Hi,

I thought this might be of interest for those having an eye on the Epic Screamer 10LTD.
I received a few private mail asking to write comments when I wrote I would buy the Screamer, so here you go...

Kiter profile: 68Kg, kiting around 200 days per year. I don't go kiting unless the wind blows at least 20 knots.

I have this Screamer since 2.5 months, but because of an ear surgery I had to stay out of the water for almost a month during that time. I had approximately 15 sessions with the Screamer now.
I'm not into unhooked stuff anymore but only into jumping as high and as far as possible. Honestly- this is the kite made for it.
I was kiting 10m Switchblades for almost 5 years and thought nothing beats that kite in this category.

I kite 10m SBs in winds up to 35knots without problems.
Yesterday we had gusty 30 knots here and it is a bit more difficult to handle the Screamer in such conditions than the Switchblade.
The Screamer is a lot faster, the bar pressure is lighter and the power is...I don't know what to say...you edge, you pull and up you go like a rocket.
Every time I'm on the water, this clip comes into mind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=w45WlXJhZnE (yeah, take your time and watch the clip first- a fantastic lap).
Comparing both kites- the SB is like a 300er Merc while the Screamer 10LTD is more like this highly tuned M3 with all driver's help devices switched off. You need to know what you are doing or you will hurt yourself. I still have a mark left on my back when my skin ground through the sand (or the other way 'round...haha). But you will be rewarded with a lot of fun and your adrenalin level will definitely be further up than with the SB.
The Screamer needs to be under power at all times or it will just fall out of the sky. But you will get quickly used to that. The SB was very slow and forgiving in this aspect.

The built quality is very good except that 2 bridle O-rings which eat through the bridle lines quickly. But the Epic owner assured that from May 2012 onwards all Screamers will have a slider there instead of that O-Ring. I'm glad companies are listening to their customer's feedback.

Regarding valves- Epic kites still have a two-valve system. I wish they would change it to the one-valve system Cabrinha and many other kite companies have.

The rubber of the handle bar is in my opinion a tad too soft compare to other handle bars. I have a few rips in there and I don't know where they are coming from (and no- I am not biting in there while I'm high up in the air...hehe). One mark was from the Allan key which was during the transport stuck onto the bar with sticky tape. But the second kite I purchased didn't have that key stuck onto the bar anymore (yes, after a few sessions I was so convinced and happy that I bought another Screamer 10LTD as my back-up). I wrote to the owner a review, made some comments and mentioned that Alan key issue too, so they might have listened.

It would be great to have a longer line distance between the chicken loop and the de/power straps. If arms are shorter, the stopper ball can be set to a more comfortable distance. With the Cabrinha system I have 15cm more to play with (and that's a lot). 45 centimeters of line doesn't cost much, so hopefully this might be taken into consideration for the future.

Re-launching the Screamer is fantastic. If you believe the SB's re-launch is good (and it is good!), then try re-launching the Screamer.

I mentioned the stopper ball; something I really missed on the SBs. Finally I can make the "dead man" now.

Resume- if you are into jumping and get a chance to try the Screamer 10LTD, go for it. I'm sure at least 90% of you will buy that "Beast" (that would be actually the right name for this kite, but unfortunately it was used by another brand already).

Cheers
Caesar

Thanks for the nice review. I was so happy with my Screamer 12 for jumping that I decided to purchase a 10ltd two weeks ago while I was in Hatteras. However, did not had good wind enough to try it but recently had an other great jumping session on the S12.

Perfectly agree with you about the valves, I hate them. The Cab are much better and they will be even better in 2013! The Epic require much more strength to inflate, are more difficult to deflate, almost impossible to inflate in very cold weather. Hope they will soon change them.

The new bar will have I beleive 15cm more throw on the bar so it will gives more depower which is really welcome.

I have seen the new CL and it is wonderful, very nice.

Love theses Screamer, what a great jumping machine....I told you

About the valves Dimitri already has been experimenting with the one valve like cabrinha so probably a matter of time they will be on the kites. Guessing on the 4Gs.

Even more throw? really... i'm a big guy and the trow on the bar is more then enough. I personally enjoy the little power left all the way up there. Longer would mean it would be difficult for me to reach the straps..

The new CL will be amazing. Seen the detail pictures and will have one somewhere next week for testing. Probably going to test it with 28 knots with my 12m ^^

The 10m is a bizarre kite. definitly not a friend to all riders. the kite demands a good input from the rider. But as soon as you have that... wooow. For some the hangtime will be something to get used to. i love it. I usually ride the 12m which hangtime is even better. Riding the 2010 screamer and still love my kite every session.

Enjoyed the funny enthousiastic remarks in your review. Nice to see someone enjoying that kite (or any other kite)

Just like to add that the kite definitely handle-able over the stated 30 knots! This kite is a gust eater! at 65KG I've had it out with gusts hitting near the 40 knots mark. Just lower the kite and edge, see if you can get > 45° upwind

And happy to state that the new sliders are MUCH better then the rings, my only suggestion to Dimitri which I have stated through emails is to possibly swap to a high grade spectra, I too purchased a backup LTD (have one setup with no pulleys, which thus far has been unreal, much more direct feel, drifts well enough not to be temperamental, but having said that much better unhooked). I sourced some 3mm Spectra that is rated to nearly 840KG almost that of the dyneema equivalent that wears much faster. Only downside I can think of is that the dyneema might heat up possibly? but this would have to be a very extreme case for something to go wrong... hopefully! Time will tell.

Hiya Geronimo,

I don't have long arms but those 15cm help a lot if you are landing powered and need that de-power. The de-/power straps are very easy to reach. They are long enough. If there really is an issue that they can't be reached, maybe they can be designed differently (attached to those lines similar to the Cabrinha system).

Cheers
Caesar

Hey Caesar, I didn't realise you had actually got the kites, so pleased your stoked on them.

We have had some amazing sessions on them now....man that 7m Scremer is insane in high winds....love it, makes me feel alive again like it was in the old days.
Personally I hope Epic do not go with the Cabrinha style inflate valve as I prefer the simple system as is!

Hopefully be out there in September so be good to catch up maybe!

www.blastkitesurfing.com

Got the high kiteloops mega loops down now too and so addictive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixS-o7MY ... ature=plcp