Hi,
First of all what the f*ck do you care about a brand's image, just read tests, know what you want and choose whatever suits you best. (I'm coming from windsurfing and aint a punk boy either)
I just bought one (SS fuel 2003 13m), received it two day's ago.
Flown it yesterday in marginal conditions (8 knots average gusts of 11 knots), so I can't really comment on the performance, since I didn't fly it for any longer than an hour or two...
What I can say, is that it's build to last, thick rubber protection pads everywhere, stiff and strong tips (with battens..). It has 6 attachment points (3 in the front and 3 at the back), but I've only used the outer settings so far, so I can't really comment on the differences between them...
From the minimal experience I got with this kite yesterday, I can say it flew damn NICE!!. I think I can get going on my large TT in a steady 10 knots and they told me I should be able to hold it down to at least 20 knots on my small board (don't know if it's really true since I didn't test it). Ooh BTW I'm only 60 kg's so the windrange will be quite different for you...
It is a very fast turning kite (even looped the kite twice yesterday), and that's great for milking the wind (sining). It also fly's fairly quick, so I got good apparent wind speed, on which I could get going. The bar pressure is light (comparable to AeroII).....So all in all I think I'm going to have a great time with this kite, and I'm very happy with it
Only downside I noticed (when I didn't know how to properly fly it yet): was that if you wanted to fly at max power (about equal back and front lines) in these marginal winds, it had the tendency to drift back in the powerzone (flying backwards). Once the light went on and I just depowered the thing (giving the rears some slack) It went of and it flew perfectly fine.... I think in that little wind you have to depower it a bit to give it some speed, instead of flaring it and stalling it (only in very little wind).
I am told that if she's blowing somewhat harder you can fly with equal lines for max power just fine.....(but haven't test it yet so can't say if it's true or not, but I do think so......)
Hope this helps making up your mind!
Good luck