of them complain that they are harder on kites cuz of their weight?

The fabric is very strong, I have not heard of anyone having issues with it yet...Of course using it as a light wind/race kite and treating it as a speed and big air tool verses trying to learn tricks and crashing it a bunch surley must make a difference. If you are a constent kite crasher perhaps light weight fabric is not for you?

I trust the fabric a ton and huck huge in the winter with it, If the fabric was weak I would not trust it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVaT1te6Yps

Thanks, thats all I needed to know. Like I said, I've never had trouble with any of my kites, but did have trouble when trying someones first gen eclipse thruster. The kite would fold in half when I dive it into the window, lol