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I'm new to the sport, I can ride up wind and transition, self launch/land. Not sure where that puts me. My experience so far has been on a SS Rally. I want to buy a new kite. I have heard great things about Ozone kites and like that they have their own factory. The Catalyst seems nice but is it too much of a beginner's kite? I aspire to be a solid all around kiter with no desire to unhook. I use a twin- tip. The Enduro seems great too but is it too advanced or difficult to water relaunch?
The other kite I'm considering is the Core XR5. By all accounts an excellent kite too. I know it's known for boosting but right now it's range is what appeals most.
Which kite would be best for my progression?

Both are great brands that you will get some prestige from being able to afford!

Why not continue with Slingshot? How about your venue?? Waves, flatwater, or swell???

The brand is irrelevant, their all the same give or take. It’s getting the right model from the range for what you wanna do that counts. Having said that, pretty much all modern kites are fine for beginners so I really wouldn’t worry too much.

slim_charles wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 10, 2018 12:02 pm

The brand is irrelevant, their all the same give or take. It’s getting the right model from the range for what you wanna do that counts. Having said that, pretty much all modern kites are fine for beginners so I really wouldn’t worry too much.

YEP !!

One thing i would do , before Ya consider a kite of
any kind ; that you search KF first, and see if it had bad
bladder problems, (some brands like to leak, and some don't).

Even a Great brand like Ozone, had faults in some models, when
they first arrived on production , (like stitching, leaky one pump systems, exc...);
so you gotta search and research first, and each year/model is different.
Do (NOT) take someones word, for what is good, and what isn't because some people apparently don't mind , changing out bladders !! --

I mostly own Ozone Edge ; it's not a beginner friendly kite , so take it from there
and the only Catalyst i own , is a 15m, so my review won't do you any good
other than it hasn't given me or the last owner, any problems, and it's easy
to fly.

Bille

Hands down XR5, user friendly, easy waterstart, huge wind range, and it boosts well when you're ready.. /thread.

the UK Core distributor wrote: Hands down XR5, user friendly, easy waterstart, huge wind range, and it boosts well when you're ready.. /thread.

Who cares about that, just go with Matteo V

Matteo V wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:04 am

Both are great brands that you will get some prestige from being able to afford!

Core will probably be the most expensive so you'll be #showeredwithprestige

Yes siree

Showered with prestige

Thanks for the tips. It's absolutely not about brand or prestige for me. Kites are expensive, no doubt, and if I need to spend a little extra to get the right thing I think it's money well spent. My Rally has been good, got it second hand but it's tattered and leaks a bit.

If you want to stay just with those two brands (not sure why those two only) Ozone Enduro. Does everything a beginner/intermediate needs and more. But any 3 year old or less all-around kite will work great for what you want.
Have fun, ride waves, go fast, jump high, don’t crash into solid objects!

stenner wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:25 pm

Thanks for the tips. It's absolutely not about brand or prestige for me. Kites are expensive, no doubt, and if I need to spend a little extra to get the right thing I think it's money well spent. My Rally has been good, got it second hand but it's tattered and leaks a bit.

Until recently I had Rallys - they are really nice kites. You haven't said what conditions you're kiting in:

1. Range of wind speeds, and also the one you're mostly out on.

2. Sea or Inland, flat water, waves, chop, ...

3. What do you like best about your Rally and what do you like least.

4. Something about yourself like height, weight, how often you kite, and where.

If you really like your Rally there are some amazing deals for brand new 2017 Rallys which are the same as the 2018 kites except for the colour.

(I recently moved to Ozone Enduro V2's but to be honest I can't recommend them to you without knowing any of the above.)

stenner wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:25 pm

....It's absolutely not about brand or prestige for me........

.......if I need to spend a little extra to get the right thing I think it's money well spent.

First off, how did you arrive at Core and Ozone as choices??? Locals using them (would be the only reason to spend more for them)??? No way were you just looking around and came up with those two brands unless you were not looking at prices.

Second, you don't need to spend a little extra to "get the right thing". If you have the dough for 3 brand new premium brand kites, it won't make you a better kiter. If you can't afford 3 of the premium brand kites, then go with plan B and get 3 reasonably priced kites on closeout from a well established brand that does not charge premium prices for the same thing.