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Posted

Compare this:

 

http://www.thekitetrip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ozone_catalyst_yellow-500x500-300x300.png

 

with this:

 

http://www.thekitetrip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Catalyst-Blue-yelow-300x300.png

 

More like the shape of the reo maybe?

Posted

coupey you seem to have flown everything. Have you tried the catalsts over the years. I got a 2009 xc light, and flew a 2010 cat, i own a 2011 cat and just brought a 2012 cat. The 2012 8m seems much quicker and more powerful than previous. The leading edge is so small it really accelerates. You noticed the difference. P.s still loving my zephyr - dont get why everyone does not get one. Ebay this time of year £600 absolute bargain for 15 extra days kiting per year when i would be sitting down watching.

Posted

I bought the 14m 2012 Cat thinking it would be a decent light wind kite with more low end than c4.

 

But compared to the c4's I found it totally gutless unless you were right at the top of it's range. Swapped it for a 13 edge which is a great for 12-20 knots.

 

Apart from being a tame beginner kite (and maybe decent in waves) I was struggling to work out what it was designed for. The c4 is a wakestyle/freestyle/freeride kite and Reo for waves, edge for racing and hooked freeride etc.

 

C4 and edge are waay better better for general freeride than the Cat (IMHO). Gave it to a couple mates to try who pretty much felt same way..

 

Cost me a bit of cash trading in for the edge, so just trying to avoid anyone else making the same mistake. Definitely try before you buy as it may well not be to your taste.

Posted

Yeah but look at the shape change from 12 - 13 as per coupeys post above. I agree it's a bit of an odd ball kite, but then a lot of the manufacurers are doing the same. I guess they are all trying to get the ideal crossover kite.. Like the hadlow id, naish park or LF Envy.

 

I mean check out the north line up - WTF!?. 6 kites, really.. Dyno, fuse, rebel, vegas, neo, evo.!? And they still haven't got a decent crossover kite. The evo is statistically the best crossover and one of their first kites. Why even bother with the fuse?

Posted

This is what Ozone say about the 2013: "it offers a subtle C-feel without being as aggressive as the kites such as the C4"

 

I don't find the c4 that aggressive, so if the new Cat is more tame it's not for me.

 

It's also pitched as a ideal travel kite, beginner friendly, great in waves, great unhooked and classed as 'Open C'. In trying to do all things well it ends up being average in all departments.

 

I guess with all the specialized kites around now, there's a big market for people who don't have a favoured style and want a kite that is ok for everything.

Posted

I really like riding my 2012 Catalysts, but I am a real beginner on the water. I dunno what Ozone were aiming for, but for a kiter in the first year or so on the water, I think the Catalyst is spot on. I'll fly mine for a year and then decide whether to go C4 or Edge.

 

Love that Zephyr too!

Posted

Yeh I can understand it's a great kite for someone learning the ropes. Very forgiving.

 

But you could easily learn on c4's - they only become aggressive right at the top end (which is when they are at their best). Probably slightly harder to relaunch than a Cat.

 

I find the edge a lot more aggressive, just pulls and pulls - feels like I've been wrestling a bear after I've been out in decent wind. Can't beat it for jumps/hangtime :D

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