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Rider: Weight,Level 65kg (beginner, intermediate)
Style: Freeriding,Freestyle
Weather:12 to 16 knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)
My Comments:
okay people im only 4 to 5 months into kiting, i can travel upwind well and transitions are coming together and the odd air off a ramp (swell)nothing special. I've got a bit of a delema on my hands. I'm looking at the ozone brand coz I like the bar feel and control but I've only flown a ozone zephyr (which I've taken out only a few times) but I really enjoy the kite.
My biggest wind range kite is a 09 switchblade 14m which I hoping to trade in. The switchblade I feel is over powers sometimes when the wind picks up I feel like I have to dig in and hard brake hard by that time I'm ready for a transition, not much time for getting air.
So I was suggested a 14 catalyst, which may be a bit more forgiving and easier to control hench allowing more time to play
Then I was looking at C4s thinking that's the direction I am wanting to head for. The free ride,freestyle and wake. Maybe it's too earlier for that style
Problem
Catalyst doesn't have to aces of reviews, and for freestyle wake style it's not up there,
C4, it comes in size 13 and 15 can't get out of my head that I don't want to be underpowered or over powered weird I know.
So a little advice way help me put the finger on the right choice
Cheers
I would go the 2013 (2013 because this years cat has that little more spark than previous versions) cat if I was you.. being at your level and the light winds you get I think the extra quick relaunch/ease of relaunch would suit you to a tee and see you spend more time with your kite in the air than in the drink
Yeh I see where you are at now. I was under the impression you had a Zephyr? The Zephyr from what I can tell is a bigger catalyst with some light wind built in. I may be wrong but my net scouring has produced as much.
I'd pm djodjo he was on the C4s now on the cats including the 14m. He said he'd put up some reviews but yet to see them.
My thoughts the cat is a very good all rounder. But then again so is the C4 on free ride. the new cat obviously has some C bred in. Are you in the waves? If so at 6months in maybe the cat. if not the C4 for me.
Also I still have found the lower end of the cat to be a little soft, better than 2012 bit still soft. You would be more lit on the 15m. Are you the guy who rides in 12 to 16? for me I'd go the 15m C4 in those winds as you will have power even at the lower end of that spectrum. The cat would need the top third of that range and of it is a warm breeze the top end. That is to be lit and cranking.
But heaps of crew are liking the new cat and it will suffice for whatever direction you want to go in. it
Will give you a little more in the waves than the C4 but if ya on flattish water C4.
Get a cat and progress your riding quicker. C4 is a dedicated freestyle/wake style kite now
yep cat. just flown the 2013 c4 its not the beast it once was. its definately not a do it all kite anymore.
Last thing sorry to be a pain fellas what size catalyst would yous recommend as I do own a zephyr 2010
14 for sure at the wind range you are looking at. How low can you go on your zephyr at your weight?
12-16 knots is when you should be using your zephur.
if you have a zep then 14m cat is too close. i'd go 12m.
Stand corrected and I'm glad you said that. By the way what ya think of the zephyr.
No worries, the zephyr being a scaled up catalyst just smacked a little of brand bashing, the zephy was one of the first GOOD kites for light wind kiting and its that DNA they are built on
I love mine, almost makes me wish there were more 12-18 knot days as it makes learning new tricks so damn easy!
i ahve allways flown the zep under 15 knots. but i find it underwhelming. it does everthing fine. just lacking zing.
Well one day I'm hoping to smash out big airs with zephyr but ATM I'm just dreaming lol ha ha
ps I don't think I'll take the zephyr out anything over 15 lol
Zephyr gets serious boost and glide once u get the timing dialled in
I think the thing with a kite like this sort of size is u have to forget comparing it to your 10, it's not gonna feel like that, propper light wind kitesurfing is practically a different sport, accept it for that and u enjoy it a hell of a lot more!!!
Zeph and the 14 def way to close, specially at your pie weight, 65kg! mate you'll be dodging sattelites, get the 12. The zeph will run way past the 12's low end so no wukkers. You're in WA after all! I'm surprised you're not umming an ahring over 7's or 9's.
Zephyr? I've only ever seen them go down wind on light days, probably the worst light wind kite I have ever witnessed. All this ozone crap should be taken with a grain of salt if you seriously think the zephyr is a good kite for light wind. You gotta be ****in me
Ha,
Have a go on one, surely they can improve on the first one, just don't buy one
Personally 10 is my biggest kite, light wind bores the poop out of me
Eppo you must be getting cheap ozone kites now instead of north, you certainly have changed your tune.
Nah not really, Westoz does look after me as everyone else. But I will always vouch for the north kites and I do on a regular basis on this forum. But no north kite has come close to the edge even the dyno and yes I am enjoying the refined feel of the ozone kites. But that based on my needs as a rider rather than the north kites per say. Still maintain the rebel is a most excellent freeride kite.
Both brands make excellent kites mate.
