F-one 05 M5 review

I've had a descent chance to try out the new 10 and 12 meter m5's from f-one. The 10 meter is a lower aspect than the twelve meter. This size has only just come out some 6 months or so after the launch of the larger sized m5's, 14 , 16 meters.. they have changed the aspect ratio of the smaller kite a lot, to suit its intended use in higher winds.

The twelve meter firstly flys very nicely, the eliptical tips do help it turn tighter and when you look at the kite in a tight turn, you never get the bending of the last strut that you would see in the normal squared off tipped kite, this means when you ride unhooked, you don't need to pull the depower strap in, as the kite doesn't "flare" when powered, it tilts more onto it's back. Jumps are high, amd hangtime is also well matched to the height. In the lighter winds and gustier winds the kite does well with it's fifth line to keep the pull nice and smooth. and i found if i cleated in the fifth line just past tought, the depower was greater when moving the bar out, and gives you the same strong pull when sheeting in, ie in stronger winds, you could kite the same pull but then lift off in the jumps when you pull the bar in, the 5th lines goes slighlty slack letting the kite power fully.

The 10 meter has a smaller bar, (45 vs 55) cm, and a lower aspect ratio you can see by just looking at it in the air. That has made the kite turn tighter and faster than the 12, and it has loads of "grunt" even in light winds as it is a fast wing accross the window and during sining.I think the grunt this kite makes in the power stroke, is the same as the 12, but it dissapears alot quicker as the kite is so fast. Kite loops are fast and you can almost loop it on a dime, if you turn the bar hard enough.. this ones my favorite for sure. Haveing said that, they are both good kits, i think i need about 16 kts to start cranking on the 10, and held it to around 25/30 kts with ease. gotta love the depower the adjustable 5th line gives!!

The depower range as allways with the f-ones is massive.. the easiest way to describe is by saying, when the bar is out... no matter what the wind is.... if you sheet in the 5th line, the back line tension is near zero, and kite power decreases to next to nothing, the kite stays there, very far forward in the window, dancing around the 5th and front lines. and is still very flyable in this state., when you pull the back lines, with the 5th line strap in... the rear of the kite opens( flattens) out, reducing the tension on the 5th line, and giving you how ever much power you ask for. as you pull the bar in, the kite progressively powers up all the way, and back line tension progressively increases, and keeps increasing till you ve pulled it all the way in... I usualle ride in med- light winds, with the 5th line just tensioned when i let the bar all the way out, when i jump with the bar in, the 5th line will automatically reduce it's tension, and give you all available power.

I'd say the low end is pretty much standard for a 12 meter... the kite does turn abit faster than most with the same Aspect ratio due to the eliptical tips... when unhooking, the eliptical tips allow you to not have to worry about depowering the kite proir to unhooking, and the 5th lines basically lets you limit the pull you get by sheeting it in if you need to; in windy conditions prior to unhooking. But the top end... I havn't explored fully yet... probablky only to 25 kts or so.. and the 5th line lets you ride when you would otherwise be going balistic... ie it lets you ride, controlled at fast speed when your overpowered then when you jump, you sheet in, and take the elevator up.... this makes the jumps in windy conditions absolutely Massive.... there are only 4 lines running up from the bar... two back, and two centre. then abpout 10 metres up the centre one splits into two for the front lines, and another 5 meters up, the 5th line attatches to a y bridle thats allways attatched to the kite.

the kite fly's normally with no tension in the 5th line.... that's how i ride in meduim / light winds.. ie with enough tension to stop it sagging.. for no reason other than so i dont have a big saggy 5th line hanging off my kite....in meduim/ strong winds... i adjust it so it pulls how i like for unhooked riding, and then adjust the normal depower strap if it's still too much power for me..

I definately like the 10 better, but most people do generally like the smaller faster kites.... it feels like it has the same grunt in the power stroke with alot more speed, and kiteloops are a nice smooth pull, rather than the classic rip your arms off - yank.