Switching from foil kite to high aspect LEI kite. Worth or not?

[Exal]

I bought the 15m juice for that, just need a bigger twintip to get some more out of it. Pretty fast kite and fun to fly, hangtime is really nice for me with 85kg when I was out last in 15 knots. Also stays in the air with very little wind.

[grigorib]

Ass to relaunch. Got it. That was one of my concerns, remembering how I struggled at relaunching simple delta 12m LEI in underpowered conditions, that wasn't pleasant. But I think bigger size kite in winds I'm aiming at wouldn't be that much of a hassle. Although at most of times if I crashed Soul it simply relaunched by itself without my aid.

Not bad to relaunch. Just not the easiest.

[FLandOBX]

The Soul is the easiest foil kite to re-launch, but it isn't consistently as trouble free re-launching as the super high aspect LEI's. Re-launching a high aspect LEI is quite easy with proper technique (modified C-kite re-launch technique works well). I might steer a beginner away from a high aspect LEI because re-launch is not automatic, but an experienced kiter will have no trouble mastering high aspect LEI re-launch techniques.

I've demo'd the 2021 Orbit, and I wouldn't put it in the same category as the very high aspect LEI's, which include the Ozone Edge, Cabrinha Apollo and Duotone Rebel. The Orbit is a nice kite, but it isn't going to approach what you've got with your Soul in terms of air-time, float, and handling gusty winds. Take a closer look at the Edge if you truly want an LEI that offers the same advantages as the Soul.

[downunder]

Soul is actually more pain to relounch than Edge in ie 12m size (11 for Edge).

Soul will bow tie on WW edge quite easily. For sure it might open up, but man, that is not for faint harted.

The only reason why I got used Soul, and regreted, is used Edge is impossible to find for decent money.

End why regreted? This:

viewtopic.php?t=2407943&p=1114095

It is applicable to any foil tho. However, not all foils are that air tight and bulky, and that has consequences. Double the amount of water, double the anchor...

Today, 15m Soul rider very very lucky escape. The landing helper error tho. Helper did not catch the kite, kite drifted than catapulted simply coz not being controlled while drifted. Rider flew through the air, straight to concrete barrier. Stopped 1or 2m before it.
I can argue that this would not happen with the Edge, coz does not drift. At least did not happen to me after 6 years riding it.

[PugetSoundKiter]

Switching from foil kite to high aspect LEI kite. Worth or not?

not

[downunder]

Only if one ignores everything else. Which is so obvious. When is nuking wind, we are all on LEIs boosting to the Moon. So they complement each other.

Yes.

[jorg]

I am on the same boat as the OP. I've progressed so much on 15m Soul, can't replicate the same progress on my small LEIs in high winds. I can try anything new incl. inversions on my 15m but my small size LEIs drop me so fast I am scared of trying something new or anything I do on my Soul.
The only difference from the OP's request I like the slowness of my 15m bc the recovery is more successful than any small LEIs. it just gives more time to fix the situation.
I tried friends' 9m XR6 and Evo (2019) last weekend. I couldn't find any similarity to the 15m Soul. I need a small kite between 7 & 9m that can stay in one place, holds me there and then drops me slowly.

any suggestions?

info: TT rider
gusty conditions (usually 10knts différence)
75kg

[Faxie]

I am on the same boat like the OP. I've progressed so much on 15m Soul, can't replicate same progress on my small LEIs in high winds. I can try anything new incl. inversions on 15m but my small size LEIs drop me so fast I am scared of trying something new or anything I do on my Soul.
The only difference from the OP's request I like the slowness of 15m bc the recovery is more successful than any small LEIs. it just gives more time to fix the situation.
I tried friends' 9m XR6 and Evo last weekend. I couldn't find anything similar to 15m Soul. I need a small kite between 7 & 9m that can stay in one place, holds me there and then drops me slow.

any suggestions?

info: TT rider
gusty conditions (usually 10knts différence)
75kg

Might try Ten Velox. I think it's the highest aspect LEI available at the moment.

[Faxie]

I am on the same boat like the OP. I've progressed so much on 15m Soul, can't replicate same progress on my small LEIs in high winds. I can try anything new incl. inversions on 15m but my small size LEIs drop me so fast I am scared of trying something new or anything I do on my Soul.
The only difference from the OP's request I like the slowness of 15m bc the recovery is more successful than any small LEIs. it just gives more time to fix the situation.
I tried friends' 9m XR6 and Evo last weekend. I couldn't find anything similar to 15m Soul. I need a small kite between 7 & 9m that can stay in one place, holds me there and then drops me slow.

any suggestions?

info: TT rider
gusty conditions (usually 10knts différence)
75kg

Might try Ten Velox. I think it's the highest aspect LEI available at the moment.

[Pump me up]

I've been pondering for (switching from foil kite to high aspect LEI). So, what's your experience with high aspect LEIs? Especially how do they work in the gusts.

CONGRATULATIONS on making the move Kristan and for recognising the inherent inferiority of foil (ram air) kites. On so many fundamental levels LEIs are better. Please let me know if you'd like details.

Pumpy ........