I've flown both. No comparison. Ozone.

-3 strut, not five
-very light
-faster thru the air than the SW.
-cranks up wind
-excellent build quality like all Ozones
-Lines are better than Cabs, higher breaking strain on front lines and cheaper to replace
-no pulleys
-It actually fits in it's bag when you pack it down and comes with an inner bag as well if you don't want to carry around the outer.
-front line stopper ball (a must). Flags to front line.
-Below the bar flag out
-trim strap cleat
-low price tag
-light bar pressure with smooth power delivery. I fly mostly one handed and can work the kite with finger tip control
-easy relaunch, as good as the SB
-Ozone have removed the flutter that was experienced in the Lite (Catalyst predecessor)

I could go on but I'm not on commission Wish I was.

Thanks for the info.

Sooooooooooo,

The SB has better low end than the Cat.

The SB boosts better,hang time, and you get an awsome top quality cab screwdriver

The Cat drift back better on waves than the SB.

The Cat has better top end but dosent jump as good as the SB.

hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........

aahhhhhhhh.......

still undecided

If only the ozone cat. included a top quality screwdriver the decision would be easier

KIT33R,,How do you find the cat for jumping??????????

What kite are you coming from? Then i can compare the different (or the same) jumping styles of the two kites.

Hey Rhys how much different is the ids to the isdx? turning and bottom end, is it worth the upgrade?

OK - both kites won't jump as high or as long as the Xbows... You're going to lose a few meters height on most jumps and up to a second hangtime.

That's the trade off you'll have to make - What you're losing in jumping will be greatly offset by the amazing improvement in wave riding and drift.

I took the two kites for a quick run yesterday arvo in 18-20 knots, i was interested to compare the two kites jumping abilities as i rarely jump anymore.

What I found was interesting - the Catalyst is easier to get a decent jump on, just swing it back - pop and you're up there constantly...
The switchblade was much more difficult to get the timing right, and many times i'd end up doing a super low jump and not really go anywhere...

That being said - when you got it right on the Switchblade, you were up there for a little longer, but not much higher than the catalyst.... Both kites had ample time for a cruisy board off - I even managed a frontroll boardoff on the Catalyst...

To make it simpler:

Height
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 6/10

Hangtime
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 8/10
Catalyst: 7/10

All-round Easyness
Crossbow IDS: 4/10
S'blade IDSX: 8/10
Catalyst: 10/10

Turning
Crossbow IDS: 4/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 9/10

Low end
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 9/10
Catalyst: 7/10

Wave riding (Drift)
Crossbow IDS: 0/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 10/10

Total
Crossbow IDS: 35
S'blade IDSX: 43
Catalyst: 49

kiter77 said...

Hey Rhys how much different is the ids to the isdx? turning and bottom end, is it worth the upgrade?

If you like the 2010 colour schemes better, upgrade... 10m IDS = 9m IDSX (pretty much same kites feel/performance wise)

6m - I'd be swapping to straps and holding on for dear life on a 6m Catalyst in 30 knots - I weigh 70kgs...