Has anyone flowen both kites in the 10 meter????
Am after a kite that drifts back well for waves but still gives good boosts and hang time for jumping on the way back out after a wave.
I only ride in the surf,never in the flat, so am after a good all rounder for waves and jumps.
I ride a TT and a mutant.
Also, bottom end is an important consideration.
Thoughts?????
cheers.
I've flown both. No comparison. Ozone.
-3 strut, not five
-very light
-faster thru the air than the SW.
-cranks up wind
-excellent build quality like all Ozones
-Lines are better than Cabs, higher breaking strain on front lines and cheaper to replace
-no pulleys
-It actually fits in it's bag when you pack it down and comes with an inner bag as well if you don't want to carry around the outer.
-front line stopper ball (a must). Flags to front line.
-Below the bar flag out
-trim strap cleat
-low price tag
-light bar pressure with smooth power delivery. I fly mostly one handed and can work the kite with finger tip control
-easy relaunch, as good as the SB
-Ozone have removed the flutter that was experienced in the Lite (Catalyst predecessor)
I could go on but I'm not on commission Wish I was.
Ridden both - I'd have 20-30 hours on both kites so far. Used the SB in the school for the first half of summer, and took it for an hours ride after most lessons. Second half of summer we swapped to the Catalysts and it's also my big kite of choice when i'm in the waves.
Switchy has more low end, if you lay them back to back the Switchblade is about 1-2m bigger. It's pretty much the same as a Cat 12. Also turns slower, but jumps higher & floats longer.
Catalyst has better high end - GREAT high end... It's more like a proper 10m kite, turns super quick - amazing in the surf, drifts backwards allllllll day long. Still respectable boost from a 3 strut kite - I've had some whoppers in 25 knots... Floats nicely with minimal kite movement.
If you're only in the waves - I reckon go the Catalyst... The Switchy is more of a freestyler kite - The Catalyst is build as a good all rounder for waves and jumps. Just what you're after.
Catalyst retails for cheaper too - $400 cheaper and you get a much better repair kit with Ozone. You miss out on the top quality screwdriver from Cabrinha though 
Thanks for the info.
Sooooooooooo,
The SB has better low end than the Cat.
The SB boosts better,hang time, and you get an awsome top quality cab screwdriver
The Cat drift back better on waves than the SB.
The Cat has better top end but dosent jump as good as the SB.
hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........
aahhhhhhhh.......
still undecided
If only the ozone cat. included a top quality screwdriver the decision would be easier
KIT33R,,How do you find the cat for jumping??????????
What kite are you coming from? Then i can compare the different (or the same) jumping styles of the two kites.
I fly a 9m and 11m crossbow IDS.
The 9m drifts back ok because its smaller but the 11m is pretty average on waves,dosent drift all that well,turns a bit sluggish but jumps good.
Hey Rhys how much different is the ids to the isdx? turning and bottom end, is it worth the upgrade?
OK - both kites won't jump as high or as long as the Xbows... You're going to lose a few meters height on most jumps and up to a second hangtime.
That's the trade off you'll have to make - What you're losing in jumping will be greatly offset by the amazing improvement in wave riding and drift.
I took the two kites for a quick run yesterday arvo in 18-20 knots, i was interested to compare the two kites jumping abilities as i rarely jump anymore.
What I found was interesting - the Catalyst is easier to get a decent jump on, just swing it back - pop and you're up there constantly...
The switchblade was much more difficult to get the timing right, and many times i'd end up doing a super low jump and not really go anywhere...
That being said - when you got it right on the Switchblade, you were up there for a little longer, but not much higher than the catalyst.... Both kites had ample time for a cruisy board off - I even managed a frontroll boardoff on the Catalyst...
To make it simpler:
Height
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 6/10
Hangtime
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 8/10
Catalyst: 7/10
All-round Easyness
Crossbow IDS: 4/10
S'blade IDSX: 8/10
Catalyst: 10/10
Turning
Crossbow IDS: 4/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 9/10
Low end
Crossbow IDS: 9/10
S'blade IDSX: 9/10
Catalyst: 7/10
Wave riding (Drift)
Crossbow IDS: 0/10
S'blade IDSX: 6/10
Catalyst: 10/10
Total
Crossbow IDS: 35
S'blade IDSX: 43
Catalyst: 49
regarding the sizes for the catalyst i was interested in a kite for waves for the 20-25knot range plus some 30knot gusts and some lulls on the inside, riding a surfboard. i weigh 75kg. would that be the 6 or 8 for a comfortable ride on a down the line wave?
6m - I'd be swapping to straps and holding on for dear life on a 6m Catalyst in 30 knots - I weigh 70kgs...
