Hi Peeps,
This one is for the General Dude and the many other lurking 
. It is an unbiased review of the bars we sell. I'll make it as simple as possible. Pleae let it be known that these are MY opinions and you may or may not agree depending on your skill and desires and physical dimensions. I consider myself an advanced rider.
Ozone 2009 Bar (4 Line)
The new Ozone bar is a complete redesign of the 08 bar from the ground up. The bar diameter is tapered and fairly large diameter near the centre which takes a little getting used to. The bar ends are same as Airush and have plenty of space for all thelines and leaders. The bar ends/winders also have retractable line keepers which is nice and clean.
The new front line flagging system is below the bar which is sweet and quite tidy and definately simple. Only issue is the flagging line can occassionally momentarily snag on the depower PU line in turns or when depowering producing a sticky feel from time to time on some bars.
The below the bar flagging system can be easily converted back to above the bar with the included parts in the repair kit if this is what you prefer. The chicken loop is similar to the Megatron from 08, but has a beefed up top piece for unwinding front line spins. It is also the retainer piece for the below the bar flagging system. Unfortunately if you use the below the bar flagging system, you effectively disable the ability to spin the front lines as you ride.
The back lines still have the floats and back line adjusters which is just great to make adjustments if needed without having to land and fiddle. Centre line is now 5mm beal covered ina PU liner to prevent wear (seemingly forever!).
Lines are heavy on the front (500kg) and back lines are 300kg. Colour coded and Kook proof. Best quality lines for sure.
Rating of 9.5/10 for appearance
Rating of 9.0/10 for simplicity
Rating of 9.0/10 for functionality
Rating of 9.0/10 for safety
Ozone Bar 08
The Ozone 2008 bar is a really nice bar. Narrowish diameter for good grip and nicely gripped with red on left and grey on right. Good bar end/winders easily fits all the lines and leaders when winding up. Bungee keepers are heavy duty and twist out of the way when not in use. Centre line is 5mm Beal line which has excellent wear resistance and VERY strong. Trim strap is above the bar and uses a very effective cleat system, easy to use and simple (doesnt slip).
Back lines have trimmers built in to the leader lines to allow easy adjustments to back line tension or slight stretch in lines. Chicken loop is the new moulded "megatron" which has a great quick release, easy to use and reset. The system has an above the bar flagging system to one front line and a self land handle on the end of this. which neatly press studs away to keep it neat.
The centre lines can be easily spun to remove line twists when using the suicide connection on the chicken loop by twisting the upper half of the chicken loop.
Lines are all colour coded and numbered as well and incorporate kook proof ends.
All in all an excellent 5 line bar system.
Rating of 9.0/10 for appearance
Rating of 9.0/10 for simplicity
Rating of 9.0/10 for functionality
Rating of 9.0/10 for safety
North 5th Element Bar
The North 5th Element Bar system is very well thought out and incredibly customizable.
The Bar itself is a nice smallish diameter making it easy to get a good grip and bar grip is good. The bar end/winders are large and incorporate a system to change the length of effective line width making the one bar fit all size kites.
The bar floats hide adjustments for back line tension which must be done on the ground with kite landed. simple but effective.
Centre line is 5mm Spectra with very decent wear resistance. The centre lines runs through the heart of the system which is an adjustable length trim/depower cleat. The cleat unit may be moved up or down the trim system depending upon rider requirements. The cleat is easy to use and the end velcros away to stop it flapping. The bar also incorporates a stopper to prevent bar movement away from you.
The nice thing is you can lengthen the depower throw but you chew into or trade off against trim length. This allows you to decide whether you want short bar throw and big trim adjustment or maximum depower and less trim. Either way it doesn't change the total depower of the kite, just the ratio to depower with the bar: trim length. The idea is it can be set up for people with short arms too which is nice for the vertically challenged 
The chicken loop is the new North Ironheart II. The release is simple, easy to operate and easy to reset, does expose a bit of sharp edge steel if you grab it wrong, it also has a bit of weight to it compared to other systems like the Ozone Megatron.
