Element 6 what size?

[keegster17]

looking for some opinions. I have a 9m Element, older model, I have a 7m kite, as well as a 17m Ocean Rodeo Flite. I just sold my 13m Element 4. Now I need to replace my 13m kite. what size should I get in the new Element 6? I am in Canada, typically kite on all the big lakes. I am 5,8" 175lbs to 180lbs full gear, 172lbs without approx. I have three boards, 140cm Mako, 134 Axis and a 155 Ocean rodeo Origin. i am mainly a free ride rider, and like to jump. I owned a 12m Nitro, i liked it, but I think I like the feel of a bigger hang time in the air, possibly like an Element, Nitro sends you up quick but I felt less hang time. That is just my opinion. Nitro had smooth landing versus Element. thoughts?

[marlboroughman]

I own 9 Element and 10 Nitro. 9 for surfboard 10 for twintip.

[Faxie]

Go for the 12.

[lewmt]

I agree with Faxie. The 12 turns so fast & smooth. Boosts while snowkiting with my 12 have been super floaty & fun. Kite redirects so nice, landings are sweet. I can't imagine you'd need larger unless you are flying frequently in really light wind. The 12 E6 will fly a lot more lively than your N12 did. My experience with Nitros was that unless they were really in the top 1/3rd of their wind range they were slow & doggy.

[Faxie]

Doesn't turn faster than the previous Elements, but you can ride one size smaller and that compensates.

[keegster17]

thanks guys, we suffer from great wind in Southern Ontario Canada, so I am just wondering if the 14m is a better choice vs 12m? I do have my 17m and a large board. my quiver is 7m, 9m, ? 17m.

[keegster17]

thanks guys, we suffer from great wind in Southern Ontario Canada, so I am just wondering if the 14m is a better choice vs 12m? I do have my 17m and a large board. my quiver is 7m, 9m, ? 17m.

[Xtream]

The 12 E6 will fly a lot more lively than your N12 did. My experience with Nitros was that unless they were really in the top 1/3rd of their wind range they were slow & doggy.

Wow, Not sure what version your referring to in the Nitro, for me the Nitro 6 is anything but slow & doggy in any wind,even the Nitro 5 was not slow & doggy.The N4 yes I would agree.
I have had many sessions on the N5 10, 12, 16M and even in low 10-12mph wind I felt the 16M Nitro 5 turned nicely and at 170 lbs had some great low wind sessions.
The Nitro 6 12M my experience has even better, very smooth in every aspect, Does everything well for me. I ride mostly ocean small to chest high waves last season a few overhead sessions,Freeride & downwinders old school jumps.
I have not got my hands on the Element 6 that being said I'm going to replace my Nitro 5 10m with a Nitro 6 10 or 8 not sure. I was thinking about the Element 6, but I'm having a hard time giving up the ride of the Nitro 6, for me the 12 is magic.
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[lewmt]

Wow, Not sure what version your referring to in the Nitro, for me the Nitro 6 is anything but slow & doggy in any wind,even the Nitro 5 was not slow & doggy.

I had N4 & N5. Never tried the 6. I had them in 7M & 14M & flew the 14 mostly on snow. I was never really thrilled with them & flew the E5's & 3's on water with a surfboard strapless with an occasional boost session with the Nitros. I think that's why there are such a variety of kite styles for us riders. I just never got my thrill on with the nitros as much as I'd hoped but you obviously love them. I think its spectacular we have such great options & when we find what stokes us most, we wanna tell the world. I have just been more stoked on the E6's than any kite I've owned so far. Faxie doesn't think they're that great but he's looking for different things than me I'd guess. It's all good! I'm not sure why he says they don't turn as fast as the Element 5's - I've thought they were at least as fast & much smoother in the power delivery - especially when looping. While I haven't had my E6 in waves or even on water yet I have a sense that they will be what I like when I get there. I can mimic certain flight characteristics on snow to get a feel for how my water riding will go.

As to the OP's question - if I were you & had the quiver you have I'd go for the 12. If your 17 has decent wind range and you can ride it comfortably up to 16-18 knots I'd definitely choose the 12

[Xtream]

Wow, Not sure what version your referring to in the Nitro, for me the Nitro 6 is anything but slow & doggy in any wind,even the Nitro 5 was not slow & doggy.

I had N4 & N5. Never tried the 6.

Just to be clear, any fair and honest comparison between 2 kites when discussing new kites should be based on the current models and actual riding of both kites. No... Yes... Maybe..
Is it not misleading to compare an E6 to 2+ year old N5 and not the N6 which is the current model and a very different flying kite than the N5.

I'm also thinking about the E6, hearing some of the reviews its sounds like a great kite, but you can't compare the E6 to the N6 if you have not flown the N6?
Who knows You may have really like the N6? over the E6? we really don't know the answer to that at this point.
Unless you mentioned that small detail, Its a big difference.. All good now since you have cleared that up Thank you.

I would like to know direct comparisons between the 2, N6 & E6 this might help me avoid having to send a kite back because its not what I expect (E6). So far the N6 does everything I want very well. Does the E6 do it better?
As far as what size to get for me the 12 has always been a go to kite a 170lbs in the NE NJ location, not sure about the E6 or your location in the great white north. Good luck with your decision would love to know your thoughts after you ride whatever you get.

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