I'm happy owner of North Mode pro 5.5 and I was able to ride from 17 knots up to gust 35+ knots. Stable 25+ knots wind session. All with North ma1200. Great and stable wing, with tight canopy. Even hands pressure, without flapping. Was able to survive big gusts. I don't remember moments when I was blowing out from the board( had this experience with Loft Pro 8m).Has amazing forward drive and enough of low end power. Strong forward pull. Interesting, where is the limit? Probably 35+. People was on 3.5 / 4.2. Just purchased ma850v2 with s208 tail. Supper stocked about upcoming session!

the wing has only minor cons:

- hard handles, especially front one should be wrapped in soft foam. Got some scratches on new board because of that
- on the water, when you swimming or preparing to new start. Wing is jumping like crazy and has behavior to flip.
You getting used to that.

overall really happy with it. Great performance wing. Enjoyable experience!

Velocicraptor said..

ganeshka said..
I'm happy owner of North Mode pro 5.5 and was able to ride from 17 knots up to gust 35+ knots. Stable 25+ knots wind session. All with North ma1200. Great and stable wing, with tight canopy. Even hands pressure, without flapping. Was able to survive big gusts. I don't remember moments when I was blowing out from the board( had this experience with Loft Pro 8m). Just purchased ma850v2 with s208 tail. Probably should dramatically increase my speed, because of less drag ??the wing has only minor cons:

- hard handles, especially front one should be wrapped in soft foam. Got some scratches on new board because of that
- on the water, when you swimming or preparing to new start. Wing is jumping like crazy and has behavior to flip.
You getting used to that.

overall really happy with it. Great performance wing. Enjoyable experience!

How much do you weigh? That wind range is crazy for a 5.5.

My weight is 82kilo without gear and 181cm height.

socalwinger said..
Thanks Ganeshka for the great insights into the North Mode Pro. How does it luff in waves? Do you like the feel of the front de-power handle?
I like that they're using next-gen materials and know this wing would be super fast and great upwind. Wondering how it compares to the Ozone and the Armstrong from an ease of use and freeride/surf perspective?

Probably not the best for surfing. Because of this behavior to flip. Draft in neutral position is not stable for sure.

I demo-ed the Armstrong 4.6 a few weeks ago. It's certainly not the "game changer" that the marketing hyperbole would have you believe but it is a very good wing.
The real plus for me were the handles, possibly the best I have used. I'm not that wrapped in hard handles but I reckon I could live we these.
The two valve system is good as are the valves themselves (same as KT wings).
Upwind ability was very good but you expect this with a brand new wing, as is the locked in feel.
The wing flags ok, no real difference to the Ensis and KT wings that I currently use, so perfectly fine for waveriding.
Its still quite a heavy wing but I'm not prepared to pay $4K for a super light wing until my lotto numbers come up.

I also use the XPS wing (5.3, 4 and 3). I'm 84 kg. Based on my experience, I'd say you are better off with something smaller than a 4 m2 XPS in 25-30 knots. I'd say you could even consider a 3 or 3.5.

foilstoke said..
I have an xps 4m wing. I'm 73kg. Great wing overall. Really shines when the wind is around 20-25kn. Very easy to move around in waves, stays quiet in most positions. Updwind angles are definitely impressive. However, I don't believe it has such a massive top end as some people say.

I'd agree with all of this. I thought a 4 m2 XPS expecting that it would be my smallest wing and then I found that it started fluttering like mad at around 25 knots. That's with the mini-battons installed. So my experience is also that the upper end of the XPS is less than the marketing or Cool Aid-drinkers would have you believe.

However, it's by far the best wing I have ever ridden in three years. At a very good price point. Also, the materials make it easy to repair (I've already damaged both my 4 and 3).

Armie did some very clever designing using existing materials and combining the materials in ways that sail makers praise.

I rode the North Mode Pro 5.5 and Ozon Flux v2 5.7 back to back in gusty conditions, 8-26 knots. The Mode was by far the one I found handled the gusts best. It was the first time on both, so no real time for dialing in. The Flux is still an awesome wing with a lot of power and perhaps it is better suited for heavier riders, me 72 kg.

FarNorthWest said..
I rode the North Mode Pro 5.5 and Ozon Flux v2 5.7 back to back in gusty conditions, 8-26 knots. The Mode was by far the one I found handled the gusts best. It was the first time on both, so no real time for dialing in. The Flux is still an awesome wing with a lot of power and perhaps it is better suited for heavier riders, me 72 kg.

Would you say the North felt "smaller" than the Flux?

How do you compare the luff handles on both?

Any notable differences in construction or materials that you noticed?

Other than high end, how did they compare on low end and general handling?

I've got a new dutone slick with the mod3 canopy. Granted in a 6m, so not a good size comparison. But I love how stable it is in gusty overpowered conditions. It just locks and goes !

Velocicraptor said..

FarNorthWest said..
I rode the North Mode Pro 5.5 and Ozon Flux v2 5.7 back to back in gusty conditions, 8-26 knots. The Mode was by far the one I found handled the gusts best. It was the first time on both, so no real time for dialing in. The Flux is still an awesome wing with a lot of power and perhaps it is better suited for heavier riders, me 72 kg.

Would you say the North felt "smaller" than the Flux?

How do you compare the luff handles on both?

Any notable differences in construction or materials that you noticed?

Other than high end, how did they compare on low end and general handling?

