[quote="DrLightWind]
Last Sunday I had only a half an hour test fly in a 7 to 9 mph variable winds with 3 - 5 mph lulls.
So I can't really comment or give a full review from this short testing.
What I can confirm the weight of the 17m is: 7.0 lbs (3.2 kg)
The steering speed is great and when the wind dropped to 3 mph
or dropped the kite to the soup during unpowered low wind jibe,
it relaunched unexpectedly easily when the wind came back to around 7 mph
(NOT KNOTS!)
I think the kite is still flying in about 5 mph, I'm just guessing.
DrLW[/quote]
Thanks DrLW,
From what I've read before, I would trust your reports on the Cloud.
The two wind readings I am most interested in is the wind where it will sit directly overhead without working it and the minimum relaunch wind.
I have found both are the same for my 13m Xbow.
The overhead one is one where it would be very easy to compare kites side by side. It could even be done on a beach and the two kiters could walk upwind or downwind to give an idea of what difference in windspeed was necessary to keep the two kites overhead.
For the relaunch, is it a normal relaunch by pumping two offset rear lines and then launching the kite off its side or have you tried rolling it over into the hot launch position and pumping it into the air?
This is what I would call a normal light wind relaunch, although it would be better done with a large twintip on your feet.