well;
I have been out with the Nova 3 kite more than once,
my thoughts on the nova3; and I don't have a great reference point. since the only other 9m I had out was a cabrinia revolver. and that was similar to riding a bull in 25n, under 20n it basically fell out of the sky.
nova 3: setup is critical. and you will find that it works differently in different wind ranges, below 25 and above 25. also massive difference on turn-ability depending what you like, bad set up you will hate the kite and think its useless, good one you'll fall in love... get to know your kite first...
good wind range 18 to 35 easy.
has heeps of pull if you need it.
Turns tight (again setup for what you want stability or turn-ability).
bar pressure high enough to get me sore after and hour but only with the thick winter gloves, but when you first get on its very light, also depend on riding style.
I enjoy the glide down, but on a bad jump any thing can happen. I have lost the wind in a couple of jumps but if I pull one side of the bar it falls ...then turns back into life.
relaunch is also very dependent on setup and wind, but if all is well pull on one side of the bar and wait... it will find a way to the sky, Might have to pull on the back line if not. friend has the 11m easy to launch but make sure you pump them up enough, big kite fold easy. I think the 11m nova 3 has more power than a 12 enova.
Value for money excellent if you go down to Stonker.com.au and get a big pack;-)
Took it out in 35 to 40+ knots gusty 100% on shore and messy ocean, basically a bell of a storm, with painful rain. The kite was fine I was having some difficulty with my board straps that day. So now I know that I can do it since I never attempted wind like that before. All I had to do to get in the air was not much,,, but I still felt that I had depower left so that was good. Having said all that a 7m in that wind would have been great. Hardest part is landing (it takes 2, or 1 crazy) .
week points; not design for drag relaunch on the beach... you will ware the stitches out on the front of the leading edge.
the valve system on the blades takes a bit of time to deflated and put the plugs back in for the next ride. but it is a light one pump system.
cheers,
Shon
