Select to expand quoteKitepower Australia said..eppo said..
Jesus you guys crack me up. Listen the reos were a little smaller than the average , or had less power on 'average'. The new reos are more in line with the 'average' as are the new BWS kites.
From what I see they have made the smaller sizes a little less twitchy, good.
They have made the bigger sizes a bit quicker, good, the 10m wasn't real flash. Good.
They have made the chord profile a little longer and hence lower aspect. For wave riding, good.
But I must say, considering the market is fairly mature now and a lot of riders ride through winter now, ozone should revisit how long they take to bring their kites out. All debate on 2014 is not even here etc aside, crew are looking and asking and want answers now to position their quiver. But hey I might be wrong.
Hey Eppo
No offense intended;
Mostly I just sit back and read the forums these days (when I have time), and I tend to ignore a lot of your posts these days as well, because there are just too many AND you have a very strange way of describing kites, as in they have genetic materials from other kites embedded, kites are unstable when used beyond their ideal wind range, etc. I know what you mean sometimes or I think I do, but at other times your ramblings are just blinking obvious, OTT or way too over analytical.
Now you saying the 10M Reo "not too flash" thats just 100% BULLSH1T in my opinion, did/do you own one? How often do you ride one in waves on surfboards?
I've already explained several times here in the forum, Ozone produce their kites to a different beat. They do not copy they innovate and they also produce in a Just In Time production facility 100% owned by them and that only produces kites for them, and they only makes kites and high performance wings, which means they will always stagger the release of their models. Ozone customers accept this and it really is no different to the other brands as they all still have a 1 year release cycle.
This years Reo is bigger physically, than the previous year, but it also has had a substantial redesign from Rob Whitall, who is a strapless wave riding junkie. Lets just wait till some riders that ride in waves regularly, actually review this years kites.
Yes, it sucks a bit that the bar ends are not soft, but I'd still rather have them and the awesome kites they produce. There was a safety concern with the design of the proto soft ends we have been testings so they were scrapped in favor of another design now in testing (along with other control system components). Ozone will not release products unless they have been thoroughly tested, if an issue shows up in testing its back to the drawing board.
No offense taken...While there is some truth in what you said I can only say it as I see it.
Also I have read many posts from yours that were fairly technical in nature and I for one enjoyed them.
It seems though when something is said slightly negative about an ozone product you seem to jump in pretty hard, watched you do it with Briskites and others over time.
Maybe you didn't like my dig at the catalyst either in another post...?
If you read above I was actually confused as why people were whinging about the wind range per size differences this year. If anything I as promoting the new kite. So not sure why you attacked me as you did. And why you banged on about Just in time again?? Anyhow we see things differently it seems.
I am a huge fan of ozone and someone would have to kill me to take the zephyr off me and I still maintain the edge is the greatest wing I have ever used. But the catalyst I really dislike. A lot. Is that a problem Steve would you like to attack me again? Is it wrong for me to say such a terrible thing on an ozone kite?
I think I speak for a lot of crew who are waiting for a decent technical review of the new reo. Reckon you could arrange that Steve?
In the end Steve only one of us had a vested interest here so I for one question your motives.
I have a 8, 10 and 12m, have been using my 10m 65-70% of the time. It's a great kite, I love it, but it may lack a bit on the lower end side if the wind is on the light side. A couple of questions here:
Has the 2014 10m Reo got more power throughout its wind range, or mainly on the lower end side?
How is the quick release on the bar performing? Safe and easy? Or can it get jammed with sand like the old one?
Is Ozone going to release an upgrade for the 2012-2013 bars, with just the new chicken loop and new push away quick release system?
Thanks for the feedback. Cheers
Summer in Perth , normal sea breezes steady in early November. Reviews of the new Ozone reo and cat kited in sea breeze would be far more beneficial to all interested ,than a crap review off them kited in gusty winter wind. Also you can demo and choose the correct sizes to suit the sea breezes. Those kiting winter have had their 2013 or older gear to use, there is no real point pressuring local shops and ozone to release new gear earlier as kiters will end up getting wrong sizes for coming summer. It is also wiser/safer to use the kites you used last summer in the gusty winter than a newer kite or different brand. Reos and cats released a month before season starts so what is there to complain about go and demo.
Select to expand quoteBlast said..
I have a 8, 10 and 12m, have been using my 10m 65-70% of the time. It's a great kite, I love it, but it may lack a bit on the lower end side if the wind is on the light side. A couple of questions here:
Has the 2014 10m Reo got more power throughout its wind range, or mainly on the lower end side?
How is the quick release on the bar performing? Safe and easy? Or can it get jammed with sand like the old one?
Is Ozone going to release an upgrade for the 2012-2013 bars, with just the new chicken loop and new push away quick release system?
Thanks for the feedback. Cheers
The new Reo has more power throughout its wind range, and has more bottom end that last years kites, this years 9M is similar in power to last years 8M, ok?
All the new kites are coming with the upgraded chicken loop, the rest of the bar is almost identical to the 2013 bar. Further revisions of the bar are planned, but I literally don't know when they will be released. The new chicken loop/mainline will be available as a spare part soon, so that it can be fitted to 2011/12/13 kites.
