Coraljester Posted August 14, 2013 Report Posted August 14, 2013 Currently looking at 2 kites and cant decide which one to go with hoping you guys could help me? Quick back ground, been flying power kites for about 3 years on and off, no depowerable, flows and the like. Finally had some lessons down in cornwall whilst on holiday and am looking at getting my first depowerable! I know you guys love having as much info on these posts so i will say im about 6ft and 13 stone-ish. Average wind conditions can be anywhere between 10-25 Knots. Im ofc looking at just being able to get confident in the beginning and doing basic freeriding and such but i do want to eventually progress onto freestyle, jumps and tricks etc. I was looking at 2 kites in particular, the Ozone c4 or the Cabrinha Vector. From all the different reviews ive read (both official kite testers and buyers reviews) im under the impression the vector may be abit more beginner friendly but the C4 will outlast it as it is suited to more intermediate/freestyle riders which is what i want to get into. Other factors such as riding upwind etc etc seem to differ review to review so im just going to put parts like that down to different users. Any opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated and your experience would be helpful! Also any thoughts on the bars, the cabrinha one looks pretty good apart from the whole release system which looks like it could be a nightmare to put back together haha! cheers in advance Quote
StarKitesUK Posted August 15, 2013 Report Posted August 15, 2013 Hi Buddy, if you have already narrowed your list down to two. no one here can help you decide. trial them back to back if you can as it will all come down to your perception in the end Both are good kites. I've not flown the Cab Vector but have in the past had crossbows and omega's I liked them both. I have flown the C4 again a really nice kite. not for me (but I have to say that I'm the Starkites guy ) Good luck Paul Quote
Kite Kid Posted August 15, 2013 Report Posted August 15, 2013 If you are looking new the 2013 c4 has 2 different settings/ wakestyle and freestyle. There is a massive difference between the 2 and freestyle is much more user friendly. the c4 is a kite that needs to be flown like most other high end kites it's not a simple case of pull on the bar and you have power say like a switchblade (not flown the vector) If you are looking at the Ozone range don't turn down the catalyst they are awesome bits of kit!I teach on them and find them a great kite to grow in to. and for taking you to a higher level Patrick Blanc uses the catalyst in the PKRA Ad for Bars the Ozone release is pretty dated but the new bar is out in a few months and it is much nicer. Quote
Bongo Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 As kite kid says... Go with / consider the catalyst. I have and love the C4s, but they aren't the easiest to launch, and as a beginner on water, you want something that just comes off of the water with ease. I haven't flown any cabrinha kites for a year, but only because every one I've ever flown to test I haven't liked at all. But that's one persons opinion only. I'd got catalyst. It's a big step up from the flows! And prob 10m going by your weight as a single kite quiver. Quote
plummet Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 Are you looking at 2013 gear or older? 2012 c4 and older are nice fun all round kites. 2013 are horrible for anything but wakestyle. Don't touch it with a barge pole if its 2013. as the others have said Catalyst is more ideal for you. Quote
Dragnfly Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 If those are the only 2 kites you are interested in.... Each have their own +&- for you. The vectors will be probably be more comfortable to use, have a slightly wider wind range, and be easier to relaunch. My pal has them and really likes them. They are more than capable of taking you through most freestyle stuff, like front/ back rolls etc. The emergency release is easy to put back together, but you need to be on the beach for it. However, the vector offers 100% depower without having to use the release, so it really is 'emergencies only', and when that happens you'll be more than happy to be standing on the beach aFterwards anyway. The c4s on the other hand would give you a bit more 'oomph', for want of a better word, and would be better for advanced freestyle, particularly unhooking type stuff, but it could be a couple of years before you get to that stage unless you get a lot of time on the water or are a superstar! I think you'd progress faster on the vectors, but further on the C4s. Ultimately though, they are both great kites and you wouldn't be disappointed with either. Quote
Ozzie35 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 I am new to water stuff but I have to say my crossbow is really good and safe. I fell many times lost control and so far didnt need to use emergncy as 100% depower works perfectly for me. I would say go and try one u wont be regret. Quote
plummet Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 as 100% depower works perfectly for me. there is no such thing as 100% depower. Quote
charlie1597507920 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 I would get c4's if you are looking to progress quickly and they are no way too advanced for you with that much land experience, flows have 0% depower so you will be fine haha... still try one incase you don't like them for some reason Quote
Dragnfly Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 there is no such thing as 100% depower. Strictly true I suppose, even an old Tesco bag on the end of a bit of string will offer some drag in the wind. But not much. Quote
