I have put an hour on my SB3. Overall not hugely different to the SB2. I didn't really notice any difference at first.
Handling is a little lighter and faster. Most transitions are flick of the wrist rather than working the bar. Less stall tendency than the SB2. Turning is faster. I muffed an air gybe and did a kite loop. :)
Hey Gorgo,
I would agree that the SB3 feels very similar to the SB2, however the small refinements to the kite and bar provide a smoother, faster turning, lighter handling kite which is so impresive. The low end of the SB3 is a fraction better as well and the SB2 was awesome in providing power in the low end windrange. Kite loops now seem easier as you land softer with all that float which ultimately allows you to go bigger!! I dont want to say that the SB3 can't back stall but you really have to try hard... my guess would be that the wind would have to be very very light and the knot on the kite on the most power and just maybe ....
I was a little concerned when I heard they were going to change the shaping of the bar as the SB2 bar was so sweet (tappering at the ends). Needles to say Cabrinha stepped up again... the diameter of the bar (no more tappering) and soft padding on the bar make for a very very comfortable smooth ride.
The kite bag has been nicely tweaked as well. The pump pocket on the side is the best yet design from Cabrinha. It seems very simple and you dont have to worry about the pump falling out. The bar is on the other side of the bag has it's own pocket. I think the bag is slightly bigger as well..... I think. For me the pump and bar pocket was the highlight of the bag.
The new bag is bigger. I kind of liked the old one. Two kites in their bags fit really neatly stacked into the boot of my car. There are a few very minor niggles about the new one.
The new bag has the extendable sections built into it. It's better than having the separate long bag but I still have to mess around with the big flappy section when closing the bag. I can't understand why you would want to leave the struts inflated on a one-pump kite.
The top board carrier strap comes over the zip so it is a little bit of a hassle to close the zip.
The more I use the SB3 the more I like it. It is much less prone to stalling in light winds than the SB2 and the SB2 was pretty good.
The more I use the SB3 the more I hate the new bag. Did they use that ****ing thing before they made a squillion of them and foist them on us? The top extension gets in the way when putting the kite in the bag and drags all the **** from the ground into the bag. I can see that I am going to have to circumcise it before too long.
