Please help me in choosing a new kite....

[andrewb44]

Need recommendation for a new 12m and 9m kite. Pls help.
I am looking for the best intermediate level 12m kite. I want a kite that takes little effort, does exactly what I want and let's me enjoy kiting.

My criteria are as follows:
1. Low bar pressure. I suffer from mild kiters elbow so I want a kite that has little bar pressure.
2. Good/great boosting. I love jumping, especially nice floaty jumps. I want a kite that is easy to boost and boosts high. I don't want a kite that boosts well when you get it "dialed in" because I'm no Dimitri and so I can't get it "dialed in" easily.
3. Crisp responsive feel. I want a kite that is responsive not sluggish. I really dislike initiating a turn and then waiting.
4. Relatively easy relaunch and good depower. Because even though I'm a good kiter, you never know what shit can happen.
5. Handles gusts well. Because I never have perfect kiting conditions.
6. Decent wave kite. I don't kite the waves often but when I do, I want a kite that can handle it decently, e.g drifts back without stalling etc.

I don't believe any store or kiting rep or kiting instructor since they always push their shit. I have my doubts about the kiting mags since they push their biggest advertisers. I don't want any small brands since they can't afford to spend money on r&d and make ridiculous claims. Go ahead, call me cynical. I have read many of the online reviews.

I am considering the following:
1. North Rebel (worried about bar pressure and 5th line getting f'kd up when the kite roles over in the waves)
2. rrd Obsession mkV (worried about stalling when using it as a wave kite)
3. Ozone Catalyst (seems to have developed quite a following; ?performance in the waves?; boosting?)
4. Naish Park (looks very appealing but the online forums are always taking about the line attachment settings and that has me worried)
5. Bridled C kite? May be too expert for me ? and besides, the 2013 Ozone C4 has mediocre online reviews.

I have had experience with quite a few kites in my day. My all time favorite was the 12m Eclipse Thuster because it was just PLAIN FUN but it relaunched like shit, couldn't handle gusts and had zero grunt. My worst kite? Don't ask, the list is too long. (And I don't want to incite the raving online bloggers.)

Am I just too picky? Or is there a kite out there that I will truly love?
( If you work for a kite store or as a rep or get ANY cheap or free gear from a particular kite company, please DON'T bother responding. )

PS Many kite stores DON'T let me try before buying, e.g. REAL

[tautologies]

The park for sure

It comes perfectly configured out of the box.

[Kite2Heaven]

Try the 11m Epic Renegade, very light bar pressure, jumps well, rides super smooth and turns...

[alliaria]

sling RPM, no doubt about it

[tautologies]

To provide a bit more detail:

1. Low bar pressure.
The Park comes out of the box reasonably light. Can be adusted even lighter. A friend of mine suffers from Arthritis. Park is his choice.

2. Good/great boosting.
I've had so many good jumping session on the 12. Great hangtime, and fairly aggressive upwards pull.
3. Crisp responsive feel.
I agree. When the kites are too flat, they do a slide. The new generation of kites are much better at avoiding this.

4. Relatively easy relaunch and good depower.
Park is easy relaunch. Pull a backline and go. It also has a light wind relaunch system that is easy to add on. When you use it the kites relaunch so easy.

5. Handles gusts well. Because I never have perfect kiting conditions.
Same here. As long as you pump it up, the kite is super solid.

6. Decent wave kite. I don't kite the waves often but when I do, I want a kite that can handle it decently, e.g drifts back without stalling etc.
That is my main use for the kite although I do take out the TT too.

[naishdude]

have a look at te testriders page...and try to get a test no strings attached
www.switchkites.com The Switchkites ELEMENT should be your kite to go
have a look at the forum too
Price /quality are one thing that they are unbeatable with, but with what you all mentioned, the Element fit the picture.
Good luck with your choice!
dude

[MarcThompson]

Maybe you should consider the CORE RIOT XR2. Has adjustable bar pressure and can be set to very light.

It's not the CORE kite design for wave, but you can also tune it for that, according to manufacturer and some reviews I've read.

This kite flies very smooth, but boosts a lot when sined. People use to call it "the sedan of the kites". It's high AR provide lofty jumps.

I have an 11m and I'm quite satisfied with it (I weight 95Kg and actually rode it in a TT from 13knots to 24knots, including gusty conditions). Never used it for wave though.

But all in all, guess you should try out to check which one you like the most. It is the better way to choose, imho.

[Jdude]

Why not consider the Fone Bandit6 ?
The Bandit does it all well and has an amazing fun factor.

[Séb]

Last week I had the occasion to try the Core XR2 9m and I was very surprise by this kite. My wife have the 15m that I already like a lot but it was the first time i could try a smaller size in good wind (22-30 knots). Fast, boost very well and floaty, light bar pressure too. You can adjust both the turning speed and bar pressure to three level. A 12-9m XR2 would be a very good quiver for sure. I also really like the valve, so easy to inflate and fast.

[BigPaul]

Take a look at the Starkites Taina.

You look for the same things as me and this kite suits me well.

Other's the Park has already been mentioned.

Possibly the North Rebel or Evo.

Recently a friend has an Ocean Rodeo on the beach that he could not stop raving about. sorry don't know the model.

Good luck