bolgo said...
cheap for a reason!
had a 8 & 11
never unpacked the 11 after experience with 8
5 lines couldnt hold the sigma shape and would concertina worse than the 09 rebels
still flew nicely otherwise lovely smooth feeling like a torch
definite avoid
Utter bollocks.
I've been riding a Alliance 12 for the last 18 months as my main kite in Melbourne (and Cairns/Perth). I've spent a handful of sessions on a mates '08 10/12/14m Vegas's as well so i'm in a pretty good position to answer your original question.
Power: Vegas is gruntier but the Alliance is smoother.
Depower: Alliance wins by a country mile both on bar throw and depower range
Turning speed: Vegas is faster by about one size (ie. 10 Alliance turns at the same rate as a 12 Vegas).
Relaunch: Both about the same; 5th line relaunch is all the same.
Boosting: I'd give this one to the Vegas. It just seems to rip you off the water a bit quicker.
Differences that might sway you:
- Alliance has one pump octopus inflation (allegedly a bitch to repair but i've never had any issues in 18 months), Vegas is simple multi-pump.
- Alliance needs a couple more knots to get it cranking. 12m Alliance fun = 18-19kn, 12m Vegas fun = 17kn.
- Alliance has much more top end than the same size Vegas. I've choked my Alliance 12 and ridden it happily in high 20's - 30kn. Smarter thing to do would've been put up a smaller kite but i was having too much fun.
They're not great as kites for newbie's as they're leading edge heavy (7 strut sigma and internal one-pump) so if you let the bar right out without the stopper on it and leave it at 12-o'clock they can/do fall leading edge down.
The 'floating above the water' thing is normal if you don't set up a stopper ball on the fifth line. Personally i'm grateful that it does that is it'll hover over the water if you dump it in waves. It's saved me a couple of times.
'Cheap for a reason'... again, bollocks. The reason they didn't take off is because they were marketed as being a sigma Torch. If your in the market for a Torch your not going to opt for the softer and more user friendly option of the Alliance. On the other hand, if your stepping up from something softer then the Alliance is a great kite that's got enough depower and range to be used for freestyle, or plenty of static deep in the window grunt for wakestyle/unhooked.
