Select to expand quoteterryzarmzof said..
hey eppo how cheap are you getting kites to dribble on about ozone this this long, seriously mate if your not getting kick backs you should be
He dribbles on in equal amounts about other brands as well so I tend to trust his word 
Select to expand quoteludbey said..
definitely agree with KP comments regarding size range, very hard to build a balanced quiver with only even sizes in the cats & reos e.g. my preferred choice would be 6, 9, 12 and my mate who weighs 7 kg more would prefer 7, 10, in the waves. this is about the only thing that ozone don't do well. ( not relevant to your topic eppo but if this info is going to be fed back to ozone)
Standby for news you will like then, Ozone do listen and all the team including the designer and owner are kitesurf addicts...
Select to expand quoteKitepower Australia said..ludbey said..
definitely agree with KP comments regarding size range, very hard to build a balanced quiver with only even sizes in the cats & reos e.g. my preferred choice would be 6, 9, 12 and my mate who weighs 7 kg more would prefer 7, 10, in the waves. this is about the only thing that ozone don't do well. ( not relevant to your topic eppo but if this info is going to be fed back to ozone)
Standby for news you will like then, Ozone do listen and all the team including the designer and owner are kitesurf addicts...
Steve,
Please don't hold out on me. Ozone Reo sizes are a bit of a sore point for me, and if I could get a 6, 9, and a 12, it would be awesome. It's a decision changer! ... that and the bar
Yeh reckon I just dribble in general lol. But yeh I give all kites their due worth, ta Zarb.
While I'm only guessing I'd say ozone would have to consider size inclusions for Reo and indeed as the kite hasn't changed much for a while, I'd also predict some changes to the reo as there are some other great opposing wave kites at the moment, but hey I'm only guessing. Rob and I aren't on first name basis..lol...and I reckon we will never be after this post
Well in the end who am I to make judgements about this line. Just providing a Debono impossible probable (think that's it?). or is it improbable possible?
Alas this aspect junkie it seems will just have to lock and load the edge and go big!
ps and surely the quick release is coming? Then again I have no prob with the bar, none at all!
Eppo, your a customer and I reckon you give very good analysis and feedback... No need to be humble !
Hmm, bunch of perspectives here. For me, the Cat has taken up much of the slack left by the C4s shift to a more dedicated "C." To reduce the Cat's "C-ish" arc to make it more Edgey would reduce the fun factor for me, as well as its unhooked abilities. The Cat is not quite as stable when unhooked as the C4 and doesn't sit as deep, but for an aging hack like me (basic unhooked rotations but not passing the bar) it is more than adequate.
So while some would like the Cat closer to the Edge, I'm one who likes it's hybrid-C fun factor. I still think that 75% or so of all non-expert kiters, and many experts would find this year's Cat more than able to do anything they ask of it. For intermediates, the only time I think you may want something other than a Cat is perhaps for a larger kite where a 13m or 15m Edge will haul ass more efficiently than the 14m Cat (which will still rock for heavier guys). The 10m and 8m Cats (on which I have logged a lot of hours) are just super fun as they are methinks - massive wind range, unhookable, boost large, turn quickly and smoothly, instant relaunch, great upwind and still rock for part-time wave riders.
My message to Ozone? "Thank you for top quality, gimmick-free, refined, and utterly functional kites. Keep it up!"
As usual great observations djodjo.
no I don't think the cat needs to move towards the edge it's a good for for most riders. Love my 8m on those big swell crazy days.
My vouch is for something that sits between the edge and the cat. A freeride kite for those that never want to unhook but want more edge like qualities (the cat doesn't get close to the edge for boosting) but is not far across the spectrum to race. Something that gives a little more static pull and doesnt rely so mich on apparent wind build up. Also something that is a little easier tonise in the waves. A free ride kite with aspect not a fiull blown race kite. Something like a smaller zephyr.
Select to expand quotedjdojo said..
I still think that 75% or so of all non-expert kiters, and many experts would find this year's Cat more than able to do anything they ask of it.
