first post eppo where you haven't mentioned north rebel or ozone edge...
are u ok?
I have bought some switchkites ; I like them, are they the best? pah! the definition of that is hard. it's like the ford v Holden argument.
Some people like heavy bar pressure, some don't,
Some like fast turning some like slower, etc etc.
Who is right? Everyone! It's down to your riding style and experience.
So are they the best, prob not are they the best kite at under $1000 delivered to your door including pump bag and lines? most probably.
If you want to try them out gimmie a pm
Nobody has metioned airush and they get really good reveiws . im up for a new kite in september (going either maurtius or cape range/gnarloo) and will either buy airush or ozone c4 !! but perhaps nige will give me a go on his new one 
being as i might give you your harness back somtime
I have owned and tried quite a few kites and can only say that I am delighted with my current RRD religion 2011 for the surf although I am still hoping to demo the ozone Rio and Cabrinha's surf kite.
RRD is a little gutless and definately not a boosting kite but absolutely brilliant at going where you want effortlessly and the top end is magic due to unbelievable depower.
If you like to park the kite and let it drift, RRD is the perfect kite. I read in the gear forum that the 2012 model is meant to feel a bit gruntier which must be nice.
I also really loved the Airush vapor 2 and the vapor x is a nice kite.
There might be better kites out there in the surf but I am yet to try one.
Thanks so far for the replies.
Eppo - just to clarify - I am not a beginner, I kite all year round along the West Coast wherever the wind is, and I have a relationship to 2 retailers. Also - the main points were listed in the original post.
At the moment I have a 16,12,9 and 7 of one brand and was generally happy up to some time ago where the trouble started and will go on for some time unless I do something radical, which I do right now. Even if those kites are fixed they will reach their point of no return sometime in the not so distant future and I want replacement/backups in place when they go. Also I am flying my kites with one set of lines (1 set spare with older bar) and eventually I will need new lines and a new bar.
With the recent events I am seriously looking at other brands and yes I am going to try and demo my preferences. My way to choose and demo is to try and contact team riders or people I know with those kites and meet them at the beach where I can fly a kite back to back with mine I know in comparison. It is also good to chat with a team rider because I still consider their input more valuable than retailer info, because most retailer staff have book knowledge of most kites and only know a few kites at best from own experience or from what they get told by somebody else. I mean this is quite normal because you cannot fly each model in all sizes of one year, so you have to rely on third party info. For me team riders and direct comparison on a beach I know is the best way to test the kite in the size I want.
This is not meant as a rant against retailers, they provide some demos etc. but I rather use a team rider or friends kite and then shop around for the best price and not feeling obliged to pay RRP because I demoed a kite. That's just me .. I do not expect freebies, so I don't ask for it.
I have received a number of private messages with very constructive content. If anybody is interested and in the same boat I am happy to compile those pms into one (without poster name of course) and send it to you.
I am also ok if somebody wants to join in for a demo at the beach. I am looking at Core, Switch and Ozone and a couple of others (I know their team riders) and will try to arrange demos over the next few weeks.
If I offended anyone I appologise - it is not intentional, and if I sound too serious to some, well .. I want to have fun on the water so I am serious about my toy selection :).
Thanks again for all your time guys ...
regards
gmd
Id actually prefer to ride 2013 gear that comes out just after easter, like easter eggs come out on Boxing day, all the marketing hype says their so much better than last year in stablility, relaunch, And they can come with better over-ride, a new size, better low end grunt, Custom fuel injection, mega insane float and drift characteristics, a better evolutive profile, better efficient turnng speed, better instant WOW feel,better lightness of grams and feel, and thats just a few, quoting directly from their prospective websites on 2012 gear, Oh my god I need to change kites, not get better technique.
A slight piss take but pretty true, spending $100 on a cool coaching clinic is better than changing kite, as turtle hunter suggested It can be like learning likesurfing all over again when your an intermediate
Cabrinha.
Why ?;
- emphasis on safety in design,
- resale value,
- quality of build,
- performance,
- price ..... probably in that order.
* I generally only keep kites for 2 years max.
* Am content to pay more for Cab's, in return for their investment in R&D.
* I don't always buy new, and find with Cab's that I can trade up on Seabreeze or via surf shops for only 2 or $300 per kite.
Would be interesting to take a wide poll using these "reasons why" criteria... why people choose or become so passionate about brand .. what i sense is that the cheaper the kite, the more passionate the response, but the less logical ! ... so strip out the emotion and hysteria, dig real deep
happy kiting
GMD think you will find any good retailer has ridden every kite they can get their hands on to easily explain to the customer good and points according to their opinion, thats what i do as i just love to try stuff!
look at a brand that has a distributor set up here or at very least has spares available from your local retailer, even a 2 day wait from national distributor is better than a long wait from some faceless overseas supplier.
support your local retailer, you should have more joy from these guys as they are there to serve you. without them you would not have demo days, demo equipment, events or even a person to drop and see if there is any issue. demo stuff from these guys or their team riders.
if your purchase is price sensitive look in the 2nd hand market, their are plenty of bargains to be had.
on a personal note i would not buy from an overseas seller offering cheap kites, they do not support the local industry or you with back up and service.
Ask anyone on the beach you cant save money buying direct overseas. in the end you'll need local support and that will cost you more than had you bought the kite local from local retailers, through local distributors. Dont forget that its local shops that do more than anyone else to keep beach access open.
All the slingshot riders are out using their gear and not web surfing, get out there
