Hey Uber,
The only way to get a truly unbiased opinion on the new gear is to ride it yourself.
Sometimes those who owns gear will talk it up even if it is pretty ordinary because they wont want to appear as a dill for spending the hard earned on inferior stuff, or, maybe they just don't even realise their stuff is average, or they haven't ever ridden anything else and are brainwashed by their own brands marketing. Thats fine, it makes them happy and more power to them. Ignorance truly is bliss
Anyone connected with a shop will tell you anything you want to hear as long as you buy the gear they sell (and why shouldn't they, they're trying to make a living and put food on the table and most shops will sell you good gear).
Almost every sponsored rider will of course be biased or if not, then unknowledgeable about other brands, so their advice is usually tainted in the bigger scheme of things. They will probably be well knowledgable on the range of their sponsors gear and will give good advice, this doesn't help though when comparing one brand to another.
Most reputable shops will have demo kites and boards for you to try which is the
only way to decide if a particular piece of gear is good
for you. As I have always said, what is one persons lemon is anothers cherry. Kiting is personal when it comes to finding what you like and what suits your riding style. Don't let people or magazines or websites tell you what's hot and whats not.
Some sponsored riders will be happy for you to take their gear for a spin if you demonstrate basic ability and courtesy. If you want to try my gear, as many have in the past, just rock up, introduce yourself and ask the question, no probs! I'm sure there are plenty of other spono'd riders who will do the same.
By all means ask others their opinions on stuff, but use their answers as a rough guide not gospel, and try and ride it yourself.
Kite hard and often!
as long as it's BEST of coarse...
[}:)]
but 'almost' sometimes 
