Slingshot UFO V4 Review

Nak · Sun Sep 13, 26 11:55 am **Slingshot UFO V4 Review**

UFO V4 Review.

I've had the privilege of being able to demo the UFO V4 for some months now. Both the 4m and the 5M. I've ridden with them both in Baja and the Gorge, and I was able to let a few other riders try them.

TLDR: These kites are everything you love about UFOs, but more so. Faster, more nimble, they fly like they're smaller than what they are. The SUP style inflation system is a welcome improvement. I skipped the V3 upgrade, but the V4 is such a big upgrade that I'll be replacing all of my kites. That said, I have not tried any of the larger sizes yet.

First, let's talk about the structural changes. The 4 and the 5 both have a smaller LE diameter than the V2. The canopy material is now nylon with a 4x4 crosshatch of reinforcing threads. That makes the new UFO more durable, but just a tad heavier. I weighed a V2 and V4 5m side by side. The V2 weighed 1288 grams, the V4 weighed 1379 grams--so a 91 gram increase in weight. The inflation system has discarded the old two valve system--an inflation valve and separate deflation valve--for a single valve SUP style inflation valve. Laid one on top of the other you can see the canopy shape and bridal have been reworked. So basically this is a new kite with a complete redesign.

How does it fly? In a word? Better. The thinner leading edge results in a faster kite in all conditions, and the canopy shape and bridal system allow for even better one handed maneuvering than the V2. It's everything that you love in a UFO except better is simply the best way to put it. It drifts well, and the extra speed makes the kite easier to ride in the bottom end of it's wind range. While static pull remains the same for the same size kite, you can get up easier in lighter winds because you have more power available by diving the kite. This allows me to use a smaller kite for a given wind speed. A 5m V4 feels like a 4.5m V2 with 5m worth of power is one way to describe it. A 4m feels like a 3.5m. I flew both V4s many times back to back with the same size V2; The difference was always significant in favor of the V4. You'd think the extra 91 grams would be a small issue, but it isn't. The kite absolutely flies like it lost weight. Those 91 grams are well worth the added durability IMHO. Lastly, the kite flies better in overpowered conditions. You definitely have more control of the kite when you're highly depowered. If you are a UFO fan you are going to want a V4.

The inflation system deserves mention as well. The extra deflate valve on earlier UFOs was always an extra possible failure point, the V4 does away with it. The SUP style inflate/deflate valve is not only more reliable than a two valve system, inflating and especially deflating the kite is significantly easier with the new valve. With the old valve, you had to force air out of the deflation valve while folding up the kite. With the new valve the kite just goes flat faster than I can roll up the kite. Very nice.

The two available colors are both attractive and more visible than previous iterations. Very nice!

Oh, and the bag is much better too! No zipper. Small enough to compress nicely yet big enough to be able to get the kite in easily. Nice!

Overall a really nice improvement. Kudos to the Slingshot team for an excellent upgrade to an already outstanding kite! Cheers!