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2013 Catalyst 6m Vs 8m?

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Created by Briz > 9 months ago, 30 Jul 2013
Briz
SA, 97 posts
30 Jul 2013 8:28PM
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Looking for impressions re 2013 Ozone kites, as prefer newish second hand or closeouts- on a budget.

i'm planning to swap my Rebel 10m (single kite quiver) for a 2013 Edge 11 and a second Ozone 2013 kite- having difficulty deciding which one but thinking catalyst for it's 'bit of everything'.

I'm not looking for heaps of cross over between the ranges of the two kites, and I don't mind riding a bit over powered - looking to maximise range so have a good chance of kiting when I've time. Planning on flying the Edge up to 28knots; currently take Rebel 10m into the low 30's. But when the flatwater's best I have a 1km walk to the water with the kite in the air, so need safety too. Not looking to swap out every year so maximizing usage not my highest priority.

Tossing up between 2013 Catalyst 6m and 8m. The stated Ozone wind range seems similar on the low end for both of these. Keen to kite until at least 35knots with a bit of gust safety.

Leaning towards the Cat 6m; just not sure about the bottom end. Anyone have much experience with this kite that can give their impressions?

Thanks

Rider: 80-85kg, Intermediate
Style: Freeriding, flatwater, boosting, basic rotations, some chop/ swell, would like to try more looping.
Weather: second kite 25+ knots; punchy from 25-35+
Board: 135 to 136 twin tip

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
30 Jul 2013 8:02PM
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Had 8mtr cats for a few years as a highwind kite super stable and well behaved into big winds, this year I've changed to the edge 7 , very happy with my change and a bit pissed I didn't do it sooner, very quick through the air , incredibly quick on the water, very controlled in the gusts, boosts enough said, for my style It's perfect, give one a go back to back with a cat, makes the cat a bit boring

30 Jul 2013 10:05PM
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Briz said..

Looking for impressions re 2013 Ozone kites, as prefer newish second hand or closeouts- on a budget.

i'm planning to swap my Rebel 10m (single kite quiver) for a 2013 Edge 11 and a second Ozone 2013 kite- having difficulty deciding which one but thinking catalyst for it's 'bit of everything'.

I'm not looking for heaps of cross over between the ranges of the two kites, and I don't mind riding a bit over powered - looking to maximise range so have a good chance of kiting when I've time. Planning on flying the Edge up to 28knots; currently take Rebel 10m into the low 30's. But when the flatwater's best I have a 1km walk to the water with the kite in the air, so need safety too. Not looking to swap out every year so maximizing usage not my highest priority.

Tossing up between 2013 Catalyst 6m and 8m. The stated Ozone wind range seems similar on the low end for both of these. Keen to kite until at least 35knots with a bit of gust safety.

Leaning towards the Cat 6m; just not sure about the bottom end. Anyone have much experience with this kite that can give their impressions?

Thanks

Rider: 80-85kg, Intermediate
Style: Freeriding, flatwater, boosting, basic rotations, some chop/ swell, would like to try more looping.
Weather: second kite 25+ knots; punchy from 25-35+
Board: 135 to 136 twin tip



You need the 8M, not the 6M in my opinion, to go with the Edge and to fit the wind range. Minimum wind range of the 6M will be around 25/26 knots and you will be absolutely near to max on the 11M Edge, bottom end of the 8M is around 22/23 knots and would be a perfect match/crossover. The top end on the cat 8M will be around 35+
Check our website or give us a call 02 95296894, fairly sure we can help with the 8M, not sure about the 11M Edge, used.

eppo
WA, 9726 posts
30 Jul 2013 8:18PM
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Yep 8m cat and I had one. I also have a 10m edge but I'm only 75kg and can take these kites to their limit.

8m easy done. New cats have a big bottom end and a lot of punch compare to precious years. If I could afford a 7m edge though as well I'd have one for sure.

Try the 7m edge as well though if you can rate cauncys opinion he's ridden edges since day dot and flies them in big mid western winds.

