For the 2014 season we asked manufacturers to send us their wave kites. The first kites are reviewed, more will follow. It would be great if you add your experience at KiteFinder.com How did we test?
- 2 days of wind between 20 - 32 knots
- medium waves
- 3 wave riders
- Test form with all the 24 characteristics.
- Find out the key points (characteristics) that define the kite
- Every tested kite is added to the overall kitefinder search engine
Ozone Reo 2014
Size:6m
Complete kitefinder test
Quotes:
rustful and fast with no
crazy canopy changes that will surprise you - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#user-reviews
- "Trustful and fast with no crazy canopy changes that will surprise you" -- "With the storm conditions that we had was it the perfect setting" -
Key points:
With
the storm
conditions that we had was it the perfect setting - See more at:
http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#user-reviews
Pros- fast kite reaction & everywhere
- whole wind window feedback
- great high-end +30 knots
- good low end for a 6m
- lack of lift
Cons
- slack line steering (no pressure on the steering lines) could be better
- slightly power left if de-powered fully
Conclusion:
Great wave kite. We liked this 6m in its high and low end. The 6m size will do besides your 9m. It's a well balanced wave kite. We really liked the 6m Reo for its overall impression. Well done!
Please add your Ozone Reo experience
North Dice 2014
Size:6m
Complete kitefinder test
Quotes:
rustful and fast with no
crazy canopy changes that will surprise you - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#user-reviews
- "First the kite was ridden by hard setting and later on we changed it to the easy setting. Less bar pressure and easier to handle in these storm conditions" -- "I can feel the wakestyle power" -
Key points:
With
the storm
conditions that we had was it the perfect setting - See more at:
http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#user-reviews
Pros- fast kite reaction
- good feedback in whole wind window
- user friendly (soft setting)
- different settings with noticeable character changes (hard / soft)
Cons
- choose the right setting for wave style (soft setting)
- low end
- different settings with noticeable character changes (hard / soft)
Conclusion:
North made the combination freestyle/wave kite. You can feel that in the different setting. The hardest setting is freestyle, softest setting is for wave riding. Choose in stormy conditions the soft setting for the best storm performance. Riding waves? We preferred the soft setting!
Please add your North Dice experience
Cabrinha Drifter 2014
Size:7m
Complete kitefinder test
Quotes:
- "This 2014 Drifter is a trustful storm Kite in gusty conditions" -
- "I know why Cabrinha called it the drifter!" -
Key points:
Pros
- really great Drift, best of the test
- great high end
- soft power building
- lack of boost and lift
- great steering with slacked lines
Cons
- Turning circle can be a little bit smaller but it isn't a big issue.
Conclusion:
We tested the Drifter 7m in a big wind range (20 - 32 knots). This kite is well tuned and specially made for wave riders. Great drift, soft power and always in control. (powered or de-powered). This kite is also great as a storm kite. We loved it!
Please add your Cabrinha Drifter experience
Fone Bandit7 2014
Size7m
Complete kitefinder test
Quotes
- "Good for all the riders who love controllable pressure in their hands" -
- "The kite responds really well and gives you a lot of feedback on the bar" -
Key Points
the kite responds really good and give's you a lot
of feedback on the bar - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#user-reviews
We
tested the new Bandit7 7m during our wave test.
We liked the kite in it's low-end, it's fast and playfull. In its high
end it was one of the first kites that became to strong. - See more at:
http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.usqDaE1l.dpuf
We
tested the new Bandit7 7m during our wave test.
We liked the kite in it's low-end, it's fast and playfull. In its high
end it was one of the first kites that became to strong. - See more at:
http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.usqDaE1l.dpuf
Pros
ProsPros
- great kite feedback
- total bar de-power
- great low-end
Cons
- limited high end
- less control with slacked steering lines
- less kite control if de-powered
Conclusion
We tested the new Bandit7 7m during our wave test. We liked the kite in its low-end, it's fast and playful. At its high end it was one of the first kites that became too strong. F-one made the Bandit7 as an All-round kite, because of its controllability, gradual power and great feedback the 7m is good fun in the waves!
Good for: all the riders who love controllable
pressure in their hands - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#user-reviews
Please add your Fone bandit7 experience
Naish Park 2014
Size:8m
Complete kitefinder test
Quote:
- "Tested the 2012 & 2013 Naish park in the past. With the new Park 8m you immediately feel the difference. More bar pressure, better low-end" -
Key points:
Pros
- more low-end
- wider overall wind range
- total de-power
- fast & all over the wind window great kite reaction
Cons
- drift
- pretty strong boost for wave riders
Conclusion:
We are testing the Naish Park a few years now. The new Park is really tuned. Better low-end and more feedback & bar pressure. We tested the Park in waves with a strapless 5'10 surfboard. But this kite is a well made all-round storm kite. Great fun, well tuned and widely useful.
Please add your Naish Park experience
Pros
- kitereaction & feedback
- great high-end +30 knots
- good low end for a 6m
- lack of lift
Cons
- slack line steering (no pressure on the steering lines) could be better
- slightly power left if depowered fully
- See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#tests
- kitereaction & feedback
- great high-end +30 knots
- good low end for a 6m
- lack of lift
Cons
- slack line steering (no pressure on the steering lines) could be better
- slightly power left if depowered fully
Conclusion
Great wave kite. We liked this 6m in its high and low end. The 6m size will do besides your 9m. It is a specialist for waves. Not a lot of lift & boost thats good for strapless riders. We liked the 6m Reo for its overall impression. Well done!- See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1306/ozone-reo-2014#tests
I tested the f-one bandit seven on Schiermonnikoog
on a waveboard in small waves(26-32 knt)
the kite responds really good and give's you a lot of feedback on the bar. downloops are controled because of the depower that the kite has. because of the quick reaction that the kite has while riding the waves it give's you the ability to ride powerfull.
nice kite for the waves. - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.aWB8v9Q6.dpuf
the kite responds really good and give's you a lot of feedback on the bar. downloops are controled because of the depower that the kite has. because of the quick reaction that the kite has while riding the waves it give's you the ability to ride powerfull.
nice kite for the waves. - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.aWB8v9Q6.dpuf
the kite responds really good and give's you a lot
of feedback on the bar. downloops are controled
because of the depower that the kite has. because of
the quick reaction that the kite has while riding
the waves it give's you the ability to ride
powerfull.
nice kite for the waves. - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.aWB8v9Q6.dpuf
nice kite for the waves. - See more at: http://www.kitefinder.com/en/kites/1309/f-one-bandit-7-2014#sthash.aWB8v9Q6.dpuf
