Hi everyone, I would really appreciate your help.
I have been flying the same kite for 5 years (a griffin MMIX) and thought it might be time to get a newer one.
Yesterday I flew a 2014 Ozone Reo 10m and a 2014 Griffin TRX 10m in 20 - 22 knots side onshore in small surf on a surfboard.
It was so cool to fly different kites. What a learning experience! Here's what I found out:
1. I LOVE the fast turning speed. My old 10.5m Griffin felt like a big old truck when I got back on it.
2. I loved not being pulled away from the face of the wave as much when riding "into" the wind.
3. My old kite has way more low end "grunt" than the Reo or TRX.
4. I'm not good enough to notice any difference in turning speed between the TRX and the Reo, but the TRX was definitely smoother and had less flutter. The Reo had better low end power and I think drifted backwards better (but that was hard to tell).
All of this brings me to the Drifter. I can't afford a new Reo, and even the new TRX would be really pushing my finances. But there is an almost new 2012 Drifter 11m that I might be able to afford. Unfortunately I can't demo one, so I'm asking if anyone can please help me?
Specifically I'd like to know two things:
How does the low end power and the turning speed of a 2012 11m Drifter compare with the 2014 10m Reo or TRX?
I'd really really apprecaite if I could get replies from people who have flown them, if there is anybody? (I've done weeks of reading and I can speculate all I want to by myself.)
The reo is quicker .The drifter has more power.The drifter has less flutter and slightly better lift.Cabrinha bar is way ahead of ozones bar.I like the reo lightning quickness ,but I feel that you can go a 1 m2 smaller with a drifter to make up for the speed difference.
Thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately, that's bad news for me. I like the idea of the drifter having more power and less flutter, but it sounds like the 11m drifter will turn quite a bit slower than the 10m REO. I know this is really difficult, but is there some way you could describe just how much slower the 11m drifter would turn? My purchasing decision could very well rest on your answer.
Did Griffin make a model MMIX? I've seen some people using that. It's the roman numerals for the year model. MMlX is 2009. My Argo has MMX on the bag, 2010 model.
I've been riding a 2013 TRX for the last 6 months and absolutely love it. It' drifts really well when on the face of a wave and upwind ability is really good. I hear the 2014s are even better!! I
I have been using a demo trx for the last few weeks now and I love it .
I found it is so much easier to use in the surf than the griffin argo's that
I have been using and will still use great for boosting big air but the trx is a much sweeter kite Fast turning easier looping it's like it wants you to ride the waves not try to drag you away from them .
I liked it that much I just bought one and go figure no wind for a week on the forecast
Their prices are pretty good compared to some other brands and the quality is up there as we'll my 2013 argo's are still in very good nick .
Over all trx is a great kite stick with griffin .
One other thing I will add about the TRX 2014 model is the wind range. On a surfboard, 82 kilos, I can use my 10.5 in 15 knots all the way to 30. Although at 25 plus I have to start trimming the kite and should swap out for a smaller one, I have never felt out of control when the wind really ramped up. This kite will loop with just a flick of the wrist, drift with you down the line, or power you through sections like you are going through a set of gears on a sports car. The power is super easy to manage. The other two kites you mentioned are great kites too, but I would take the TRX over them, Reo next, Drifter last. The reality is this though, everyone likes something slightly different, and NONE of these kites will let you down. They are all top notch, great quality, and you more than likely will be happy with whatever you decided to purchase.
Cant comment on the drifter, but ive been riding a 10m TRX for a season and i cant say a bad thing about it. I dont ride in less than 15knots because anything less is boring on any kite for me, but at 15-25 this kite excels. It turns very quickly allowing for fast turns on waves or at the bottom of a wave and it drifts back into wind beautifully...there is gr8 response from the bar and i know exactly what the kite is doing and what to expect.
Happy kiting!
Thanks for all the replies guys (sorry I'm so late - I was waiting for an email telling me somebody had replied to this thread, but never got one - is it possible to turn that feature on - I can't find it?)
I've had some information, from someone that owned one, that the Drifter does not work well in an 11m.
Anyway, the TRX is definitely on my short list. I am going to try it with a slightly different configuration to hopefully gain some low end and I'll report back (if ever we get any wind). That was good data dafish - I would really like to be able to use it 17 to 25 knots (I'm 88kg and ride a surfboard, inefficiently).
Zan, how heavy are you. Where, and what board, are you riding at 15 knots?
sandyscott, you must be a youngster - Griffin did indeed make an MMIX back in the day (2009, as you say). I've really enjoyed it too, but I'm hooked on the faster turning of these new ones I think.
Select to expand quoteZan said..
It turns very quickly allowing for fast turns on waves or at the bottom of a wave and it drifts back into wind beautifully...there is gr8 response from the bar and i know exactly what the kite is doing and what to expect.
Happy kiting!
Hey goog64 I'm 90kgs and ride 2013 11mt drifter and can say the same things Zan said about it.. However sweet spot is 20-25kts
I ride the 2014 TRX 10.5 with the new bridle and the low end is great. I have been riding Argos for the last 4 yrs and tried some previous yrs TRX's and preferred the steady grunt of the Argos especially for wave riding but am now convinced about the merits of the TRX in this size. The 10.5 is a real pleasure to fly and I have ridden it from 15kts to 30kts. the fun is between 18 and 25. I tried the 7 m TRX last week in 35kts and found the turning speed to quick. I have a 7m Argo and that is my favourite kite in the quiver followed very closely by the 10.5. I have been riding for 14 years now and the Griffins are awesome kites that come with very good after sales service. I am sure you will enjoy the kite.
Hey Strapped, tune your 7 by moving the steering lines on to the next setting away from the tip of the wing. I did that for a few sessions until I got used to the speed. I was using a longer bar at the time and it helped. Now I have a medium bar and have moved them back to the wing tip. After flying the TRX I prefer them over the Argo even in the small sizes. Saying that, I have a 5 mt Argo ready as a storm kite, but I have not had the op to use that yet as the 7 Trx can handle up in the high 30's without any issues.
