Hi

I currently have r07 10meter and thought abt getting 14meter as well but it seems that the delivery problems are quite serious and there's a long waiting list for them.

So I was thinking abt some other kites instead and the Eclipse Thruster cought my eye as they are said to be fast and agile and work in unhooked stuff as well.

So here are my questions (me being 78kg) and my Rhino starts working nicely from 15knots onwards:

1) is there a lot of difference in early planing ability between the 14 and 16meter versions when I use my Skywalker Light wind Dimitri board (very nice board btw!) if I really work the kite?

2) is the 16meter too big for unhooked riding?

3) how is the relaunch capability in 10knots? And is there a difference if the kite is on it's back? Does the 14m relaunch easier than the 16m?

4) is there a difference in jump height in 12knot wind between the 14m and 16?

5) are they really that good as people say? =)

Feedback really appreciated!
Thank you!

I think the 16m is overkill. It will definitely have a tiny tiny tiny more low end and bigger more floaty light wind jumps, but your really getting to the point of diminishing returns. I'd say it's more a kite for bigger riders. Both kites will get you riding is super light wind. You'll be amazed at the turning speed of the 14m.

Hello there,
Satan is right about the the 16 meter THRUSTER. I designed the 16 for heavier rider that are from 195 lbs++++. You see I had riders that were 230 lbs and love the 14 THRUSTER but need more power. Than is why we came up with the 16 THRUSTER. This kite has the power of a 18 meter C kite but turns like a 13 meter kite.
Now personally I weight 175 lbs and the kite I use is the 14 THRUSTER for my light wind. Three days ago I had few customers that tried the kites and they loved them. They tried the 12/14/16. But one of the guys who was around 195 lbs had a better time on the 16 THRUSTER.
I just wish I had his e-mail so you could talk to him in order to find out the truth about these kites.

Also concerning the waiting list on the ECLIPSE KITES....
We are producing 300 kites a month and we did not expect such a high demand in our kites on the first year. The waiting time right now is 2 weeks. But some of the shops will have more kites by next week. So get in contact with a retail shop near you in order to get some ECLIPSE KITES if you want them.
Once again thank you for your patient and honesty.

thanks for the reply, but few more things:

- is there a way to get more bar pressure for the 14m Thruster as Rhino doesn't have such light pressure as Thruster has?

- what about the relaunch in low winds, like in 10 knots? Any problems?

- what is the lowest windspeed in flat water where you are able to go upwind with Dimitri Pro 135 Light wind board?

Thank you!

I don't know if there's a way to get more bar pressure, but once you get use to the light bar pressure you'll never want to go back. I have so much more control of the kite with the light bar pressure. I think we all got use to the heavy bar pressure of 4-line C-kites. The light bar pressure has that turning feeling of a 2-line C-kite. Get dialed into the light bar pressure and you'll never want to go back. If you want heavy bar pressure just unhook.

I had no problems relaunching the 14m Thruster in light wind. There is a little technique involved, but it's very easy and intuitive to anyone except the complete novice.

The bar pressure that is on the THRUSTERS is amazing. This is what most of the riders are telling me after testing it. There is not a lot of bar pressure but you always know where the kite is compare to other kites that have NO bar pressure and you don't know where the kite is.
The relaunch is like a bow kite. (see videos on the http://www.eclipsekites.com web site).

On the 135 Dimitri Pro I can plan in 10 knots on the 14 THRUSTER.

yo omg


i have been on the thruster 16m for 4 days so far and i love it. At 193 lbs this kite has allowed me to step up my riding level at least 2 notches so far. Yes the Thrusters are in demand and for a good reason. it is simple yet balanced design that turns on dime. A 16 meter is a big kite and for years i have rejected the idea that a 16 meter kite can fit my riding style until i rode this kite. having logged more then my share of light wind days this kite was exactly what i have looking for in simplicity, power and bar pressure. I have comfortably ridden it 24mph without any issue over powering the board. Watch Ditmitri ride and you will see where this kite was born from. I think Eclipse uses this reference in their marketing but his style of riding requires this design.

my suggestion is do what you can to get this kite for your next session it has changed my riding more in the last month more then anything has in the last 4 years.


good luck