I think all new kites are good, especially if your moving from an old 4 line c kite to a bow/SLE,
I personally own a 8m and 12m 08 switchblades, And i can't recommend them enough,
Bulk bottom end power and they relaunch that well it's a bit tricky to self land the 8m in 25+ knot winds.
I've flown a waroo and a rebel and couldn't fault them, but im in love with my switchy's.
My 2 cents.

They are all great kites. I have owned the Rebel 07, Switch 3 and Waroo and the Rev has pretty good reviews. Its all down to personal taste really. I am not overly keen on 5 line kites for the surf, so I now ride Switchblade IDS. You will find them all incredibly easy to relaunch compared with your old c kite.

onemorehuey said...

Hi All
I am in the market for a clearance, demo or good second hand 08 kite. So now is your chance to give me all your hard earned advice.

I learned to kite a few years back but havent done a lot as I was out of the country. I have an old 4 line C kite and have served my time swimming so deacent relaunch is high on the priority list. After that I am looking for a good tough all round kite that i can use 14-25knots and progress with.

From the varous threads and reviews I have come up with the following options - probably in this order but am very interested to hear your opinions and or any other suitable options.

onemorehuey said...



- North Rebel 12m
for- good all rounder, good low end
against- 5th line? Never used one - is it a pain in the ass?

Better known for its top end, than bottom end, 5th line, some like it some hate it, different technique needed for relaunch, some swimming required for dead downwind launches in water. Good kill system for a kite, but tuning issues can be a pita for inexperienced folks, bar good, trim system not ideal. Direct feel, no pulleys, the other 3 mentioned have pulleys in the kite bridles. Construction ok, but not as strong as some others mentioned 08 was the best. Avoid used kites with flogged out looking trailing edge and any leading edge repairs.

onemorehuey said...


- SS rev 13m
for- good all rounder, 4 lines
against - poor low end?

Low end is good/average, 4 line system is good, some do not like the chicken loop, construction is better than average, not as well built as the Fuel. Avoid used kites with leading edge repairs, check leading edge pulleys and bridle line. Easy relaunch.

onemorehuey said...


- Cab SB3 12m
for- good all rounder, 4 lines
against - not so tough as some of the others?

Very good all rounder, construction for the "3" series was bomb proof, one of the best made kites on the market. Good bottom end. Check pulleys and bridle lines. Avoid used kites with leading edge repairs. Very easy relaunch.

onemorehuey said...


- Best Waroo 13m
dont know much about these but there are a few positive notes here and there, poor relaunch?

06 models hard to relaunch, 07 a bit easier, and 08 were easy. 08 were the best for toughness and handling in my opinion. Avoid flogged out looking trailing edges and any leading edge repairs. Bar and lines not as good as the other 3 brands, leash is dangerous, insert in bar can become rough and shorten chicken loop line life. Check pulleys and lines on used kites

Check with the larger stores for runout deals on 08 kites, I have seen some used kites advertised for almost the same price as 08/07 runout kites in shops.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Paul1 said...

Steve,

What do you find dangerous about the Best leash mate? I have an upgraded 08 Best leash and prefer it over my Cabrinha leash, I found in heavy crashes on the Cabrinha that the quick release on the harness would detach.

Cheers, Paul.

with the cabrinha leash you gotta have it either infront or behind the harness otherwise it will come undone!!!!!!

ADEN said...

Paul1 said...

Steve,

What do you find dangerous about the Best leash mate? I have an upgraded 08 Best leash and prefer it over my Cabrinha leash, I found in heavy crashes on the Cabrinha that the quick release on the harness would detach.

Cheers, Paul.

with the cabrinha leash you gotta have it either infront or behind the harness otherwise it will come undone!!!!!!

Really ???!!! I have been connecting my leash to my balls, you can try this too when you are old enough to grow some

Steve
Not sure what rebel you are using but every rebel I've flown relaunches as easy if not easier than any other kite and that's not just me fly them that's every person that has been shown the right way. So maybe what you need is a lesson on how to relaunch kites. There is no secret method it is the same for all kites of that shape. Quality wise I have put my rebels down in 6 to 8 foot surf and every time they come out unharmed and since the rebels were released i have only tore one and that was on a sharp stick on the beach and my rebels get a harder life than most.

Thanks everyone for all your comments and notes - much appreciated

All we need now is for someone to spin all those green arrows around to point the other way!

Cheers

Well I got a 2008 11m NEW kite with a bar and lines delivered for $749 Australian dollars.

It took a bit longer than 1 week to arrive. WA is about as far away as America

Good luck with your warranty sending it back to the US!!

I bought an 8 and 12 Switchblade 3 as clearance stock. Coming form 07 rebel, was up for any of kites mentioned above. Finding the lack of the 5th line to be strange, but simple! How do you self land these things! (don't answer that, I'll figure it out).

i will note North's bar system has not evolved (dont know 09 bar though) 07 and 08 practivally the same high wear / too many lines feeding through the bar hole. On saying that, the depower is simple on rebel. Undecided on the SB's toggles. Both SB and rebel are above bar.

Top finish on the Switchblade. Rebels are good too. But I would have bought any of these kites .. change is as good as holiday!

Ultimate test will be how it looks after two week in Gnaraloo

hi i have a ss rev 13m and i weigh 95 kgs the kites low end is not that noticable because the kite is so fast for it`s size . it`s a stand out kite .