I'm trying to choose between a few kites.
I want an easy kite to progress on and also be a little different.
My website searching has narrowed it down to 3.

I like the reports on
1. Tribal 2
2. Torch 3
3. Eclipse Thruster.

It seems ok enough to get some comparison between the Top 2, but Does anyone have any comparison between the Torch3/Tribal2 and the Thruster?

I have already eliminated the other choices so don't bother pimping anything else. For that matter I'm not interested in any pimping just feedback from regular kiters who have tried them.

OK I'll try to help here. Yes I am a shop owner but seing as you have already narrowed your selection and I sell both brands there is no need to suspect a biased opinion.

As camo said though these kites vary quite a bit depending on the size so that is something to consider.

Turning speed- fast, similar on both.
Bottom end- Torch parks earlier but hard to judge with odd/even sizing.
Top end- Tribal has more.
Pop- Torch has more
Jumping- Both jump very well.
Hang- Tribal has more hang, more pronounced in smaller sizes.
One pump- Torch
Integral depower- Tribal
Both great kites so you would be happy with either.

As for the Eclipse Thruster. Should know soon when they arrive in the country and our demo arrives.

Jason

ps- where are my naked chearleaders????? Do I need to call the customer care line?

Torch 3 for sure !!

Solar eclipse. It was a good lurk at uni, getting in with the astromony clubbers. the chicks there were desperate for Non Nerd company.

Worked OK until I had to actually talk about Stars and stuff.

Anyway maybe I should sell this ID to the Eclipse guys.

maybe it's worth a free kite?

Maybe it will work on Kitergirl? Torch Yea!

The patches shouldn't fall off if the area was cleaned properly. Don't worry about contacting Naish, go back to the shop you purchased it from. Thats what we are here for.
You must have got a dodgy bag Thomo?? Mine have 2 pockets and my 14m fits in the 10m bag.

The Tribal 2 has more bottom end than last years for those wondering

I think you have narrowed your choices down nicely, I too have been considering the Tribal 2 and Torch 3. I have been a fan of Dimitri Maramenides since his Airush days and am sure that he would not assocaite his name with poor performing kites. I also get the impression from reading on other forums that his favourite model is the Thruster.

I'm not sure you could get a free kite by selling your name Solar but I reckon that would be a clever name for a model of a kite or board.

The Tribal 2 is still an option for me, as my mate will be a bit envious if I get a later model of his kite the 06 Tribal. I did try his kite a few times and it was nice to let go of the bar and because of the integral depower the kite would just sit and behave itself.

My friend ordered his kite original 06 Tribal through Jason at Briskites and was very happy with how he was looked after.

I'm too private a person to say where I'm from, but brisbane is a long drive.
from your comments RALINN do you intend to sell eclipse kites?
Are you in Vic?

I have been reading the eclipse forum and the Thruster gets talked up.
But how believable are forum comments on the brands website, like couldn't they just delete Negative posts?

quote:

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Originally posted by cammck

I think I read something not long ago it may have been from JB about there being another patch being sent out, that was a bit more effective than the first if there is I will go back to the retailer. Just wondering if you had heard anything.

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Yes, if you got the yellow kevlar looking stuff. That was just a short term fix. The proper patch is the same stuff as the other scuff guards on Naish kites.
As RAL said it is only the knots that rub so any change in the pigtails will help.

Ral and Solar,

Certainly there will be riders who's opinions differ on turning speed of kites. Some will add hype BUT Eclipse will not do this!

Here is the original topic and response from the Brand owner himself Dimitri.
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2336010&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=10

Hello guys,
I have been reading the post on the speed of the 14 THRUSTER and I just wanted to let you know that the 14 THRUSTER has the power of a 16 meter C kite but the turning speed of a 11 or 12 meter C kite depending on the brand. Now the 10 Thruster is as fast as an 8 meter C kite but has the power of a 12 C kite.
The THRUSTER 12 is as fast as any 10 meter C kites and has the power of a 14 meter C kite.
Now for the new THRUSTER 16. This kite is sick for light wind. You can see it in action at www.eclipsekites.com I designed this kite for heavier riders. Me personaly I enjoy the 14 Th because I am 178 lbs and the Thruster 14 works very nice. For riders that are 195 to 260 lbs I would recomend to go with the THRUSTER 16. www.eclipsekites.com/kites/thruster_video.php?Video=thruster_16

This kite has the power of an 18 meter C kite but turns like a 13 or 14 meter C kite depending the brand.

For Me, the 10 Thruster is my favourite kite at the moment as it will truly get me going on a Nobile 666 129*39 at 14kts Upwind.

This fantastic 666 board comes courtesy of Jason from Briskites who will have a Thruster sooooooonnnnnn to demo.

Yep Ralinn will also have some too. Hopefully by Mid March

Give us a call if u end up in Brissy mate. We have the whole range of Liquid Force (MIG, Havoc and Assault II) all available for demo.

Padi

quote:

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Originally posted by SOLAR

It seems that RAL INN will also have eclipse kites to demo.

so I have to time my next bush run so as to either line up with wind in Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne.
watched a video of them in action in florida last night and it was good to see how average kiters rode and felt about them. Some even jumped as good as me.

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