I went the 8m because in winter here we get big swells and above 25 I tend to wave ride a bit more and carve on the mako. Rather be on a cat than an edge in double head waves anyday. Except like last Saturday when I decided to go big on the edge and go big I did. Been a while since I scared the living ****e out of myself.

Briz
SA, 97 posts
30 Jul 2013 10:13PM
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Thanks fellas

Sounds like I was thinking a bit small - appreciate the advice.

Cauncy, mind me asking what weight you ride and what bottom and top end you get out of your 7m Edge?
What's the turning/ looping speed like in that size? Not interested in unhooking just now but the looping thing has me interested.

Cheers

Briz
SA, 97 posts
30 Jul 2013 10:39PM
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Also enjoy a bit of that carving thing. Couldn't call them real waves, more rolling swell in the channel when the tide and wind are up... love being able to flick the power off and on for this..

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
30 Jul 2013 10:34PM
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im 85 kgs, ive had the 7 out in low 40s storm front a couple of times , very sizey rolling swell with gusts, the larger edges arnt the quickest kites out there but tweek your settings and they are good enough and have got better over the years especially the 2010 to 2011 change, honestly the 7 is easily quick enough and loops very well , i watched the kite on my last outing and when parked on full choke its like its hunting for wind and gets quicker and quicker, i love to play in the swell and imo its a bit underated especially the newer models, if your on a directional youd be better off on another kite, it works but doesnt excell, if you get to go out on the cat and edge lean into it, the cat gives up even in its upper ranges where the edge lets you get horizontal, is a powerfull kite but very refined in its delivery, i love the way it goes through the gears as you swipe it through the window especially after coming out of a turn pretty addictive, epps mentioned hed rather be on the cat in a big wave, generally here in the big frontals its becomes a close out, so having power on tap is important to me to stop me from getting chewed up, also when getting out its great jumping the sets instead of looking for the gaps,ive mention before a good edging board works great with this kite , a weak edging board will have you chattering across the water when trying to control it in its upper range, if you get on both set them at their lightest bar setting and middle to shortest knot under the floats, both are a very different performer when changed, one thing to think about is relaunch the cat is a lot quicker and imo will take a spanking , the edge is beautifully made but a bit light on the reinforcement, but would it fly as well if beefed up? propably not

Briz
SA, 97 posts
31 Jul 2013 8:05AM
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Thanks Cauncy. Great info.

Plummet
4862 posts
31 Jul 2013 8:17AM
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F$%K you Cauncy. Your selling the 7 edge too well. Plus i'm rolling back into more boosty boosty mode than surfy surfy....

Whats the bottom end like compared to the 8 cat?

I guess its moot any way as i can't afford any upgrades at the moment.

PS briz. Defo the 8m to sit under the 11 edge. 6 will be a massive gap. look at getting a 6 later for even stupider wind.

EnglishCraig
NSW, 406 posts
31 Jul 2013 10:28AM
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Plummet said...
F$%K you Cauncy. Your selling the 7 edge too well. Plus i'm rolling back into more boosty boosty mode than surfy surfy....

Whats the bottom end like compared to the 8 cat?

I guess its moot any way as i can't afford any upgrades at the moment.

PS briz. Defo the 8m to sit under the 11 edge. 6 will be a massive gap. look at getting a 6 later for even stupider wind.




Totally agree with plummet. I used to have the 8m catalyst as my high wind kite and with the exception of maybe one day in 18 months it was never too much ( FYI I am around 95 pies and only ride twin tips)

eppo
WA, 9726 posts
31 Jul 2013 9:18AM
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If i was to get a 6 it would be a Reo anyhow. The conditions I take my 8m out in almost makes me think I should have got a Reo actually.

Yes Cauncy does sell the 7m edge really well for sure.

Personally I'm not so sure, not convinced from my rides on them. But considering this guy has just swell lines through a chanel, maybe.

The new cat has a fair amount of static grunt built in, pull and edge. But of course will not pull like an edge, what does!

What I like about the cat is it's immediate power spike (also felt through the bar) when you are deep in a pocket, stalled to get closer and need that little oomph to get to the next section. The edge requires board speed and as cauncy said has gears it goes through. I don't want to be wanting to go through those gears when stalled inside a pit. Then again I'm on a mako, which maintains its board speed through a turn better than a normal TT.


