Moving from Switchblade to FX

[Cab Driver]

Hope you'll learn from it

Don't be conceited. I tried to take the high road, and you had to be a jerk. For all I know, you are full of it. Have a great day!

[Faxie]

Hope you'll learn from it

Don't be conceited. I tried to take the high road, and you had to be a jerk. For all I know, you are full of it. Have a great day!

Thank you, I will And you're welcome

[Sandras]

... Do some research about how the window works, and what the relation between netto L/D is taking parasitic drag (weight/shape/wetted surface) into account and how that relates to the dynamics of the window. Try searching about towpoints, CoP and thrust in relation to AoA too while you're at it. You'll immediately understand why C-kites work so well for unhooking, and why bridled kites need the lowest setting for decent performance in that regard, and how changing the setting affects upwind.

Do you have any good resources you would suggest to start from?
It can be hard if you do not know what you do not know and one can get lost in researching...

[Faxie]

... Do some research about how the window works, and what the relation between netto L/D is taking parasitic drag (weight/shape/wetted surface) into account and how that relates to the dynamics of the window. Try searching about towpoints, CoP and thrust in relation to AoA too while you're at it. You'll immediately understand why C-kites work so well for unhooking, and why bridled kites need the lowest setting for decent performance in that regard, and how changing the setting affects upwind.

Do you have any good resources you would suggest to start from?
It can be hard if you do not know what you do not know and one can get lost in researching...

Well, these threads on kiteboardbc are very helpful. This guy knows what he's talking about. Not sure if these are all, but you can google the thread names:

http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=44&p=226
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=54
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 268&p=1336
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 610&p=3229
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=176&p=840
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 481&p=2532
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=175
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=134&p=703
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 75&p=63101
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=409
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 78&p=13152
http://kiteboardbc.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=57

Sites like this:

http://www.av8n.com/how/htm/airfoils.html

Some very good articles on Peter Lynns blog:

www.peterlynnhimself.com/

The NASA site has tons of information:

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airpl ... eaero.html

The Kitepower.eu project resulted in some nice presentations:

https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora ... n=research

You can always dig into the Kiteforum and Seabreeze archives. Tons of information there too. Looks like the people knew a lot better what they were talking about 10 years ago.

I had more links, but can't find them anymore... and one very good one (kitesurfingschool.org) is gone.

[Sandras]

Wow! That is great!
Many thanks!

[jeromeL]

I have never noticed C kite having bad upwind ability, well at least I go upwind plenty fast to throw some big air and loops lol.

FX is a lot of fun to jump with because it has nice spike of power when you pop but you come down quite fast. Switchblade is a bit more disapointing on pop but it has great hangtime and the kite is really smooth in slow loop trick too.
I think I would lean toward switchblade for ligher wind and FX for stronger.
Anyway try them they are very different feel, it's quite personal some peolple regretted getting FX others ended up loving it after a dozen session.

[mbevo]

you need real strong legs for switchblade when u are overpowered that kite pulls nonstop, fx is a lot more forgiving when u are lit and will shoot forward much better as you edge.

[Dave_5280]

I just pull in trim and never had a problem being over powered on my Switchblades.

[badgb21]

So you are saying the FX goes upwind better than the leg breaking Switchblade in some wind? interesting, quite different from every other review I've read.
Would like to have an FX in my quiver, but this has been an issue - until now!

you need real strong legs for switchblade when u are overpowered that kite pulls nonstop, fx is a lot more forgiving when u are lit and will shoot forward much better as you edge.

[Timmm]

So, I ride the 2017 fx and think it has a way bigger windrange as a real bridled kite if you know how to edge and control your kites power with your board. Alot of people who learned to kite on the modern (bridled) kites lack edge control and therefore always use the depower on the bar/strap. This makes the kite less responsive and even dangerous in high wind situations.

I never use the depower strap on the bar and can ride my 9 fx from 16 to 45 kts. This is al done by edging properly and controlling your speed.

The upwind ability of the fx is quit good. It is not as good as an high aspect ratio foil. But who bothers? It is for sure way better than my Ozone c4's.

I'm sure the the switchblade is also a great kite. but if you want a more playfull and fast kite, go for the FX!