ozone zepher v flysurfer speed 2 15m

[markey]

hi all

 

i am looking to get a real light wind weapon soon , i currently run 2011 ozone c4's 7m and 11m , just need something for the lighter days,

 

is the flysurfer the ultimate light wind weapon or can the zepher get close

 

i should add i am under 70 kgs thanks

[jimmy6]

Hi,

I tried both the 17m Zepyhr and the 15m S3 last spring and ended up buying the Flysurfer. I found it had a significantly better low end than the Ozone kite and flew a lot smoother. It is slower to turn than the Zepyhr though, and I wouldn't like to drop it in heavy surf (not that you'd be likely to find heavy surf if you are out on a lightwind kite!) I am 75kg and ride the Speed whenever the wind is 7-14kts. It can go lower, but you have to use a big board and really work the kite. I've had it out in 22kts and it coped well, although you need a helper to land it whenever the wind picks up that much. Self launching and landing in less than 20kts is a breeze (sorry, bad pun) and is something I really love about the foil. That, and it packs down to a tiny size so it is great for travelling. I would recommend spending the extra to get the Deluxe version if you can stretch to it.

 

Drawbacks - it costs a fortune. I justified this to myself by thinking of the extra sessions I would get in light winds - I have made it out on the water dozens more time in the last 7 months where I would have been stuck on the beach with my tube kites. Another drawback is that it does turn slower than the Zepyhr, but you aren't really buying the kite to whip it around the sky. It does take a session to get used to the kite - I was frustrated for the first hour as I thought the kite didn't have that great a pull - but I was trying to head upwind too soon. Get some apparent wind on this kite and you can really crank upwind. The kite needs some speed (hence the name) to work best. Relaunch is instinctive, I have never had a problem with it, but I would not want to drop it in big waves.

 

Hope that helps. I should point out that I am not a foil junky and do still ride my tube kites 70% of the time. Ask away if you want any more answers.

 

Cheers,

 

Jimmy

My advice would be to try them both if possible

[ady]

not tried the FS but i have a zephyr and its a great kite. very fast turning for a 17m and great for boosting jumps and learning new tricks as has great hangtime as i'm sure the fs 's do also. It has a good wind range also. The one negative for me is that -10 mph ish when you're up near or at the zenith the fucker loves to fall out of the sky which i think is down to the extra weight. I have been the last one to stay out many times on it even with a small board. but the fs's do look tempting and i may try one one day (probably when i remorgage to fund it)

[markey]

thanks guys , the more i think about it the more i am going towards getting a flysurfer , just have to find one now lol

[andy2]

Hi mate, nothing to do with this thread but I see your local to me and I have just joined so cant pm yet! give me a shout if you ever ride down Hayling, always looking to fill all the seats in van when i head down there!!!

[markey]

will do mate , i am down there anytime theres decent wind lol

[too much wind]

Perhaps this video will aid your decision making. "Mirrors" - A Flat Water Dream - Kitemovement on Vimeo

To get the most out of the speed you do need the right board though. On my 125cm twin tip my low end is 10knots, with my 5ft8 quad fish its 6knots.

 

TMW

[slide]

i can only vouch from a landboard point of view , but the speed 2 15 SA , is the ultimate low wind kite , that i've tried -untill this kite , my bladeIII 10.5 was my low wind weapon...i've read many posts on foilzone , saying the speed3 15isn't quite as good even as the speed2 15metre SA, in a low wind( altho i haven't had the a go on a 3 yet ) ....6mph an i'm away - the light cloth always gonna be better in low stuff- it accelerates quicker-hangs there very nicely , even if the wind halts for a split ,and pulls like a train as i loop it and edge

[Gregga]

for light wind fun - dont think you can beat the flysurfer 15m speed 3 deluxe.

had mine over a year now. I think the problem with the 'speed 3 not having good low end' when it was first released is simply because people had been flying the speed 2 for around 2/3 years and not had a good chance to dial into how to fly the new speed 3 as a low wind kite - s3 likes to be flown alot higher in the window in low wind than the speed 2. I personally think it has just as much power. What you do really notice is the improved stability, turning speed, depower and friendly feel to the kite.

 

however its the 12-18mph wind that the speed will kick ass in. I have had many sessions on the water with people just cursing round, working 13-15m LEI's doing small jumps when the speed 3 has been boosting huge! think thats the true time the speeds come to light.

would say the windrange for my 15m on a 134 twintip (flat water) is around 8-25mph

 

have also flown the zephyr and liked that alot - definatly not just another big LEI. but do think the speed has the better low wind freestyle performance.

[markey]

well i am saving like crazy , a speed 3 15m is on my want list and i am selling stuff to fund it , unless santa is reading this and fancies dropping down my chimney tomorrow night lol

[plummet]

dammit i want one too! i've taken my 15m manta out of the water a few times ,,, its abit risky as i'm screwed if i crash it. but i was doing a similar thing to Gregga, boosting huge in 13-16knots when all the other lei users were just mowing the lawn and slowly going down wind. If fact i was jumping higher and gliding longer and touching down softer than i ever have on an lei.....

 

but i could by 2 Zephurs for the price of one s/h speed 3 deluxe.... I can't see me getting one any time soon.

[bartiebat1599968741]

Don't be tempted when you've got the money for a S2 to spend it. Keep going till you've sold everything & can get the S3, you won't regret it!

 

Ps you'll be wanting the deluxe too - sorry about that!