Da Yoda wrote:+1.hced wrote:Finally got the chance to try NEO 2014 (size 9) and Dice (11). 85kg, 80% wave, 20 old school, most of the time only ride wind generated waves, in short prioritizing pure wave capabilities from 18 knots and up, below 18 knots freeride.
I fully agree with all statement in this thread when it comes to description and capabilities of each kite.
The Dice has way to bad low-end for my taste and compared to Neo not fast enough in the waves.
Prioritizing wave capabilities Neo is a fanstastic kite, in the high-end the bar feedback is little bit to much, on the other hand it has everything else you would like from a wave perspective and personally I would rather have some more low-end and sacrificing the heavy bar stroke.
Will probably go for Neo 9 and 7 or 6.
Said that, Dice is not a bad kite, just not my cup of tea.
I was at the Pismo Kite Expo this last weekend. I got to demo the 2014 12m Dice and Neo.
Hced summed it up perfectly... my experience was exactly the same. Several others were saying the same thing. North is spot-on about the ability to downsize. I think an 11m Neo would be closer to the 12m Dice in power. I will very likely add a new Neo to my quiver. Awesome kite for my various styles of riding.
I'd almost say a 10m neo would be the equivalent 12m dice, maybe if there was a 10.5m neo be very similar.
Dice doesn't have bad low end, it's a c kite, need to ride it as such. We've been on them for 8 months now and had to relearn the basics of C kite power generation having been on bow hybrids of different types since 2008. So it's not a bad low end, it's the rider trust me.
As far as for surfing, yep smaller is better for sure, if you like a delta hybrid feel and performance at the bar that is. I don't, so it just goes to show we are all looking for different things and you have to demo both.