Switch Element3 or Nitro4

[queneseb]

@longwave, i've got enought power with my 13m + surfboard to ride most of the time. Difference beetween 11 vs 13m² for the low range is around 3-4 knot (on a surfboard).

Personnaly i move from element v3 13m² and buy nitro 4 16-12-10m² for caribbean because Wind is often light

Best match for you could be 9 -11m² element v3 + bigger Nitro (14m²) for light Wind condition or helium 18m² ! With that configuration, you should be able to enjoy surfing condition, and play in real Light Wind when needed !

[Longwave]

Thanks Queneseb, I already have the element V3 , I am tempted by either the Helium or the Nitro 16m.

[TomW]

86kg, 15 knots, I'd choose a 17m kite. There are some good 15-16m kites out there that would work too. 13 might work, but 15-17 will give you more hp

[marlboroughman]

Element 3 is more suitable for beginners for two reasons A - water relaunch and B - weight, I find Nitro a bit heavy to walk back upwind on the beach in marginal conditions. I wish Element 3 was turning like Nitro though. I find axial turning kites better for onshore wave and pretty much everything except offshore wave but this is my opinion and not everybody agrees. I own 7m Element 3 and I would trade my Nitro 4 9m for Element if it was turning axially. Nothing can separate me from my 12m Nitro 4 though.

[naishdude]

let me join in into this with my question to the people who have experience with Element3 13m and Nitro 4 12m

I for years now fly Methods v2, I have a lightwind waveboard with 27L volume and wide, my 11m Method V2 lacks a bit power in the low wind region, (starting from 10/11 knts) with my 80 to 83 kg.
when low wind we have no waves, only some chop...
I was wondering if a 12m Nitro4 would bring me more than a 13m Element?
I might be able to get a run on the Element 13 from Faxie, when it comes out...
any ideas on this?
thx

Frank

[dyyylan]

let me join in into this with my question to the people who have experience with Element3 13m and Nitro 4 12m

I for years now fly Methods v2, I have a lightwind waveboard with 27L volume and wide, my 11m Method V2 lacks a bit power in the low wind region, (starting from 10/11 knts) with my 80 to 83 kg.
when low wind we have no waves, only some chop...
I was wondering if a 12m Nitro4 would bring me more than a 13m Element?
I might be able to get a run on the Element 13 from Faxie, when it comes out...
any ideas on this?
thx

Frank

I don't think 10-11 knots would work very well, unless you have cold, dense wind. I'm 65kg and ride my 12m nitro4 from about 12 knots minimum, though I can't reliably stay upwind until about 13-14 knots with a twintip.

I think I'd go for the 13m element, just because it will be a much lighter kite and will fly better in the light wind. The nitro 4's low end is fine, but you can definitely feel the weight of all 5 struts when the wind drops that low

[naishdude]

thx !

[Kitego]

I think it's important for beginners to have a kite that relaunch easily. How much harder it is to relaunch the V4 compare to other kite companies? Is it worth taliking about it or you need to know a trick of some sort?

[jwoodunlv]

I wouldn't say the Nitro 4 is hard to relaunch. It just takes longer for the kite to work to the edge of the window to launch.

[dyyylan]

I wouldn't say the Nitro 4 is hard to relaunch. It just takes longer for the kite to work to the edge of the window to launch.

it can be a problem in the surf, i've had to swim in a few times because i couldn't get the kite up fast enough before it got mauled by waves.

it still relaunches fine, i have no problem getting it back off the water even in really light wind, it just doesn't roll over and relaunch instantly like modern surf kites do. i would still say the kite has "good" relaunch