I can,t compare to the Mode Pro but used the Mode5.5 quite a lot as a loaner waiting for warranty on another brand and bought straight after that the Flux 5m. For me (95kg) the Flux 5m has a better low end as the Mode 5.5..again not the Pro. That was something my buddy and I also notticed earlier this year: you need to take the mode at least half a meter bigger as most brands to get that same range.
Top end was the same where the Flux feels a bit stiffer/direct and the Mode more cushioned. Upwingangle of both is excellent and way above average. Especially the flux goes faster and higher upwind as the latest Dlab Slick (and handles gusts imo better).In handling the Mode 5.5 was usable in the surf but flags imo just average and has a tendncy to roll and flip in side on where the Flux is one of the best surfing wings I tried so far. I also tried the Mode 4.2 in the surf (again not the pro) and that one was behaving better, but still not a topcontender imo alike the Flux.

Btw i,m not a teamrider or whatsoever and have a very mixxed quiver of Dlab5.5 Unit, Flux5+4.3, Mantis V34m Mantis V2 3m and demo a lot from my shop when I get the opportunity.

ArthurAlston said..

socalwinger said..
Great insights on the XPS. Sounds like a great wing all around but maybe doesn't have the top-end range of the Ozone or North. But I'm still intrigued my the XPS and would love to hear anyone's take who's ridden the Ozone Flux!

Also, appreciate the advice on sizing and I may consider a smaller size.

By the way, "top end" is a vague concept. My definition of it is when the trailing edge of the wing starts fluttering uncontrollably, which in turn affects the integrity of the wing. I tend to downsize when that happens. But for others, maybe the fun begins then? No doubt that the XPS wings can handle a lot more wind beyond that point (last week, I was lit on the 4 with the trailing edge fluttering, whilst others were lit on 2.8 and 3 m2 wings).

My personal definition of top end may not be what the manufacturers claim or what others claim. It is noticeable that Armstrong no longer provides wind ranges for their wings (I think there are too many variables to provide a useful single range anyway, e.g. DW board, large DW foils etc).

Armstrong now has wind ranges for the XPS on the web site.

Great feedback on the Flux. Can anyone compare sizing vs OR Glide (which measures and rides small for its size)?

I've got the XPS 4.5, 3.5, and 2.6M, weighing 65kgs. I haven't had any trailing edge flutter, despite being out well overpowered a few times when wind picked up. Before I got my wings, I remember following Matt Nuzzo one time in really gusty conditions, he was on a 4M, while I was on a 3M OR Glide Hybrid. I was having to work very hard at keeping the the wing in control, while he was just blasting along with no movement in the wing. Now that I've used mine quite a bit, I would say first hand that they are extremely well balanced in high winds. They may not be the highest performer in any one category (except maybe the handles), but they are amazing as an all-arounder, and do great downwind/flagging.

Jeroensurf said..

Velocicraptor said..

FarNorthWest said..
I rode the North Mode Pro 5.5 and Ozon Flux v2 5.7 back to back in gusty conditions, 8-26 knots. The Mode was by far the one I found handled the gusts best. It was the first time on both, so no real time for dialing in. The Flux is still an awesome wing with a lot of power and perhaps it is better suited for heavier riders, me 72 kg.

Would you say the North felt "smaller" than the Flux?

How do you compare the luff handles on both?

Any notable differences in construction or materials that you noticed?

Other than high end, how did they compare on low end and general handling?

I can,t compare to the Mode Pro but used the Mode5.5 quite a lot as a loaner waiting for warranty on another brand and bought straight after that the Flux 5m. For me (95kg) the Flux 5m has a better low end as the Mode 5.5..again not the Pro. That was something my buddy and I also notticed earlier this year: you need to take the mode at least half a meter bigger as most brands to get that same range.
Top end was the same where the Flux feels a bit stiffer/direct and the Mode more cushioned. Upwingangle of both is excellent and way above average. Especially the flux goes faster and higher upwind as the latest Dlab Slick (and handles gusts imo better).In handling the Mode 5.5 was usable in the surf but flags imo just average and has a tendncy to roll and flip in side on where the Flux is one of the best surfing wings I tried so far. I also tried the Mode 4.2 in the surf (again not the pro) and that one was behaving better, but still not a topcontender imo alike the Flux.

Btw i,m not a teamrider or whatsoever and have a very mixxed quiver of Dlab5.5 Unit, Flux5+4.3, Mantis V34m Mantis V2 3m and demo a lot from my shop when I get the opportunity.

Just as a matter of interest was the 5.5 Mode a very first version before all the warranty replacements? Many of the early ones performed well for 2 or 3 sessions then deformed, some had the handles on crooked.
The final warranty replacements are terrific and I can vouch for that as I have a 4.2m and it's amazing in everyway.

socalwinger said..
Thanks Ganeshka for the great insights into the North Mode Pro. How does it luff in waves? Do you like the feel of the front de-power handle?
I like that they're using next-gen materials and know this wing would be super fast and great upwind. Wondering how it compares to the Ozone and the Armstrong from an ease of use and freeride/surf perspective?

I just had a 25-35G40 sesh on the 4.2 Mode Pro. to date.it's one of my favorite wings. It was so solid and never got overpowered. It luffed nicely on my DW runs. It'll jibe faster than you're probably ready for. I liked how this years seems to have more grunt for lulls and def for jumps. It will flop in the water but I solved that by running leash through the handle. Personally, I'd get rid of the windows. I don't find them practical for the Average Joe. My only real knit pick is the knuckle pad for the luff handle is a little abrasive. The handle itself if comfy. The materials are a def step up from Dacron and standard rip stop.