Not going to fill in the blanks because there were a number of people riding the two back to back.
Thanks first to Chris for hooking up and loaning us both a 17 and 10 Trx. Due to one circumstance or another we never got to get the 10 out, but this comparison is more about the difference between the Ozone Zeph and Trx kites. I was not able to be there for the session due to work commitments, but I showed up at the end of the day to collect the kites and find out how things went.
I have already posted about my spin on the 17 and the way the kite loops, and it seems everyone wholeheartedly agrees that this kite turns very very fast. So, here goes written from one of the riders who collated the details for me.
Conditions - between about 10knots and 16knots - frontal system not a sea breeze. In other words the wind was all over the place.
Tried the 17m TRX back to back with my 2010 Ozone Zephyr 17m. Switched back and forth three times on each kite to get a true comparison. One rider 95kg (me) and Mark (about 68kg).
This is what I know.
The TRX truly turns like my old 14m and would almost turn as fast as my 12m Fuse, but fair to say it turns allot faster than the Zephyr.
Loops like a champion, without excessive pull, which meant it was so much better than the Zephyr in waves.
Bar pressure was a fraction heavier then the Zephyr, but only just and not worth worrying about.
The TRX de-powered quicker with less stroke, but the downside was that if you fell back pulling the bar it would spike a bit. This not really an issue, as it could be solved with a bit of tuning on the day and a bit of practice, it also can be used as an advantage in the surf if you knew the spike was coming.
What I don't know, but suspect might be true.
The Zephyr seems to go upwind a little better.
The Zephyr seemed to have more down low power.
The reason I say that I do not know for sure is that the conditions on the day were so variable it was difficult to tell for certain. But interestingly, both Mark and I formed the same conclusion.
Both kites handled being overpowered very well. An essential trait of a large kite, as you often get caught out with the wrong kite.
So in summary.
As a light wind wave kite, the TRX on turning and looping alone would win hands down. It was very well behaved and showed quick response to de-power. I didn't get to drift it with completely slack lines (as I forgot), but I did ride it down the line with medium slack lines and it showed no unusual signs of falling.
Would I sell the Zephyr to buy this kite?
Hmm, not sure yet, it's a tricky one - If I was a bit lighter, say about 85kg or less, I would say yes for sure. As the slightly less grunt would be of little consequence. What makes me hesitate is that too many times in the lighter southerlies I have used every ounce of grunt and upwind ability of the Zephyr to get out the back. To step down to less grunt (possibly) or upwind ability may mean not getting out or having as much fun.
So, given that I am still unresolved about the low down grunt and the upwind ability (as the conditions didn't allow for realistic comparison), the jury is still out.
We have all come to the same conclusion that this kite will be a great surf kite for low wind days. It would be much easier to do a light steady wind test between the two during a summer sea breeze, but those days are over for the season.
Once again, thank to Chris for leaving them down in Jervis Bay for a couple of weeks. Well done.
