Hi Peeps,
AT long last a wind worthy of breaking open a new 7m Ozone Instinct Edge II.
Wind Speed :SS/W 20-27 knots
Board : Airush 132 X-Pact (my baby)
Water conditions : Extremely choppy and quite messy.
Rider weight : ~ 86kg (I've lost a couple pounds 
)
As I have done lengthy reviews on the Ozone Sports bag and bar etc in previous reviews, and the Edge's having the same bars, accessories and bags I won't go into it, I'll just focus on the kite itself.
Firstly, after flying the other Edge II's and sport II's of all sizes and knowing how well they jump and fly, I had BIG expectations from this kite and was just a little nervous about how twitchy it might be to fly. I expected it to go big ..... in fact very big!
Pump up was very quick and went to 10psi in no time at all. As usual rock solid! Laid out the lines and connected up in a few moments.
Grabbed an Assisted launch and felt good power immediately the kite filled. Added light pressure and brought it to 12. I was feeling just a little excited at this point.
Same light bar pressure, same super direct steering and same super stability as all the rest of the kites. Didn't expect that, thought it may be a bit twitchy in the gusty winds, but nope, sat there still and obediently waiting for input.
I obliged with a couple quick turns left and right between 11 and 1 and was lifted a few feet and landed gently again. The steering wasn't as insane as I thought it would be. It was quick, just a little quicker than the 9m Edge and Sport but not as quick as the 7m Sport (due to the higher aspect).
First run I was a little under powered in around 20 knots but was still making ground easily upwind and doing small (10 foot) jumps. I tightened the back lines with the adjusters to give a little more feeling and power and then the kite really lit up. Straight away, more power and great feel. The kite wasn't nervous at all and in fact felt exactly like the 9 and 11 Edges. Solid, stable and smoooooth!
Found a nice gust probably around 25kn and sent the kite. It was hard to get a good ramp ion the crazy chop but still managed some very respectable height. At the apex of the jump, I felt another gust and went up again, then floated a bit then redirected the kite and gently touched down through a very controlled soft descent. I loved it!
Same again all afternoon, nice boosts, great hangtime and smooth landings. On the odd time I got a decent load up on take of and combined it with a gust, It took me up to some serious height. I never was more than moderately powered even in the rain squalls.
Top end wind speed would be hard to judge, but I would think mid to high 30's would be very comfortable before feeling the need to use the trim and depower it.
Overall, the nicest high performance 7m kite I have ever flown. Easy enough to use by an advanced beginner to intermediate kiter, yet the performance to jump to super scary height. A good ramp with smooth water take off in 35 knots will see a decent rider at 40+ feet in a heart beat . Certainly not for the sufferers of Vertigo.
Abesy was unhooking on it with no stalling at all and made the kite look fun and predictable.
This will make an impressive winter wind kite. Made me think of a joke whilst kiting today as I watched the others on the Ozones : Q. How can you tell Ozone riders at a party amongst other kiters. A. Sunburnt front teeth!
Good winds,
