LF Envy vs F.one Bandit vs SS Rally vs RRD Passion

[wetdog]

Hi guys,
I'd like to buy a 9m2 kite for my wife and for me to use in hard winds (wife = 130 lbs, me = 200 lbs).

I'd like it to be extremely easy to relauch with light bar pressure as my wife is a complete beginner.

I've done some market reseach and narrowed it down to these four kites.

What strikes me most is how different the wind range is:

LF Eny: 16-33 knots
F.One Bandit: 15-30 knots
SS Rally: 15-26 knots
RRD Passion: 14-25 knot

(these are for a 170 pound rider). My favorite is the Envy mostly because of the wind range. I have also tried the RRD and I really like it but the wind range is pretty poor. The Bandit is very versatile.... Rally has received good reviews but I'm not sure about the bar pressure...

Any thoughts?

[shinn007]

Dude, I've got a 10m Rally as my biggest kite (98 kg)..As it seems the 2013's even got a better more low-end. Sure you don't want anything smaller?

[average rider]

Agreed. When I hear "hard winds" I don't think 9 meter kite I think 5m-7m. RRD passion is a nice light, can't comment on the range but if you like it......

[wetdog]

Ok, maybe not hard winds. I have a 14m2 so I think a 9m2 would be a good second size.

[fourperf]

you really need to fly them and see what you like because aside from what the charts say about windspeed the kites fly completely differently. Definitely the Rally and bandit fly completely different (I had 2012 bandits and 2012 rallys and now have 2013 rallys) I have not flown the envys. Both the Rallys and Bandits are awesome kites just way different.

Mark

[kovacs]

actually it would be better to compare LF Envy with RRD Vision, imo. Both are deltas and both have 3 struts. Personally i prefer Vision over Envy, because of the above the bar depower, chickenloop construction and direct connections to rear lines. And imo they both are more stable than passion because of lower aspect, thus being more beginner and gust friendly

Also, imo RRD windrages are understated (9m vision: 15-26knots) both for top and bottom ranges (better safe than sorry?).

eg- i have vision 9m and I'm 180lbs, and in 15-18 knots i would hardly bother using 9m and would go straight for my 12m vision, because i'm sure that on 9m only thing i would be able to do, would be to cruise straight downwind. But- I have used 9m in 20..25 knots without even depowering and actually having feeling "hey! that's some nice power i'm having!" Still I'm not sure about the top range. I believe it would be in the same 30-34 knots range but vastly would depend on the rider, board, conditions, etc.

btw, if i remember correctly sizes on SS kites were "informal", not actual sizes, so it might be no wonder that somebody uses 10m as his biggest kite... also it could be that he just kites in 15+ knots.

[eldadgold]

If i were you i would not buy a kite based on the wind range advertised by the manufacturer

[shinn007]

Agree, but a 9 as mentioned would go pretty good with his 14.

[MattyRossJa]

at 200 lbs i don't think you'd have much fun on a 9m kite , i'm 188 lbs and only had fun ONCE on a 9m bandit 5 in about 28 knots of breeze

[MattyRossJa]

at 200 lbs i don't think you'd have much fun on a 9m kite , i'm 188 lbs and only had fun ONCE on a 9m bandit 5 in about 28 knots of breeze

I personally would go for a 10m kite at 200lbs . used to ride my10m SB upwards of 30 knots no probs