Ciao all,
Did somebody already test the new Switchblade 2013?
Thanks, ciao
KiloWatt
Thanks for the feedback, keeping my 2010 10m, which is actually my mainstay lightwind kite.daspi wrote:I had a chance to ride by buddies 12m SB 2013 this week and it was very gusty. I had my 2011 RRD Obsession pumped up as well and rode back to back on both kites. I also own a 2010 10m SB.
My Obsession 12m and the 2010 SB 10m have almost the same low end. The 2010 SB is a big booster kite even when only moderately powered. The RRD needs to be well powered to boost well. I kind of miss the boost a bit on the RRD when only moderately powered. So I was always thinking I might buy a 12m SB if they get a bit quicker.
So now to what I think about the new SB? It is more reactive then past model years with lighter bar pressure. A lot less bar pressure than the 2010 model. What I love on the 2010 10m SB is the great pull and jumping power. I expected good boosting power in the 2013 but it was very disappointing. The aggressive easy access lift is gone! Truck like low end pull is gone! What happened? I came in and adjusted to the upper most knot to see if that maybe gives me the punch I was looking for. Nope. No advantage to my RRD Obsession at all.
If I get another chance I will fly the 2010 10m back to back with the 2013 12m but I am pretty confident that I can get riding on the 10m at the same time as with the new 2013. This feels just wrong to me. Now the good news. The new SB is very easy to ride, it turns faster in the sky. Stays super stable in strong gusts.
Verdict: I would not trade it for my 2011 12m Obsession. I have not tried the 10m but I would not upgrade my 2010 10m ether. I love to jump and boost as high as possible. I love to ride smaller kites when ever possible. I am on the 10m when most others are on 12's and I'm still on the 10m when others ride the 9m's (the SB effect as I call it). I weigh 163lbs.
I had high hopes on the 2013 model and I want to hear from other people what the think.
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