Are Switch kites getting any better?

[rynhardt]

[naishdude]

@Felix....noone, who knows you by ways of internet or other means, will doubt your riding skills.

Most of the doubts come when the V6 was introduced as an Element, and to my opinion the doubts are justified, also the expression of the doubts, within reason.

My opinon all the fuzz that is going on, could have been avoided when this new kite would have come out with another label, because every true Switch Element "connaisseur" and fan, can see this is not the Element anymore with the DNA of the "old " Elements.( shape, struts, bridle, pulleys) I cannot judge flying abilities ....

The "old" Elements had grown over the years towards the latest version( V5), by hints and questions and wishes of riders and Switch fans, so in the end, it was a kite that had short bridles and no pulleys.

You( Switch ) could have guessed how the response would be from the loyal Element riders , where I think a lot of them were "wave" riders ( ofcourse TT's too), does not matter overhead waves, or like you guys like to call it pussy waves. They had the kite that was nearly tailord to their wishes, and they loved it!

I can imagine you wanted to introduce a kite that was more accepted as allround, why not have called it Switch allround, I assume the general acceptance would have run more smoothly with a bigger public!

I assume nobody doubts the good flying abilities of the new kite, they only doubt that it is not the Element that they got after a some upgrades and is completely different in looks and features.

Wishing you good luck with the new kite,
for me personal, I switched from being a long time Switch adept / defender, to another brand, as for my program there is no type of kite anymore at Switch.( my personal meaning), I do not like long bridles and pulleys, no matter what, secondly got a simililar kite like the Element V4/5 at very good coditions, so easy choice)
good luck

[dwarf]

Wow all this whining because of a name on a kite. Test it, if you do not like it, move on.

[matth]

Wow all this whining because of a name on a kite. Test it, if you do not like it, move on.

It really is amazing, but I'm sure Switch is thrilled with all the attention. Looks like a great kite to me and all the negative things I have heard about pulleys over the years is now negated.
Never fear the pulley again.

[felixp]

The Whining about a name change and pulleys on a bridal.
Its awesome to see whats important to some.

I personally go for performance then price. Each to their own.

Test it- If works for you - Your stoked. If not move on.

Looks like the Boys in Hawaii are into it.

[Eltreato]

No qualms about pulleys here. The fastest, most responsive kites I've flown have them. The last mushy pulleyed kite I flew was an ancient Turbo Diesel with the pulleys on the bar ends, that was in like 2005 I think. I currently have a quiver of pulleyless bridle kites right now and I find their power delivery to be inconsistent and jerky, especially when at the top end of their power range Provided the pulleys with the most load have easily replaceable bridle sections where they run I don't see this as an issue at all. I've never had a pulley fail, but I have had to swim because a bridle broke from pulley wear.

[Chicken-loop]

Jeebus... Everyone wants to complain about pulleys on a kite.

First World problems......

I reckon it looks good and if I needed a new kite I would happily buy one along with the new bar, as it is the first kite from Switch I have wanted...

[lewmt]

I have a 12 & 9 coming any day. I bought into the anti-pulley rhetoric years ago when SS Ralleys came out. I've since owned BRM, Ozone, and Switch kites - all without pulleys. I'll be testing on snow but will have a great opportunity to run towards the kite on descents and check the drift. Of course in snow its all about boosts & hang time so I'll be curious to see if the kite lives up to its hype. 30 day money back deal if I'm not stoked on it so - why not? I'll write a fair review as soon as I get a chance to try them out.

[galewarning]

Peeps have been asking for bridle photos of the Element 7 on the Switch Forum, without any luck. Anyone think the bridle will wrap the wingtip? Since the E7 appears to be the Ikon Peak3, I'm thinking [pure speculation] it might...

https://ikon-kiteboarding.com/wp-conten ... E-SPEC.pdf

https://ikon-kiteboarding.com/product/peak-3/

[naishdude]

have a look here...cut from Switch you tube