Rider: 90 kilos,Level (advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Freestyle
Weather: 18-33 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: (Shop and school owner)
My Comments: We received the first three kites from Eclipse for demo purposes ahead of the main production kites just the other day and had a chance to ride all three today. The Eclipse Thruster 12m, the Eclipse Nano 9m and the Eclipse Kima Wave 6m.
I'll give a very basic review at this stage as the kites we were sent were pre-production and were sent with 08 bars and no bags so I'll only comment on the kite itself.
The Thruster is very well made, totally bomb proof construction and well finished. One pump, SLE with one pulley on each wingtip. Moderately high aspect ratio amd 5 struts. It looks excellent in red and yellow with screen printed graphics to liven it up.
Due to incorrect bar and lines and gusty strong winds I didn't self launch and didn't test water relaunch today.
The kite is fast, I mean really fast. For a 12m it was easily turning as fast as a good 9m! Moderate bar pressure and so easy to steer and sheet. The 08 bar had very short range of movement (about 15 inches), but was adequate to depower the kite in all but the most agressive gusts.
This kite boosts like nothing else. I had some of the scariest and longest jumps of all time and it was so easy, no technique to get right, just redirect the kite and hang on tight! Closest thing to my previous fave kite the 11.5m Airush Lift Pro of 2003.
I love this kite, a truly awesome 12m for going big and having fun. I cannot stress enough the need to demo this kite. It is available now for demo from AKS at Pinnaroo Point.
I'll review the kite again when I get a full production model with all the trimmings.
Good winds,
Kitepower Sydney also received 3 09 Eclipse kites last Monday - yep one day late for the demo day!
Thanks UPS!
Anyway I've flown the 12M Truster and so have a couple of others and I can say that I have to agree with Darren, the Eclipse Thruster is a big abd floaty booster.
The Nano 9M is a grunty all rounder, I've really only tested this kite in the bottom end of its wind range, on the 08 bar.
Build quality is excellent, and the one pump system is external and can simply be removed for those that don't like one pump.
Tested the thruster 12M in approx 15-23 knots, and at the upper end of the wind that day it was so much fun to ride and jump with. definitely one of the fastest flying and turning 12M kites I've ever flown, feels like a 10M.
More stock will arrive over the next couple of weeks.
Kites will be avilable from AKS/Kitepower, Phils kite shop Adelaide, and other dealers to be announced soon.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve
I've never flown the Eclipses. To date, the Ozone Instinct Edges are the Biggest, floaties jumpers I've ever flown.
How do you think the Eclipses compare to the Edges in terms of jumping and hang time ?
Cheers,
IAN
Hi Ian,
You may remember the 11.5m Airush Lift Pro kite that I loved so much, the one Glen bought. That was an aggresive beast of a kite much similar to the Thruster.
The Ozone Edge is still a very sweet jumping kite and is more glider like than the Thruster. The Thruster is very 'aggressive' in the way ifires you off the water where the Edge is very smooth and refined. Both give excellent height and hangtime but the way it is delivered couldn't be more different.
The Edge is more of a gentlemens kite, sophisticated, smooth and polished in the way it flies and jumps. The Thruster is a bad boy, wild and edgy. Both really really fun, just different.
I think the Thruster turns faster than the Edge which helps it 'throw you up' in the air, but the stability of the canopy and the foil profile of the Edge give a smoother ride.
They're both awesome, just different and well worth a ride in well powered conditions. It scared the hell out of me on the first jump until I got used to it's turning speed.
Have fun,
Good winds,
Hey Darren,
Really appreciate the detailed feedback.
The sound of the Eclipses really has me interested. I'll be trying it out for myself over the next few days thanks to Steve at Kitepower. Would love to hear your thoughts on the Nano as well.
Looking forward to catching up with you from 2nd to 9th of Jan when when we get to WA for a play.
Cheers,
IAN
Hey Ian,
You actually going to make it over this year??? I seem to remember a lot of umming and ahhing last year and then a no show 
We might even let you borrow some of our wind whilst you're here. So long as you don't take any of it home with you. 
