im thinking about buying a new switch blade 3 12 meter
i currently ride a switch blade 2 12meter
wat will be the difference between the 2 kites
-thanks in advance
The only real difference that I was able to tell was that the SB3 turns a lot quicker than the SB2. But both are slow compared to the 10m
I had both kites !
How much do you weigh ?
Because the 10m is a much much better kite than the 12m but people know this and they are pretty hard to find second hand as people obviously dont want to sell them.
10m has a very similar bottom end to the 12m but turns much quicker so you can get back on the power stroke earlier than on the 12m.
i weigh around 82-84 kgs
i have 2 boards underground 138 cm
and a 132
i pritty much just use the 132 now, cause its the best board i have ever ridden
wats the least amount of wind a 10 will fly in?
Bottom End -
Using your 138 you should easily get going in 14 - 16 knts using the 132 I would say 15-17 knts. ( light wind kiting is 80% technique using the power stroke combined with the board angle etc....
Top End -
Using your 132 you should easily be able to kite up to 28+ knots
YOu can probably get going in even less than that depending on the water surface etc....... flat water is obviously much easier to build speed.
as an example :
I am about 78 -80 kg and on a 128cm board I can get going in 17knts on an 8m Switchblade 3. To do this I actually depower trim the kite slightly so if flys faster accross the wind window but it is a fine line between not enough power and the ability to generate speed.
So a 10m kite and the extra board length should negate your extra 4kg.
Having mainly used a 12m for the first 6months I had it and then trying the 10m I would strongly suggest getting the 10m . It is regarded as the sweetest kite of the range for that year .
Good luck with it
I second what harry potter said I weigh 87kg's and 15 kts is my lowest workable wind for the 12m thats using my 132 underground, I can get going in 12kts but it's never enjoyable.
I recon get the 10m also that is the better kite and the best switchblade made so far!!! the 12m you could get away with your SB2
as apposed to the SB3 you probably won't notice a hell of alot of difference there are differences but mainly material more dacron etc the 3 was alot stronger in this respect and some minor changes as in neoprene over the 0ne pump line clips and small things like that but the 10m has a huge wind range and frankly I hardly got the 12m out last year living in Perth helps this also
its a hard decision
as u said the 10 is obviously the better kite but im just concerned i wont use it as much..
i live near manly in sydney, and i normally kite on the northern beaches in the surf
last summer was pretty bad with regards to wind, and its not always windy
i cant stand botany bay, where im sure a 10 would be perfect for
i am going traveling to bryon and sunshine coast early jan, i guess i might use a 10 more then?
hmm thanks for your feedback fellers
SB2 is better value as when it tears apart during flight, its cheaper to replace.
SB3....faster and stronger and more powerful
cheap now too due to SB4, should get good 2nd hand under a grand.
They are certainly not half as good as an SB4, but that is what you will pay.
8 & 10 are the best in the range
Really grunty
