ZEEKO 2011

[maigais]

the sizes I know for sure are 5.5m 7m 9m.

there has been no indication of change in sizing for the 10, 12, and 14m.

would love to read a report on the 2010 14m from an unbiased owner.

There will be report, I just want to get bit more time on Nobile skim fish wave, TT and some wave action, so hope after this weekend.

[RALKITE]

Had my first session on the 12m Krush Wednesday evening at Eppalock.

The joys of Inland lakes

Anyway, the wind dies just as I have kite half way out in a drift launch, (water level now too high to get clear ground for a land based self launch).

Could only launch to port, ERA is set for a starboard launch But kite does launch in about 8Kts.

Gone this far so might as well have a fly. slight different shape in air to Notus, maybe fatter towards ends.

In this wind eyes had to be on kite all the time so first thing that popped into my head was how great the bar feels in my hands (you can let your dirty minds go wild here), it does feel very easy to grip way lighter grip pressure which is great for reducing fatigue.

The bar travel adjustment with kite flying is very easy.

In fact here is where some differences to the Notus start showing up. The Krush has a much shorter effective bar travel, meaning the distance you move the bar to go from choke to slack steering is less.

So you set the bar up with less travel, which brings the depower strap closer. with this system the depower strap is always right there at the end of the bar travel.

NO PULLEYS, this probably accounts for the steering lines going slack with less bar travel, but I got the impression depower was more than adequate. turning was nice and direct.

So less bar travel, direct steering, and pull through window. So far so good but something was giving me a feeling of having been here before.

while this was happening I was watching a storm front, keeping flying just to hopefully catch the wind ahead of the front. This happened but for a whole maybe 15mins.

Getting caught out on Eppalock when the wind dies can earn you a big walk of shame so first order when winds kicks up is to get upwind points. The Krush just did this no fuss. This kite is a step up in aggressiveness to the notus, it has a snappier pull and quicker lift off in jumps.

keeping kite low and trying some pops got instant rewards. unhooking (which I'm crap at) really amped up the pop from kite low pops.

In normal jumps the hand time is there like the Notus, maybe a bit lower but you travel further Horizontally in the air.

Bear in mind this is all from a 15min cram in session. But this kite is looking good for those that are wanting to take their riding up a notch in techniques that want low pop, kiteloops, and power in the air. One downloop coming to land lat me know that this would be a great kite for those kiteloop freaks that want lots of pull during the loop.

Rain started, bolted to shore, wind dropped to Zero just as I get to knee deep water, Kite falls first drifting back a bit then roll to side and I actually catch it as if I was catching someones kite, and still had feet in straps. Typical Inland weirdness.

It was later that that feeling of having been there before made sense, My 05 Wipika Matrix, a darling kite that I wished sometimes I still had. A kite of Classic C design. That's it, the return of some classic C kite feel.

[RALKITE]

finally got to try the Bhoot SX board with the 12m Krush at Brighton, melbourne on Saturday.

the board is very very nice to ride, comfy, and releases super easy.

The Krush is definitely wanting that old school send back for jumps. very direct with steering and speedy in air so you can send it hard for big boost and then get it back for landing.

here is a new Video featuring the 2011 Notus

[RALKITE]

Some more info on the Krush, this time a french Magazine test with translation (by a Frenchman) below.

Just a summarize:

General informations:

After the success of Notus, Zeeko concentrates effort to develop a freestyle kite range C-shape style.

The design of the Krush changes in some ways compare to the Notus, the kite is clearly different for the french brand.

The graphics are very original and different; in the way of the ZEEKO spirit.

The kite is claimed as a very responsive one, there is no pulleys but the kite keeps 5 struts, a different approach compare to the 3 strut "fashion". Anyway, we heard that the Notus 3 will be a 3 strut kite!

The krush keep the trimming of the back bridle location from hybrid to C-shape, don't forget the ERA which help to relaunch the kite effortless.

Bar:

Zeeko worked hard:with the new kite, there is a new bar.

Here again, the R&D team worked on a new concept allowing to trim the length of the depower line. The short arms riders or those who want to ride with the bar close to the body could adjut the lenght they suit.

New chicken loop and new injected mold safety device, and new lines which you can find on other brands.

The bar is still trimmable in length and extension lines are supplied without extra cost.

On the water:

Zeeko doesn't lie announcing the Krush as a complementary kite for the Notus. The first rides, we tried the trimming of the depower line length very easy to use and efficient because it keeps the depower with the confort of having the bar where we want.

No fears!, we kiteloop the kite because they claim this is a kiteloop machine, and this is very true. Super easy, it pulls well and above it goes back up well at the end of the kiteloop. We continue with some unhooked tricks, it works easily without any bad extrapull.It is done.

But the krush go farer because it doesn't excell only on freestyle, this is also a kite dedicated for high jumps when you have found the right timming.