Cheers and I look forward to catching up with you when you if you get here.
Good winds,
Hey Darren,
Was planning to go last year but had major family issues at the time which had to take priority. Can't see myself missing the trip for the next 10 years or so from now on.
Have already promised to bring wind back for various people here in wind deprived Sydney but as I understand, you guys have plenty to spare. May even check out some real estate whilst there. If I remember our conversation from one night.... the demographics sound quite favourable !
What kite do you see yourself flying the most this season ?
Cheers,
IAN
Hey Ian,
Sorry that wont wok mate, we have border guards at the border and all major airports, bus and train stations who check baggage to ensure no one takes away any WA wind from the state.
In fact, all wind here is fitted with satellite tracking devices and the control room can change the wind to gusty, light and offshore crap with the flick of a switch. You'll notice that as the wind comes over the Great Divinding Range it turns to crap, this isn't by accident! [}:)]
As for what I'll be riding this year? Probably everything! 
Determined by the wind and water conditions of the day. It's hard to have a selection of 23 kites and 12 boards 
Good winds, see ya in the new year.
Hey Darren,
That wind stuff is like gold. I'm almost picturing guys in dark sunnies with trench coats selling it illegally on street corners.
The only downside to the WA wind protection policy is the fact that it means many Sydney Siders and worse still, Queenslanders are going to have to migrate to WA to get the wind.... Is that what you really want ?????
IAN
Hey Ian,
Perhaps you have a point. Maybe we can set up some sort of bilateral trade agreement. We can send you some wind in trade for some ....... um ...... er...... um ...... can I get back to you?
What is it you guys have that we don't? Oh yeah, som culcha. Mmmmm yeah, we could maybe use a bit of that stuff. Not really an equal trade, but we'll take one for the team
Good winds,
Hi sburlo,
I'd love to be able to help with this one but I haven't flown the 08 version. I can tell you that there is no problem with the stability of the 09 model, very stable!
I'm not going to test and comment on the relaunch until I have the new factory bar with the correct amount of depower throw as this will effect the relaunch. Chris tells me relaunch was one of the factors they improved on last years models though.
Good winds,
Thanks Kitehard, I have the Thruster 16m and 12m 08 models and initially found the reluanch a bit tricky in lighter winds but don't have a problem now that I'm using the old c kite method in order to move it on its back. In stronger winds it goes up easily by just pulling on the oh sh.t ring outer line.
I am tempted to try some jumps and do the kite justice, but I better get my slide transitions perfected first
Is March a good time to get lessons in Perth?
What is the general feedback on the 09 Thruster with the 08 bar so far? Darren, Steve?
Has Eclipse still got an importer in OZ?
I had a look at the two respective web sites and can't find any advertising and/or pricing for Eclipse.
It makes me wonder that the Bullet proof warranty is a bit tough on the retailers.I don't know what agreement they have but it must be tough.
I am not stirring here, it is just I have not heard much or seen much lately.
Cheers
Rich
Hi Richswing,
Due to the crash of the Aussie dollar and a few other mini problems, it was decided not to bring the kites into Oz this year and maybe try again next year if the X change rate improves. Bit of a pity because the kites are really nice.
I have a little used demo 12m Thruster, 9m Nano and 6m Kima for sale. Going cheap!
Good winds,
Kitehard
So what happened? No Eclipse Kites this year?
Can anyone tell us what's happening with the warranty on existing Eclipse Kites that are still within the first year of purchase?
Hi Junglist,
Unfortunately it seems that the Eclipse kites will not be brought into the country by an Australian Importer, but service will be available from a dealer in New Zealand.
I'll try and get some details for anyone with existing Eclipse Kites and will post info here probably early next week. I have a mailing address but no email phone or web. Sorry! As soon as I know, you will too!
Good winds,
Cheers Kitehard
I guess this is going to happen across many manufacturers. It will be interesting to see how many pull out of Aus due to the AUD.
Good times for the home grown companies (if they can shift manufacturing back to Aus).
Cheers
