Link vs T2 for lightwind

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Anyone flown a 15 meter link and a 14 meter T2?

Considering you can pick up a link complete for 500 I'm curious if it would be worth it for a lightwind kite. I was set on getting a 14 meter T2 until I saw this deal. I heard lots of bad things about the Link but didn't they get solved with the new bridles?

Andy

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Don't know about the LINK 15, as I've never flown it, but I bet it'd have fairly decent low-end. Tucker's old LINKs (on 5 line) were all pretty grunty, though I can't give a direct comparison to the T2. Overall, I'd think you'd like the T2 14 better... Comparable if not more low-end, more depower, and easier relaunch.

And the RED bridles helped in 4 line mode, but with the limited attachment points on the kite, they're not going to feel like REVs. Laughing

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I have T2 and never had trouble with relaunch, though I've seen many people with trouble relaunching LINK kites

NateDogg · Sun Feb 10, 08 7:43 pm

The 15 link I flew was pretty weak on the low end. I'd go T-tizzle fo shizzle...I taught on them all summer, and as far as easy relaunch and unbelievable low end (the 14 should be the largest you need) the kite is the shizzle.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Feb 10, 08 10:44 pm

sorry but the links Suck. It will forever go down in slingshot history as the bastard child that should never have been.

They made up for it though wit the REV
Twisted Evil

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I talked with Jeff Roberts (international sales guy) at Slingshot about this very subject last Summer.

His quote is "the T2 14m replaces all of the other light wind kites Slingshot has ever made, including the Machine"

The T2 has amazing low end, turns well for a 14m and has enough de-power so you can ride it at much higher wind speeds than the other kites designed to fly in light winds. The T2 will not fall out of the sky like the Link did either.

My vote is for the T2 over the Link.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

YEp, agreed.

I have flown both.
The link seems a lot bigger than a 15m, if thats belivable. If you are not turning it, or edging against it with lots of power....It starts to stall out and loose power. This is with the 5-line bridle...I never tried the other.

Like Blancho said also...The T2 is fast and the high-end lets you stay on the water when it picks up. I have been on the 14m T2 at Stevenson and was trading off with 11m T2's and still felt fine.

T2 all the way!

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

the t2 was deffinitly an improvment on the turbo diesel. They relaunch from the water very easy and fly well with a strong range of wind. from what i've heard not many people liked the link.

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

T2 14 Sickest light wind kite out there!

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Shy hurry up and release the T3 so someone will sell me a used T2.

Andy

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

I just got my quiver 9-11-14 and will be having a full demo at the Montana Rodeo!

SEE YOU OUT THERE! Twisted Evil

Nak · Tue Feb 12, 08 11:01 pm

Love my 14m T2 from 10 to 25 knots. A lot of range in that one. I have a 19m bow that I can ride with maybe 2 mph less wind, but it's a downwind ride. My 14 T2 will go upwind with the same wind as the 19 bow. Needless to say, the 14 is a hell of a lot more fun to fly than the 19... As far as the 14m T2 replacing the Machine, I will have to respectfully disagree. My 20m Machine is the best Lightwind kite I've flown in uber light wind. As soon as I've got 11 knots though, I'd much rather use the T2. Of course I love my 11m REV even more. Anyone compared the 15 REV and the 14 T2? I'm guessing the 14 T2 will have more range at the top end, but I really don't know. Anyone try the 17m T2?

Shy, How about a rundown on what's different with the T3? Pics Maybe? Very Happy

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Thought they burnt all the links? Go for a REV, nothing else matters.

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Dude? No link..No T2
Only Rev and Glide

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

I'd take a 15m REV over a T2 14. Takes a little kite speed as it doesn't have the low-end grunt, but it obviously has the REV/FUELish feel a lot of us are used to.

My biggest kite's an 11m, so if it's not blowing over 15, I'm taking pics/video!

Pepi · Wed Feb 13, 08 12:04 am

Being a big-guy kiter like Nak (I'm 5'10" and 215lbs), I've spent a good amount of my flying time on the 14T2 and found this to be a super reliable lightwind kite, yet still totally trustworthy in winds up to 23mph or so. There's definitely some serious bar pressure in the 14T2, but that can be nice when really trying to get a feel for how to trim the kite in lighter winds or when riding waves.

I also spent some time on the REV 15 this past Fall with the intent of comparing it with my 14 T2 to see what I might want to end up riding next season. It took a tad bit of time to adjust to the lighter bar pressure and increased pull from the harness in the turns, but definitely seemed to have a ton more pop in the jumps and quicker pull when maneuvering the kite for power.
It was hard to determine which had better low end power, they seemed equal, but completely different in handling characteristics.
My basic observations:
15m2 REV = Quick turn with power and lighter bar pressure, better for jumping and for more demanding kiters. Shorter bridle allows for quicker relaunch. Newer leash system means no leash twist.
14m2 T2 = Quick turn with less power and higher bar pressure, better for developing kiters and wave riders.

*I will note that I did fly the 13m2 REV on the same day as comparing both the above kites and found that I actually really liked the 13 REV a bit more, especially when combined with a directional board for lightwind range. I'm tempted to see how this combo works for lightwind gorge kiting.

Pepi