Hi Peeps,
Thanks for the interest. I think I'll leave the Rebel review to Toddy as he and Tony are the Rebel devotee's. I'm a bit more at home on the Neo and the Core kites although I did enjoy the Rebel and Dice and was quite pleasantly surprised by the North Mono, but that's a review for another post.
I'll give a quick run down on the North Neo vs the Core Section. Neo vs Rebel etc is a completely different kettle of fish as you're comparing apples to oranges.
The North Neo is one of those kites that has been evolving over the years but more recently for the last 3 years or so when North made a concerted effort to put the Neo firmly in the wave riding camp. There have been small tweaks to the Neo over previous years offerings and if you owned last years, you won't find a massive difference in this kite, just like you won't find massive differences in any long established successful kites. Like the old saying says, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." There are small changes in panel layout and number to give a smoother flight and more efficient profile.
The Neo is quite unique in the world of wave kites where most offerings from other companies are quite gutless by comparison This includes the Core Section. The Neo is a very powerful little kite and as far as waves go, is the only wave kite that works really well with twin tips as well as surfboard riders. Bigger riders already know too well that the only kite for waves if you are over 90 kilo's is the Neo. A heavy rider on a Section or Reo or whatever, will need to ride one or two meters larger kite to get the same power as lighter riders. This is significant when you need a quick kite in the cross onshore conditions we get in most wave spots in the world.
The other great thing about a Neo is that if you are a beginner or a freerider and want a punchy kite that can boost really good jumps with some hangtime or want to learn kitesurfing, then the aspects of a wave kite design work well here too. Powerful, very forgiving, easy and quick re-launch and the ability to slow it down or speed it up by virtue of the adjustments on the short bridles makes this one of the only wave kites with enough versatility to make it appealing to more than just wave riders on surfboards.
My impression of the Neo is that the power is a bit more exponential in terms of amount of power as you sheet in. It starts quite soft and progressive in the first part of the sheet range and gets more powerful than expected in the last few inches.
The Core Section is more of a classic wave kite for surfboard riders needing a really quick kite. I'd say the Section is one of the most agile and responsive kites in the wave kite arena. It's really quick in the turns and has power similar to the Reo so big guys are going to need a slightly bigger size than someone on a Neo. Kite drift with slack lines is similar in both kites and I had the opportunity to slack line both kites, they both drift nicely until there is tension again.
I think the North Neo worked best for me when on a click bar as I had the ability to quickly drop 2-4cm of depower as I was dropping in on the wave and the speed was building apparent wind power when I didn't need it. Click, Click! The conditions were gusty and the wave break I was on did have a fair amount of water moving over it which changed apparent power in different sections of the wave.
Both kites were responsive, both kites were structurally very sound even in gusty conditions, and both worked well in the waves (as they should). The biggest difference for me is the Section isn't going to boost you on a twin tip without resorting to a much bigger kite so it's a bit one dimensional like many other wave kites, they lack the grunt to easily boost over a large close out set where Neo will give you the power to get out of the way with simply sheeting in the bar.
The Core Section builds apparent wind power similar to the Ozone Reo and some may prefer this to the moe grunty Neo. Style and body weight will determine which suits best. With me being ~96kg, the Neo is way more versatile because I could ride a Nugget, then switch to a Pro Surf and then go boosting on a twin tip all on the same kite. If it came to purely waves, both the Neo and Section were excellent and didn't take a lot of adjusting to get used to the differences, (which were mainly power). Like I said, "click, click" and that problem is solved.
The Bar on the Core is a little more agricultural compared with the fancy schmancy North bar (especially the click bar) but some like a minimalist concept so it works for them. Personally, I'd ride the click bar with the Core and have the best of both worlds.
I actually prefer the inflation system on the Core kite as it is a very large port with no techy bits, just plug in and pump with ease and no remembering to close off the additional dump valve on the left wing tip when inflating. I am an unabashed fan of both kites but prefer the North 2017 click bar.
Of course we only offer our own feeling on these kites and I hope I have inspired you to maybe request a demo if you are interested.
DM
