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Rider: Weight,Level 65kg (beginner, intermediate)
Style: Freeriding,Freestyle
Weather:12 to 16 knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments:

okay people im only 4 to 5 months into kiting, i can travel upwind well and transitions are coming together and the odd air off a ramp (swell)nothing special. I've got a bit of a delema on my hands. I'm looking at the ozone brand coz I like the bar feel and control but I've only flown a ozone zephyr (which I've taken out only a few times) but I really enjoy the kite.
My biggest wind range kite is a 09 switchblade 14m which I hoping to trade in. The switchblade I feel is over powers sometimes when the wind picks up I feel like I have to dig in and hard brake hard by that time I'm ready for a transition, not much time for getting air.

So I was suggested a 14 catalyst, which may be a bit more forgiving and easier to control hench allowing more time to play

Then I was looking at C4s thinking that's the direction I am wanting to head for. The free ride,freestyle and wake. Maybe it's too earlier for that style

Problem
Catalyst doesn't have to aces of reviews, and for freestyle wake style it's not up there,

C4, it comes in size 13 and 15 can't get out of my head that I don't want to be underpowered or over powered weird I know.

So a little advice way help me put the finger on the right choice

Cheers

Yeh I see where you are at now. I was under the impression you had a Zephyr? The Zephyr from what I can tell is a bigger catalyst with some light wind built in. I may be wrong but my net scouring has produced as much.

I'd pm djodjo he was on the C4s now on the cats including the 14m. He said he'd put up some reviews but yet to see them.

My thoughts the cat is a very good all rounder. But then again so is the C4 on free ride. the new cat obviously has some C bred in. Are you in the waves? If so at 6months in maybe the cat. if not the C4 for me.

Also I still have found the lower end of the cat to be a little soft, better than 2012 bit still soft. You would be more lit on the 15m. Are you the guy who rides in 12 to 16? for me I'd go the 15m C4 in those winds as you will have power even at the lower end of that spectrum. The cat would need the top third of that range and of it is a warm breeze the top end. That is to be lit and cranking.

But heaps of crew are liking the new cat and it will suffice for whatever direction you want to go in. it
Will give you a little more in the waves than the C4 but if ya on flattish water C4.

Big eeeZeee said...
Get a cat and progress your riding quicker. C4 is a dedicated freestyle/wake style kite now

Agree.

The cat is the one but only the 2013 model.

There you go, I would trust this mans opinion.

Last thing sorry to be a pain fellas what size catalyst would yous recommend as I do own a zephyr 2010

12-16 knots is when you should be using your zephur.
if you have a zep then 14m cat is too close. i'd go 12m.

eppo said...
Yeh I see where you are at now. I was under the impression you had a Zephyr? The Zephyr from what I can tell is a bigger catalyst with some light wind built in. I may be wrong but my net scouring has produced as much.

I'd pm djodjo he was on the C4s now on the cats including the 14m. He said he'd put up some reviews but yet to see them.

My thoughts the cat is a very good all rounder. But then again so is the C4 on free ride. the new cat obviously has some C bred in. Are you in the waves? If so at 6months in maybe the cat. if not the C4 for me.

Also I still have found the lower end of the cat to be a little soft, better than 2012 bit still soft. You would be more lit on the 15m. Are you the guy who rides in 12 to 16? for me I'd go the 15m C4 in those winds as you will have power even at the lower end of that spectrum. The cat would need the top third of that range and of it is a warm breeze the top end. That is to be lit and cranking.

But heaps of crew are liking the new cat and it will suffice for whatever direction you want to go in. it
Will give you a little more in the waves than the C4 but if ya on flattish water C4.

Sorry Eppo but wherever u got the zephyr being a scaled up catalyst from is utter rubbish, I have owned both and still have the zephyr.

The geometry of the kites is totally different, strut positioning different, bridling system totally different..Mmh ok repeating myself but seriously put them next to each other and you would soon see what I mean.

Some of the characteristics not a million miles from each oter as you would expect from the same brand but the zephyr is definitely a from scratch design

No worries, the zephyr being a scaled up catalyst just smacked a little of brand bashing, the zephy was one of the first GOOD kites for light wind kiting and its that DNA they are built on

I love mine, almost makes me wish there were more 12-18 knot days as it makes learning new tricks so damn easy!

i ahve allways flown the zep under 15 knots. but i find it underwhelming. it does everthing fine. just lacking zing.

