Switch Nitro4 or Best TS 2014

[john251]

I am replacing a quiver of Best Kahoona's, which were my first kites. I enjoy cruising, boosting and doing hooked in (so far) tricks. I ride a twin tip on a lake that has quite a bit of chop. Can anyone advise as to which of these kites they prefer or what the differences are between them? Cheers.

[dyyylan]

I own the Nitro 4 12m and have flown both the 2014 and 2015 TS in 12m, 10m, 9m.

They are very similar kites, just minor differences.

TS has slightly more grunt. You get more power by just sheeting in.

Nitro has more power in the turns. TS turns slightly more pivotally.

Nitro has more depower at the bar, and only one attachment point for rear lines. You get the full range of the kite without having to change knots (big plus, imo).

TS drifts slightly better, though both are heavy 5-strut kites so neither drift as well as a surf kite.

Nitro gets more immediate lift when jumping, but I think overall height and glide is similar.

Nitro sits closer to the edge of the window and can be pushed forward with your board edge, giving it almost endless top end. I've ridden the 12m in almost 30 mph (I weigh 145 lbs), it's insane.

TS sits a little bit deeper and gives more grunt when you're in the low end of the wind range. I think the actual low end is about the same, once you are used to both kites and know how to keep the nitro in the pocket so it stays powered up.

Both kites relaunch very well. TS might relaunch a little bit faster.

I feel like I can get better upwind angles on the nitro, though it's hard to tell with the currents we've been having recently. On a day with a mild current I can rip upwind on a twintip without even trying.

I like the overall feel of the Nitro better. No pullies on the bridles just give it a more direct feel.

TS is easier to fly for beginners. Nitro takes a little better technique to get the most out of it.

I like the Switch bar a lot more than the Best bar. It's adjustable so you only need 1, the lines don't stretch as much, the swivel on the chickenloop is easier to operate. The above the bar swivel is absolutely worthless.

Overall - both kites are very refined, you really can't go wrong with either of them. I went with the nitro mainly because of price, it's half the cost of the TS.

[randycasburn]

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Wow. Nice dyyylan. Very informative.

Ref top swivel: So it doesn't work well - although it looks cool Consider replacing it with the Wainman ceramic swivel. I replaced my OR swivel with one and I am very happy with the results. You can configure it to work as single or dual line release.

[Faxie]

For me the swivel does work well. Seems to differ from one person to another. Same as all the other flagout swivels.

[dyyylan]

It kinda works, it's definitely not as reliable as something with a big bearing in it like the slingshot, LF, etc though. Not a huge issue because the swivel at the chicken loop is large and easy to turn. A lot easier to turn than the best one, which is quite small and difficult to turn.

[john251]

Thanks for the detailed response. I think you covered everything! If the swivel on the Switch bar is no worse than the one on the Best bar I should be fine, as I've been getting by with that one. Very tempted to pull the trigger on the Nitro now.

[naishdude]

Thanks for the detailed response. I think you covered everything! If the swivel on the Switch bar is no worse than the one on the Best bar I should be fine, as I've been getting by with that one. Very tempted to pull the trigger on the Nitro now.

do not hesitate, I fly the Switchkites from their startup, I spend more time on thge beach than most weekend kiters as I am retired, I can kite every day as I live at the beach for 7 months a year.
even in the wintertime we put in some sessions.
I have Methods V2 with V2 controllerbar, sizes 11/9/7/5m
just a couple of weeks ago I crashed my 5 m, and had a tiny leak next to the main valve, I made some pics and sent them to Switch kiteboards, asking them if I could repair this and the best way to do so, next day got an email back that they would send me a new bladder at no cost...
I was amazed, in my whole kiting history, I never had one brand responding and helping me out like that !
The 5m was one of the first V2's to come out! so there was no regular warranty anymore on it, secondly I crashed the kite, which I wrote...well DOne SWITHKITES!!

so do not worry!
hit the button
dude

[taiguy]

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Just wanted to say that was a well done comparison.

[john251]

Do you know if there would be any issue using the Nitro on a 2012 Best redline bar?

[dyyylan]

Do you know if there would be any issue using the Nitro on a 2012 Best redline bar?

It should fly fine, but it won't flag out 100%. I think the oldest best bar that uses a single-line flag out (like the new Nitros) is the 2013