G'day Uber
I used to say and still do, that there are no bad kites only bad kite flyers, but the reality is that the Hellfish is a difficult or technical kite to fly. I would not sell one to a begginer.
The hype surrounding the kite is undelivered in reality, it is not 70% lighter, only around 20%, it does not pack up substantially smaller, it does not have the range, and it remains very sensitive to back line tension. I feel this is exaggerated by the narrow leading edge and consequent shallow profile. It is not the most advanced aerodynamically efficient kite ever made. It is not the first kite to truly and efficiently harness apparent wind!!!
The kite does fly and turn fast, and performs best in stronger winds or in the upper part of the wind range of the kite. The kites do not have a 14 - 20 knot useable wind range and significantly bigger sweet spot.
Several of the kites have developed asymetric flying characteristics, which Best are warranting, also some have popped the LE, also covered quickly with no questions asked by Best.
In the hands of an expereinced kite flyer, in stronger winds, it is a very responsive kite, very fast turning, with fast flight speed, that will do the job, and is suited to flat water, and big airs, as it does jump big. It is not suited to unhooked style of riding, and needs to be fed the front lines all the time to get performance and power. I do not feel it is worth double more than the standard best kites, and my favourite in that brand is the Yarga, still.
Please read my review of the 12M Crossbow here
www.kitepower.com.au/blogs/newsI just don't think there is much to compare, and I think the Crossbow, and kites like it will be where kite design goes in the future. Simply because they offer 98% depower in an instant, and have the ability to change AOA more than any other design of kite I have ever seen or flown (that includes specialist kites like the Revolution, and Airbow, as well as things like the C-Quad and bridled AOA changing foils).
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve McCormack