EnglishCraig said...
Just to clarify Eppo not saying u were brand bashing just that rumour in general

No probs, as you might be aware I'm a huge fan of ozone since riding a C4 a while back. Now on the edges and considering getting the 15m C4 or the zephyr and would love to add an 8m cat for the top end. No nbrand bashing here, I love the ozone feel, sublime.

Yep I agree. Your on a 17 ride it as such.

Zephyr? I've only ever seen them go down wind on light days, probably the worst light wind kite I have ever witnessed. All this ozone crap should be taken with a grain of salt if you seriously think the zephyr is a good kite for light wind. You gotta be ****in me

terryzarmzof said...
Zephyr? I've only ever seen them go down wind on light days, probably the worst light wind kite I have ever witnessed. All this ozone crap should be taken with a grain of salt if you seriously think the zephyr is a good kite for light wind. You gotta be ****in me

Think it depends on what you define as light wind really. Me light wind is 11to 15 knots. Below this I'm not interested and I'm surfing, diving or supping or just sitting in a dark corner playing with myself, all more interesting activities at winds below this.

eppo said...
Yeh I see where you are at now. I was under the impression you had a Zephyr? The Zephyr from what I can tell is a bigger catalyst with some light wind built in. I may be wrong but my net scouring has produced as much.

Definitely not related to the Cat. Cat had a heritage in the Ozone Instinct Light and Light XC.
Zephyr was more related to the Edge RX, it's a 5 strut kite, the Cat and Lights have always been 3 strut.

@Glokite
The 2013 Cats are quite different to previous years, and the 14 is also a nice light wind kite, if you weight around 60-75kgs and use a big board/surfboard.
!5M C4 from 2011/2012 are great light wind kites for lighter riders in the weight range above, I've used them and rate them for low wind riding. Have not flown the 2013, but if I did I would be putting it on a longer bar at least 50cm, not the 45 its supposedly meant to ship with (can be ordered with different bars or kite only)

terryzarmzof said...

Kitepower Australia said...

terryzarmzof said...
Zephyr? I've only ever seen them go down wind on light days, probably the worst light wind kite I have ever witnessed. All this ozone crap should be taken with a grain of salt if you seriously think the zephyr is a good kite for light wind. You gotta be ****in me

Some days, everything will go down wind, the wind is just too light or the tide is not working in your favour.
You obviously have not flown one. You're also a big fan of the shop up there that does not sell "all this ozone crap" haha! Light wind riding is about having the right gear, which includes a big board and good technique. Light on the bar, and keep the speed up are two key factors to have a good time/staying upwind in light winds.
Zephyr 1, huge wind range, went upwind ok, best suited to bigger people and bigger boards.
Zephyr 2 current model, excellent upwind, same big wind range, but suits riders down to 85kg's approx (anyone lighter is better off with an Ozone Edge 15M)
Zephyr 3 - about to hit the shelves, although probably not till mid Feb though due to chinese new year and from what I've heard its an awesome kite.

Why else would u have a 17m kite? I went better on my 10 than it went.
I don't care what brand it is if its a 17 that doesn't go in light wind then it's a dog
How the **** would u know what I'm a fan of?
We all get tired of ozone pimping without the bad bits added in.
U seem to wanna bag anyone that opposes the stuff you sell and your well known as a bit of a knob
You and your kite power buddies can red thumb me now.

Woh dude. You are starting to sound like me and waveslave now!!

So what do you define as light wind then? It really does depend.

Right now I'm so addicted to power on my edges anything below 20 I'm calling light wind!

Can't wait for the 2013 zephyr, be good to try that dog of a kite out.

Nah not really, Westoz does look after me as everyone else. But I will always vouch for the north kites and I do on a regular basis on this forum. But no north kite has come close to the edge even the dyno and yes I am enjoying the refined feel of the ozone kites. But that based on my needs as a rider rather than the north kites per say. Still maintain the rebel is a most excellent freeride kite.

Both brands make excellent kites mate.