Best Wing for Gusty Winds - Ozone Flux v1, North Mode Pro, Armstrong A-Wing XPS

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warwickl said..

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.

The first one I tried in Januari. the 2th I borowed in juli and that was the latest litteration of the normal Mode. To be honest both performed pretty much the same.

My experience of wind range. Using a DW-style 85 L board. Mostly MA1000 foil and 935 performance mast.

For those on the Ozone Flux - how are you seeing that wing hold up? Ive seen a lot of these with tears, which leads me to believe the canopy is pretty standard strength as far as punctures. Any noticeable bagging?

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NikOnFoil said..

Velocicraptor said..
For those on the Ozone Flux - how are you seeing that wing hold up? Ive seen a lot of these with tears, which leads me to believe the canopy is pretty standard strength as far as punctures. Any noticeable bagging?

The canopy is very strong and thick at the leading edge and trailing edge panels. Feels almost twice as thick as normal canopy. The panels in between are from quite lightweight standard canopy and I guess easy to rupture/tear. Due to the material mix, I don't expect any bagging. Until now they hold up really well but it's too early for a valid statement.

Any update on the quality? Valvs ok?

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foilthegreats said..
I've put my Flux 3m through the wringer. No problems.

It's my first Ozone product and I am super impressed over all with every aspect of this wing. It really does everything well.

Only thing not to like is the white canopy material that starts to get dirty looking.

Thanks for the info! Does the valve bother you? I don't understand why they are not using sup-valve!

Riding Ozone Flux in 5.0 and 4.3. Rode the 5.0 in gusts up to 33 knots and still could handle it pretty well, with my 82 kg no real issue. Like the XPS as well but prefer the handles and the tacking of the Flux. It's an auto tack wing, one of the best there is IMO. Flagged it's top of the bill as well.

I now have several sessions on the flux 5.7. It's a very large wing and behaves as such, but when it's properly powered it goes hard. It's the easiest wing to tack that I've ever tried and it takes crazy upwind angles. I love the handles and I love the power delivery. My biggest complaint is that it feels underpowered whn pumping. When I'm trying to get up I feel like I'm pumping 7m with a 5m power but when I'm up I feel like I'm holding a 7m. Maybe that's why they call it a 5.7. Freeefly it's fine but nothing exceptional. It just feels like a big wing and it's not particularly light or nimble with its loose leading edge handle. The strut handles are excellent and you can manhandle the wing to do what you want with those handles.


Great power and angles when riding. Great upwind handling. Very average pumping and grunt. Front handle is meh. Feels oversized other than pumping.


the threaded adapters are necessary. The plug in adapters are garbage.

XPS vs Flux

for larger sizes, 6.1m XPS vs 6.5m Flux, I feel there is no comparison. XPS in my view has more grunt when pumping in 9-10kt wind, has better top end, flags much much better than Flux on waves and, as far as maneuvers, the XPS is definitely easier. Lots of back stalling with Flux on low wind jibes. With XPS v rarely. More advanced jibes all easier with XPS due to reduced span and weight.
Tacking about the same, didnt find any notable difference. Flux better in pure upwind angles.
4.6m and 3.5m XPS vs 4.3m and 3.5m Flux very similar as shape difference, at least for me, was less noticeable. One thing I hate on the flux are the handles. Damaged couple of boards as their contour are pretty rough and you have to be EXTRA careful when deflating and packing the sail in not pushing the handles too hard to get air out as they are known to pinch the strut bladder.

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ptraykovski said..

Ursus said..
Has anyone tried Flux and Flow and can give a verdict?

I have ridden both recently in the 5.0 and 4.3 sizes. The flow has a bit more low end, so the 4.3 flow feels somewhere between the 4.3 and 5 flux for getting foiling. That extra low end also leads to a slightly reduced top end for the flow compared to the flux. When very powered the flow has a bit more of a "grunty" pull feel while the flux seems to drive forward more with less sideways pull. Both flag out well, with the flow maybe being a touch more stable. I really like the the long front handle on the flow for wave riding as can one hand and shift my hand forward for a more flagged out feel or shift it back for a bit of one handed power.

I might get a smaller flow or two but will stick with the flux in the bigger sizes as I often end up riding the bigger sizes more powered up if I rig a bit big to get thru light zones near the beach but then it is windy outside.

I'm pretty familiar w the 5.7 and 4.3 flux and just had a couple sessions on the 3m flow. Obviously comparing different sizes, but I have a feel for the flavor of these wings. Agree with the prior poster on all counts.
the flow has a lot less upwind pull vs the flux and feels less smooth in its power. Flow is a lot more punchy with its power vs the flux which also translates to better low end. Really need to fight the flow to get good upwind angles when it's overpowered and it's slower upwind. Flow Behaves great when flagged but so does the flux. Flow might be a little easier to throw around (more nimble) but that could also be the smaller size. Flux is easier to do upwind maneuvers and the flow can feel kind of draggy in tacks. Flow has better lift for jumping.

i also really liked the long front handle on the flow. The luff handle is different than the flux but I'm not sure whether I like it better. only slightly more firm but it's also very small and can be harder to grab.
I think I'd prefer the flux most of the time but the flow is a very solid and fun wing. Probably better for a novice or intermediate than the flux which can be more technical.
again, comparing different sizes here, so take it with a grain of salt.