FS Sonic 15m First Impression

[fogmeister]

on their website they show 1knt difference for 75kg rider bottom is 7kts for 15m and 6kts for 18m

[Adventure Logs]

on their website they show 1knt difference for 75kg rider bottom is 7kts for 15m and 6kts for 18m

I know what they write but would like first hand experience advice. Just wondering if the 18 really will make any difference. I think I'll go 10/18 quiver just because it seems that theres a lot of overlap with a 10/15.

=Jason-

[fernmanus]

[quote][/
How does the sonic 18 and 15 compare bottom end on a door? Can you wind up the 15 enough to be pretty close to the 18? I'm 82 kg. Need to know to decide what to pair with my Lotus 10
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quote]

I weigh 77 kg. I own both the 15 & the 18. I find myself reaching for the 18 even when I could be riding with the 15 (12 - 15 knots). The reason why is that the Sonic FR has a lot of depower. Jumps on the 18 are so darn high and floaty. You feel like you are just flying a regular kite, but send it, pull in the bar and the lift is just crazy and don't plan on landing anytime soon. By the time I am overpowered on the 18, the wind is too strong to launch the 15, so I find myself either launching my 12m Speed 4 or 11m Edge. I think I will get more use out of the 15 Sonic while snowkiting, but on the water it is not getting as much use. I have not even pulled out the door this year, the 18 has enough low-end that I am riding a 138 in 9 - 10 knots. I just have not had one of those super light days yet, but if I did, I know I would much rather be flying the 18.

I would get a 15 if the wind where you live is rarely light, if you only occasionally ride on the door. The 15 is a fun and lively kite, but then again so is the 18.

It used to be that the largest Flysurfer kites were lightwind specialist kites. I am referring to the Speed 3 & 4 in the 19 & 21 m sizes. Those kites are a bit slow and have a different feel. They feel a bit plodding, but the low-end is so great that if you regularly ride in light wind, you felt like you needed one. The 18m Sonic is a light-wind kite with low-wind capability, but also feels like a smaller kite. It reminds me more of my 15m Speed 4 Lotus when it comes to turning ability, but it also has a power spike that is downright amazing.

The only riders that I would not suggest the 18 Sonic to for lightwind riding are inexperienced riders. The Sonic can kick your butt in gusty conditions if you don't know what you are doing.

[fogmeister]

what do you mean by... "but it also has a power spike that is downright amazing. "

[Tone]

what do you mean by... "but it also has a power spike that is downright amazing. "

When you move the kite across the sky, the way it picks up power is astonishing.

You can feel underpowered but as soon as you send the kite and pull the bar in you're ripped off the water. It is amazing. Truly.

[fernmanus]

Ditto what Tone said. Pull in the bar and up you go... Wish I could put it for you in words. Think of driving a relatively sedate car for a number of years and then getting a new sports car and mashing your foot to the floor. You just don't expect that much lift and power. It is crazy. You would think the kite would have a lot of bar pressure, but it is light.

[fogmeister]

haha i am smiling just listening to u guys..........cant wait.......

[Adventure Logs]

[/
How does the sonic 18 and 15 compare bottom end on a door? Can you wind up the 15 enough to be pretty close to the 18? I'm 82 kg. Need to know to decide what to pair with my Lotus 10
Report this post
quote]

I weigh 77 kg. I own both the 15 & the 18. I find myself reaching for the 18 even when I could be riding with the 15 (12 - 15 knots). The reason why is that the Sonic FR has a lot of depower. Jumps on the 18 are so darn high and floaty. You feel like you are just flying a regular kite, but send it, pull in the bar and the lift is just crazy and don't plan on landing anytime soon. By the time I am overpowered on the 18, the wind is too strong to launch the 15, so I find myself either launching my 12m Speed 4 or 11m Edge. I think I will get more use out of the 15 Sonic while snowkiting, but on the water it is not getting as much use. I have not even pulled out the door this year, the 18 has enough low-end that I am riding a 138 in 9 - 10 knots. I just have not had one of those super light days yet, but if I did, I know I would much rather be flying the 18.

I would get a 15 if the wind where you live is rarely light, if you only occasionally ride on the door. The 15 is a fun and lively kite, but then again so is the 18.

It used to be that the largest Flysurfer kites were lightwind specialist kites. I am referring to the Speed 3 & 4 in the 19 & 21 m sizes. Those kites are a bit slow and have a different feel. They feel a bit plodding, but the low-end is so great that if you regularly ride in light wind, you felt like you needed one. The 18m Sonic is a light-wind kite with low-wind capability, but also feels like a smaller kite. It reminds me more of my 15m Speed 4 Lotus when it comes to turning ability, but it also has a power spike that is downright amazing.

The only riders that I would not suggest the 18 Sonic to for lightwind riding are inexperienced riders. The Sonic can kick your butt in gusty conditions if you don't know what you are doing.

Thank you for this, it has made my decision much easier. I think the 18 will go well with the Lotus 10. I actually tend to ride my Flysplit L more than my M(I only have splitboards right now). My spot(Pismo CA) is either cranking or really light so I think the 18 will fit in very nicely. Can't wait till it's here.

=Jason-

[fernmanus]

Jason,

If you had said that you kite Pismo, I would have definitely recommended the 18. I kite SoCa all the time, but usually south of you in Malibu or Torrance. My father-in-law lives in PV. Yes, the 18 is the call and it should go nicely with your 10.

[Flysurfer_Chris]

Hey Jason,

I spent 1 month (September) in SoCa and could ride every day with the Speed4 Lotus 18.0 and a Radical4 138.

I had one day with 25-30 knots on my Cronix 10.0 in Malibu.

Weight 82 kg / 180 lbs

My trimm on the SP4 Lotus 18.0 -> Mixer = B +1 ; C +2 -> better upwind performance but frontstalls more easily

Chris