Are you saying this from a freeride perspective? Like what eppo is hoping to achieve in a kite? Or does this count for waves as well? From all I have heard, this years Cat is far more grunty, thus would this not be less than desirable for waves?
^^^ Just go down a size. Def gruntier than the REO for a given size (I have limited experience of current REOs but I'd say 10m REO = 8m Catalyst for power), but in terms of bar pressure, turning responsiveness, drift-ability, relaunch, depower at the bar and other factors important to wave riders, the Catalyst more than performs.
For sure the REO will suit some people better (and I would say that the better the rider, the bigger and cleaner the waves, the more likely the REO will become preferred), but for those who are using the kite a bit more than the wave, and have to punch through some slop the Cat will match the REO while still being more versatile if you're also riding a twintip.
In my opinion ozone have pretty much everything covered for everyone. Sure some additional sizes, but really that's being picky. Always been happy with ozones over the years and love a bit of fresh design which require some adjustments in technique. Keeps kiting fresh and progressive..
Only thing I could say is I wish the 2013 C4 had less bar pressure. I just couldn't adjust my technique enough to cope with long sessions on what was otherwise the perfect freestyle kite.
I have settled my quiver with 2013 Reo's, 2012 C4's and a 2013 14m Cat (my light wind kite).. I think I have everything covered lol 
Cool default. I see your not a fan of much aspect in those kite choices. Agree with djodjo on the cat with a TT in the surf. That punch is really handy when the waves are getting near head high and above on a TT.
You know something.. I've never tried an edge, have always wanted to but never quite got around to it. But really only to have a go as I don't think it suits my style base, albeit I reckon it would be a lot of fun.. Probably dangerous too as I have too many kites as it is
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Cool default. I see your not a fan of much aspect in those kite choices. Agree with djodjo on the cat with a TT in the surf. That punch is really handy when the waves are getting near head high and above on a TT.
Hey Eppo, I reckon it's not necessarily all about aspect ratio - the arc is very important to the feel of the kite too. The Edge is Ozone's flattest arc which is as much a part of its upwind efficiency as is its aspect ratio. Part of why I'm not interested in riding Edges (even though obviously they're the best kite in the world for their intended application) is that for me there's just more of a "rock n roll" fun factor (to coin a technical phrase) with more of a C-ish arc, and I suspect this might be why some people are more into their 2013 Cats.
My 2c
Rip over to Mauritius Eppo. There's some 2014 gear from a few major brands doing the rounds. You could be like the paparazzi, seabreeze spy, test pilot.
Yeh as I listen to crew of both forums and delve into this, I have come to that conclusion to Djdojo. Thanks for that. I love aspect, but the flat arc may be my issue. Yeh I love a bit of rock n roll as well, hence why I'm digging the zephyr. And indeed the cat for certain sessions. I suppose I want a different type of rock roll, rock with a bit of aspect roll. Find the zephyr has that perfect blend for me. While the cats power is very obvious, it lacks that smoothness i get with the edge and zephyr. Got real obvious grunt this year...but a much better kite than last year for sure.
Obviously I must have a particular feel in mind.
The 2013 blade trigger interests me. It has that aspect but more C arc as you mention. But getting on one in WA is near nigh impossible. Rather stay with ozone though for my main kite. Hey in the end my edge sessions are unreal, so just investigating into this.
Maybe I'm over thinking it as usual.
Perhaps its time to start some r&d Eppo. Fashion yourself a bridle for the 10 edge to bend it into a more C profile!....
You might create a weapon?!
Then you could start a company sorta like HSV for holden.
"Eppo's Pimped ozone Bridles"
Hot rod your stock edge with this pimped cabelage...
Boost harder, loop meaner, ride waves like a dolphin all for a low low price of $297.
Classic! Lol. if I thought I could design kites I would! But alas I feel that is beyond my capabilities. By a long long way.
Mauritius hey. Via Bali Sanur which I'm hitting in a week lol. might be some kites I can try there!! Lol.
