Just tested the top end wind range of the Hydra V3 12m at Outer Harbor, South Australia. The wind was 24-34knts and I was sh!**ing myself pumping up a 12m kite. I am 65kg and would normally use my 8m sonic. I self launched with a rope and caribina tied to a pipe, it worked OK but would rather have had an assisted launch. (mate was allready on the water on his V2 12m). I really thought I would overpowered, but found I was in full control and could handle the gusts easily in an arms length on the bar. I only had to use the depower strap, 50mm, near the end of the 3hr session cause I was getting stuffed. I was boosting the highest and longest jumps I have ever done, between 30-50 feet high, and so was my mate. I still can't believe how totally awesome the usable wind range is on these kites, considering I can stay up wind in 8-10knts with the same kite on a bigger board. Can't say I've seen any other kite achieve this.

Cheers, Windhogger

Got any pics of your Hydra V3?

Have you or one of your friends tested an Ultra Flat FluidKiteboarding Torque ? They are Australian like you by the way.

The 10m seems to behave similarly but not as famous as the Hydra
http://www.fluidkiteboarding.com/gear_torque.php

chaby, Got no pics of my Hydra but will try to post some soon.
here's a link to the Genetrix blog site http://www.blogkite.com/Genetrix/weblog ... 9c10pgod4m

Europ2, Have not seen or tested the Fluid Torque but it is an ultra flat similar to the Wind-x Monzoon, the latest Bruno design.

Cheers, Windhogger

Here are some pictures of the Hydra V3

Thanks Windhogger.
I am owner of a hydra V2 and I am very happy and a plan buy a new hydra 9m.

One question: the kite is one point inflatable or two?

How does this bridle setup work? It looks like there are bridles connected half way down the struts. Plus, how does the even number of struts affect the kite? I've always thought that would be very difficult to keep the kite balanced. Interesting to say the least. Flat is where its at!
Those Ultra flats like the Monsoonz are the future.
Digg

Hi JN and dirkydiggler, JN, The V3 has inflation points for each strut and one for the leading edge, same as the V2.

dirkydiggler, The Hydra's have a unique system that has a separate leading edge bridle and trailing edge bridle, which Genetrix call the 'Supported Profile System'. The leading edge bridle has 6 attachment points to the LE and 4 attchment points approx 300mm back from LE on the 4 middle struts. The rear bridle has 8 attachment points, 2 on the tips and 6 approx 150-300mm in from all the strut ends. The rear bridle goes to the outside lines on the bar. Basically the TE bridle supports the flat shape of the TE in relation to the LE without having a bow shape to tighten the TE, and to provide accurate and sufficient changes in angle of attack over the whole projected area of the kite with acceptable bar movements.
The even number of struts is all part of making the 'Supported Profile System' work, and it works very well indeed, allowing very wide power control at the bar with NO PULLEYS anyware. This kite is the most stable and balanced I have used.
This system allowers a kiter to go out in sh!&&y 10-12knts and if the wind picks up over 25+knts, can still safely kite. As well as all the other advatages of a high depower kite

Cheers, the Windhogger

Some pictures of the Hydra V3 's flying.

Note the unique front and rear bridle system.

Cheers, the Windhogger

Tried the V3 12m on 20m lines for the first time ( comes with 20m + 5m extensions ) and man was I in for a surprise. The fun factor just increased a heap of notches. It transformed the allready awesome performance characteristics into a more reactive and even better power control at the bar kite. The first thing I noticed was the increase in acceleration of the board in light gusts of wind ( the wind was 10-13knts for the start of the session). As the wind increased I tried a few jumps and was totally amazed how easy it was, compared to the 25m line setup, which requires a dedicated edge hard / pull the bar technique, using a smaller than normal board to really load up. I found it jumped similar and as easy as a 'C' kite but with more height and hang using my normal 130 x 39 board, but not as much hang as with 25m lines. I then headed out into the reef break and I'm no wave expert but I had one of my best wave sessions ever in 20-26knts. The awesome power control, minimal stalling and high speed of this kite with 20m lines in my IMHO makes it a super hot wave kite. Can't wait to try the 9m with 20m lines.

Cheers, the Windhogger