Rider: 83kg, Level (intermediate, progressing to advanced ie. bought this kite to progress my unhooked, wakestyle, and kitelooping ability)
Style: Wake, Freestyle
Weather: 15-25 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Not affiliated to brand. Was just irritated when i was researching that i could only find one or two reviews, which came from the same (biased) source. wanted to throw in some independent views
My Comments:
when i first got this kite after a couple session i was very concerned about the lack of bottom end power. i had previously ridden with heavy bar pressure (a hangover from windsurfing 'feel'), and was planing without much problem down to about 15 knots (on 12m SwitchBd). then with the Havoc 10m i was fine in 20 knots, but concerned that i didnt have much 'power up' left to play with (heaps of depower available), and the bar pressure was so light it felt like i couldnt 'pull in and power up' when required.
i began tweaking the line settings in an effort to fix this. the rear attachments to the kite went to the more forward connection point of the 2... but the big impact was when i shortened these lines to their shortest possible (there are three knots up near the kite, and the usual 2 setting down near the bar, giving 5 line length options). while i had never before liked these to be too short (and 'choke' the kite), i have found the kite will only choke and backstall on extremely light conditions when it is close to falling from the sky anyway. aside from that the kite has now a much better low end (as good as any of the 12m or 10ms around me on the day) down to about 15-16 knots. also it has made the response of the kite much more direct, even when hauling heavily on the depower (which can sometimes loosen your steering lines so much they start to go slack and unresponsive).
also, this kite flies brilliantly in unhooked mode... my unhooked has taken a big leap forward over just 5 or 6 sessions since getting the settings right with the Havoc.
all the other stuff (in reviews) is true, eg. built really really tough, simple build (less to go wrong), good chicken/bar setup (only the mini 5th can sometimes get twisted around the centre lines as they have a swivel but the mini 5th is not incorporated).
so in summary... after 2 sessions i was at about a 7/10 on this kite... but with the tweaking it has gone to a 9/10... i just havent ridden enough kites to claim enough experience to hand out '10s' but at the rate its going i just might give it 10 by end of summer.
highly recommended and loving it more and more each session.
p.s. despite all enquiries and arguing with shop chappies, it seems the 10m Havoc does not come with the super dooper pump job thingo. but to be honest it doesnt really matter.
For 10m kites, the Havoc is my top choice kite this year, for 12m, the Envy. Tried the Ozone C4 a couple of days ago, whilst it turns very responsively, feels similar to the HiFi, it doesnt have the grunt the Havoc or Envy gives. 2 days ago I took the 10m Havoc out and I was carving upwind higher than most guys on 12-15m kites. The 10m is also a great size to throw around, turns at perfect speed, and holds the gusts extremely well. A must try kite if someone is looking for a 2011 kite.
That is correct, the first batch did not come with the maxflow valve. All subsequent stock has but.