Coraljester Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Posted August 16, 2013 Thanks for all the replies so far guys! the inputs been great! seems from your advice id probably replace the C4 with the catalyst in my choices, and i was looking at getting this years models yup there is a bonus to getting the catalyst as well as it works out cheaper than the other two kites. My opinion is shifting to the catalyst, Ozone seem to have a lot of fans and i love my flow. As for testing it may be difficult, from what i hear ozone are going to be at the Scottish windfest if i could make it up there, although they also offer demos via the website, anyone made use of this service? Also another quick question, how come there arent many second hand cabrinha kites? i cant recall ever seeing any on here or mother sites, seems a bit odd :S Quote
Ozzie35 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 I cant add a link here as im on my phone but if you search on you tube or cabrinha/video/depower you can see how its works. I dont need to explane how it works or how good it is. As I used it I know it works. Beginners like me really good advantage. Im not saying its perfect and im sure all kite manufacturers has similar things but I always used Cabrinha and I like it they make quality stuff. Quote
Ozzie35 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 how come there arent many second hand cabrinha kites? i cant recall ever seeing any on here or mother sites, seems a bit odd They are quality and no one get rid of it once they buy it. Quote
jamie501 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 2012 c4 and older are nice fun all round kites. 2013 are horrible for anything but wakestyle. Don't touch it with a barge pole if its 2013. as the others have said Catalyst is more ideal for you. you being serious ? yes the 2013 c4 is slightly more aggressive and free/wakestyle orientated than the 2012 but by no means is it a one trick pony. Id quite happily sick a beginner on my 2013 C4's ; stable, direct, good depower. I use the C4's for a bit of everything, free ride boosting, kite loops, wake style, freestyle, old school. The only thing I havent tried them with is my surfboard as we havent had a wave for months ;-( but ive got a catalyst quiver for the waves so wont really need to use the C4's. back to the origional question. as mentioned previousley try to demo both as thats the only way your going to see which you like best. ive not flown the vector but I can say the C4's are excellent kites, really good to progress on. The catalyst;s (2013) are also great all round kites, so if you want a kite to cover you from waves to wakestyle go catalyst , but if you want a slightly more unhooked/wakestyle orientated kite go C4 Quote
Andy-j Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 Ozone seem to have a lot of fans and i love my flow. Yes, unfortunately most of them are gay. Quote
plummet Posted August 16, 2013 Report Posted August 16, 2013 you being serious ? yes 100% serious. I bought the 2013 10m c4 to replace my 2011. I'm a die hard ozone fan but the 2013 c4 is the worst LEI I have ever owned. It was horrible. Heavy bar pressure and super dull steering while hooked it. I tried all the settings and even made new settings to give me better steering... I got it better but the heavy as bar pressure was a deal breaker. I sold it in disgust and got a near new 2012 c4 to replace it. It is not an all round kite anymore. Quite a shame really. It was a brilliant fun kite for free riders. That said it is an animal unhooked and that is what it is designed for. But I am not into wakestyle and do not unhook. So for me it was completely horrible. Quote
Coraljester Posted August 20, 2013 Author Report Posted August 20, 2013 cheers for all the replies guys! think i may go for the catalyst now, although the new bar doesnt come out until 2014 apparently, i was thinking maybe get the mutiny bar for it instead? its cheaper and havent heard a bad thing about it yet, what does everyone think? Quote
badgb21 Posted August 20, 2013 Report Posted August 20, 2013 Why not consider a 12m Cab switchblade if you want to grow into something. Kingofwatersports has a 2012 good price. I have read some poor reviews of the 2013 model? I have Ozone and Cabs and I think the cab bar is just a touch nicer. Maybe it's what you get used to. Kev Quote
andrew pattullo Posted August 20, 2013 Report Posted August 20, 2013 dont about C4 but the Ozone Edge is Awsome most kite companys try and improve the models they all ready have,and instead of improving them ,make them worse ! i own a ozone edge11m 2010 i have had a go of the new one , my old one is ruthless , compared with the new one they have taken the edge out of the EDGE !!!!!! Quote
Coraljester Posted August 20, 2013 Author Report Posted August 20, 2013 But isnt the edge a race kite? what it says on the ozone site lol im pretty happy with the catalyst choice, only thing im questioning is the pull to release safety feature on the bar, which is why i was considering the mutiny bar Quote
StarKitesUK Posted August 20, 2013 Report Posted August 20, 2013 Mate all good advice. But it's always best to try first. If you are after ozone or mutiny there are guys on here that would be willing to help. All the advice in the world will not beat experience go and try them Quote
badgb21 Posted August 20, 2013 Report Posted August 20, 2013 The edge is awesome, it's like a racehorse, not sure about how suitable for a novice though. Star kites is right, trying them is the best way, but can be so difficult to arrange. Despite what anyone says if you have a model in mind and spend all your time thinking about it, you'll not be satisfied until you have it. I have done it with so many things! Good luck with whatever you go with. Kev Quote
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