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Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

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Blackened
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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby Blackened » Wed May 05, 2021 2:15 am

SMJ wrote:
Wed May 05, 2021 12:44 am
Demo a Core XR if you can. The XR7's should be out very soon. If you need proof of the XR's big air capabilities check out the WOO leader board.
He's not into grunty kites. XR is the definition of grunty.

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby SMJ » Wed May 05, 2021 2:52 am

Blackened wrote:
Wed May 05, 2021 2:15 am
He's not into grunty kites. XR is the definition of grunty.
Having owned Crossbows, Apollos, AV8's, XR5's, and XR6's I have to humbly disagree. The XR's are nowhere near as grunty and are lighter on the bar than the aforementioned kites.

As far as what the OP said "hooked in big air and all around play...like the light feel with massive boost and big range" the XR fits that well.

As I said, demo an XR if you can. You may be quite pleasantly surprised; I was.

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12M

Postby bengreen123 » Wed May 05, 2021 3:32 pm

Sun wrote:
Tue May 04, 2021 4:44 pm

However, I felt like the Dice felt like the world’s best (Ha ha) TS. Flew the same way, but depowered better and handles gusts so much better. The TS had a tendency to jellyfish from time to time. The Dice is rock solid. Plus, especially for the 12m, having the lighter 3 strut Dice felt like a good move.
Yeah I definitely had the 12 jellyfish when it got really powered, it had to be pumped up rock hard. I'll have a look at the Dice, thanks!

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby grigorib » Wed May 05, 2021 5:28 pm

How about 11m Turbine? Insane amount of power, boosts to the moon, reasonable bar pressure.

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby Blackened » Wed May 05, 2021 11:39 pm

SMJ wrote:
Wed May 05, 2021 2:52 am
Blackened wrote:
Wed May 05, 2021 2:15 am
He's not into grunty kites. XR is the definition of grunty.
Having owned Crossbows, Apollos, AV8's, XR5's, and XR6's I have to humbly disagree. The XR's are nowhere near as grunty and are lighter on the bar than the aforementioned kites.

As far as what the OP said "hooked in big air and all around play...like the light feel with massive boost and big range" the XR fits that well.

As I said, demo an XR if you can. You may be quite pleasantly surprised; I was.
Yes, you are right. I retract my statement. I haven't ridden any Turbines, Apollos, etc since 2017 and forgot they existed. Rethinking how the old TS flew (I had 2015/16 models), the XR won't seem too grunty versus them.

The XR is the best choice for the OP's listed use case.

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby bjw » Fri May 07, 2021 12:04 pm

Eleveight RS would be logical and a good choice.

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby kitexpert » Fri May 07, 2021 5:40 pm

bjw wrote:
Fri May 07, 2021 12:04 pm
Eleveight RS would be logical and a good choice.
t
Quite different kite. More grunty, wobblier feel, different delta kite bar pressure (pressure builds up from bar out, TS bar gets heavy only when sheeted fully in), weaker power in turns... In upper end TS/FS is easier to control, or at least first models of RS were even too grunty kites. Hope new ones are better

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby patternw » Tue May 18, 2021 4:15 am

Although the FS is a bit of a more modern version of your TS, I'd suggest looking at an RS from Eleveight as well. North Orbit should be one to consider, too. All good options worth a demo!

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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby daspi » Wed May 19, 2021 9:57 pm

I just tested the Duotone Dice and also North Orbit, Reach while down on Cape Hatteras. I own a set of 2022 Eleveight FS, had a set or RS as well.

Did not care for the Reach. Orbit was somewhere in a field of Core XR and Switchblade. Liked it just fine. Then after that I went on trying the Dice. Definitely a nice kite overall. But after testing all these kites I pumped my 9m FS and I have to say would not trade it for any I rode that day. Gave my FS to a rider that was testing all these kites with me that day and asked him which kite was the most exciting to fly: "The Eleveight FS".

So what does the FS do better? It feels so direct in your hand. Pulling in the bar just acts like a gas pedal. Fast.

Since they modified the bridles with one more attachment point on the LE in 2020, the kites became more stable. Still, in strong gusts the FS has a tendency to get somewhat jerky and can jelly fish a bit. Much better now then the TS was. The Dice is in this respect superior, in all other aspects the FS wins IMHO. The Dice is crazy how much wind it can hold for a 3 strut kite. I understand the Pivot is that way too, just never tried one when fully powered.

If you liked your TS, you will absolutely be thrilled with Eleveight FS. The RS is more of an allrounder, but just not that exciting. I love the hard fast explosive lift you get with the FS, I love how snappy it loops.

If you want to go for big air and don't mind a hard pulling slower turning kite, try the Core XR series too. Very different kite, but about as good as it gets for a big air kite. Super reliable and stable at max load. I still have 7m XR5 for the nuking days. This thing stays just so manageable even when overpowered.

I hope you find your perfect next kite. Go try a bunch before you buy!
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bengreen123
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Re: Kite to replace my Best TS 12m

Postby bengreen123 » Fri May 21, 2021 8:07 pm

So I ended up going with the Core XR7 and boy am I glad I did :)


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