Dear Slingshot

[kite-it-right]

As a retailer and loyal customer I want to know exactly what makes the 2010 model fuel the best you made.

As my kites get trashed and Wither with age I have always replace with the new model. However I have found te 2011 onwards progressively harsher to ride.

It only became apparent upon my recent visit to capetown where instead of buying a 2014 7m I took a second hand 2010 out.

It's like going back to the good old days. So predictable insane megaloops without even having to concentrate. The newer models (bar the 2014) just seemed a bit snappy and spiked with power. I though I was getting old or my bar setup was buggered but no...

2010 is a master piece .
Please replicate

[Bille]

That's how i felt about my old 2008 -- 13M Ozone Edge ; had a Great speed-range
with my 95kl of weight , it would pull me from 12 - 26kt with ease, but i had the
option to Hang-On in the :20min 30kt + stronger stuff.

The 2010 slowed down a bunch, but got way better Boost ; the 2011 and 2012 had an
even Bigger Bladder. I ended up with Adam Koch's 2010 racer 13m Edge
but absolutely do NOT like in a 30kt breeze ; i Can keep the 2008 down though !!

I Liked my old --08 Cruiser model ; i bought some 3.2oz mylar reinforced with
X patterns of Spectra fibers, and plan to give the Old model a new Trailing Edge,
i think it Deserves it , for it's Many Years of service !!
Bille

[L0KI]

I have had a few cases with kites that are perfect and get changed for the worse.
It seems it happens with many brands.
I think the test pilots report that they like the new prototype, when in reality they are just having fun with something new and different, or they are trying to please their sponsor/employer.

[kite-it-right]

id keep this one forever but i know it will stretch and die one day.

i may have to collect all 2010 fuels left out there.

unless the 2014 is as good..

perhaps it was removal of split strut that did it.

Tom

[zloilyoha]

i guess mate you will never get the answer))) thats not their style.
I wish Shymack back)

[windtzu]

I used to own 2007 and 2009 Cabrinha Switchblades...The same here. While the earlier models had a nice comfortable bar pressure, while the 2011 was way too high for long session use - developed tendonitis. Performance wise there were subtle differences in the newer kite; but nothing monumental and certainly not worth the trade off.

I heard that Cabrinha redesigned the Switchblade in 012 / 013 and while the bar pressure and turning speed improved, it lost it's classic Switchblade oomph. The 2014 Switchblade is suppose to be a revisit to it's classic design in terms of performance and feel. I'm sure it's improved on such as well. This can be the evolution (and sometimes the painful process) of good design.

I feel for the manufacturer's though. I used to see this in the windsurfing industry. The products evolve to a level of "near perfection" that allows for only incremental changes. Too big a change in design, results in greater levels of compromise > it's like messing with a good recipe. So how does a company survive if it doesn't have anything "new" to offer? Marketing can take you only so far, so they flirt with redesigns and or new products. Sometimes it works for the better and sometimes it breaks what already works

[NYKiter]

Sorry, not a good model for social engineering

...nice try though....

[windtzu]

Sorry, not a good model for social engineering

...nice try though....

After some thought, I removed that section of the post. This isn't the right place > don't have the desire to argue pro vs con and will just de-evolve into a mud bath. The lines are already drawn with the converted in this arena. And, you're right there is no good model. Individual's ought to determine their own destiny. Now back to kiting

[Toby]

the funny thing is, that we all are so different.

two people can take the same kite in their hands, same day, and one say, worst kite ever, the other say best kite ever! It is amazing!

I just experienced this with a kite...had it out, and didn't perform well...didn't like it all!
Then I gave it another chance on another day...and it performed awesome!
Same kite same rider, two different opinion! Amazing!

[g0nz0]

Hey Tom, didn't you have a razor 7m? How did you like that compared to the 2010 fuel?

Dan