Try before you buy anything.

Have a look at what the majority of people have chosen to ride.

xxx euros the sonic 11 complete and xxx euros the sonic 8 complete

I know that I have to try both kites.
But I think that in 1 hour of test in each kite will not give me the same knowledge, as the riders of this forum have with their experience spent on this 2 models.

One thing is for sure, they must have advantages/disavantages, and because of that one must be better than the other.

If some one could help with some pernonal info, it would be fine!

sorry for my inglish

Padi,
Did you already test a Sonic 11?

quote:

---

Originally posted by padi

I started this season, bought a wipika matrix 14, then replaced it with a cabrinha 12 & 17 Nitros before selling all to have a Waroo 12. It is totally and absolutely the best kite I have ever flown - the ease in handling, ease in turning, so light weight and yet with so much more power and de-power power! logically its like a dream come true - everything u want to improve on is here with the waroo.

3 weeks ago i added to my quiver a 16 crossbow for the 8-10kts. as much repsect as i hav for cabrinha, its now up for sale as im hoping to get a 16 waroo once i hav sold my bow. there are no other kites dat fly/handle like the waroo. u wil luv it! speak to Kurt at BKB, he's d pro!

---

There's probably not that many people in Australia who have spent long on both kites as the waroo hasn't been available all that long.

I've spent this summer on an 11m sonic and am definitely a big fan. I haven't flown the 14 or the 8 though. Which size kites to get depends on where you kite and how heavy you are. I'm 70kg and ride the 11m almost every session. If I had an 8 there are probably a few sessions that I currently ride the 11m in which would be better on a smaller kite.

Both the sonic and the waroo are getting plenty of positive reviews. The sonic has been around longer and many of its features look to have been copied on the waroo. I believe they both fly similarly.
There have been a few reports of the waroo canopy occasionally flapping a little when turning. I don't think its a major issue but might be a little unsettling at first.

I don't think either of the kites has any major issues with inversion. I've had my sonic LE deform twice before I put the bridle stoppers on. Since then - no problems. The waroo seemed to suffer a similar, low occurence problem for which they issued a bridle modification. I think that has probably fixed the problem.

In short - both kites are fine. Neither has any major drawbacks that would make you pick one over the other every time.

Personally I have a few issues with the management & sales reps of one of the companies (all overseas -I have no issues with the local distribution). These have come from what I've seen them write on an international forum. I don't like the way they do business. As a result of this I don't have any trouble choosing. (keeping in mind I'd already chosen last year) The factors that influence your decision will probably be different to mine.

BTW I'm not involved in the business at all, I'm just an enthusiast.

I have a 14mt Sonic! At the moment it is my 1 kite quiver. I am 80kgs and use an Airush Exile 137x47 and a North Dragon 135x37. I have to say it has a range from about 10knts to 25knts for my weight. Sweet spot is 15-18knts approx. I would get an 11mt for the nukin days but at the moment its not worth it for me.

My only issue with my Sonic is the Construction. My leading edge has started split. Luckily I have fixed it before it actually blew out. I love the way it flys and it has been good to me so far.

My advice is try one before you buy! The Waroos may suit you better.

I love to fly all kites and dont have any affiliation with any companies. I have seen some Waroos around and they look great!

All the best! hope this helps u!

I think I had one made before December 2005. However if you really like the Sonic and you are going to purchase one I would just keep a close eye on the LE when you pumpup and deflate your kite.

Look at the join points on the LE. Its where there is alot of fabric and the sewing machine cant handle the extra thickness so the seam is week at those points. I found about 7 points that I needed to reinforce. I hand sewed it with waxed whipping twine and it took about 2hrs.

They may have fixed that issue now(You would hope so) Anyway they are so cheap and fly great that it wouldnt stop me from buyin another one. They have a nice direct response rather than the delay on the pulley like the Cabrinhas. Let us know how you find them when you get them. I can take pics and post them up if you want to see the points to look out for.
All the best!

quote:

---

Originally posted by Munter

I've had my sonic LE deform twice before I put the bridle stoppers on. Since then - no problems. The waroo seemed to suffer a similar, low occurence problem for which they issued a bridle modification. I think that has probably fixed the problem.

---

What is this bridle stoppers you are talking about? Does this mean that it doesn't fully depower?

I have a 11m sonic, weigh 95kg, it suits me from 15 to 30 knots, sweet spot, 18 to 25 knots. Love flying this kite and is the only kite I use with a crazy fly board 128 x 38, but leading edge has split twice. Repaired for free and looks like it should last this time. I do not use a stopper ball and don't find this a major problem as I like the safety factor over the handsfree factor and one pull of the chicken loop rope and I can grab the bar. A friend of mine is getting a warro 8 or 9 which I am keen to try.

Flyaway - I'm sure you'll be happy with them. I'm thinking about adding the 8m to my 11 for those really honking days. The bigger kites still seem to need a bit more development so holding off on one of those is probably sensible.

Morgo - The stoppers are two short pieces of string that sit at a certain point on the bridle to stop the pulleys going too far towards the center of the kite. They don't limit the depower, just the pulley movement. There is a PDF from GK floating around on the internet with all the details. I haven't had any deformation of the kite since putting these on though I am probably a little more carefull with inflating to the right pressure these days too.

I can't give you a figure for the right pressure as I don't have a guage but I like to pump it up so that it's just on the point of "pinging" when you give it a flick with your finger. I've been using that sort of pressure for the last 4 months or so and haven't noticed any wear/ degradation of the leading edge so I don't think that sort of pressure is excessive.

quote:

---

Originally posted by extreme

... got the 12 waroo, and it does look to be better made. I know they both come from the same factory, but that's my opinion.

---

The Sonic has flat seams on the edges of the leading edge panels (the ones that go round the LE not along it). The edges fray a bit. The Crossbows and others have hemmed seams so there is no edge to fray. What sort of seams does the Waroo have?

quote:

---

Originally posted by extreme
.... What got the waroo over the line is the ability to depower on the move and unhook, which I couldn't do on the sonic, but that might just be me being unco.

---

It's just you being unco. I have no trouble at all trimming the Sonic while riding along. In reality I hardly ever trim the kite. I just hold the bar in the right place for it to ffeel right in the air. I may adjust the trim a little just to make for a more comfortable arm position.

BTW. My Sonic was exactly the same price as the Waroo.

For Now I just love the Sonic, only had to trim it once, because of the strong gusts. It?s was a bit dificult but I think with practice It will be easy in the future.
There are some pictures available from the Sonic demo here in Aveiro-Portugal, in the ocean and river. Here the ocean is 300 meters away from the river. If the waves are to high in 10 minutes we are setup the gear in the river!
I love my town!

aveirokitesurf.blogspot.com/

I just love that 8m2 Sonic on yellow/grey cannopy! That color rocks!

for farks sake just buy a Turbo Diesel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



or if youre keen to wait for the 2007 models, have a look at the Slingshot " LINK ".


if you want a cheap kite buy a waroo, hey!!! theyre a well built kite that has good perfomance.

but Slingshot have a build quality/resale value, that in my opinion that cant be beat, just talk to any Slingshot owner n you,ll know what im talking about.

compare the numbers, how many turbo d's are out there flying around ?, I've seen one in my local area, then I saw it for sale soon after it was purchased !

SS always turn out good quality kites "c" & construction but I dont think they got it right with the TD ?.

reviews are great but if someone owns the kite their usually biased as are all us industry types so best advice is try before you buy

regards browneee