Back-to-back test in 12-15 knots with a downwind board, comparing GPS upwind numbers of the "best" parawing against the "cheaper"
Results? Let's just say they're interesting. if not a bit surprising
This proves nothing at all, he clearly states that he used a harness for the Gong and no harness for the Ozone PR.
So obviously there will be a performance difference. The pull on these things is very high going upwind and the harness will improve upwind angle and speed. In addition to this the Gong is larger than the Ozone PR which also helps with power, speed and upwind angle. He does comment that the Ozone PR felt more stable and in control than the Gong and that he was surprised at the data.
I have no problem with Gong kit and have and do own quite a lot of it. But this 'test' proves only that both parawings work upwind, not that one is better than the other in any way.
Select to expand quoteFarNorthSurfer said.
This proves nothing at all, he clearly states that he used a harness for the Gong and no harness for the Ozone PR.
So obviously there will be a performance difference. The pull on these things is very high going upwind, and the harness will improve upwind angle and speed. In addition to this the Gong is larger than the Ozone PR which also helps with power, speed and upwind angle. He does comment that the Ozone PR felt more stable and in control than the Gong and that he was surprised at the data.
I have no problem with Gong kit and have and do own quite a lot of it. But this 'test' proves only that both parawings work upwind, not that one is better than the other in any way.
I don't think it says that one is better than the other, but it does show that the "cheaper" PW on the market still performs in a very similar way to the "best" one. It only presents average data that anyone can interpret or extrapolate as they wish. Furthermore, I think the harness could help over long distances, but not much on a couple of short upwind laps - especially with the PR, which doesn't pull nearly as strong as the Gong.
I can understand that for most people, dropping 700 ? on a parawing isn't a big deal. But knowing - with data, not just feelings - that there's a cheaper option at almost a third of the price that still performs similarly could be helpful. Just my opinion.
It's also a questionable comparison when you are adequately powered with the Gong that has a lot of low end grunt but unusable high end, but underpowered with the smaller Ozone that shines in its high end. Most tracks people get with their pocket rockets are far better than this.
Here's my tracks from yesterday. 3m Pocket Rocket with a harness on. That's maybe 80-90 degrees?
Select to expand quoteJve said..
It's also a questionable comparison when you are adequately powered with the Gong that has a lot of low end grunt but unusable high end, but underpowered with the smaller Ozone that shines in its high end. Most tracks people get with their pocket rockets are far better than this.
The idea behind every comparison is to try different things in the same conditions. For 12-15 kts, the two parawings have similar performance, but the conclusions on which one suits your local conditions and your pockets are all yours. I also have far better angles with the gong in stronger winds and could sail it full-powered in 20+ kts , though it isn't the best sailing experience fighting against it.
Select to expand quotescheggia said..Jve said..
It's also a questionable comparison when you are adequately powered with the Gong that has a lot of low end grunt but unusable high end, but underpowered with the smaller Ozone that shines in its high end. Most tracks people get with their pocket rockets are far better than this.
The idea behind every comparison is to try different things in the same conditions. For 12-15 kts, the two parawings have similar performance, but the conclusions on which one suits your local conditions and your pockets are all yours. I also have far better angles with the gong in stronger winds and could sail it full-powered in 20+ kts , though it isn't the best sailing experience fighting against it.
I think Jve's point might be that the comparison is most valuable when done with two different things that are being used in their range and in the same way (with harness line).
Gong states a 10-17 knot range for the 4m on the M/L (65-85kg) rider.
Ozone states a 17-27 knot range for the 3.6m on an average skilled rider at 80kg.
I can definitely vouch for the fact that the Ozone PR when underpowered loses it's upwind advantages. I can also vouch that being harnessed in has far better upwind performance. So, I understand and agree with Jve's point of it being a questionable comparison since the Gong is being used right in the middle of its suggested range while the Ozone is being compared outside of its recommended range.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..scheggia said..Jve said..
It's also a questionable comparison when you are adequately powered with the Gong that has a lot of low end grunt but unusable high end, but underpowered with the smaller Ozone that shines in its high end. Most tracks people get with their pocket rockets are far better than this.
The idea behind every comparison is to try different things in the same conditions. For 12-15 kts, the two parawings have similar performance, but the conclusions on which one suits your local conditions and your pockets are all yours. I also have far better angles with the gong in stronger winds and could sail it full-powered in 20+ kts , though it isn't the best sailing experience fighting against it.
I think Jve's point might be that the comparison is most valuable when done with two different things that are being used in their range and in the same way (with harness line).