Watch this clip for how to use the new chickeloop, dead simple, easy to operate and reload.
^^^^^?
Quoted from Ozone's website - "Power to size ratios have been refined and we now have more power per size. For example a rider enjoying the original 8m would now feel similarly powered on the new 7m."
Even from the guys that have been using the new kite there seems to be no consensis.
From my point of view, coming from 2013 8m & 12m Reos & 2012 10m Rally, (which was the perfect spacings) the new 10m can be considered an 11m. It turns a bit slower than the Rally 10 but has a load more power. It really gives nothing away to get that extra go, unlike 2013 Rally which gave up considerable agility. I always seem to be a bit overpowered so far on the new kite but, as pearl said, this kite is just so smooth, smooth even power, it's amazing how well it soaks up the gusts. So I'm sure it would have a bigger wind range than last year. The new swivel chicken loop is brilliant, easy to untwist the front lines under full power.
This 10m is definately not a good fit with the 2013 12m. It remains to be seen how well it sits with last years 8m? Hope this helps.
Col
Hey kids, just reading this from my poolside lounge in bali
I wanted to have a bit more of a run on the new Reo's before commenting about them.
I have had 4 good winter fronts on the 7mt and only 1 descent day on the 9mt so far.
The 7mt is ridiculously good! It pumps up like a 4 turns like a 5 and has the power of a 17 
Seriously though, this thing has such a good range, couple of the westerlies we had were dropping below 15knots and easy close to 30 and I never lost ground on the bottom end or got overpowered on the top end, it was a lot smoother and handled the gusts really well, it did almost feel like the 2013 6mt with as much if not more power than the 8.
A lot of people obviously felt that the 2013 Reo lacked power, I didn't find that, I found that it just didn't have the grunt that some people like, but that's what made it an amazing wave kite, it is so efficient, upwind and speed.
The 9mt so far is a different beast, much more power than the previous 10mt and looks lower aspect, felt unreal in the little bit of crap wind we had.
One more comment which I don't feel should really matter in a true wave kite but seems to appeal to a lot of people is the jumping aspect of the kite, the 2014 Reo can boost big!!! And has the float for those less skilled pilots coming down, I felt last years Reo boosted well but definitely lacked the float, it liked to be flown.
The new sizing is great, 7/10 is the perfect 2 kite quiver for most WA riders of average weight, if you can afford 3 then 6/8/10 for the lightweights or 7/9/12 for the average for example but who knows, everyone is different and the new sizes will help with your decision.
Demo's available for those that want to make own minds up!!
Jason
West Oz Boardsports
Select to expand quoteWOK said..
Hey kids, just reading this from my poolside lounge in bali
I wanted to have a bit more of a run on the new Reo's before commenting about them.
I have had 4 good winter fronts on the 7mt and only 1 descent day on the 9mt so far.
The 7mt is ridiculously good! It pumps up like a 4 turns like a 5 and has the power of a 17
Seriously though, this thing has such a good range, couple of the westerlies we had were dropping below 15knots and easy close to 30 and I never lost ground on the bottom end or got overpowered on the top end, it was a lot smoother and handled the gusts really well, it did almost feel like the 2013 6mt with as much if not more power than the 8.
A lot of people obviously felt that the 2013 Reo lacked power, I didn't find that, I found that it just didn't have the grunt that some people like, but that's what made it an amazing wave kite, it is so efficient, upwind and speed.
The 9mt so far is a different beast, much more power than the previous 10mt and looks lower aspect, felt unreal in the little bit of crap wind we had.
One more comment which I don't feel should really matter in a true wave kite but seems to appeal to a lot of people is the jumping aspect of the kite, the 2014 Reo can boost big!!! And has the float for those less skilled pilots coming down, I felt last years Reo boosted well but definitely lacked the float, it liked to be flown.
The new sizing is great, 7/10 is the perfect 2 kite quiver for most WA riders of average weight, if you can afford 3 then 6/8/10 for the lightweights or 7/9/12 for the average for example but who knows, everyone is different and the new sizes will help with your decision.
Demo's available for those that want to make own minds up!!
Jason
West Oz Boardsports
Hi Jason
mmm, i'd like to be in Bali atm, what are the waves like ?
re demos, where can I demo this Saturday/Sunday, wind permitting
mf
the new 2014 Reo's are sick kites, and a big improvement over last years for me. I have been riding the new 2014's for a few weeks now, the new kites are super powerful and good for jumps with smoother landings. They still have that super fast turning with lighter bar pressure and that amazing drift ability which makes the Reo the best kite for waves on the market. If you have any doubts go and demo one as soon as possible. The other thing that I really like this year is the new Axis Pure wave surfboards, I'm riding the 5'7" at the moment and really like it.
Select to expand quoteCOL said...kyteryder said..
I watch the promo video and the 7m flies like an 8m. 
I want an 8m to fly like a damn 8m.
Must have used the same PR Company as the Noise kites
Exactly
"For example a rider enjoying the original 8m would now feel similarly powered on the new 7m. "
Where does that leave us. How old is the original 8m anyway. What about someone enjoying last years 8m. PR speak & just confusing for the guy trying to assess what sizes to go for this year. It's crap.