Turns are sweet and the very good turning ability give advantages during turns or tricks. No more words about the relaunching, even without the ERA which is here in case of necessity...

Zeeko pushed the concept et showed they know also designing original kites suitable for another kind of riding. Admittedly, this Zeeko is not suitable for beginners this is not its target.

[maigais]

Any more info about these -> http://www.zeeko-kites.com/shop.php?produit=Notus2011

[RALKITE]

Been having fun on the new Notus 3 and let me say it has been a lot of fun.

the Notus 2 was very good in waves, the Notus 3 is better.

I am also now using the 3rd generation bar which sports the new molded push away QR, which swivells and sets itself back into position for unhooked work. the safety has a nifty ring with a grab section so you can connect leash super quick and easy.

It's little things that make up a great package.

the 3 choices of connecting steering lines are still there but instead of referring to C style and hybrid style, it describes turning speed and bar pressure. Making understanding what you are changing to way simpler.

In going from 5 to 3 struts it has gained a pair of very short trailing edge battens on each side.

the ERA line is as per 2011 models and routed to tip to clean up lines.

I have been using the 10m in Dark Orange as per a picture above and it is more stunning in the flesh.

Jumping is very Notus like maybe a tad nimbler, but still that super comfy and controlled launch to an as good as it gets altitude, then cruise along before descending under sweet control while you pick where you will land and which part of the board you will let touch down first.

Talking about Boards. I have been also using the Zeeko Bhoot SX board. great on the flat, just does it all which ease. But for Twin tip riding in the surf..... Ken-awesome. The assymetic profile and 70mm toeside fins make powered bottom turns exhilarating. down the face, roll forward onto toes, leaning way into the wave face with bit to carry the speed and power into the lip and hit it. the last time I was riding waves on this kit was in a NE'er 25-30kts at Waratah bay after walking across dunes from Shallow inlet. High wind Cross offshore, I want confidence in my kit to do that.

[maigais]

I acutaly changed my mind re notus in waves, more of user toolnes , any chance to get some demos?

[RALKITE]

Meet the new Generation 2011 Zeeko Bar. Take notice of the set up for unhooked suicide leash, that still allows for the full safety depower when the Quick release is activated.

2011_tech_New_Generation_Bar_UK.pdf

[Goz]

Some really good features on the bar.

[RALKITE]

[maigais]

is that a crush or new notus?

[RALKITE]

5 struts so the Krush.

[plummet]

That adjustable bar through looks good. I quite like less depower in some instances.

now heres a question not aimed at this kite manufacturer but to all manufactuers.

is there really any kite that stands out well above the rest? all manufacturers claim they have the best designs and will work the best for every thing. I simply don't believe it.

I think some kites are slightly better than others at specialist duties and there is deffinatly some good brands and crappy brands.

If we got the worlds 10 best kite brands and stuck the same guys on different brands but same style kites would there really be huge differences between the kites performance? i don't think so. just slight differences.

[maigais]

I have not flown that many kites, but I believe it would come down to your preferences, what bar safety even bag you like.

[RALKITE]

That adjustable bar through looks good. I quite like less depower in some instances.

now heres a question not aimed at this kite manufacturer but to all manufactuers.

is there really any kite that stands out well above the rest? all manufacturers claim they have the best designs and will work the best for every thing. I simply don't believe it.

I think some kites are slightly better than others at specialist duties and there is deffinatly some good brands and crappy brands.

If we got the worlds 10 best kite brands and stuck the same guys on different brands but same style kites would there really be huge differences between the kites performance? i don't think so. just slight differences.

there was a test done by a french mag on about 8 main brand kites all 9m the results had 4 equal firsts, 2 equal 5ths, 2 equal 7ths. Based on performance points accrued from different performance aspects. Of Course I only point this out because the Zeeko Notus was one of the 1st place getters. when price/value for money was added to the equation the Zeeko was alone at first place.

[plummet]

Tell me who where the other place getters and where did they get.

PS i've never see a Zeeko here in nz.

[RALKITE]

[H&J]

I personaly test alote of kites and boards and have been testing the Zeeko kites from day one.

I love what Nicolas did with the 2011 kites.

The Notus III is a little quicker, less bar pressure and does have more grunt and lowend then the Notus II did had.

Also i believe the aitime and hight is better.

I'm 94 kg and the 12m2 Notus is the larges kite in my quiver.

I fly the 12m2 Notus III from 15 knts on my 133x40 board.

I love the Krush 9m2 !!! This kite is insane!! I its a true jumping machine. It gives you a great boost. You always know where the kite is in the air, just likk the notus III, but the jumps will give you a great on you face. Just get some speed and send the kite back and off you go

Some pictures on the 9m2 Krush

http://www.hanglos.nl/gallery/264000/ki ... -hj11.html