Weight 83kg
Board 137 LF Recoil Comp
Riding Style None - mowing the lawn, hooked in rolls, boosts
Looking for a new kite to replace 13m and 9m 06 Fuels (5 line). I really liked the concept of the Ozone C4, and demo'd an 11m last weekend in 15-18kts. Felt very similar to the Fuels in lots of ways, although easier relaunch, and way better low end wind range. I really wanted to like this kite, and did, but I wasn't blown away.
To round out the experience, thought I'd give an 11m Octane a try to sample the dark side of bridles and pulleys. Wish I hadn't - I didn't want to like it....but I did. Relaunch in seconds, easy, more floaty jumps - I even (accidentally) did a backloop kiteloop with only minor injuries.
So now I'm torn. Never ridden anything but C's, but progression has been maddeningly slow.
It feels like one of those sports car/station wagon decisions.
When I rode the Octane yesterday, I was pretty sure I was going to go with the C4, but today, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face, and had the most fun session I've had in ages.
So, what am I missing? I don't like the complexity of pulleys and such, and I really didn't like the push away QR on the Octane, but otherwise, the kite did it for me, but I'm looking for some more experiences before making the final call. One thing did bother me - on launch I had the kite depowered a bit, and it overflew and dropped out of the sky. Relaunch with no depower, and no problem.
Would love comments from those who've flown both.
if you tried it and liked it, then go for it.
But as an alternative there are also other 5 line C kites which are way better than 06/07 Fuels, and are absolutely amazing to ride in all aspects. If you need more details just PM me...
dont worry about bridals and pully's, there really simple and work great as long as there not choked up with sand
If you liked the ozone bar setup and don't like pulleys maybe you should demo the catalyst. It would be closer to the octane than the c4.
or try other model fuels. the 06 was the worst fuel made in my opinion, especially for low end range
RPM will give you the best of both worlds... Demo one, if you like C kites but feel a little intimidated on a fuel when trying new tricks and things go wrong. Nice kite, grunty, but truns like a C
Naaah - made the right choice I reckon, Scott came in today and picked up a new 11m Octane :)
for the masses - the Octane does everything the C4 does - without the hard crashes...
It's not untill you get into passes and really high end stuff that the C4 wins over the Octane - and many people buy the C4 because of its pedigree, when in reality they'd be better off with the forgivness of the Octane...
RPM doesn't turn like a C.
RPM is a great kite for cruising, waveriding, hitting rails and some people really like it for freestyle and wakestyle also, it is a great all rounder, but in reality it is nothing like a fuel.
If you think an SLE kite feels like a direct attached C-kite, you might as well just say all kites feel pretty much the same, they fly and they turn.
Your best bet is to give as many kites a try as possible, different strokes for different folks. Everyone can tell you what they think would be best, but no one is going to know what you like better than you. Don't listen to anyone, try them and make up your own mind.
I vote RPM's 8 10 an 12 all bases covered I would like a 6 too for nuking wind and big waves 
Thanks for all the thoughts - got the Octane in Black, grey and silver - have to strike while the iron is hot when the missus offers to buy you a kite
. I'll keep you posted on whether my rate of progression increases (maybe in the Newb's forum).
"Prepare the Bat-Kite Alfred"
