pumpnjump said..

leepasty said..
I still don't see how the Duotone flag handle is any worse than others? we have big demo event here next month I'm gonna make a video looking at all brands front handles see how they compare

North and Smik for 2 with better flag handles, the Duotone is such an after thought, almost as poor as not including an inflate valve pump adapter. If brand ambassadors such as yourself actually raised some issues users have, possibly they would improve at a faster rate.

2 wings I've not used. Hardly ever see Norths and don't think there's any Smiks in the uk. believe me I wish brands would listen, been saying things about kite kit and wetsuit boots for years but they don't change stuff just because I say

SpokeyDoke said..

leepasty said..
2 wings I've not used. Hardly ever see Norths and don't think there's any Smiks in the uk. believe me I wish brands would listen, been saying things about kite kit and wetsuit boots for years but they don't change stuff just because I say

...it seems Duotone has been getting flogged pretty widely and consistently on the inflation valve for some time...that suggests to me a fair amount of arrogance, insensitivity, and/or stupidity...

Been using the airport valve for over 10 years now on kites and apart from 1 year where 1st batch of some kites had a dodgy valve I've never had a problem. as long as you use Duotone hose/ adapter and don't get sand on end of hose the valve works great

Duotone doesn't get enough credit for having a valve designed to read live air pressure during inflation. Most brands use valves that read fake pressure. Read during power stroke of pump. Pumping speed affects pressure reading. Stop pumping, check valve blocks live reading of pressure. All because of the back flow prevention built in. The Duotone reads live pressure all the time. It only closes off during the backward twist motion used to disconnect the hose.

I find the airport valve excellent, much better than say the North valves. So much less friction when pumping.
I also like the dump valves as it allow you to get more air out of the wing. It's easy to just roll from one side.

Stability on the front handle of the SLS when flagged is annoying and for me it takes a second hand placed on the wing to steady it. I've gone back to just grabbing the boom when riding swell.

Would like to see another SLS version, as the D/LAB version is too expensive.

I also have had no issues with the airport valve and find it a really nice to use valve. Been on the Unit wings for two years now and no regrets at all. I do wish duotone would include an adapter with the wing like other brands do, they can keep the wing leash though as that is the worst pile of garbage leash on the market, shockingly bad, uncomfortable and with no safety on stopping the velcro from coming undone accidentally if it gets pulled in a crash. That was exactly how a local sailor lost their 1 sesssion old slick only a couple of weeks back.

They are up on the website... Along last year's models (std and DLAB) and the SLS. So 4 models all up. They all look kinda similar since 2022, but the 3D models reveal their differences.

Looks like they've changed the "corner" bending toward the wingtip. Should improve the deflection that has been complained about on here. So that's good, but other changes are more subtle?

I agree the adaptor should be in the bag. Saves 50cents but costs so much ill will.

The "sup" style valves on the new NP Fly II wings are a joy to use. Air goes in and out very easily. Seems to make packing the wing up a lot easier.

So I'm confused about the front pocket position for the boom and the forward center strut design. On actual wing photos it's way forward on the leading edge, but on the final product computer images it's at the forward edge of different looking center strut. Two completely different locations and center strut designs. What's up with that, or am I missing something?? And for anyone who knows the answer to that question, what's it supposed to be for the DLab Slick?

I just watched the official 2024 Slick promotional video and I see both versions in the video. One a prototype and one a final? So much for a clean polished intro...

For larger wing sizes the front pocket position for the boom is on the center strut.

Seems like the difference starts between 4.5 and 5.0. I guess the reason is being able to use the same miniboom for all sizes, which is a good thing. I actually wanted to get a new 5.0, since my old SLS keeps flapping about retirement, but my layman's thinking tends to prefer the "way forward on the leading edge" position, so I might get the 4.5.

Do you think it's easier this way to ride one handed on the boom in swell or is the difference negligible? (The front handle doesn't seem to have undergone any stiffness improvements...)

And do you think the 5.0 SLS has the same low end like a 2024 4.5?
Cheers.

??, DLAB version again starts at 4.0

omg said..
Hey folks, what's the deal that DT rates the Slick worse in waves than Unit? Anyone ridden them back to back and could give an opinion?

Thanks!

Both work in waves.

To me, the 24 Unit feels slower, and pulls sideways more. The Slicks feel more slippery, pulling forward, more speed, and handle overpowered better.

Differences are SLIGHT, so better to pick based on boom or handle preference. Many would not notice any difference, other than handle versus boom.

Don't get caught up in chart analysis

DWF said..

omg said..
Hey folks, what's the deal that DT rates the Slick worse in waves than Unit? Anyone ridden them back to back and could give an opinion?

Thanks!

Both work in waves.

To me, the 24 Unit feels slower, and pulls sideways more. The Slicks feel more slippery, pulling forward, more speed, and handle overpowered better.

Differences are SLIGHT, so better to pick based on boom or handle preference. Many would not notice any difference, other than handle versus boom.

Don't get caught up in chart analysis

Hi DWF

Do you use the aluula or the standard Dacron versions ?

Do you know the weight difference between the Unit 2024 and the new Slick 2024 ? Ive tried to find the weights online but they don't seem to be mentioined anywhere.

Aaron

Naranek said..

Faff said..
??, DLAB version again starts at 4.0

They say that the more expensive material isn't worth it in the smaller sizes.

There's a DLAB Unit 3.5.