2022 What is the new best 17m tube kite for big air?

[Greenturtle]

I would think a 17 Edge to go with your 19. Already familiar and a proven big booster.

As far as “new”
theres the slingshot machine which is reasonably light,
and a new shape on the ocean rodeo flite hl series which is crazy light (as light as a d/lab at a much better price).
But both of these are a risk without a demo etc as they are fresh designs with no reviews even.

Theres the traditional flite (which I have) and the a-series flite of course. I find the flite to have a very accessible vertical elevator type boost that can get good height and floaty easy landings. reaction and speed for a 17. Flies forward so power is managed but pushing top end is really not an amazing point of this kite. Performance is great in a broad sweetspot though.

I know this is old news but If ridiculous power is something that interests you a good ol turbine delivers (a lot) more than any other lei I am aware of. And just manageable if you keep it real high up in the window all the time.. Despite what many say, I have found it to boost pretty big in the top end if you get things right, with long ass floaty hangtime. For a heavy weight dude its an obvious kite to try if you never have and can be found cheap. It sits very deep making it super stable and forgiving if you get some slack on landing etc, but the overall pull just suits a heavy person, and medium-light people are put off unless they are pretty hardcore. Its heavier like the xr and probably pretty similar (ive never flown an xr) though I think the turbine is a more open shape and probably just plain bigger as well.

[SMJ]

As far as “new” theres the slingshot machine which is reasonably light,

Looks like the Machine's biggest size is 12m, so that's not a contender.

[Greenturtle]

As far as “new” theres the slingshot machine which is reasonably light,

Looks like the Machine's biggest size is 12m, so that's not a contender.

There are the 15m and 17m three strut Machine LW models too.

[droffats]

Ocean Rodeo Flite A Series for me. It has the biggest range of all the 17's I've flown (Zephyr, Contra, Fat Lady, Core, Slingy, but not the D-Lab Juice). The HL Series Flite I haven't flow yet either. We sell the Zephyr, Contra, and used to sell the Fat Lady, but I'd still pick the Aluula Flite (even spending my own money).

Stafford

[Guttorm]

These are maybe the hottest Big tubekites in 2022
Have someone tried any of these, what did you like/dislike about them?
Edge. 15/17
Xr7. 15/17
Nexus 2 15/17
Dt Juice 15/17
Flite. 14.5/17

And maybe there are others that should have been on this list?
Please help

[RickI]

My Cab. 17 m Contra provides a nice wind range, jumping along with ease and speed of handling.

[Windigo1]

For a 17m I like a lighter kite the 5 struts are heavy. Take a look at the Eleveight RS a flawless kite!

[bkkite]

I've been a huge fan of the XRs in larger sizes, had the XR4 in 19 and then 17, and then XR5 in 15m. Might be worth checking out the Nexus 2, or maybe some of the SLS or DLAB options from duotone. Something lighter will turn faster, and be less likely to fall out of the air in lighter wind. If you're mostly riding in 15 knots and above, then you should be fine with heavier 5 strut kites at the 17m size, mine really had more trouble sub 15 knots.

[Greenturtle]

This is a good topic.
17+ meter kites don’t get the love they deserve if you ask me. 15kts must be the most common wind speed in the world and what, we are supposed to use a 12m or 14m? Pfff.

Ozone apparently gets it. As well as Core, Cabrinha, and Slingshot had their 19m too.
Who else has the balls to put out a lei in 19m eh?
Ocean Rodeo gave us a real performer with the Flite, its just lovely, but there should be a 20m size if you ask me. The biggest Rebel is now 15m. Step up or be left slogging and bound to the waters surface.
Now we have fancy lighter materials and 15-17 is STILL THE BIGGEST SIZE WTF.

Theres the Eleveight RS, can’t comment on its boost but at least it comes in a 17m size…

RRD addiction big air kite but 15m is the biggest.

Orbit comes in a 14m. Pfff.

Give us more kites that will get a burly rider powered up and AIRBORNE in 15knts of warm tropical wind.
Shit I only weigh 77kg and can safely have a blast on a 19m turbine in 15knts and that kite looks more like a 21m when compared to other brands. Ok rant over. Carry on searching for unicorns.

[bkkite]

These are maybe the hottest Big tubekites in 2022
Have someone tried any of these, what did you like/dislike about them?
Edge. 15/17
Xr7. 15/17
Nexus 2 15/17
Dt Juice 15/17
Flite. 14.5/17

And maybe there are others that should have been on this list?
Please help

I rode the Flight 14.5 back to back w a 15m XR5, so I can speak to that. It turned much faster, which was nice (as to be expected). Its was blowing 15-19kts, and I found that I felt pretty overpowered on it during the gusts, and that the boosting wasn't nearly as good as the XR. My take away was that I prefer the higher performance characteristics of the XR5 15m, and that I would just fly a different kite in lighter winds or foil...

I've only been out on the Nexus 2 for as short while in the 15m size, but I own a 12m and a 9m. They turn faster than XRs, and drift quite a bit better, so they're better for foiling and surfing. They do ride like they are 1m or so smaller than the equivalent XR kite. Like my 12m Nexus feels like an 11m XR, etc, which makes sense since they aren't as high aspect ratio. For the boosting, they just require more technique, and they definitely don't float you down as gently as the XR... it was quite the suprise on my first jump, I just landed much harder . Now I know you need to fly the kite a bit more actively on the decent.