Review of Airush Lithium 17m?

[Dj A-Ron]

I've had many of the different size Lithium's over the years and have been very happy with the kites. I've recently sold my Blade Fat Lady and I'm tempted to buy the 17m Lithium. Has anybody out there had any flight time with the new 2016 Lithium 17m size? If so, I'd appreciate your feedback or review.

Thanks

[chief_IMI]

I just had the pleasure to teach on that thing two weeks ago.
We usualy teach on other kites but of couse we don't mind to teach our clients on their own kit as long the safety features / release sysems are in place.

I was really impressed about the light wind capacity of that think.
We definetely have our expereince with light winds here in northern Oman - unfortunatelly only Omans East Coast is howling - and so we usualy use foil kites - but that thing really impressed me in matter of low end and flight stability in around 7 knots.
on a larger sized school board i had no problem to go upwind in around 9 knots with my 75kg later the day.
But as mentioned I was really impressed how stable the kite was in the air in the even in7 knota and even the relaunch worked well by just pulling one line - no cheating by running towards the kite or anything else was required.

A weekend later the Student (100kg) was going on his own in around 16-17 knots. Kite was well powered, but nothing which gave me the impression that things would get out of controll soon.

Cheers,
Alex.
- www.kiteboarding-oman.com

[MrWolf]

Hi A-Ron,

Although I have never tried the Fat Lady (heard good reviews) I can comment on the Lithium being a very fun kite for lightwinds. I used a friend of mines who was kind enough to let me take turns on it to get my fun for the day. Like the previous poster - really nice parked power, stable and quite light on the bar (set on the low bar pressure settings) I did drop it once but because of the swept wingtips it was pretty easy to get out of the water...for a 17m in lightwinds. I did notice that it was quite grunty which I like in a kite especially in the lightwinds. Always something to lean against and I don't like working my kite a lot in no wind because I have tennis elbow.

I was using a surfboard but I bet that a lightwind door type board would work equally as well in low wind conditions.

hope that helps.

[Dj A-Ron]

Thanks for the reply's Guy's. One feature of the Fat Lady that I really like is it's fast turning speed. Can you guys comment on impressions on the turning speed of the Lithium 17m?

[MikeBirt]

I've used it, and I was more impressed by the fact that it forward turns well considering the aspect of the thing - by that I mean it flies forward and develops power through the turn. The old Lithium 16 one (it was a 1st gen delta design) turned on the spot (like the old bandits) and didnt develop any power in the turn at all.

With a big bar on the 17 it's quick enough. A lot faster than a race kite could ever be, but it is a 17, so fast is relative!

The Lithiums this year seem to have gone with a bigger middle le diameter, and thinner tip le diameter. Stability is absolute but by distributing the diameter a little more unevenly the kite feels like it has more punch at the low end, but when you grip down against it and give it some depower the forward penetration of the kite seems exactly the same. For sure windrange on all 2016 lithiums is better.
The 17 is an all new kite, joining the new 16 Union, 15 and 16 VXR (more freeride in 2016) and 15m Razor.
Lithium is by far the smoothest and most versatile though.

[MikeBirt]

I've used it, and I was more impressed by the fact that it forward turns well considering the aspect of the thing - by that I mean it flies forward and develops power through the turn. The old Lithium 16 one (it was a 1st gen delta design) turned on the spot (like the old bandits) and didnt develop any power in the turn at all.

With a big bar on the 17 it's quick enough. A lot faster than a race kite could ever be, but it is a 17, so fast is relative!

The Lithiums this year seem to have gone with a bigger middle le diameter, and thinner tip le diameter. Stability is absolute but by distributing the diameter a little more unevenly the kite feels like it has more punch at the low end, but when you grip down against it and give it some depower the forward penetration of the kite seems exactly the same. For sure windrange on all 2016 lithiums is better.
The 17 is an all new kite, joining the new 16 Union, 15 and 16 VXR (more freeride in 2016) and 15m Razor.
Lithium is by far the smoothest and most versatile though.

[MrWolf]

Although I am not technical with my explanations as MikeBirt, I have based some purchases off his help and reviews on this forum. He does tend to be spot-on when giving feedback.

From my point of view, the 17m was quick enough for what I wanted to do riding strapless on my surfboard. "Quick for a 17m" would be the comments on the beach yet very predictable w.
I can't tell you how it would compare to the Big Lady.

[Dj A-Ron]

Thanks again everyone for you reply's. I'll be ordering the 2016 Lithium 14 and 17 this weekend. I had a full quiver of Lithium's back in 2013 and loved them. I wasn't completely happy with some of the kites I've had since then so I'm excited to get back to the Airush's.

I've got a pretty sweet quiver for this coming season. Only about another month to wait here in Michigan. Can't wait!!!

[MrWolf]

Oh Merry Christmas to you! I am a bit jealous - Ive only heard good things about the Lithiums.
Enjoy!