Hi All,
My father does kiting. He is looking at two kites, one is a 2008 Naish cult 12sqm. The other one is a 2008 Switchblade 10sqm.
Which one is the better of these two, in terms of use.
cool
Hey MrSpaggiari,
Firstly, I've got no alliances or sponsorship - so honest opinion.
Depends on your Dad's level/preferences.
I've not flown a 2008 switchy so I can't comment - my only understanding is, per the web site, that they're a wakestyle kite, so I presume that targets them at the un-hooking, wake-board type tricks like mobes and raleys (that I don't do!).
I own a 2008 Cult and it's the most fun kite I've ever owned (after 10 years in the sport). Suitable for beginners it's a versatile, user-friendly all-terrain kite, meaning you can enjoy a vast range of kiting areas (like surf, free-ride etc).
Great bar pressure and excellent quality (critical in a second hand kite).
You also get good support here in Australia as they have a local importer.
I've heard them crticised as 'lacking low end' which I think means they need a bit of breeze to get going. I've got some pics/video of me doing some ok jumps in 12-14k winds. They are bridled so they're not super twitchy but the payoff is smooth control.
Very popular kites worldwide - get my vote (just ordered the 2010 model).
I have flown every Cult since 2008 and they are all super stable kites. Cant say they really excell at anything but for generall purpose riding they are Fantastic.
If ur dad is seeking more high performance than the switchy is a better pic IMO
I love Cult but if I were your dad (Who knows maybe I am) I would demo both of them before I buy.
Demo is free, demo is fun, you might even find something better than both of these!
My Dad weighs 67kg's and he kited for a year with a 2007 Waroo 11m. He stopped kiting for a year and wants to start again. His first kite was a GTO 13m.
im that weight and fly an 08 Switchy. they are awesome kites. great for unhooking great for boosting. top kite. have neva flown the cult.
no affiliation, i just fly a 10m sb3 and it rocks. massive bottom end, well balanced, easy relaunch, clean simple bar, charges upwind, does everything well and at 67kg your dad would have no worries with this as his biggest kite. i'm 78kg and this is my biggest kite. i get going when other similar size dudes are on 12s. sure, melbourne winds are a bit punchier than qld, but you can't go wrong with the sb3.
My only avice - if you go the CULT 08, makes sure it has the smart loop conversion kit for the bar. BRIS kites fixed me up while I am OS, if possible make sure the kite your looking at has the conversion already.
I hate to mention Bow vs SLE
, as it has been done to death in the forum, but try before you buy, especially if dad has not used a bowie before - have got the same model CULT and love the boost - got to say a great all rounder.
The Cult sucks. If you have never flown another kite you may think its good. If it was half the price of the other leading kite brands you may want to consider it for a beginner.
It probably doesn't matter which one you buy. They're both good kite companies and your dad probably is not experienced enough to know the difference.
I have hundreds of hours on Switchblades and I like them. The 2008 Switchblade is a classic model. Excellent kite. The 10m is a sweet size.
If your are going Switchblades try to come up to a 2009 model. You can buy brand new ones at a good discount and the safety system is outstanding. Far better than the 2008 model.
I have the Cult you are speaking of and have flown the SB also.
if you go for the cult you have to put on the smart loop and you have to put on a longer donkey dick.
without both of those resolved "features" the kite can be a bit of a pain in the a$$.
the Cabie out of the bag was a great kite, heaps of low end and heaps of loft, moreso than the cult.
the cult however feels like it has less bar pressure and more de-power.
which kite??????
cult is super easy at re-launch, better than the Cabie
self launch - about the same
self land - Cult
turning while in the air - i'd say the cult but that is my kite
I put a reply in the gear review section.
I
n summary 08Cult (Smooth but bottom end and bar feedback are bad without bridle mod)
Switchy (Good all rounder)
So I would say go the Switchblade
It's worth pointing out the 7 out of 10 kites in my area are all Switchblades. That has a lot to do with the local shop selling them but it also indicates that there are lots of happy kiters on them.
Naish kites are very rare around here.
switchblade has a far better resale.. I have a 08 naish i cant give away..
But in saying that. you will probably pick up a second hand naish for a better price.. Then if you don't like it you can make some handbags out of it
Crikey, what a thread!
Good to see the passion
Bit like holden v ford
But not sure what MrSpaggiari’s dad will think – everything from a paternity test to a bit of mc****ery!
It comes down to what your dad wants......test ride is the best option. I owned the 08 Cabrinha and it is a grunty kite- loads of power, very stable and predictable but slow turning. It has a large wind range as well.
The Cult with the smart loop has a bigger wind range but less bottom end. A very stable kite also and quicker turning.
Both kites have plenty of boost- they use very different techniques though.
Coming from a Waroo he will (imho) like the cult better- I think they are more similar in their characteristics than the switchblade.
Unless acepara’s clever solution has concluded mrspag’s dad’s quest that’s about 7 all!
Derr? um like are you really um serious? because you sound like you have had a frontal lobotomy recently
I'll take it if its for free... :P
Thanks for the advice everyone. Really helped us, I think my dad has a good idea now what he'll take.
I'm pretty light, I'm under 60kg, I'll get to use the kite also. hopefully should be okay for me too.
Cool
:)