Gong states a 10-17 knot range for the 4m on the M/L (65-85kg) rider.
Ozone states a 17-27 knot range for the 3.6m on an average skilled rider at 80kg.
I can definitely vouch for the fact that the Ozone PR when underpowered loses itsupwind advantages. I can also vouch that being harnessed in has far better upwind performance. So, I understand and agree with Jve's point of it being a questionable comparison since the Gong is being used right in the middle of its suggested range while the Ozone is being compared outside of its recommended range.The harness doesn't really help with performance - it helps with endurance. In this case, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have achieved a much better angle without it anyway.
That said, I didn't really like the bigger sizes of the PR. The lines feel too long and "flappy," the structure is too stiff, and it doesn't pack down very well. Where I live, 90% of the time it's around 10-15 kts, so I was just trying to find the best option for my local conditions.
For me, if I can take off easily, I'm in the right range - and I was taking off easily with the PR 3.6. I did this little comparison for myself and just thought it was worth sharing. It might be pointless for others, but it really helped me make my decision.
.The harness doesn't really help a lot with peak performance - it helps a lot with endurance. In this case, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have achieved a much better angle without it anyway.
That said, I didn't really like the bigger sizes of the PR. The lines feel too long and "flappy," the structure is too stiff, and it doesn't pack down very well. Where I live, 90% of the time it's around 10-15 kts, so I was just trying to find the best option for my local conditions.
For me, if I can take off easily, I'm in the right range - and I was taking off easily with the PR 3.6. I did this little comparison for myself and just thought it was worth sharing. It might be pointless for others, but it really helped me make my decision.
Harness absolutely helps with peak performance going upwind... Not just endurance.
Select to expand quotescheggia said.. the "best" parawing
What makes you think the Ozone is the best??
Its interesting talking to a few people who have owned BRM v1 and V2, Ozone, gong and FONE.
Some of the comments that surprised me the most.
FONE heavy on the bar and feels powerful but a 4m was harder to get up on than the Ozone 3.6 which was really light on the bar. FONE sold
BRM KAA 4.2 very happy but has the same low wind power as ozone 3.6m and not as good upwind.
Comments you don't hear on the reviews.
I think its a pretty fair claim that Ozone is at the top of the pile if you are to spend any time riding upwind. Sure the FONE and BRM also pretty good.
Select to expand quotezarb said..
Harness absolutely helps with peak performance going upwind... Not just endurance.
maybe if you're fully powered it could help, but if you are not, you perform better without. You can make much more subtle adjustment and follow better with your feet to push accordingly on the board.
Select to expand quoteAnyBoard said..
Its interesting talking to a few people who have owned BRM v1 and V2, Ozone, gong and FONE.
Some of the comments that surprised me the most.
FONE heavy on the bar and feels powerful but a 4m was harder to get up on than the Ozone 3.6 which was really light on the bar. FONE sold
BRM KAA 4.2 very happy but has the same low wind power as ozone 3.6m and not as good upwind.
Comments you don't hear on the reviews.
I think its a pretty fair claim that Ozone is at the top of the pile if you are to spend any time riding upwind. Sure the FONE and BRM also pretty good.
Unfortunately here parawing is still niche and couldn't try a lot of models, but tried different sizes of Gong and Ozone. I couldn't agree more on the fact that the PR 3.6 is very light on the bar (that's why you can easily ride it without the harness in winds undr 17-20kts), and it's actually surprisingly easy to get up. The Gong plus 4.0 pulls super heavy on the bar (almost impossible to ride without the harness in more than 15-17kts), but the low end grunt is really good, and when overpowered goes kind of well upwind. Even though going upwind isn't exactly a relaxing experience.
Select to expand quoteAnyBoard said..
Some of the comments that surprised me the most.
FONE heavy on the bar and feels powerful but a 4m was harder to get up on than the Ozone 3.6 which was really light on the bar.
That's the second time I've heard that now. I'm happy with my Ozones and not looking to change but I really expected the Frigate to have more power.
I've ridden the Pocket rocket 4.3m and D-wing 4.2m back to back in about 12-14 knots and the D-wing had far superior low end. I then sold my D-wings after trying the Frigate 4m which I bought instantly and my impression is that I haven't lost anything in the low end, maybe even gained 1 knot in the low end and about 4-5 knots more comfortable high end. The Frigate has a very solid pump, something I didn't experience with the big PR in light wind. I haven't ridden them back to back, but from my experience I have a very hard time believing the PR would have better low end than the Frigate.
