Rider: Weight,Level - intermediate 83kgs
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Freestyle (just)
Weather: 14 - 25 knots
5'10 quad surfboard, 132 Monk TT
My Comments:
looking at 8/10 combo
I know they are all great kites.... I'm interested in an all rounder that I can:
surf the perth slop,
do downwinders,
go flat out, jump and hoon around on the estuary
handle the gusty easterly
Direct comparison if possible rather than "Wow the C4 is the best kite I have ever ridden"
Cheers
I've ridden the B5 a fair bit, the Varial X a little. Haven't touched the C4. I'm pretty sure my next kite will be the VarialX. I just loved the way it flew, both hooked and unhooked. The B5 boosted great in high winds, but I found it hard work in it's bottom end. I really loved the B5 but poor reports on it's durability for such an expensive kite put me off a little. Unfortunately I didn't get to ride them back to back.
Thanks for that. What style of riding do you mainly do?
Interesting comment on B5 quality is lower than expected.
Has anyone else heard/ seen this
Hi
Looking at similar style of kite
I've noted from reviews that the bottom end range can differ greatly
Can anyone compare
if you cant demo kiteworld have a comprehensive guide to kite trials with the mentioned kites, done by unbiased pro riders, www.kiteworld.com
The C4 and the bandit are completely different beasts!
I own a 9 bandit and a 13 C4. I wish I had a 9 C4 instead of the bandit.
The bandit behaves like a bow and the C4 more like a C.
That means the bandit is more on/ off with its power (you use the bar a lot more to get the right amount of power) so I reckon its a jerkier kind of pull.
I like the flying behaviour of the C4 better - the kite powers thru the turns, the pull is more constant than the bandit.
Even though I reckon the bandit is a gruntier kite, I believe you can feel the gusts more, and to be honest, it gives me the S H I * s a little bit! I am ok looping on C4s and vegas's but my attempt (singular) on the bandit freaked me the f*ck out and made me not want to try again! Its ok on transition loops and stuff, but unhooked it didn't feel very manageable. To be honest I got it cos it looked sick in the vids, all those guys ride it awesomely, but maybe Im just not a ballsy enough kiter to get the most out of the kite! Probably the case.
Anyhooooo, thats my personal opinion and I guarantee not everybody on this forum will agree. Different strokes for different folks.
If you are into hooked-in boosting the bandit is a goodie though, its like an elevator!
Hi guys i ride veagas bandit and rpms love the b5 this year especially in the 10 mtr and up ,I haven't had any issues with quality that fone didnt fix under warranty ,(so im very happy that way )
I ride in a large range of conditions ,more often than not, lighter winds or really strong and gusty as when the winds good im usually teaching ,so i prefer a kite thats a bit of an all rounder but still has a c feel and ive found the b5 11mtr & 10 work good for me fast loops, smooth feel in the window, doesnt hunt the edge' and light bar pressure ,ive ridden both the other ones C4 & Varial (all though not a lot ) and they are great in good wind , but as i said im usually working then .
This is just my opinion hope its interesting
George
Chris m,
Everything you have said sounds like a bandit 4 not 5. I like the smooth power delivery , feel of a c and stable power through the turns, you have said the opposite on all these points , I came from rpms for all the reasons you said you don't like , the rpms are still fantastic though.
There is a big difference in the b4 b5.
That's why I'm asking the question as so many people have gone to b5s for the reasons you said you don't like, just surprises me that's all.
Didn't realize there would be so much difference between the B4 and B5!
Actually didn't even read subject heading properly, thought it was just Bandit vs C4 vs Varial haha
Glad they have tamed the beast :)
Still wish my 9 was a c4 or vegas though
chris m
that makes sence now , ive been riding for many years and thought i couldnt think of a more opposite kite to what you were describing .
cheers for clarifying , you really need to try the b5, they are amazing and ive had 30 kites in my days , try and buy if you like, thats what i say, but everyone likes a different feel, thats for sure
Ok as expected they are all good kites
And I'm sure they are all good in the surf in the right hands.
Knowing that
A) I'm not too flash in the surf ,
B) iam kiting in perth slop not barrelling 4 ft sets and
C) DO NOT want a dedicated surf kite
I'm think the bandit 5 would have the edge being part delta.....
Agree???
Thanks to everyone for their input....
yo allano looking at what you want from your kite id have a look at a few other options, do you like to be powered up when riding?
Yo allano, give the ozone edge a run , alongside the others , its a super smooth powerful kite that'll tick the boxes , the 2010 edge was too powerful for playing on the waves and a bit slow on the turn, but the 2011 and 2012 s turn much faster and depower much better, but if you wanna go big and ride powered up they are the business,speak to dm at aks he should have a demo, doesn't hurt to try, maybe even give the rebel a go, good luck
