Postby voodoospirit » Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:05 pm
as a snowkiter, i d use a 12 over my 15, more nimble, easier to sin to generate power in its low end.there s a window where a 12 if more effective than the 15 on snow ( the 5/8knots window), after that, 15 all the way, parked and powered.
but since i kitesurf as well, i went for the 15 dlx. allows me more power with my actual boards, i d need to get bigger boards if i had a 12 ( i don t like to sin kites all over, i like to be powered as fast as i can)
the more u sin a kite, the less efficient it is in lightwind....
my biggest board is a 140/42 for 70/72kg, i d prolly need a 145/45 (may be a tad more) to get the same low end with the 12. 140/42 +15 = 8knots, sinning it 7knots.
130/37+ 15 = 10 knots, parked, i d need 12knots for the same thing with the 12
i give up the 15m² after 15knots (despote i can survive until 20knots) and get my medium wind kite
i was wondering if i d get the 12 for the 15/30 knots range, but i m not sure about if it shigh end will hit the 30k mark for me.lack of certified feedbacks...so better safe than sorry, i guess.
after testing a bunch of 14 LEI, the 12 has probably the same power. like alex said, i d say the 12 need 2 more knots to do the same ( in the low end, 2 knots is a lot) which would be on par with the 14 LEI (needed 2-3 more knots to get the same as the 15)
all will come down with your boards, the 15 will get u jump sooner and higher but is less nimble, it s a parked and ride kite.
i d have a LW board , i might be on a 12, but i prefer to have a small board to get fun with , with a parked kite that i don t have to sin and care (kite is just a propellor for me, the less i care about it, the better i am)
for relaunches.
6 knots with a dry kite
6-7 knots with a wet kite
the kite will fall down at 4knots (on it s TE usually), 5knots it will be in the air in the mid-window or at the zenith, with the agility of the 12 , u should be able to keep it in the air at 4 knots, harder with the 15.