terryzarmzof said..

hey eppo how cheap are you getting kites to dribble on about ozone this this long, seriously mate if your not getting kick backs you should be

He dribbles on in equal amounts about other brands as well so I tend to trust his word

What about the infamous new bar?

Yeh reckon I just dribble in general lol. But yeh I give all kites their due worth, ta Zarb.

While I'm only guessing I'd say ozone would have to consider size inclusions for Reo and indeed as the kite hasn't changed much for a while, I'd also predict some changes to the reo as there are some other great opposing wave kites at the moment, but hey I'm only guessing. Rob and I aren't on first name basis..lol...and I reckon we will never be after this post

Well in the end who am I to make judgements about this line. Just providing a Debono impossible probable (think that's it?). or is it improbable possible?

Alas this aspect junkie it seems will just have to lock and load the edge and go big!

ps and surely the quick release is coming? Then again I have no prob with the bar, none at all!

Hmm, bunch of perspectives here. For me, the Cat has taken up much of the slack left by the C4s shift to a more dedicated "C." To reduce the Cat's "C-ish" arc to make it more Edgey would reduce the fun factor for me, as well as its unhooked abilities. The Cat is not quite as stable when unhooked as the C4 and doesn't sit as deep, but for an aging hack like me (basic unhooked rotations but not passing the bar) it is more than adequate.

So while some would like the Cat closer to the Edge, I'm one who likes it's hybrid-C fun factor. I still think that 75% or so of all non-expert kiters, and many experts would find this year's Cat more than able to do anything they ask of it. For intermediates, the only time I think you may want something other than a Cat is perhaps for a larger kite where a 13m or 15m Edge will haul ass more efficiently than the 14m Cat (which will still rock for heavier guys). The 10m and 8m Cats (on which I have logged a lot of hours) are just super fun as they are methinks - massive wind range, unhookable, boost large, turn quickly and smoothly, instant relaunch, great upwind and still rock for part-time wave riders.

My message to Ozone? "Thank you for top quality, gimmick-free, refined, and utterly functional kites. Keep it up!"

djdojo said..


I still think that 75% or so of all non-expert kiters, and many experts would find this year's Cat more than able to do anything they ask of it.

Are you saying this from a freeride perspective? Like what eppo is hoping to achieve in a kite? Or does this count for waves as well? From all I have heard, this years Cat is far more grunty, thus would this not be less than desirable for waves?

In my opinion ozone have pretty much everything covered for everyone. Sure some additional sizes, but really that's being picky. Always been happy with ozones over the years and love a bit of fresh design which require some adjustments in technique. Keeps kiting fresh and progressive..

Only thing I could say is I wish the 2013 C4 had less bar pressure. I just couldn't adjust my technique enough to cope with long sessions on what was otherwise the perfect freestyle kite.

I have settled my quiver with 2013 Reo's, 2012 C4's and a 2013 14m Cat (my light wind kite).. I think I have everything covered lol

You know something.. I've never tried an edge, have always wanted to but never quite got around to it. But really only to have a go as I don't think it suits my style base, albeit I reckon it would be a lot of fun.. Probably dangerous too as I have too many kites as it is

Rip over to Mauritius Eppo. There's some 2014 gear from a few major brands doing the rounds. You could be like the paparazzi, seabreeze spy, test pilot.

Perhaps its time to start some r&d Eppo. Fashion yourself a bridle for the 10 edge to bend it into a more C profile!....

You might create a weapon?!

Then you could start a company sorta like HSV for holden.

"Eppo's Pimped ozone Bridles"

Hot rod your stock edge with this pimped cabelage...

Boost harder, loop meaner, ride waves like a dolphin all for a low low price of $297.

How long are you in Sanur for Eppo?
Will be there on the 24th.

Sorry for the slighly off-topic hijack;

But I'm after some advice. I only have a 12m 2012 Reo at the moment and am looking for a bigger wind kite for this summers season. I love my reo, but I feel that if I get an 8m (Reo or catalyst) I will have a window where I will either be overpowered or underpowered. Same with if I get a 10m I will still be overpowered.

Sure I could get a 9m something else, like cabrinha switchblade or airush lithium - but then I would have to buy a bar which would work out almost as expensive as buying two new ozones w/out bar.

Bear in mind I'm still very much a newbie, I weigh 80kg and kite in Sydney where 70% of kite-able days we have 15 - 22kts and 20% of the time 22 - 28kts. More than happy to sit out the >30kts or light wind days.

Would love to hear some opinions :)

Thanks Pearl. So an 8 & a 10 is what you would recommend?

Cheers

phoney.

add a 10m. that will get you to 25knots easy and 30 at a pinch. then aim to add a 8m at a later date. I find the 8m good from 25-35.

of course the boys advice to wait and see sizing is good. 12,9 would make a good combo. But 12,10,8 would make for an even better combo.

ps if your liking reo then stick with it. in my opinion if you want a reo/cat quiver then you should run cats in bigger sizes and reos in smaller sizes.

Phoney said..

Thanks Pearl. So an 8 & a 10 is what you would recommend?

Cheers

At 73kg on surfboard, I have a 6, 8, & 10m reos. In northern NSW I use 10m 60% of the time, 8m 30%, 6m <10%. At your weight an 8 & 10m (with your existing 12) should cover you for all but the nuking days. It's good on a surfboard to put up the right size kite for conditions. You can miss out on the sweetest size kite, from having a 2 kite quiver. The reos are wonderful kites. The only thing I would like to see in the new model is a fraction more raw punt on the bar, but I'm guessing that would change all the other dynamics.

eppo said..

Whew thankgod Plummett, thought I was going crazy...

Demo, demo, demo theres a new release from North coming soon, had a brief session on it last week, it may be of interest to you guys,
oh wait, you might not like the colours