new reviews on 2021 North Orbits?

[Blackened]

What about the longevity. Have heard the build isn’t great and kites looking tatty after a short time. Is this correct. I was told this today and not saying that cause connected to another brand. I am genuinely interested in getting an orbit as it does seem like the type of kite I would like.

The only real problem I know of is the stitching on the leading edge on the 2020s. It's only single threaded, so has a tendency to break and start unraveling. When this happens, the bladder starts bulging through the leading edge and will need repair before flying again. I got mine repaired a couple times before I just said resew the whole thing. Takes about 10min at the shop and cost $20. Otherwise, there is a reasonable amount of dacron reinforcement on the kite.

You could also not pump it beyond the recommended PSI or repeatedly bin it hard to extend the longevity of it. . Or just get the 2021s where they double stitched it like other brands. I haven't seen or heard of any problems with the 2021s yet.

[luca]

No problems on my 2021 Orbits.

[Nem0]

What would be the low end of the 10m Orbit 2021 with an 75kg Rider and normal sized TT?

[Kerplow]

What would be the low end of the 10m Orbit 2021 with an 75kg Rider and normal sized TT?

Im 65kg. I own 10-8-6m2 2021 Orbits. I only rode my 10m2 this year as this season winds are very light here. Around 14knots, it felt very dull and I was a bit disappointed. But when it hit 18-24knots, it became one of the best kites I ever rode. And still that was not the limit.
Tbh, i'm glad that that I decided to have a small gap between my 11m2 reach and 10m2 orbit, because difference between them in low end is huge.

[Blackened]

What would be the low end of the 10m Orbit 2021 with an 75kg Rider and normal sized TT?

At 95kg: riding at 20kn, fun at 25kn, exciting 30+.

[RasmusP]

What would be the low end of the 10m Orbit 2021 with an 75kg Rider and normal sized TT?

At 95kg: riding at 20kn, fun at 25kn, exciting 30+.

Hi,
I'm exactly your weight and I can't decide if I should grab one of the 9m 2021 Orbits available on the local used market or wait for a 10m to pop up (or try to get a good deal for a new one or test kite).
I'm currently selling my 9m slingshot raptor for different reasons but in 1,5 years I never hit the high end or it was nuking so massively that I had to go for a 7m.

So I think a 10m would give me a better range for 90% of my sessions.

With the raptor, the 10m is tuned for low end and is quite a different kite to the 9m.
Can you tell me something about such a difference with the 2021 Orbit 9m vs 10m?

You said Marc Jacobs is looping on his 11m so I guess the difference starts with the 12m along with the lighter bladders etc?

I'm currently jumping around 10m according to woo and starting to loop (only at 3m height yet). I'd like to be able to enjoy my loop progression with the Orbit but also be able to get to 11m+ on woo without needing 30+ knots.

Thanks in advance and for all the helpful posts in this thread!

[appelton]

Anyone could compare Orbit 2021 to Switchblade 2021 ?

[Blackened]

Hi,
I'm exactly your weight and I can't decide if I should grab one of the 9m 2021 Orbits available on the local used market or wait for a 10m to pop up (or try to get a good deal for a new one or test kite).
I'm currently selling my 9m slingshot raptor for different reasons but in 1,5 years I never hit the high end or it was nuking so massively that I had to go for a 7m.

So I think a 10m would give me a better range for 90% of my sessions.

With the raptor, the 10m is tuned for low end and is quite a different kite to the 9m.
Can you tell me something about such a difference with the 2021 Orbit 9m vs 10m?

I'm currently jumping around 10m according to woo and starting to loop (only at 3m height yet). I'd like to be able to enjoy my loop progression with the Orbit but also be able to get to 11m+ on woo without needing 30+ knots.

The difference is mainly just progression of the same characteristics. For me, the 9v10v11 is loopability vs hangtime. You can think of it like this (not exactly, but you get the idea):

9m = 75% loop, 25% hangtime
10m = 50% loop, 50% hangtime
11m = 25% loop, 75% hangtime

The 10m is fast enough to learn with late pull/high loops and hangy enough to provide longer soft landings. I'm currently teaching a few guys to loop on their 10s - they're at the same stage you are in loops/boosts. They also regularly hit 10m on their 10m, so you should be fine.

You said Marc Jacobs is looping on his 11m so I guess the difference starts with the 12m along with the lighter bladders etc?

I haven't ridden the 12m. A couple guys at the local loop the Pulse 12m, but no one loops the 12m Orbit. Can you? Yes. Should you? ...whatever works. If I need a 12m over the 11m, I'll be on the 15m anyway.

[Blackened]

Anyone could compare Orbit 2021 to Switchblade 2021 ?

Neither changed much for 2021.

[luca]

This comparison is too old.

2021 Orbit sits deeper in the wind window and has a bit more grunt. That means, it is more stable and will not overfly so fast.
But still the 2021 Orbits will have the tendency to overfly easier than the Switchblad.

So for an rookie the Switchblade is easier to ride or take the Reach. For me the Reach is the better Switchblade.
For everyone else who wants to do modern riding, the Orbit 2021 and soon 2022 is outperforming the Switchblade a lot.

What do I mean with modern riding. Big air style with looping etc. The switchblade is more the kite for the older guys