For ages now I have been waiting for somebody else to address what has been on everybody's minds: What is the better 08 kite....the Bandit or the Rev?
Without a doubt, I'm probably not the best person to layout the pros and cons of both kites..... So I thought I'd get the wheels rolling and leave the technical bits for everyone else.
Here's a start.....
The bandit has slightly better low-end than the Rev, whereas the Rev has slightly better top-end.
The bandit has slightly more bar pressure than the Rev.
In my opinion the Rev has slightly better relaunch, and the compact bridle on the Rev does not tangle as easy as the bandit's when rigging up the kite straight out of the bag.
The new slingshot bar on the rev is cleaner than the Bandit and also features a stopperball. If the kite was to invert, the Rev's lines can be untangled on the water whereas the Bandit cannot as its centre line branches out to 2 centre lines (I havent heard of either kites inverting tho). The Bandit's depower cleat can be hard to reach for midgets.
Both kites seem to be very evenly matched in both jumping and hangtime.
The Rev has onepump inflation. Some people prefer single point inflation, however I love onepump and wouldn't buy a kite without it.
The Rev is about $200 cheaper.
Could somebody please comment more on the Bandit as I am more familiar with the Rev.
You're opening up a can of worms because you're already holding the choice of the best kite for 08 to just the rev and the bandit. there are plenty of other contenders for that.
As people are saying there are a lot of kites out there but i sell most brands & I ride both of these. So heres a bit of info, the rev & bandit both are awsome kites but fit different people. The rev flys with the bar right in really well. Where as the bandit flys with the bar right out really well, especialy with the new (shorter) throw which works well for shorter reach. The Bandit is very stable in really gusty wind, very fast and delivers alot of power, it can surprise you if you are not ready. Very big jumps but can backstall if not set up right.
where as the rev is much gentler (dont get me wrong the rev is stable has plenty of pop, grunt and speed) but it's deivered in a different way. It has even pull right through turns and doesnt back stall, awsome in the surf and its power seems to come when you want it.
Both relaunch really well.
As for the bar I prefer the bandit it comes with a stopper ball and can be reridden (reset) from full release, but so can the Rev, my son prefers the Rev bar.
I teach with both these and have seen every type of crash and problem, but both kites work really well, just suit different riders.
If you want more info contact me otherwise my advice is if possible try before you buy. I would be happy to offer demos of both.
Cu George
I'd love to test that theory, cos I can inflate and packup with onepump in atleast half the time anyone with SPI can.
Plus cutting 1 small cable-tie doesnt make a bladder that much harder to repair.
The leading edge bladder on the other hand.......
For inflating: I dont even need to unroll the kite. Simply hook up the pump leash and the kite unrolls and inflates itself. I only clip the one-way valve on the centre strut.
For deflating: All you do is unclip that one-way valve, pull the deflate valve and roll the entire kite up. No stuffing around opening valves and individually deflating each strut.
Half the stuffing around for more time on the water
OK...if you got out the stop watch the one pump would win... but my point is that the set up/break down time isn't THAT much different to justify never buying a SPI kite. Ya Dig 
i dont care how long it takes to pump up, its just really annoying to have to effectively do it multiple times
was speaking walshd
Roger there Roger.....My bad Engrish
So whats it cawrled then...standard infration?
"I was down the beach the other day and saw link drop out of the sky because a pully had broken, it was under a year old. Do the Rev's have stronger pullys? I would like to get one, but not if it's going to break in under a year!"
I'm no slingshot rep or have anything to do with slingshot, but you do know that almost every kite manufacturer uses the same pulleys. I think they are called 'Ronston Pulleys' or something like that? Prob a dodgy pulley.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'd assume that the Link will have the 'Ronston Pulleys' like every other kite on the market.
I think that the Link is a great kite, but they are heavy, they invert and they backstall fairly bad........The Rev doesn't thankfully!
Correct me if im wrong but doesn't the 08 rev have the direct bar setup, which DOES NOT use pulleys
the rev uses the grey and white plastic pulleys while the bandit uses the stainless steel pulleys which are a bit more expensive. The bandit pulleys rotate a bit more freely with less friction. The question is stupid though, both pulley types can last for years or only for months if you dont maintain your gear properly.
Here are the bandit pulleys
Danny,
Try the Rebel some time.
No bridals, no pulleys, really simple 5th line setup and safety, only takes slightly longer than you to pump up (Not that it really matters when it has blown 30 knots every day for rhe last couple of weeks).
Only real difference between the performance of the kites where we ride here is the skill level of the riders, kite performance is not the greatest factor.
AB 
Cheers AB,
We will have to swap kites so you can have a run on the Rev. I should get my 13 next week so bring on the 20-28knt winds.
When I originally posted this thread i didnt mean to cause a riot over the Best kite for 08'. I only wanted to compare the Rev and the Bandit because I couldnt decide which kite to get in a 13m. Hence I later changed the thread from "the best kite for 08" to "The better 08' kite".
Turns out I went for the Rev anyway.
I really wanted the Bandit for its bottom end but after weighing up onepump, the Slingy bar setup and the cost saving, I ended up going the Rev.