Hey man you are gonna have a treat on that 11m...even on the 10m I still maintain the 11m is the sweet size overall, especially for your weight..it is almost a one kite quiver for my bro.

Plummet
4862 posts
31 Jul 2013 11:41AM
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A while back I had a 11 edge and 8 light (pre the catalyst). It was a worthy 2 kit quiver.

You suffered a bit at the low end sub 15 knots. mid 20's saw the 11 a bit too powered and the 8 on the shy side or powered. The 8 is good to 35+...

But any 2 kite quiver will have gaps. Hell I still have gaps in my 5 kite quiver.

To this date the biggest jumps i have one were on the 11 edge. fabulous kite.

Briz
SA, 97 posts
31 Jul 2013 7:30PM
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Sounds like a toss up between the 8 cat and 7 edge, with some good advice that'll help me weigh the merits of these two. Definitely answered my question about the 6 cat, which is great.

Appreciate your time.

eppo
WA, 9726 posts
31 Jul 2013 6:11PM
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Demo

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
31 Jul 2013 8:34PM
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Plummet said..

F$%K you Cauncy. Your selling the 7 edge too well. Plus i'm rolling back into more boosty boosty mode than surfy surfy....

Whats the bottom end like compared to the 8 cat?

I guess its moot any way as i can't afford any upgrades at the moment.

PS briz. Defo the 8m to sit under the 11 edge. 6 will be a massive gap. look at getting a 6 later for even stupider wind.



honestly ive not looked at the bottom end its my big wind kite, so high 20s , ive set up my new quiver of the 7 , 10 , edge and zephyr like this, zephyr from 14 to 20, the edge 10 ,from 20 to high 20s then the edge 7 beyond, im perfectly powered on all kites from 14 to 40, the cat is a great kite im certainly not talking anyone out of one but it doesnt give me the feel i like, its a bit too safe and predictable, a local made comment on how solid it was in the sky with hardly any distortion when he could feel his car was swaying in the gusts, as most edge rider know its a pretty sick kite in the gusts, the only thing i can fault is its very twitchy when i tether launch and was a bit quick overhead when doing my jumping transitions, but ive got that sorted now, riding one back to back with the cat would be interesting with the devil on one shoulder and all that, certainly dont take my word as we all like different things, all this talk and no wind is doin my head in,

eppo
WA, 9726 posts
31 Jul 2013 8:50PM
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Yeh same, zephyr, 10m edge, but I got the cat instead.

One thing I will say about the 7m edge, you will be able to take it much much higher, even more than what you'd think given only the 1m size difference. The edge is supreme at its top end as,

You can fly it to the very edge of the window and if you know how to edge power can be spilled.

Edges as cauncy said have gears, that means the power comes on smoothly and incrementally.

This allows for a real fine top end.

The cat is even more punchier this year, the extra C in it, reduces how comfortable it is at its top end as I have found out.

Just giving you a bit more info, and yeh no wind is killing me to.

seacatpanama
WA, 1 posts
4 Aug 2013 2:22AM
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Hey guys, I'm having the same problem trying to decide between the 6 or 8m catalyst. I weigh 58kgs and I'm looking for a kite that I can use from about 22 knots to 30. Already have an 11m C4. Love it, great kite but I get nervous at more than 20 knots and want a more forgiving kite in higher winds. Any advise?

4 Aug 2013 9:51AM
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seacatpanama said..

Hey guys, I'm having the same problem trying to decide between the 6 or 8m catalyst. I weigh 58kgs and I'm looking for a kite that I can use from about 22 knots to 30. Already have an 11m C4. Love it, great kite but I get nervous at more than 20 knots and want a more forgiving kite in higher winds. Any advise?


7M C4 would be a better choice, the 6M Cat might just make it at 22 at your weight, 8M would be fine too and I'm sure you would be comfortable on it to 30+



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"2013 Catalyst 6m Vs 8m?" started by Briz