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Switch Kites: are they any good?

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pj sofine
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby pj sofine » Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:37 pm

Thanks for all the input.My "large" kite is a 12 meter screamer so i'm all set for 13mph and up.Not really into large kites, low wind riding untill I see others having a little fun! I'll keep looking and reading reviews.Sold my 16 last year,not much difference in low end compared to my 12.
PJ
P.S.Windy season a couple weeks away,won't care then.

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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby alexeyga » Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:59 pm

Can't quite judge how good Switch kites are, but some Switch riders do seem to be rather dork-y... :thumb: :jump: :rollgrin:
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby Telekiter » Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:16 pm

He, he, always wondered if that visor actually works, or if its just a gimick.

/Urban.

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Kamikuza
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby Kamikuza » Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:32 pm

Telekiter wrote:He, he, always wondered if that visor actually works, or if its just a gimick.

/Urban.
We have all Naish-equipped rider (board, harness, kite and bar) who wears something very similar - he reckons it works well but I reckon he's just asking to face-plant and have the skin of his nose carved off :o

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pixelpedro
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby pixelpedro » Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:12 pm

Kamikuza wrote:We have all Naish-equipped rider (board, harness, kite and bar) who wears something very similar - he reckons it works well but I reckon he's just asking to face-plant and have the skin of his nose carved off :o
+1 with Kamikuza, that just looks dangerous

BTW NitroV2s are coming out soon, a buddy of mine posted some nice screen grabs, new features graphic from switch, looking very cool, and seems like they've improved them big time! I won't repost pics cause I'm not sure if is supposed to be broadcasted yet. But almost looks like an Element. Weird.

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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby Hansen Design » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:29 pm

Hi PixPed:
Element has 3 struts with AR = 4.4. Nitro V2 has 5 struts with AR = 4.9. They are both bridled moderately open 'C' hybrids. Nitro V2 is higher performance. Available next week.
:thumb:
pixelpedro wrote:BTW NitroV2s are coming out soon, a buddy of mine posted some nice screen grabs, new features graphic from switch, looking very cool, and seems like they've improved them big time! I won't repost pics cause I'm not sure if is supposed to be broadcasted yet. But almost looks like an Element. Weird.
Element-NitroV1-V2.jpg

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KAWIKA
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby KAWIKA » Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:15 pm

Nitro V2 looks sick!!
http://switchkites.com/products/kites/nitro2.html

Is this kite for you :thumb: :thumb:
Like winning races, going big or freeriding with your mates? The Nitro is a high performance kite that’s be tuned to be easy and safe to control. Novices will enjoy its easy relaunch, stability and depower and experts will love pushing the boundaries. :thumb:
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Last edited by KAWIKA on Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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pixelpedro
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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby pixelpedro » Sun Aug 26, 2012 6:17 pm

Hansen Aerosports wrote:Hi PixPed:
Element has 3 struts with AR = 4.4. Nitro V2 has 5 struts with AR = 4.9. They are both bridled moderately open 'C' hybrids. Nitro V2 is higher performance. Available next week.
:thumb:
pixelpedro wrote:BTW NitroV2s are coming out soon, a buddy of mine posted some nice screen grabs, new features graphic from switch, looking very cool, and seems like they've improved them big time! I won't repost pics cause I'm not sure if is supposed to be broadcasted yet. But almost looks like an Element. Weird.
Element-NitroV1-V2.jpg
Hey Hansen, what do you mean by Higher performance? what makes the NitroV2 higher performance than the E? I never really understood that terminology. Could you elaborate please?
Tnx.

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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby Hansen Design » Sun Aug 26, 2012 7:22 pm

PixPed:
Both kites are fairly high performance so 'higher' is a relative term. Nitro is higher aspect than Element and more efficient (higher lift/drag ratio.) Thus it can fly more forward in the window, generates more apparent wind 'power' and holds it in the turns (less pivotal.) Nitro also has more float in jumps. Element is a great user-friendly all-rounder. Nitro is better for racing and boosting big air.
Cheers! :thumb:
pixelpedro wrote:Hey Hansen, what do you mean by Higher performance? what makes the NitroV2 higher performance than the E? I never really understood that terminology. Could you elaborate please?
Tnx.

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Re: Switch Kites: are they any good?

Postby esg » Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:11 pm

Regarding the Element and new Nitro(--if you were trying to choose between the two). Why would you choose one over the other?
I'd use the kite on Maui. Where it's almost always strong and gusty.
I rarely unhook.
I love to take a TT out in blasting winds and boost as high as possible(throwing some rotations and grabs here and there).
And when there's waves- take out the surfboard and work on perfecting my turns as close to the pocket as possible.

Which kite would best suit these types of conditions and riding style?

P.S...And since I don't know much about Switch or hardly seen any. Which kites from some of the more popular brands would you compare the Element and NitroV2 to?


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