Hey all
I am getting into this sport and been looking around at gear - strangely all the manufacturer websites praise their products, they'll do everything up to giving back rubs. So I cant really trust their opinions...
I have asked around and obviously everyone has their own opinion re: gear and brands but I am curious if there is a general review somewhere...?
Something like.. LF is like Hyundai of kiting, Ozone is the porche...
Obviously dont slander names but I am curious of a brands reputation, if you wanted to share. Who has bad build quality, whos are old dependables... that kinda thing.
Of if this kind of list has been done before - could you point me in the right direction?
Thanks in advance
Can of worms = open 
Just test as many different kites as you can (easier said than done in some locations), and decide what is right for you.
It seems that most people will praise the kite(s) that they choose to fly, maybe try to ask them what features they like about a particular kite so you can understand their choice. ie. someone might like a kite that they can just 'park' and cruise, someone else might a very lively kite.
In the end, it gets down to what suits you. 
Im in search of another kite as an all rounder.
And also after this sort of info.
What about
Which Kite not to go anywhere near? or which kite to avoid.
Lemons??
sorry for the hi jack
cheers cam
Yes, I agree with can o worms - but Brand rep... not individual kites. I just want to narrow down the field a bit.
Some people say the modern kites 2010 and newer, are all pretty much identical...
where as some people will say "You want a XXX? Nah... they all have a ****ty build quality"
Maybe go the other way, or be more specific..
What brands have refused warranty claims? or generally not delivered? gone over and above?
I have heard of some of the bigger companies trying to dodge warranties, but i'll leave it up to the people direct to tell you.
On the positive side, mates Core kite had a slow leaking valve outside the warranty period (quite possibly own fault due to heat). They offered to send spare valves at no charge, or the option to send it back, which he did. They replaced the whole leading edge bladder with a new one to be safe, no questions asked, no charge.
Naish, while I never had any luck with the canopies on the sigma kites (two different kites, both ripped when landing on water - outside of warranty. They did come to the party with a chicken loop. Was out of warranty by about a year, the metal pin holding the chicken loop rusted out, chicken loop sunk. They sent a me new one, no charge as well.
Ocean Rodeo seem to be quite a supportive company, don't think anyone would complain about the way they go about business.
A few lessons from a qualified instructor would be a good start, then demo.
Kite boarding has become a very competitive industry. I don't think you can really find "bad kites" from the common brands. The rest is personal preference.
working in a kite store the one brand I have found that out does the rest with build quility is Ozone.
I ride a slingshot rally and changing to RPMs when the new ones come out but I have found the Ozone kites have have a build quality that completely surpasses all other brands.
And the cheaper option I have found that have awesome build quality are Crazy fly. They much such a great kite for the price and they have really hit the market with something that went above and beyond what anyone expected of them.
Theres always the other safe well built options e.g. cabrinha, slingshot, core, naish, north, best
In the same situation atm, so holding out for KiteStock to walk along beach at test all that I can.
Opinion are like clitorises. Every C^&nts got one.
There are cheap brands, there are expensive brands. Generally the finishing on the more expensive brands will be slightly better, but it won't affect the performance and generally won't affect reliability much. I.e. if you look at the machining of parts or the plastic moulding, the more expensive brands look a little cleaner. The way I like to think of it is simple. Driving a BMW won't make you a better driver, it all comes down to how much time you spend driving.
Performance of kites is pretty similar across the board. Some kites have good years and some have bad years so its not to say a premium brand guarantees the best kite and its not to say that the cheaper brands guarantee the worst kite. The only solution is to test or if you're not skilled enough, work off the opinion of someone you trust so you don't get a dud kite (they are produced from time to time, the turbo diesel and link come to mind).
I've used both before (cheap and expensive). The effect it will have on your kiting will have more to do with the actual kite suiting the way you ride than the price of the kite.
IMHO it's not just about the kite either, some brands have control bars that are way to cluttererd and complicated, or have dodgy safety releases, etc....
As a beginner, I would concentrate on the control bar, depower and safety systems rather than the kite itself. Most "beginner - intermediate" kites these days are going to get you up and going.
In my experience I like the Naish system as everything is below the bar, but the cleat jams pretty hard on the depower rope and can be hard to release.
The North above the bar system look easy to use and seems to adjust pretty fast.
Also, the newer 5th line kites look great as you can release to 5th, get out of trouble and then recover the bar, reset the release and get going again without having to come to shore. This is something 4 lines kites are no good at, as a rule.
Find a demo day. Try as many as you can. Buy what you like and what you can afford.
Most shops or brands will let you borrow a kite for a demo (on the understanding that if you damage it, you buy it)
There are a lot of good kites around these days. If you can't find a demo day, just find someone who sells the kite and ask them for a demo. With so much to choose from these days the competition is stiff and most of it comes down to what you get used to. People tend to defend a particular brand because they get used to flying it. Find something that feels good to you and you'll be on your way and in good shape.
In the end, these days, customers service is the big differentiator--and you won't get that on eBay. Buy local. Ask around and find out what shops and brands treat customers well. Saving a hundred bucks buying overseas is of little value if there's no one here to help you when something goes wrong and you need help.
Choose your local shop that can support you the best and go with what they recommend. In the end if you have problems with the kite it will be up to them to sort it out.
Find a local shop and try to get to know them. If you start buying gear from one place and get to know them they will look after you.
And to choose a kite, have a budget and see which brand has the best deal.
If you stick to the common brands you'll find they all perfom in a simular manner, it's only after riding for two or so years and trying a few kites you will get to know what style you have and which kite suits you.
What about second hand kites??
is there a year that you should stay above? eg 2008 too old??
obviuosly the newer the better. but just for interest sake.
is 2008 getting on a bit?
This is my first year kiting and i have 2 North Fuses, a 7m and a 10m.
I spoke to the shop owner were i bought them, asked lots and lots of questions, did lots of homework, forked out the hard earned and I love these kites!
BUT the only other thing i have to compare them too is the Best Kahoona's that my instructor used. Fair enough they are both different kites and both have their good and bad points, I am still very happy with my Fuses and they suit me quite well for now. Thats not too say I dont want to try another brand in the near future, im just waiting for the skill level to increase to a point were I could ride a multitude of different makes and models and make an informed decision on my own.
IMO kites are all the same, it comes down to personal preference. I mean the Nissan GT-R is quicker around the Nurburgring than a Porche 911 Turbo but i would still have the 911 anyday of the week
thats just my 2c worth but. . . .
Red ones are fast
Pink ones are gay
Blue and green ones are for plain and boring people
Black ones look cool to the uninitiated, but they aren't really
White ones are either never used or always dirty
Yellow ones are the go - get a yellow one (unless you work for BHP on the rail line, then you have to get an orange one - or quit and go work for Rio on the rail line).
