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Originally posted by uturn

These new Naish Sigma Kites have certainly generated some interest!
Approx 10500 hits (in a very short time) on SB Forums re Helix, Cult etc!
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Pity they don't stay in the sky for as long as the post does. Anybody else notice the seagull's tendency to fall out of the sky?

Not sure about the Helix falling out of the Sky as I flew it in the worst ****ty conditions and was quiet suprised how stable it was and how much the kite behaved itself.

I did choke the kite alot , but that was my fault as Im not used to flying sle,s and most kites choke when it gets below 12knots.

If anything it was the most stable out of all the kites in the air that day as we all stood from the beach watching it and comparing it to other kites.

It also comes down to rider ability, sometimes you have to spend a fair few hours on a kite to properly work it out.

all kites do fall out of the sky, if flown in the wrong conditions, there is no disputing that.

However i watched many kites(all of the 2008 variety and of similar size) all been flown by sponsered(or near on sponsered) riders and the naish was the only one to flap in the gusts and repeatedly fall from the sky.

Now, it may have been the guys first go, but he was bl00dy good, and maybe he had set it up wrong or he could have been really spanking it, the conditions were 18-26knts, somewhat gusty, but not overly.

I was just after an honest opinion about its potential hindenburging?

i'd demo one and take some photos, but feel i may alienate myself or have the naish squad after me.

I finally got to try the Cult last Sunday. I had already flown the Alliance and the Helix (and to my BIG surprise, turned out to prefer the feel of the SLE to the 5th line (bizarre!)) and was looking forward trying the Cult, having the feeling it could be my favourite.
Undoubtfully.
Knew it within 2 minutes. Was on the 13,5m in very light wind (10-15), and had fun all the way. The kite didn't feel like a 13m and seemed either faster turning or lighter to steer (couldn't work it out exactly) than the Helix 12m in same wind. Anyone's got to appreciate the stability of the Sigma kites (definitely identical from one model to another so far (haven't flown any of them in strong wind)).
Gave few people a run on it and all were amazed how steady the kite was.
It seemed more gentle in its way to power up (much better for my size/weight, wasn't losing my edge at all) and jumped very easily (didn't need to edge as hard) even in light wind (was doing 3m jumps at ease in an average of 12 knots).
The bar feel was great (no bar pressure at all and very direct feel)and the grunt and lift awesome (I couldn't believe how light it was when I read the charts back home... It felt like there were a good 15 knots solid the way I was riding... The arrows however never got there!).
The Cult felt smoother to me than the Helix, somehow generally "lighter", a tiny bit more forgiving as well and much more appropriate to my riding level.
It's definitely my crush in the Sigma range.

Review 9MTR CULT

KITE 9 mtr cult
BOARD 132 thorn
LOCATION Wanda/Boat Harbour
CONDITIONS Surf and flat water 25 to 30 knots se
ABILITY Intermediate

Firstly I will start with the constuction of the kite, I would have to say Naish have improved their quality in this area, leading edge material seems to be of better quaulity , stitching seems to be beefed up in the right places and they remebered to put the patches in the right spots.

Once the kite was launched I felt comfortable straight away and the kite made me want to do things , this has only happenned once before and that kite was the 07 torch.I could not help myself as soon as I saw a descent wave to launch off, I sent the kite back and up I went , if anyone knows Wanda I was pretty high up looking at the cars in the carpark, hangtime is nice and the landings were soft for a 9 mtr kite which was nice as I have dodgy knees.

Turning speed is nice not to quick and not to fast , bar pressure is light but it gives you enough feedback so you always know where the kite is.Depower is very smooth it is not on off like some bows but very gradual, which I like coming from Ckites.The adjustable stopper works a dream , solid enough to hold a lot of pressure but will give way with a fair bit of force if in trouble.

The feeling is almost like a c kite but not quiet due to the bridals and two pulleys but I would say its 95 percent there.The sigma shape works a dream and geo tech is a step in the right direction and you certainly can appreciate the smooth flying abilities these kites deliver as well as being extremely stable.

Relaunch is quick and easy just pull on a line and the kite is back up in not time, its important that when the kite has turned on its side to give the kite some slack in the lines and it will come up every time.I bought this kite specifically for wave riding and it is a fantastic wave kite and the 20 mtr lines make it super nice for waves, but one thing to remember because the wind window is smaller when doing downloops place the kite a little higher as I crashed it into the water a few times, being used to flying 24 mtr lines.The bar is super comfortable and its good to see Naish have installed a metal bush which will not wear.

NEGATIVE POINTS
The bar set up is messy in regards to the depower starps, I had trouble reaching the depower straps, I will definitely pay the money and upgarde to the smart loop which should fix the problem.
Also you cant beat the safety of a 5 line system this is where bows/sle are not in the same league.
One pump system is great but when it goes wrong extremely difficult to repair , done it once and never want to do it again the hardest thing with the one pump is to fit the c clip washers in to hold the valves.

POSITIVES
The kite is super stable , nice depower and its a kite that does everything well , I think this kite will suit 90 percent of riders.I did try the Helix and liked it but I felt being a seven strut kite it is better suited to flat water and people that want to jump big and have a fast flying high performance kite.

Im not a team rider but have always had naish kites and can honestly say their kites just keeping getting better every year, warranty issues are dealt with quickly and customer service has been great.

In short the Cult rocks and is one hell of a good kite.

The kite travels down the line very well , you can really concentrate on riding the wave as the kite follows you, the bar gives you alot of feedback, I was hardly watching the kite, bottom hand turns are a breeze and its true it does not matter how fast you are going the kite maintanis its shape and delivers a very smooth ride.I was a bit rusty and sore today which did not help, but when you go for your bottom hand turns the kite reacts that quick that as you smack of the lip you then turn the kite and it pulls you around so quick and smooth that your ready to go again.

With my torch I would have to turn it alot earlier to achieve the same result.The wind was very gusty and most guys were on twin tips as we had gusts ranging from 22knots going to 32 knots.

Yep its all gone on that new kite and its money well spent.
Now I have to earn a little more so I can go and buy my fish.

No doubt about it Al your the king of backroll kiteloops in 30 plus knots that looked spectacular.