3 strut kites e.g. RRD Vision, Ozone catalyst. Worth it in bigger sizes? (12m+)

[Serial45]

Hey guys, looking into some kites. I've been told to steer clear of the 3 strut kites as they tend to be unstable and jellyfish in the air in the bigger sizes e.g. 12 metre+.

 

I have an offer open for some RRD vision 2011 kites and i'm trying to decide whether they would be worth getting.

 

I'm still learning at present so want something that will see me to late intermediate.

 

Considering the RRD vision 9m and 12m to begin with.

 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[andrew pattullo]

ozone catalyst , as nice light bar pressure , and very stable , i just set one up for a guy the other day as he wanted to make sure the lines were correct ,

i was very impressed as i had ever flown one before ,

 

i have an ozone edge this is defo not for leaners or intermidiates ! ,

[plummet]

one of the locals runs a 14m cat up 20 knots and does well on it.

me i run my 13m edge and it probably has a better bottom end and top end. But as andrew states the edge is not a kite for a learner. You need to know how to milk the aparent wind power in the low end and shut the power off by edging at the high end.

[OceanRodeo]

I would have said the same until I tried the Ocean Rodeo prodigy. Such an easy kite to fly . I can't comment on other brands as I haven't flown many but I would say of what I have seen 3 strut kites work exceedingly well for freeride , big floaty jumps , and newbies to the sport.

Dom Moore is showing great style on a Prodigy in the waves so better add that to the list

[fdvj]

I have a 17m Blade fat lady and that has 3 extremely thin struts and is rock solid even right at the top of it wind range fully depowered, so i would say it would depend on the other factors rather than the number of struts.

[g0nz01599968659]

I've just got a Demo Lithium Zero - 18m & NO STRUTS!! I'll let you know how we go on with it

 

I've also flown the Lithium 16m which only has one strut & that was fine. A lot of the stability is down to the size of the leading edge, the placement of the bridles.

 

Dan

[bash1599968729]

Most new three strut kites are sorted out the older ones yes they had as issues, in a war on weight saving they have all looked at ditching struts.

 

The things too look for are thicker ends to the LE if they are fat and the bridle comes down each wing tip rather than more centrally the kite should be ok. It can be seen on the ozone, mutiny and north's as well as others. Air rush have been around along time and as such most of there 0,1,2 or 3 strut kites now offer great performance.

 

If you are buying new try before you buy but as long as the brand is good then usually the kites will be fine. If you are buying second hand ask about make and model first. Some early attempts used heavy gauge material and other reinforcement to keep the canopy tight this was not the way to go what they removed in weight from struts they reintroduced with weight else where.

[creed]

i have an ozone edge this is defo not for leaners or intermidiates ! ,

 

So why do you have one

[Serial45]

Bash do you know much about the rrd vision to comment on how good they are?

[bash1599968729]

I have flown them but it was nuking winds, and personally would say they are ok but they do make a rather heavy kite this will not help with overall wind range. But will be ok in the designed but low end will be effected.

 

The turning speed on the larger sizes was a bit slow if you compare to newer models but as I said its really only the last couple years where the manufacturers are getting the weight/turning speeds etc spot on.

 

Have you tried them? If you fly them and like it no worries but if you think this could turn quicker or in lighter wind misbehaves then maybe look for something else.

 

I can get direct feed back on issues if you are interested from RRD if you need it you will find most manufacturers will tell you what is wrong with early models as these are the improvements on the later ones!

[Summerman]

If you like RRDs have you tried the Passion? I leaned on the Passion and I still have it, have tried others but nothing compared to it at least to me anyway, i like the kite with some bar pressure and strong feedback and the Passion does it for me.

As as other have said, go out and try it, no better way of doing it really.

cheers.

[vibro100]

The vision is a great kite to learn on.

All the beginners on our beach use them.

The local kite school also teach on them.

 

I'm after a cheap 7m vision if anyone as one for sale for my son to use.

[Serial45]

sure direct feedback would be great Bash. I'm still torn on whether to give em a go or not. Haven't really got the option to try one out atm.

[OceanRodeo]

sure direct feedback would be great Bash. I'm still torn on whether to give em a go or not. Haven't really got the option to try one out atm.

 

Try WEST COAST KITESURF SCHOOL They have just got some Ocean Rodeo prodigies in and on demo

[doggy]

3 strut kites are great in the bigger sizes as they are nice and light so fly very well in low winds, the 12m Vision is a brilliant kite.

[StarKitesUK]

Fully agree with Doggy. i've been playing alot with my 14 which is very similar.

 

14 metre kite that is before anyone (Mick) tries to dirty things

[Andy-j]

tempted by an 11 or 12 naish park to replace my 11m hifi for park n pop fun.

[fdvj]

tempted by an 11 or 12 naish park to replace my 11m hifi for park n pop fun.

 

puff

[Andy-j]

puff

 

only reason is to try and make 15-18 knot winds more enjoyable, actually maybe do some moves rather than tacking back n forth staying upwind. i can pull the 9 out the bag as soon as it's do-able for boost n loop fun.

[fdvj]

I hear John.B has also bought a girls kite.

[John.B]

I hear John.B has also bought a girls kite.

 

Two actually and another on the way... I have got a Slayer tho... fuck I'm getting old!

[lives2fly]

I have a Naish Park 12 which has no stability problems and 3 struts and a Fly 15 which only has 2 struts and is is spookily stable.

[ice1599968754]

Not sure who told you three strut kites no good in bigger sizes but they talk nonsense! Three strut kites are awesome in all sizes. If you want a really good kite for everything and that is fine for a beginner right through to pro get an fone bandit 5 or 6. Amazing kite woth three struts at everything! I've got the 14m and its awesome in the air. Huge range and stable as hell. Also very quick for a kite of its size. Much faster than my 15m ozone edge was with very similar pull and power, way more fun.

[leightong]

I have the RRD Visions in 12, 10.5 and 7m. They're very stable, Don't know who thought they were heavy but they aint...they drift very well on slack lines and jump well. An all around kite but doesn't fall short in any area. I love them...