**full disclosure, I am a team rider for the importer & get discounts - That being said there was still much research done, and a try before I buy, these are simply my thoughts on the boards and why I chose to get one 
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things to note... I was 78kg when I first tried one of these & am now 80kg.
The first dark horse I tried was in not quite favorable conditions for a 122L 75wide board; surprisingly... with a 30 knot gusty & choppy offshore breeze and a 6.2 (which felt rather small for that width) the big board stayed fairly settled, similar 'floaty' feeling to the control of an Isonic, but a crisper, less sticky feel. There were a few tail walks but given the conditions for a board that size it was always going to happen. It practically gybed it's self too, something I've never felt before... the word effortless comes to mind.
I was impressed by the shear amount of control the thing had, comparing it to my previous 'big board' a 2007 F2 SX130 (80 wide) and my current big board, a 2014 Isonic 110 (75 wide). Neither of those boards I would even consider taking out in that much wind. Had tried a friends 2019 Isonic 117 a couple of times too (hence the 'floaty feeling' comparison above).
Onto the board that I bought, the DH 97 - replacing my 2017 Falcon 99 (both 62 wide).
It's first try was trial by fire as well, similar 25-30 knot choppy westerly;
My first thoughts on the water were again, just amazed at how easy it was to ride. It picks up it's windward rail with half as much effort (more V in the tail I think), which made dealing with chop a lot easier than my much flatter riding falcon. Gybing was something different, not better not worse, just different. The 97 is a few cm shorter than most boards that size and I felt it leaning into corners, that being said it didn't seem to sink the nose despite this. There is no deck scoop on this model (something I suspect is about to be put in for the 2022 model), perhaps the reason it fly's on the fin so early.
As with all the other brands coming out of kinetic factory in Vietnam the build quality is very high, without sacrificing weight, factory spec for the 97 is 5.7kg, mine is ~5.8. I have witnessed a friend catapult into the nose of his DH 107 pretty hard and the board was without a scratch or soft spot.
Needless to say I was very impressed with the first board I tried, decided to get one, and I absolutely love the thing!
I've included a run from my first time on the board and some eye candy 
everyone knows red goes faster....
