Hey guys . Recently moved to perth from the gc .Seeing if I could get some seasoned advice . Been riding a year now and the 2011 north fuses I bought to learn on both 12m and 9m are getting a bit "tired" . I'm sort of leaning towards the freestyle side of things so thinking a vegas is on the cards . But seeing as I havnt really ventured into the world of new school (never unhooked , but love popping) maybe I should take a bit less of a transition and go a ozone catalyst or north evo . Just wondering if anyone can shed some light . Like does the catalyst actually perform well enough for some wanting to persue new school . Or if the vegas potential would just be wasted on someone just starting . Cheers guys any help would be awsome .
2 nd hand C4 is a good crossover kite
But definatley try unhooking first on what you've got. It may not be for you
I assume you're on flat water ?!
Vegas is fine, demo'd new 2013 after my first year and was fine for all-round use even though it's marketed as freestyle.
P.s. Might wanna try hooked in tricks first there's quiet alot to learn before you go trying to rip your arms off pullin freestyle unhooked moves.
I've got a pair of 2013 Cats and absolutely love them. I mostly use them for bay swell and a bit of wave riding.
As far as jumping and pop are concerned they're okay, but perhaps you should be looking at the C4 if you want to get into freestyle.
I have the ozone c4 and the catalyst, I use the c4 for freestyle but I also use the catalyst for freestyle and wave riding. If your looking for an advanced all round kite I would say the catalyst 
Dave it really depends on what your preference is with regards to bar pressure and how direct and responsive you want the kite to be. If you want to go pure wakestyle go higher bar pressure slow moving as in C4 or Fuel or some like the softer allround Cat. If you want to throw it around, sinus the crap out of it, loop and boost high as well as getting into some wakestyle and you like your kite agile and direct with light bar pressure go Vegas. Pure freeride delta/SLE kites won't be good for freestyle/wakestyle and will actually slow you down. Make sure you demo before you buy. Taste is so different. Some like the Cat for waves even. I would not even consider it for everyday's cruising as for me it is in the same category as the Rebel Evo Fuse whatnots
kites like vegas are torch are nothing like the perception they have as "lunatics may only apply bull$hit". Direct feel, fast response, dont need 4ft long arms and way more depower than many think.
Catalyst is more than adequate at this stage. For basic unhooked stuff it behaves just fine, and Patrick Blanc used his for very advanced stuff last year. The C4 will provide more slack, but this is only relevant once you're passing the bar. Until then the Catalyst will give you more options.
Hey Dave,
I tested both these kites in the last month, what the boys have posted is spot on.
Vegas...Great freestyle and all round performance, I was blown away buy the stability and upwind. It does has a pop and slack feature...took a test ride to find this out. Basically when the kite is lower in the sky and you pop it will depower..allows you to handle pass. pop it straight up in the air and you wont feel the pop and slack as much...IMO.
Catalyst....awesome allround performer, but needs to be told what to do..ie you will work a little harder to get air...but wont have to del with the pop and slack of the vegas.
The awnswer...test ride em mate....
