Xr5 15m lightwind? Or

[k2thiago]

Hi! Has anyone flew the Core XR5 15 m lw? Any idea how much this kite weight? I have the 12m and it is a truck however it barely stays in the air in light winds (let say 10 to 15 kts). The smaller kites that guys use were I am living now are 15m, but mostly are on 17m. Most of them using surf or foil boards, so I am considering get this kite but would worth it? Also thinking about close cell ram, however I am not sure if a have the necessary skills for that. Ideas?

[CaptainCore]

Personally for light wind, I'd look at the Nexus, it's three strut so is lighter, it's a 'drifter' and useful for foiling. If you don't have a lot of experience of how they fly and their 'idiosyncrasies' I'd give foil kites a miss.

Hope that helps.

[TommyDuotone]

For L.E.I.'s, you might want to consider the 14.5 Flite. They list the weights on the O.R. website. I have the 14.5 and the 17 and they are the best light wind kites I've flown to date. A very efficient kite for our San Diego Winds, especially in beach breaks were Foil kites aren't very practical. Good luck in your quest.

[pmaggie]

I own an XR2 15 and a Speed 5 21. Pros: the XR pulls a lot, sometimes too much, IMO if you're not heavy it's a better size compared to the 17. I had the XR 17 and it was really a beast, I had to downsize quickly every time the wind picked up a little. With the 15 you lose a knot or so in the low end but you gain 2/3 knots in the high end. With the 15, I can plane in 8 knots with my Shinn Bronq XL 150x50 and in about 10 with my Bronq 134x42. My weigth is 78 kgs.It handles gusts very well if you're in the kite size range. Cons: the XR pulls a lot, sometimes too much. Gusts can be a nightmare if you're overpowered. In super light wind it's not so easy to relaunch.
The Speed 21 is a totally different story. First of all, you have to get used to foil kites. They are slow and they fly in a very different way (never tested the Soul, seems it's more similar to a LEI). They fly in no wind and they are very controllable also in moderate winds, it's rare to be scared. I don't like them too much in gusty winds, since if the kite hits a lull you have to be fast and experienced to avoid tragic crashes where the kite rolls up to itself five times (and can't be relaunched). Also, the price is very high. Never buy one before testing it two or three sessions (the first one is normally not useful because you need some time in the water to get used to a foil kite).

[baxterbradford]

I had 13.5 XR5 and chose to have the 17m as Core Free LW which is 3 strut to save the weight and lower aspect helps with low end too. Personally I didn't feel I needed extra stability that the 5 struts brought for majority of times it's being used. When using my Free 17m in light winds, it stayed in the air much more readily than someone who was on an XR5 17m LW.

[POACHER]

I'm still baffled by Core's design theory to have 5 struts on their XR LW series kites......

Actually even having 4 different series of kites that have LW designations. There has to be a standout LW kite in the range that would negate the need for the others????
No?

XR LW
Nexus LW
GTS 5 LW
Section LW

[RalfsB]

There are plenty of wonderful one strut kites out there, they are perfect for light wind, if you want to stay with inflatables.

[deniska]

I'm still baffled by Core's design theory to have 5 struts on their XR LW series kites......

The number if struts is dictated by the shape of the kite.. If you want high aspect flat kite you would need a lot of support..
Obviously it won't be the lightest kite on the market but it may appeal to people who want to race or boost or have good hang time..
And those kites are not necessarily first to drop on the lulls in trained hands. You just need to keep going and generating apparent wind with them.

There are plenty of wonderful one strut kites out there, they are perfect for light wind, if you want to stay with inflatables.

It really depends on your style... I would not touch them even if you paid me... they flap and terrible boosters among other things..

OP, it's really strange that your 12XR5 barely hanging in 10-15kts. I don't remember seeing any kite that wouldn't not fly solid in 9-10kts.
So perhaps your wind estimate is in correct.. but if your 12XR is falling out of the sky, jumping to 15-19XR will not solve your problems, imho. As others suggested your should go with 1-3 strut LEIs OR get beginner friendly foil (Hyperlink/Soul), if you are going after XR's boost/speed...

[grigorib]

Depending on your weight. 15m Turbine 2015 on 30/37m lines paired with 170x50cm Flydoor5 was my best lightwind option for my 200 lbs.
Well structured and at 8.8 lbs kite weight it allowed to dive it hard and loop with power, unlike flaccid, less structured, though lighter wings.

Then I started foiling and 9m is my lightwind kite now. But i loved the 15m as the quickest and powerful enough for riding on the door in 7-8 knots. i believe XR LW is comparable and is as good. You won't be disappointed

[iriejohn]

Xr5 15m lightwind? Or ...

... Ozone Zephyr V5.

Useable on a twintip (83kg/183lb, Lieuwe Shotgun 136x40.5) from 10 knots to 18+ knots by which time I change down to an Ozone Enduro V2 12m, or even 10m!

Amazing kite.