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NOOB · Since 21 Jun 2007 24 Posts

Forest, did you guys just pose for those pics? Wink

I was hoping to see a good contact shot. Looks like a riot !

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jul 13, 07 11:59 am **Re: It's a bad idea!**

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1726 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

forrest · Fri Jul 13, 07 12:31 pm

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

[quote="pdxmonkeyboy"]

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

In order to have truly non-bias kite comparisons you would have to have all of the following conditions to be true:

1) No brand allegence what-so-ever, no deals, no history of favoring a brand, no friends working for the company or shop or school who sells it.

2) Exact same size comparisons with exact same wind and water conditions, same day back to back testing.

3) Kites could not have been paid for, they would have to be demos.

4) Rider preferences such as liking to ride lit vs. liking to ride underpowered, preferring kite turning speed or through the window speed, unhooked no-whip wake jumps vs. boosting, heavy bar pressure vs. light bar pressure, kites that sit back in the window vs. forward in the window, kites that respond small sheeting movements vs. kites that respond to more bar movement... Any preferences toward any of these areas would have to be put aside.

5) Durability would have to be tested so you'd need to repeatedly pummel the kite into the ground and water, tumbled by waves, over pumped and flown, under pumped and flown, wrapped in lines.

6) Quick release tests under extreme loads and in unfamilar circumstances (pull a kiteloop then try to pull your QR.) Kite leash would also need to be tested in varying wind conditions.

7) Different rider weights, board sizes and shapes would need to be tested.

8 ) Relaunches in light wind, relaunches in heavy wind, inversion testing.

...

It could go on... What conclusions would you maybe draw? Uh I dunno, maybe that the kite flies and it turns and pulls you across the water.

If you talk to people in the industry they will tell you more or less anything is possible when it comes to kite design, it all comes down to preference. What feels good to one person might feel like crap to someone else. But really most people won't even notice the difference.

There are some truly big differences when it comes to kite shape (C vs. SLE) and I think those discussions are interesting. But we should keep brands out of the discussion. To me people are far too passionate about kite brands to have reasonable discussion about it on the forum. KiteForum is a good example why, all the brand fanboy's and haters flaming each other all day.

If you really care so much about the different kite designs then I encourage you to demo different kites. I think its awesome that its easier than ever to demo kites and boards these days. The companies are figuring out that if people can try before they buy, then they are much more likely to buy. We're so lucky to live in a part of the world where hooking up these demos is no problem, take advantage!

Anyhoo, its windy and time to go kiting! Very Happy