Hi
In 2009 I bought my Core GT because the price was $400 less than all the other brands (9m) and quality was amazing. It was a fun kite but it got old and I've sold it.
Now I'm in the market again.
Which 2011 kite is delivering a good price plus good quality for a free rider (WA condition) ?
Note: Maybe it is a bit too early to ask this question as most 2011 kite haven't been released yet but it's good that you know my question & you might help me in the future.
Thanks
Trent
2011 switchy looks hard as f#$%in nails, new canopy material, better bar, design and north's monofilament lines.
The GTS looks pretty wicked too, like an angry version of the GT on steriods and tequilla.
Value for money, Best kites always seem cheaper, seeing as you have ridden deltas before maybe try the Kahoona v2 or demo the Taboo. Quality of the best kites has been impressive of late.
If you are more worried about quality and price, vs performance, you could pick up a 2010 kite brand new at a runout price. They would be a safe bet because you could do all of your research now to see what lasts well and not have any surprises a few months down the track.
@Toddws
9m Switch blade 2011 is $1850
10m Naish Park is $1899
9m Naish Charger 2011 is $1749
I don't see how the price is better than other brands
@Waxman
All the brand new 2010 kites (9m) are around $1400
I agree that there is less risk as I'm buying something well tested but if you want to look at it this way I can buy a new 2009 kite for $600 and I'm not gonna be able to sell it... + No warranty
I bought my Core GT because it was $1480 brand new in 2009. now core is the most expensive kite in the market;
9m Core GTS 2011 $1998
**** mate, i didn't know we were getting assessed on trying to give some helpful advice.
Why don't you take your retarded question, that is impossible to answer, seeing as most 2011 kites haven't been released properly tested or even priced yet, somewhere else.
just my 2cents
I've used a Griffin Argo 9m for over a year in WA and Love it. 
enough grunt for me
The 2011 has been tweaked and an upgraded bar.
A great kite at a fair price
Its worth a demo
@Trent: I got 2 sessions on my Fluid EGO and I am very pleased with it. Jumps huge, looks nicely built..
Depower and stability are good as well, bar response just perfect for me.
Costs like 1300$ from kitesurfdirect.
But "freeride" is a broad area, and I'd suppose the EGO feels quite different from the GT you had. You might love it, hate it or anything in between.
whats a troll?
apart from some creature harasssing billy goat gruff or chasing hobbits??
Hey Trent R,
Dont worry about the waxmans replys, he's full of shyt, all he does is slag off everyone elses replys.
Have a look at the wainman range of kites, they dont change kites every year for the sake of it like most brands. They stick with what works.
Wainman kites are great and should be even better this year with the new bar. But they are up there in price. Over $2000 for the rabit smoke which is the 9m.
@Trent:
Don't know about the Fluid bar, their website could certainly be better..
Pretty sure James can help you out, seems like he's got pictures of the bar in his profile as well:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Profile/Details.aspx?member=pro+merc
If your not worried too much about extreme performance - your best bet is to buy one of the big brands cheaper models. Don't compromise everything (including your warrantee) by going with the chinese or the really small companies.
Take the Ozone Catalyst for example - same Tejin ripstop material as the c4 ($2000) and Edge($2200), same bar, same lines, same bag, same repair kit - but about $400 cheaper for a 12m.
What makes it cheaper? It's got less struts, but thats about all we can work out - everything else is the same.
Every brands got one - Ozone Catalyst, Cabrinha Convert, Slingshot Key, Airush DNA, Best Kahoona, Naish Charger, North Fuse (I think).
All have a 12 month warrantee - all have heaps of shops selling them so parts are easy to find - and you'll actually be able to sell the thing in 12-24 months time... What are you going to do when that chinese kite breaks a pulley or the bar falls apart?
How much can you sell a 2010 griffin argo for at the moment? $695 for an 11m in the buy and sell.
2010 Catalyst - $1200.
2010 Convert - $1300.
2010 Key - $1200
2010 DNA - $1100
2010 Kahoona - $1300
2010 Charger - $1100
2010 Evo - $1100
Buy one of the big brands - they're the big brands for a reason...
MMMMMM..................... not sure about the Logic regarding the resale.
Comparing apples with apples
The griffin mentioned was kite only.... add $195 for bar (as per add) and you have $890
Compare that with what I bought my 2010 11m Argo last year and the resale ratio is the same as the ones you mentioned.
I am not affiliated with Griffin but I like their kites and from what i've read and seen;
They have fantastic back up service long after the warranty.
They are Sydney Based.
They have representation in all states.
They are a well built kite.
I've tried some of these brands and like a lot of them too.
Sure but be warned, as I think it might be quite different from the delta you were used to.
But especially if you like to boost, the EGO is a serious weapon! 
[}:)]
Tried some of the fluids. Really nice kites and pricing is good as well. The construction is pretty good. The bar is pretty basic but that could be a good or bad thing depending on whether you want all the frills on your bar.
There were some blade kites at last years state titles, they looked like they were built well. The riders didn't seem to be having and issues with them, and i think they are relatively cheap compared to other top end kites.
I dont consider any of the kites Rhys listed as being expensive, and i think the money you would loose on them would be fairly low over 12 months.
Look at the number of $2000 kites from last year for sale at around $1000 that is a big %loss.
I cant see a loss any where near that when you only paid 1300 for a kite, if you sold it 12 months latter you'd still get $800 for it, seeing as they have a big brand name on the kite more people would consider buying it meaning easier to sell.
FOne allso have a cheap kite, the revolt, no frills but bandit performance.