The North bar has below the bar safety flagging which is effective but you must be careful not to twist the lines one way too much as they will twist up the centre line
The safety system is onto the front centre line which is most effective for flagging as the kite just stops! Plenty of adjustment to all the lines if necessary. All lines are colour coded at the pig tails and have kook proof ends.
Overall a nice bar, quite technical and a bit heavy but well built and very effective.
Rating of 9.5/10 for appearance
Rating of 8.5/10 for simplicty
Rating of 9.0/10 for functionality
Rating of 9.5/10 for safety system
Core Combat GT Bar (ESP)
The Core Bar is particularly simple and really effective. It is quite unique in design and although not as polished as some other bars it more than makes up for it in functionality in design.
The bar is a comfortable diameter for holding and bar grip is comfy and good. Bar ends/winders are the same design as North and allow changes to the bar width for use with all size kites. Very quick and simple to change. Bar floats hide back line adjustments similar to North.
Centre line is 5mm Amsteel (Spectra) which is very tough and these bars have excellent wear resistance. The Amsteel is one piece but doubles and runs through individual holes in the bar as well as the 5th line (3 seperate holes) which is part of the unspinning function of the bar. The spinning chickenloop spins from below the bar and is done by sheeting in fully. This effects the spinner on the chickenloop and unwinds and spins immediately by doing no more than sheeting in. A great system and totally unique.
The trim is the older style pull/pull strap system which although dated is still simple and very effective. Only dowwnside is the straps can wear the buckle which, with age, may lead to trim line slip. The depower throw is short but allows full depower and the fladding safety system is below the bar and the only bar on the market that can boast a system that doesn't twist up no matter how you spin or roll. This is pure genius as the 5th line runs through the centre of the chicken loop stem.
The chicken loop is simple and works well employing a push away system. Easy to reset, but not as easy as North and North isn't as easy as Ozone. The Chicken loop also has a hook which can be hooked into the mini loop on the bar holding the bar at full power which is nice for old school tricks and holding full power in under powered conditions or long tacks upwind.
The lines are quality and have colour coded ends and lines. The bar can be confugured to full length 5th line easily as it is a Mini fifth setup to suit the GT kites.
This bar is well made, simple and really easy to use and replace bits and pieces without having to buy proprietary parts.
Rating of 8.5/10 for appearance
Rating of 9.5/10 for simplicity
Rating of 9.5/10 for functionality
Rating of 9.5/10 for safety system
Airush Bar
Airush make a few varieties of bars and allow customizing (at user cost) to suit your riding style.
I'll speak about the 5th line vapor bar first.
The bar Airush use for all models is common. The bar has comfortable grip and is a nice diameter to hold. Well covered and looks great. Bar ends/winders are the same as Ozone 09 bar ends with retractable line keepers.
Depower line is 5mm Asteel (Spectra) and is quite long. The trim system is below the bar and utilizes a cleat system. It is difficult to trim when riding as the friction from the stopper ball is too great when the kite is flying and if the stopper is against the pulley it is not possible to trim the kite whilst flying, it's a back to the beach job if you have short arms.
The chicken loop is a revised version of the original "trigger release" system and is smaller and customizable by changing the trigger mechanism to be more "out of the way" for advanced riders which unfortunately makes it more difficult to activate in an emergency although it is more for advanced riders.
The stopper system is OK at best and could use a bit more thought but is effective enough for the average rider who uses it with only the top half of the stopper
You can adjust the back line on the beach by sliding the line throught the ball to shorten the back lines if stretched. The whole trim system can be modded to a trim strap above the bar if required by choice which is probably better for most riders, although it is a long way away.
The safety system is flagging to 5th line which is good and effective.
The 5th line system runs to below the bar and is effective enough. Overall the bar is nice and clean and feels good in the hands. The trim options need work but overall it is good. The trigger release chicken loop is very sweet but care must be taken if unhooing not to activate it as the trigger pulls towards the rider.
Line quality is good and colour coded with kook proof ends.
Rating of 9.0/10 for appearance
Rating of 8.5/10 for simplicity
Rating of 8.0/10 for Functionality (let down by trim/stopper)
Rating of 9.5/10 for safety system
I hope you enjoyed this review and learned something from it. I might even try and add some pics if I find the time.
Good winds,
