Wasp59 Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Finally got the chance to buggy with the 4m at the weekend. Just to paint the picture, I'm a relative newbie buggier but have been flying power kites for about 18 months or so. This probably won't be of much interest to the more experienced but there may be those who are considering the couch potato option! The kite is very well made; up there with Flexi/Ozone in terms of quality and looks the business. Launched in about 12-15mph (feeling slightly overpowered) and I was amazed at how well behaved this kite was. It went where it was told to go and did what I expected BUT I felt there was a background "power beast" awaiting something. I can only describe it as a feeling of unleashed power sitting and growling in the background. My brother who flies but doesn't buggy (yet) agreed. Then I got into the buggy. Bl**dy hell, this kite is built for buggying. I accelerated like stink and kept accelerating way beyond my comfort zone. No feeling that I was going to be hoisted (Blade 4.9 problem), just traction beyond the 4m expectation. Fortunately, it is so well behaved that coming to a gentle halt was not beyond my abilities. Frankly, even thinking about turning at that silly speed was laughable. Basically a big up for U-Turn, great kite at a great price. If you want traction without too much lift give them a look. Quote
Sir Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Have you flown a razor ? How does it compare as I'm thinking of one for my next kite Quote
madasabloke Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Hi, Flown both the U-Turn Oxigen/Nitro and the Razor...... U-Turn wins in my book (for what thats worth ) The Razor is a great kite, my mates have loads, but it is not 'user friendly', very raw and can be unpredictable whereas the U-turn's are made by the same bloke who made my Raptor II's and they are so similar, smooth yet powerfull and warn before the bite Have fun!! Mad Quote
daZZa-S Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 not much lift! Take it out overpowered and see what happens - its defently there and you will get some great jumps. I have had some lovely jumps off my 3.2!!!! when overpowered on handles and even better on depower setup - once I pull the bar right in to power it up and it will give some good pop and your airborn in seconds U-turn on handles on buggy, depower kit and bar for board. Excellent kites - The 5 meter pro will be joining my quiver soon. Quote
Mouthwash Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Hi Pete, So glad you like the Oxigen, got the handles at 45degrees on neutral, lol? I like your description of the 'unleashed power' - matches my feeling exactly. Always seems like you can get more out of them. Dazza is right about the overpowered lift - highest jump of my life was with a 5m Oxi in 25mph, scared the sh-1-t out of me!! The 4m will lift you if you launch it in the turn when its at the top of its wind range (18+mph). We've got the big Redcar charidy do on the 9/10 April up at the beach so if you can make it that would be great!! Cheers mate Chris Quote
Mouthwash Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Have you flown a razor ? How does it compare as I'm thinking of one for my next kite Yep, flown both the 4.5 and 3.5 Razor, definately faster than the Oxigen but only in the best onshore winds. Otherwise they're a tad difficult to get the best out of, 9/10 times the Oxi will do as well (especially upwind) and will be way more stable. Key is in the brake line setup, need to have the handles at 45 degrees to the kite at neutral and fly with index finger below the power line, results in a vlear crease in the trailing edge. Setup like this they will stay in the air all day and turn on the brake nicely. Downside is they're not as stable as the Buster/Ld's of this world downwind and need to be kept moving in this situation. Dazza-S has his on depower and it seems they're even better this way!! Only got mine on handles for the bug. Quote
Skydude Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 I've got the 4m Oxigen as well and can aslo confirm that they have lift.. My fastest OBE was when I lifted the Oxi to the zenith as I was about to make a fast turn in the buggy and just ejected out so fast and sweetly the buggy didn't even realise I'd left and carried on without me.. saying that though due to the combination of the lift and the speed I was travelling it let me down softly(ish) on my back and even helped me back to my feet to run after the buggy.. Power beast in the background is very apt.. just be careful when it makes it's self known to you..LOL Shauny Quote