Yep. Wasted time and money on the wrong sized quiver. Who started that bull**** numbers trend anyway?
IF LIKE LAST YEARS 8M JUST STICK TO IT AND GET THE NEW 8M YOU WILL GO MAD THE KITES JUST IMPROVED SIMPLE AS THAT!!!
Select to expand quoteMonkeyfish said..WOK said..
Hey kids, just reading this from my poolside lounge in bali
I wanted to have a bit more of a run on the new Reo's before commenting about them.
I have had 4 good winter fronts on the 7mt and only 1 descent day on the 9mt so far.
The 7mt is ridiculously good! It pumps up like a 4 turns like a 5 and has the power of a 17
Seriously though, this thing has such a good range, couple of the westerlies we had were dropping below 15knots and easy close to 30 and I never lost ground on the bottom end or got overpowered on the top end, it was a lot smoother and handled the gusts really well, it did almost feel like the 2013 6mt with as much if not more power than the 8.
A lot of people obviously felt that the 2013 Reo lacked power, I didn't find that, I found that it just didn't have the grunt that some people like, but that's what made it an amazing wave kite, it is so efficient, upwind and speed.
The 9mt so far is a different beast, much more power than the previous 10mt and looks lower aspect, felt unreal in the little bit of crap wind we had.
One more comment which I don't feel should really matter in a true wave kite but seems to appeal to a lot of people is the jumping aspect of the kite, the 2014 Reo can boost big!!! And has the float for those less skilled pilots coming down, I felt last years Reo boosted well but definitely lacked the float, it liked to be flown.
The new sizing is great, 7/10 is the perfect 2 kite quiver for most WA riders of average weight, if you can afford 3 then 6/8/10 for the lightweights or 7/9/12 for the average for example but who knows, everyone is different and the new sizes will help with your decision.
Demo's available for those that want to make own minds up!!
Jason
West Oz Boardsports
Hi Jason
mmm, i'd like to be in Bali atm, what are the waves like ?
re demos, where can I demo this Saturday/Sunday, wind permitting
mf
I am away til next Wednesday sorry mate, anytime after that would be good.
PS: swell is pumping at the moment!!
Select to expand quoteHausey said...
The only negatives being that I reckon as a big light wind kite, it seems like every gram counts when drifting. It seems like Ozone could save a bit of extra weight by being more minimal on screen printing; the number of panels on the kite seemed like more (seams and stitching); and does the light wind kite really need the 6 x mini trailing edge battens?
On the few waves I got when it was light on the inside and I had a tiny bit of speed, I wanted the kite drifting away like they do so well when powered and those grams might make a difference.
Thanks for your comments on the 12m. I agree with you, canopy's weight should be kept at a minimum for the 12, who cares about top end. I also don't get the slower turning settings on a 12m wave kite!
I'm in the market for a LW wave kite and trying to decide between the new reo and the new religion, which is now supposed to be lighter in the bigger sizes (at least no more dacron on the canopy, from what I read) compared to the previous version.
The previous reo was much lighter than the previous religion. Could this have changed now, for the biggest sizes?
Any more info on the 12m reo appreciated.
I like reading Eppos reveiws and stuff,seabreeze would not be half as entertaining without his input 
^^^^^^exactly^^^^^^
Doesn't matter if we like different things! Nothing to get wound up about. (I was brainwashed by switchblades for years and couldn't believe people didn't like them)
Back to the reo. Spent good time on a 10m now. It doesn't sound balanced, but I can hardly fault it. It's a beautiful wing! The only knit picking I could do was It seemed ever so fractionally slower to roll over once on a relaunch in light conditions! But that could have been a current wind scenario. It has more bottom end, and I'm getting just as much, if not more top end out of it to. So more range. Definitely more float/punt in new model. Sits there in light conditions, and slack lines. No stalling. Bar works well, as does short safety. The only thing they have left to is the bar ends. Anyone want some 2013 reos? 
I have 6,8,10 & 12m reo's from 2012/2013.
I think they are great kites for the purpose they were designed.
My one small complaint is this;
Why have a quick inflate valve on a small 6 or 8m kite? When trying to inflate/deflate a small kite in high winds, inevitably sand is going to get in the valve and into the bladder.
I am assuming the 2014 model has same valve?
Select to expand quoteGaryB said...
I have 6,8,10 & 12m reo's from 2012/2013.
I think they are great kites for the purpose they were designed.
My one small complaint is this;
Why have a quick inflate vhialve on a small 6 or 8m kite? When trying to inflate/deflate a small kite in high winds, inevitably sand is going to get in the valve and into the bladder.
I am assuming the 2014 model has same valve?
Hi Gary good point but i wouldn't go back to the old system, inflation has very little chance of getting sand into bladder, deflation can, I unscrew the deflated valve to release air ,then put velcrow cap over the open valve( slightly open )allowing air out and limiting sand in, then when rolled prior to folding re engauge the valve ready for inflating, be happy you live in a spot where sand blows and small kites are flown