You get what I've been going on about Plummett don't ya? It seems I'm in my own vacuum here and everyone is posing the cat as the solution to all freeriders out there. But it really isnt i can assure you, been on every size for a decent amount of time to on different boards in different conditions.
Sorry for the slighly off-topic hijack;
But I'm after some advice. I only have a 12m 2012 Reo at the moment and am looking for a bigger wind kite for this summers season. I love my reo, but I feel that if I get an 8m (Reo or catalyst) I will have a window where I will either be overpowered or underpowered. Same with if I get a 10m I will still be overpowered.
Sure I could get a 9m something else, like cabrinha switchblade or airush lithium - but then I would have to buy a bar which would work out almost as expensive as buying two new ozones w/out bar.
Bear in mind I'm still very much a newbie, I weigh 80kg and kite in Sydney where 70% of kite-able days we have 15 - 22kts and 20% of the time 22 - 28kts. More than happy to sit out the >30kts or light wind days.
Would love to hear some opinions :)
Select to expand quotePhoney said..
Sorry for the slighly off-topic hijack;
But I'm after some advice. I only have a 12m 2012 Reo at the moment and am looking for a bigger wind kite for this summers season. I love my reo, but I feel that if I get an 8m (Reo or catalyst) I will have a window where I will either be overpowered or underpowered. Same with if I get a 10m I will still be overpowered.
Sure I could get a 9m something else, like cabrinha switchblade or airush lithium - but then I would have to buy a bar which would work out almost as expensive as buying two new ozones w/out bar.
Bear in mind I'm still very much a newbie, I weigh 80kg and kite in Sydney where 70% of kite-able days we have 15 - 22kts and 20% of the time 22 - 28kts. More than happy to sit out the >30kts or light wind days.
Would love to hear some opinions :)
You need 2 smaller kites. Wait until new reo released, and you will see secound hand 2013 models on buy and sell here. You should pick up 2 kites for much the same price as a new one; especially if you only get 1 bar.
me to and wait. 2014 news is out in two weeks. As i said I predict new sizes and new designs for the reo...only guessing but it makes sense and it is what I would do given the market and the competition regarding different wave kites out there. Who knows! Doesn't look like my wish will come true though.
phoney.
add a 10m. that will get you to 25knots easy and 30 at a pinch. then aim to add a 8m at a later date. I find the 8m good from 25-35.
of course the boys advice to wait and see sizing is good. 12,9 would make a good combo. But 12,10,8 would make for an even better combo.
ps if your liking reo then stick with it. in my opinion if you want a reo/cat quiver then you should run cats in bigger sizes and reos in smaller sizes.
PS Yes Eppo I understand your demand for a kite thats more punchy and glidy than the cat but better in the waves than the edge. I want that kite too.
If we could jam the best bits of edge,cat,c4 into a kite that would be the ideal 10m kite for me.
Select to expand quotePhoney said..
Thanks Pearl. So an 8 & a 10 is what you would recommend?
Cheers
At 73kg on surfboard, I have a 6, 8, & 10m reos. In northern NSW I use 10m 60% of the time, 8m 30%, 6m <10%. At your weight an 8 & 10m (with your existing 12) should cover you for all but the nuking days. It's good on a surfboard to put up the right size kite for conditions. You can miss out on the sweetest size kite, from having a 2 kite quiver. The reos are wonderful kites. The only thing I would like to see in the new model is a fraction more raw punt on the bar, but I'm guessing that would change all the other dynamics.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..
Whew thankgod Plummett, thought I was going crazy...
Demo, demo, demo theres a new release from North coming soon, had a brief session on it last week, it may be of interest to you guys,
oh wait, you might not like the colours
Okay I will bight. I'm a big fan of north kites, colours who cares, (Although holy Sh1t bricks what are they thinking...)
What a new line completely...how many bloody lines do they want!
Tell me more my friend...
ps And most would attest to demoing enough kites is not a problem of mine...why do you think I'm on ozone kites...
Sounds dicey....