daZZa-S Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 yep better for the board and getting more lift due to the depower aspect (go out in higher winds so can get overpowered jumps easily), plenty of pop, seems more stable (bent down and did my shoe laces up once whilst the kite was above me, no hands on the bar and it stayed there) but don't think it accelerates you as fast as on handles, might be different on the bigger ones. Takes a bit of getting used to on depower. Larger ones on the UDS than wingwarp surpose to be the best way to go (you can guess what i'm trying next ) Ive got to muck about with the brake settings as its turning far too quick for the bar that I have. I actually looped the kite whilst in the air by accident the last time I flew it, I will never be doing that again:eek: Quote
daZZa-S Posted March 23, 2005 Report Posted March 23, 2005 Do these kites count as race kites? or just standard freestyle/freeride kites? Quote
Wasp59 Posted March 23, 2005 Author Report Posted March 23, 2005 Interesting responses. Dazza, I'm surprised about the remarks about lift - I never felt in any danger of being hoisted but I surpose enough wind will always get one up! Chris, I didn't find that adding brake helped. I did have the power rings on and tried creasing the trailing edge but it didn't seem to make much difference. Mind you, by this time I was going so fast that I was feeling in need of a nappy! I REALLY need a few tips. Redcar looks closer every day. "the buggy didn't even realise I'd left and carried on without me" LOL Quote
8015 Posted March 24, 2005 Report Posted March 24, 2005 Any kite will lift you if you fly it up fast! I had a shot of a 4m Oxigen at Ainsdale the other day in horrific offshore winds. I wouldn't go near my race kites but after chatting to Bill went out on his 4m oxigen in Stu's buggy. I only did about 4 reaches along the beach to get the feel of it and had the buggy up to 36.7mph without really thinking about it. Conditions were awful and the oxigen was luffing occasionally (I mean really lumpy, variable and with 15 degree or more windshifts) but kept going in the same direction so when I shook it back to life it just gradually powered up and I kept going. There were people on race kites but really holding them back to avoid luffing (which they were doing anyway), the main issue is that when a full race kite luffs it balls up and when you shake it out it could be pointing in any directon (usually seems to be reverse) so OBEs or nasty drags are to be expected! Oxigen is an intermediate kite, unfortunately there are few others out there! The PL rebble is supposed to be in the same vein but I haven't tried it. Basically it's a bit fast for a complete beginner but stable enough that if you want to get into racing you will have more 'kite in the air' time than you would with a race kite so will do better initially. It is also a good choice for racing inland or in bad offshore conditions for the same reason - you have the chance to overtake all the race kites that are on the ground! Oh, the kites are designed to work with the 'power' rings, they are not an afterthought to make it better so don't take them off! JIM Quote
bigred1599968607 Posted March 24, 2005 Report Posted March 24, 2005 the oxy is a close relation to the gin yoz and as has been previously said they are not full blown racers, but in conditions that are less than perfect they are great. u will only notice a difference in the upwind reaches when a race kite will allow u to fly closer to the wind. down wind and in general flyin ull struggle to find better kites for buggys and if u want to depower either yoz or u turn the kit is available to do it Quote
Bigbird Posted March 25, 2005 Report Posted March 25, 2005 The U-turn oxi has got to be for me one of the best intermediate kites around for buggy's. Build quality and cost are both factors that make them more appealing. In the air accelaration is smooth and controlable. Upwind ability is amazing to say the least, I managed 1 upwind run at almost 45o to the wind direction. Having said that they can luff fairly quicky and have on several occasions had them just fall out of the sky during turns in gusty conditions . As most of my flying is done in land I use the standard spec kites as opposed to the Pro range, If I used the beach more then the Pro would definatly be the kite of choice. These kites really come into there own when used with a buggy, you really need to buggy with one before making any opinion on them, if you do you won't be dissapointed. Quote
Sir Posted March 26, 2005 Report Posted March 26, 2005 My firebee is a luff monster at the best of times lol Anyone in the midlands got an oxy I can try ? Quote
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