Rider: 80kg , Intermediate'ish Rider (few years experience)
Style: Freestyle + abit of everything else
Weather: 15-20 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Buy my own gear, changed from SS to Ozone recently
My Comments:
Ok, Some of you may have read my other review on the 11m, I received my highly anticipated 8m just before xmas and wanted to get a couple of sessions under the belt before I commented...
After thinking about many different quiver options, im stoked with the 11 and 8 for WA conditions.
The main reason i opted for the C4 was because i was looking for that great direct feel and wanted a kite that provides you performance (pull) in the turns.
First session was on the river in one of those great morning easterly’s(boxing day?) surprisingly strong for the river from around 18-25kn or so.
Initial thoughts were that this kite is super quick, quicker than my old 8m RPM and other 7m i have tried (7m DOS). Took 20 or so mins to get used to the speed as i had been flying my 11m for the last month or two. Once dialled, really started to make better use of the speed.
Again as i mentioned with the 11m (As with most c-ish kites) you do have to have to have a more refined boosting technique, (not like some sle's where you can just pull the bar in and up you go) It really does reward you when you get the timing right, launches you off the water like there is no tomorrow. This is an epic kite. Maybe not quite as forgiving as the 11m, due to the speed. (to be expected ; )
Some of the more recent sessions include 25+ day at saftey's and a sweet downwinder from Leighton to scarbs in a 17-25kn day.
I was pleasantly surprised by the wind range. Similar low end to my 8m RPM, this kite could get me going in 17-18kn, whilst the C4 has much better top end, haven’t felt overpowered yet, even in 30kn + gusts. I had heard that i should expect to lose a few knots compared to a SLE but its nice to be pleasantly surprised.
have been riding on the medium bar pressure setting, but will try other settings soon. Tried my 11m on the lighter setting and found that the kite was noticeably lighter and slightly quicker.
Am yet to try the heavierslower setting on the 8m, i'll post on that as soon as i do.
I made some comments about the longevity of the screw-on dump valve in the other review...So far with over 15 or so sessions on the 2011 c4 pleased that its holding up very well. Found that when deflating if you unscrew it then place the neoprene cover over the outlet seems to work very well. Super fast to pump up and deflate.
Have had some huge boosts already with this kite, looking forward to kitestock where im sure we will have bigger winds to really put the high end of this kite to the test.
In over 30 knots the 8M C4 really comes on song, I ridden it in winds up to 40 knots, and found it extremely stable and confidence inspiring, and at those winds the boosts are insane.
The dump valve is large, and care needs to be taken to hold on to it when deflating, but you do get a spare one in the comprehensive spares and repair kit that comes with the kite.
Rode the 8m Catalyst again today in winds up to 35 knots, C4 top end is higher and smoother in the upper end of the range. catalyst this year is the biggest improver over last years model.
Edges should arrive tomorrow, bring on the wind again (4 kites in a row this week so far!!)
just got a 2011 c4. trying to understand the issue u are describing with the dump valve? isn't the plug attached to the rest of the valve via a small bit of plastic? any problems experienced with this new valve i should look out for? cheers
I've had the 9m for about a month now and it is incredible.
In 25+ it is really ridiculous how high you can go on a kite that turns and drives upwards so quickly. The only thing close I've tried is the Naish torch 8m but it has a lot less "catch" unless you pilot it perfectly which I'm not anywhere near skilled enough to do.
Bottom end I'd say sure you could stay upwind with any other 9m kite but you don't buy these things not to light them up. If you live in NSW the 9m is going to be too gutless, it really comes alive in 30-35knots when you pull the bar the whole way in, huck, and then CHUCK
No problems, just initially wondered how it would hold up to use over time. So far its working very well and very pleased with the system. Even the 11m is super fast to pump up.
As wishy mentioned you just need to be carefull when unscrewing it that it doesnt fly off. (The ozone spare's pack that comes with the kites are very comprehensive)
Hi Guys,
The C4 and Catalyst both use the new large Boston Valve for inflate and deflate. There are a couple of things to note to ensure trouble free usage and happiness.
Firstly, the black rubber seal under the one way valve part of the assembly must be kept free of sand grains as a very small amount of sand can create irritating slow leaks if you don't keep it clean.
Secondly, when deflating the kite, keep your hand over the valve assembly when unscrewing to deflate. The sudden gush of escaping air can send the valve and possibly the seal flying. Just capture the valve in the initial burst of air as the thread unscrews. I then put the neoprene cover over the valve to keep it sand free and all the parts enclosed for safety.
It's a wicked improvement over the Cabrinha system as it's larger and can be pumped using a normal large bore fitting rather than that annoying Cab adapter.
Have fun and remember just a couple of seconds every now and again cleaning the seat and under the rubber seal will make for stress free inflation and pressure retention.
DM
Yes, lost the valve after my first use when deflating...didnt realise until went to inflate again.
Luckily I had another valve in the car and was doing a double downwinder that day. Celebrations at other end when I found the lost valve on the grass. yay!
Learned from that loss.
Ive had my kites since mid-november and with excessive use the valves are doing ok. You just need to take a little more care than usual.
Look after the threads as well - be careful when screwing entire valve back in, get it threading straight so not to fek up the thread. ie dont be in too much of a rush!
