Hi guys & girls, need some wisdom.
I've been kiting on & off since 2004, still on C kites, need to update.
Always keen to support local & am keen to demo both BWS & Griffin 2013 kites as spending more time in waves recently.
Both brands seem to have had more than their fair share of flack, is this justified or are these poor performers, I'm talking current models only, haven't flown either brand and would like feedback from those who have.
I use both TT & SB
Thanks H
Speaking on the Griffins, they are not poor performers. There were quality issues in the past, factory close down and having to start from scratch. Look at these kites first.
BSW quality is good, and having flown both the Griffins are hands down a better kite. Better drift, better looping, on and off switch. The BSW also suffer from P line wear. Good solid kite, and they have some amazing riders riding them, but they have a flagship crew that could ride anything and make them look good. Not saying it's a bad kite at all, but all around, and especially the surf, the Griffins are a much better kite to fly. Costs are pretty similiar.
The BSW bar was better, but this year the new bar for Griffin will be up to that mark.
.. so what's the boost, jumping ability and height like on the Griffin 2013 TRX's esp smaller sizes 9 and 10.5m as very little is mentioned on that apsect in other trx threads?
Hey dafish which griff are you talking about model size and what turn speed iam not after a sizzpy kite
thanks
I've been riding Griffin kites for a while. If your looking for huge boost and a very stable and solid ride I would recommend the Argo. But if your looking to rip up the waves with confidence I would recommend the TRX, it still boosts very well. The TRX loops faster than the Argo but won't drag you off your feet when pulling big Gs on a wave ;)
I mainly ride TT and I use the 2013 Argo (and love it) but my mates on the SB like the TRX, so do the guys who like ripping up trick on the TT.
I'm 85kg and use a 10m Argo in 16 to 30 knots. Great wind range. The TRX has better top end;)
Hope this helped.
Ya, I was talking mainly about the TRX. Still, this kite does boost big, not quite as high as the Argo though. I am mostly in the surf on a surfboard. Still have an Argo in the arsenal, but with the looping and turning speed I prefer the TRX. The two kites fly differently and generate power differently. If I was into just boosting, I would go the Argo. The relaunch is slightly easier, the self launch and land is a no brainer, where the TRX requires just a tad more fineness, especially on the self land. With the shape of the wing tips sometimes the kite does not want to sit down in strong winds and you have to walk up the flagging line and grab the kite. No big deal.
Both kites are solid performers, however I would take the TRX for my own style and needs any day. This was 2013's greatest moment for me, getting my hands on two of them, 9 and 12
I own four BWS noise kites and have extensively demo's the Griffin TRX's (also a couple of Argo's). The current version of either kite does not deserve the flack it cops. In fact, the BWS kite quality has been great for at least three years (that I have owned them) (it is true that you need to replace the P lines and the centre de-power lines more regularly than I would like, approx $40 bucks worth). They are both priced very well and therefore people seem to need to bag them to justify the cost of other kites (just my opinion). I have also owned North (still do), Ozone and GK kites.
The Griffin kites I have seen (2012,2013 models) look great and there are allot flying at my beach and they are holding up well, and not all of them are "cared for".
The BWS kite is not a great jumping kite, but it is alright - it is built for the surf and does it well. The bar is the best, for the surf. Never jumped the TRX enough to comment (I was always on a surfboard strapless).
I will be switching to the TRX's because it does everything the BWS kite does, but (amongst other things) has better range and a nicer loop. The TRX impressed me, in the surf it is an awesome kite for strapless.
Hope this helps a bit.
You all need to check out the new Noise Pro, 3 strut, no P line, deeper profile and quicker turning.
mike
Interesting thread - I have a 2012 Argo and enjoy it a lot ( compared to my other quiver kites which are B3 bandits 10 and 8m) - the kite is great and has the most amazing boost and float - very nice. Its also great in the drift department but you do need to watch line tension otherwise it will head down to the water ( same as most kites really!!) The bar and lines on the 2012 Griff Argo are about 5/10 - not impressed, to the point where I have replaced the chicken loop and power line with a PU coated ozone unit. Im not a 'surf' kiter but like to venture into the surf occasionally and I find that my 13.5 m Argo is a bit slow to turn - I have been out 'in it' with some BWS kites but they were 12's but wow did they turn !! Maybe Im a crap kiter but I fishpole when I want the kite to change direction - I'm sure the smaller sizes of the Argo would be great - but I haven't seen the new bar .... hope its MUCH better than the 2012 version.
Im interested in the BWS kites so will follow this conversation keenly - I wonder how they are for general riding , like freeride rather than dedicated SB and waves??
Oh BTW I see Hallux that you are 'upgrading' from C kites - with a more surf focus, and Im thinking like you but I also ride on some choppy lakes so wonder what is best??
Have flown Globe sonics and north rebels till they are dead. Loved the rebels. If I was minted would get the rebel every time. Globe kites were great for me to learn on and crash. i bought 3 Noise kites second hand off a team ride ( about the same cost a one rebel new) and haven't looked back. Bit of adjustment from a rebel but if you chasing waves get a Bws noise. If you into wake and flat water, look at other brands.
Noise are built well, no nonsense kites. The bars are the best I have seen. Too many w****ers on the beach with 3 go pros, leashes, boardies over their wetsuits and only mowing the grass on the water will bag the Bws cause its not a north or cab.
If you want a kite that performs and can be punished get a bws kite. You don't even have to choose if you want a pink, orange or purple kite.
Both brands and kites have their purpose and preferences.
While I am a Griffin supporter and these days love the TRX both these brands would be the best value not only in $ but performance for individual needs.
Just demo both and c what u like - similar quality in construction and maybe better than the over the top $ brand plus a lot less loss on resale.
If u r local to me happy for u to try as I have 8, 9, 10.5 and 12 Griffin TRX, some close/distant friends have BW
I learnt on some older Jeep BWS kites, the 10m and 12m. The bar was nice, easy to use. The kite itself was a pain. Terrible handling (in my beginner opinion), really bad low end. Did ok in its upper range. Saving grace is the price. They are dirt cheap.
The new BWS kites coming out soon are completely different and it will be interesting to see how they go. I have laid eyes on one of the new 8m kites, and it looks the business. They changed the tips, and went from 5 strut to 3 strut. I'm sure there are other less noticeable changes. Time will tell how they perform I guess.
I started out with a couple of used 2012 BWS, 10m and 8m (for the wife ;)). Great value and I enjoy the kites very much, but don't have much to compare with. They certainly are well made and strong, no problems with quality. Love the BWS bar, it is simple and functional and doesn't have a lot of the superfluous junk I see on other brand bars.
Recently bought a TRX 17m for the lighter winter days and super-impressed with the kite. Turns so well for its size even with my short BWS bar, but forgiving with smooth power delivery. I will definitely demo the smaller Griffins when it's time for a new one, great value and quality and I'm sure they must turn insanely well. New BWS design will also be worth keeping an eye on. IMO the local kites are way better value at the moment, you can almost get 2 for the price of one big brand kite.
