U-Turn Oxigen Standard 7.8M

I bought my Oxigen 7.8 as a low wind kite after a couple of sessions when my Blade 4.9 wasn’t sufficient to get me moving. I was pretty frustrated being a relative newcomer to buggying, I’d previously static flown kites and dabbled with a Scrub Furnace Creek (far too painful!) and swopped to buggying for the easy life – lol.

I did a fair bit of research prior to buying; I was looking for a big kite at a reasonable price as I didn’t think it would be something I would be using on a daily basis so why spend a fortune? I’d heard about U-Turn; the kites are designed by Ernst Strobl (below, in his younger years) who previously was responsible for AiREA traction kites. He is a bit of a legend in his own lunchtime and it seemed the U-Turn pedigree was well established.

Next I had a look at the prices. The 7.8 standard is £270 and the Pro is £370, which seemed pretty good to me, especially for the Standard model. The difference between the two is in the materials, all dimensions are the same otherwise; the Pro is constructed from 40 gsm material which is waterproof and has Kevlar bridles, the standard is built from 44 gsm material and has dyneema bridles. So this means the difference is the Pro is about 10% lighter and you can fly it in the rain. No contest, I’ll take the cheap one!

I ordered the kite from Barracuda Buggys (thanks Stuart (aka zman), excellent service) and my Oxigen duly arrived. It was supplied without lines or handles (although I understand this has now changed) and came in a simple draw string bag with ‘U-Turn’ stamped on it. No frills and no pretensions – just a kite in a bag.

Unwrapping the kite I was very impressed with the quality of construction, I doubt anyone makes a better built kite. I own Flexi’s, Ozones and the odd Mac and it is definitely up there with them. The Orange and yellow upper sail is very striking, the standard has a white under sail, the pro under sail is the same colour as the upper sail main colour.

I first flew the kite at Lytham in a steady onshore 12 mph. On connecting it up you immediately notice it comes with power rings as standard. This is quite rare and I’d never flown a kite with them on before. Anyway I retreated to the handles and fired the kite up to the zenith with no problems. It pulled me along as it rose but the power was very smooth and I scudded to a halt with the kite directly above. I went straight into some high turns and immediately the kite responded beautifully. I am very impressed with this kites turn rate, for the size it turns really well.

The brake bridle outer two connections run through a further ring (like the Mac Bego) which fold the tip in when applied and this really speeds up the turn rate. Running the kite though the window produced some good scuds and the power came in nice and steady. Just to see what the difference would be we removed the power rings and put it back in the air. There was a slight loss of power and the power was much more jerky. Suffice to say the rings went back on and haven’t been off since.

In the buggy the kite can overfly slightly but a quick dab on the brakes brings it back into line. It is definitely a kite that needs the brakes to turn, it’s a big kite and wont turn fast enough without brake input. I have used it in winds as low as 5mph but I’d say only a lighter rider would get any use out of it at winds less than that (I’m a lardy 17 stone).

Conclusion

Well in my limited experience I’d say the Standard Oxigen represents the best value for money buggy kite on the market, I like the 7.8 so much I bought the 5.0 to go with it. In 10+mph it really shifts. I think I need a wider rear axle………!!!

Author : Chris B