North Orbit - iksurfmag review

[iriejohn]

... For me personally, I was expecting a new crossbow, tried an tested with a new North logo slapped on it. Fine. I can see the logic of that. Add in a rebranded FX and 75% of the kiters would be satisfied that North was doing something sensible. But all new kite designs? Seems like a huge gamble to me.

If North had done this ^^^ they would rightfully have been criticised for 'trotting out the same old designs under a new name' ...

[Topaz]

This brand split is confusing my consumerist mind. I may be going back to Naish.

[kjorn]

... For me personally, I was expecting a new crossbow, tried an tested with a new North logo slapped on it. Fine. I can see the logic of that. Add in a rebranded FX and 75% of the kiters would be satisfied that North was doing something sensible. But all new kite designs? Seems like a huge gamble to me.

If North had done this ^^^ they would rightfully have been criticised for 'trotting out the same old designs under a new name' ...

Agreed. Same old tried and tested designs, worth the premium price.

Instead we have new, unproven designs at a premium price.

[iriejohn]

... For me personally, I was expecting a new crossbow, tried an tested with a new North logo slapped on it. Fine. I can see the logic of that. Add in a rebranded FX and 75% of the kiters would be satisfied that North was doing something sensible. But all new kite designs? Seems like a huge gamble to me.

If North had done this ^^^ they would rightfully have been criticised for 'trotting out the same old designs under a new name' ...

Agreed. Same old tried and tested designs, worth the premium price.

Instead we have new, unproven designs at a premium price.

Then don't buy them.

[Teabageppo]

related to the pulleys...
look at the product clip of the doutone dice, the designer says he removed the pulley because it was causing instability when looping on the height end of the wind range


pulleys just suck

I find it interesting that so many big brands has gone pulleyless lately. I have experienced both types and while I enjoy the direct feel of pulleyless bridle, it comes with few downsides. I have experienced narrower sweet spot & wind range, looser back lines (and worse turning) and more canopy flutter while depowered or bar sheeted out.

I don't know if it's the increased canopy flutter, just bad design or both, but I have noticed that some of the kites I've used really have lost some of their flying-performance in relatively short period of time (6months-1year). Don't know exactly how to describe it, but they have turned a bit saggy and imprecise compared to new ones. This has happened especially to those light-weight kites with no heavy dacron support around the kite’s canopy.

Would be interesting to test these kites out and see if they have found fix to those issues.

...and your observations would be entirely correct above based on my own observations / experience. We all love this no pulley idea, me included, but without a loaded fifth, I find exactly the same thing.

Even with my sons Ozone amps. The difference between the 4 line mode, then the loaded fifth line setup is night and day.

[Balls up]

https://gleiten.tv/index.php/video/acti ... /page/436/



http://kitesurf365.com/north-kiteboardi ... episode-94

[luca]

Any more feedback for the Orbit?
I am thinking to buy some but I am not sure if there are any problems with the tips.

[kjorn]

Any more feedback for the Orbit?
I am thinking to buy some but I am not sure if there are any problems with the tips.

Can I ask why you are thinking of buying one without testing it? Curious as to your opinion.

[nothing2seehere]

Any more feedback for the Orbit?
I am thinking to buy some but I am not sure if there are any problems with the tips.

Not sure if its the orbit at this point but I wasn't sure I liked the behaviour of the kite in the Pat Goodman video at about 57 seconds:



The way it luffed and shot forwards seemed a little .... exciting? Love to test one sometime though

[kgb]

Everyone on here “We want objective reviews....”

IKSURFMAG “here you go”

Everyone “omfg..the world will end..”