What size? Would love to see a review n some picsRegis-de-giens wrote:In french we pronounce "penche" which in french means tilt / lean... Hope it is not a premonitory term, and I should verify it next week-end (when I will have received my new Aurora light) but I am confident .
Look forward to it.Regis-de-giens wrote:15m, probalby a bit large for my light weight on Hydrofoil above 7-8 knots, but acceptable for TT in 9-15 knots. I will write a review as soon as I have a possible familly/meteo test window
Nice to the point review and comparison. I fly mine (normal weight) on a pansh 60cm bar and it turns lovely.Regis-de-giens wrote:So ! I received the Aurora V2 , light cloth, 15m2.
Out of the bag :
- Only 2.7 kg on the scale , so one of the lightest kite on the market, similar to the Lotus weight
- One big zip opening on the central extrados (far more efficient than on the intrados of the Aurora V1) like Speed2, Chrono, Conceptair Pulsion
- Pulleys are now indeed lighter (plastic type like most kites on the market) and speed system is standard 4:2:1
- Trailing edge has double seems like some race kites (Sonic) and magnetic exhaust valves
- No Leading Edge stiffeners
- Appreciated Grid at each air inlet of the Leading Edge
- The bag is a simple square made of kite cloth, no hanging means
Generally I would compare it to the speed4, its shape being similar (AR and foil thickness).
I was able to launch it for static test, in 8-14 knots:
- Launch without any pre-inflation
- Self-inflation in about 15 seconds, so as quick as a speed 4
- Good stability even if this turbulent wind
- Can fly on front lines only if you gradually depower it
- I made a drift test by pulling about 1.5 meter lines in hand then released : almost perfect slack line behavior
- Sometime the extremity wings fold a bit, very similar to speed 4 lotus on that point I would say
- Slow turning, but my bar was 45 cm, a bit short for this big foil kite
- However loops were able easily even with 25 m bar. The light weight helps I think.
Then I was rode with a mutant TT / directional board ( Shinn Wave 148cm, 10-18 knots)
- Slow to launch the waterstart (still 10 cm missing on my bar which would have improved this). Same for rapid transitions, but in the end I felt the turn radius is only few impacted by the depower stroke on the bar ; hence I would conclude that it turns slower than a Pulsion generally, slower than a S4 lotus when powered-up, but better than a depowered s4 (useful on a hydrofoil or extreme light wind)
- Massive pull when the kite crosses the window
- upwind angle similar to FS speeds
- Good stability during the ride : I could feel in the harness the wind variations and turbulences, but the kite remained stable and I never had any frontstall or a drop of the kite
- After one big turbulence, the lines get slack, then the kite took its shape again without violent shock
- I had the same feeling than with my previous loved aurora 1 with optimized bridles ( Funalex) which is a noticeable improvement
- It needs a certain quantity of sand to not to slip on the ground during massive gusts (24 knots)
- Easy folding back thanks to the efficient zip
In a nutshell,
This is a unbeatable quality/price ratio, for a modern and light weight kite having a good stability, pull and upwind angle, direct out-of-the bag. Relative Slow turning radius shall be compensated by a large bar (55/60 cm) , so freestyle or surf is not its favorite application; For light-wind freeride and hangtime it behaves very good. Not tested for foil but I would say it should be considered for medium / heavy riders only.
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