Speed 4 21m Lotus 1st Flight

[Lmrutledge]

New Material: 10 +

Weight: Lighter than my Speed 3 21: Did not weigh. Def Lighter

New Lines and Bridle: 10: Faster Launch

Tip Tuck: Tried and could NOT make it even look like a Tip Tuck

Launch: Fills 10 Times faster than the Speed 3 21

Back Stall: No WAY...

Power During Turn: Has more Power/Controllable in Ultra Light Wind than the Speed 3

Rigidity: The Kite looks like its made of Fiberglass: Meaning, it has no Flex, Tip Tuck or any Flutter in the Leading edge.

Crazy Stable: Over head with hands OFF the bar it just Sits and waits for the Next Command

Upwind: Most Def. Has More Static Pull in Ultra Light wind than the Speed 3. Pulls Harder UPWIND in Super light wind by Itself.

Landing: Flew to edge of Window until Tip touched, then back stalled and the Kite behaved Way better than the Speed 3 21. Just sat there until I walked up the lines. The wind could have been lighter but I felt it was more controllable.

DISCLAIMER: I paid for the Speed 4 21. I flew the Kite for 1 hour and a half. You could say that School is still out or the F.L. has not Sung yet.

However: I can tell you without a Doubt that I could not have had the Upwind pull or as much effortless fun on my Edge 19.

When I came in, the Wind was on the Ground approx. 6 MPH. I don't know what it was at the Kite level. However, it had more Stability and did not loose its shape compared to the Speed 3 21 in the Super Light wind.

PACKING UP: Flysurfer has done something different internally with the Speed 4. As I said the Inflate was WAY faster and the DEFLATE was much faster and easier than the Speed 3 21. I might be Imaging things BUT I don think so.

The 21 turned like I would Imagine a Speed 16M would turn. I know they don't make a 16 meter. Im not sure it turns like a 15m Speed is the reason I mentioned it.

All in ALL it was the Easiest Sesh I have ever had on a Speed 21 as far as Prep, launch, kiting and Landing.

LMR

[Okinawa Kiter]

How much slower was the turning speed of the 21 compared to the EDGE 19m? The Speed 3 21 was maybe 3x slower than an Edge 19m.

[Lmrutledge]

Hard to compare the turning speed of a Foil and Blowup. Two diff animals.

The Lotus 21 does turn like the Speed 3 15. Again, I have only flown it one sesh. Time will tell.

For sure in Ultra light wind the Lotus pulls harder at the edge of the window and when turning it. Impressed with he Low end.

[Hawaiis]

it is call new kite phenomenon, when a kite is new, it does not have any sand on it, so it is lighter and more responsive. When I took out my new Cabrinha Chaos 13M it was outpointing many 17Ms.

[Lmrutledge]

When u see this New material NOTHIN is going to stick to it! May get some sand inside however it will fall out the Slots on the tips.

[Hawaiis]

All new fabrics have this chemical release agent that makes it slippery . it will wear off over time.

If you have a chance to weight the kite, then we can compare it with other kites.

[Séb]

All new fabrics have this chemical release agent that makes it slippery . it will wear off over time.

If you have a chance to weight the kite, then we can compare it with other kites.

It is not a coating but the material himself that is very very special. I was soo surprised and impressed last week when I had the chance to see one. Very special feeling, ultra light and thin and almost the consistency of latex. I did not had the chance yet to try one but I have seen my friend getting better results this years in snowkite races with his new Speed4 Lotus that he attribute to the kite lower weight and maybe other things. I should be able to try the Lotus 21m soon. Can't wait to compare it to the S3.5 21m I had.

[DrLightWind]

Hard to compare the turning speed of a Foil and Blowup. Two diff animals.

The Lotus 21 does turn like the Speed 3 15. Again, I have only flown it one sesh. Time will tell.

For sure in Ultra light wind the Lotus pulls harder at the edge of the window and when turning it. Impressed with he Low end.

I'm going to wait and compare it with the 18m Ozone Chrono if there are any advantages,
or any significant benefits over my existing 21m Speed3

DrLW

[Lmrutledge]

As Seb pointed there is NO coating on the fabric. Not going to wear off.

Also Hawaii, I Fly an Ozone 19 Edge also. The 19 Edge is the Best inflatable I have ever owned. And that's been a lot of kites since 1999. However the Static pull from the Lotus is WAY more and a higher upwind angle by far.

Dr, I had the Purple Speed 3 21 and I can tell you this Lotus is a Major improvement. If the O Chrono beats the Lotus and does everything else, I'll buy one. I'll be waiting for your tests.

LMR

[Okinawa Kiter]

We need some videos! This will tell the story best. No tip tuck, turns as fast as a 16m fs and more power than a 19m Edge! Sounds good to me. Videos please. None anywhere of the 21 online. Even FS doesn't have videos of it. The Mystery kite