Replacements for my Dices

[Dutchman]

Hi,

Currently, I have a set of dices (7, 9, 12m) and I am looking to change my gear. I am an intermediate level (basic unhooking, darkslides, board-offs, loops and bow starting with boogies and late-backs). What I dont like at the dices is the bar-pressure (too high), the unevenly force of pull during a loop (makes it more difficult with the boogies, late backs) the constantly need to work the kite, the ‘difficulty’ everything needs to be perfect to jump 15+ meters (this seems much more easy on XRs, Rebels and Orbits) and the lack. My weight is 90kg

Therefore, I am looking into a new set and size up 1m with my weight, the gap between 9 and 12 is sometime a bit too big (also the dice needs quite some wind). First I thought, also due to my weight, an 8m, 10m Orbit and a 12m Reach. It seems still possible to loop the 10m as it’s fast and catches easy. However, some people say that an Orbit needs perfect technique to get some decent heights. So this makes it bit confusing.

Is this true and what other kites fit my requirements? Evo SLS?

[Exal]

What year dices do you have? I had some from 2019 and they were really light bar pressure. Evo is a nice kite, should fit what you are looking for, I have them now but am not kiting as advanced as you but if bar pressure is an issue, then the 5 strut kites are probably not the way to go. Had a rebel and that kite had proper bar pressure once a bit powered.

[pmania]

Do you want to stay with the same brand ?

[TheJoe]

I have a quiver of 7,9,12 Reach and 9m Orbit. I am waiting on new 10m Reach for a little more range. The Orbits are not that hard to jump and I have looped 10m with no problems. They are not as high of a jumping kite as the XR is but it is faster and better at looping. I am lighter than you but we do not get the best wind for going big. 8,10m should be good for your weight. I prefer the Reach over the Orbit in the 12m as I prefer faster flying kites. But like all ways it is best to try them before you buy them.

[edt]

The dice has probably the most even pull through a loop of any kite. It yanks hard just like a C kite but is very even. In 2019 the orbit was finicky and impossible for anyone to use except for an expert. The 2022 orbit however is fantastic and great for even a beginner. They fixed all the problems in the old orbit and I can recommend either the orbit or the rebel for anyone that wants to boost to the sky. In any case the reason you'll find uneven reviews of the orbit is because of how much they have refined the orbit over the last 3 years. The best thing about the dice is that it's great for unhooking. If you switch to the orbit, evo, or reach, you won't generate any slack and handle passes will become very difficult. I think for you, upgrading entirely to an orbit quiver for boosting, board offs, dark slides, is a fine idea, you'll get a lot more height and better upwind, but then keep one of your old dices, either the 12m or 9m for doing handle passes. The kite you want for huge air is exactly the opposite from the kite you want for handle passes so you can either go for something that does both equally poorly or keep one kite just for handle passes. The evo is also a great kite for boosting, but again can't really generate much pop and slack for a handle pass.

[Dutchman]

Do you want to stay with the same brand ?

Not necessarily, it’s that I heard good experiences from the 10m EVO SLS. Pivots might also be a good option, but think Orbits suits my preference more.

The dice has probably the most even pull through a loop of any kite. It yanks hard just like a C kite but is very even. In 2019 the orbit was finicky and impossible for anyone to use except for an expert. The 2022 orbit however is fantastic and great for even a beginner. They fixed all the problems in the old orbit and I can recommend either the orbit or the rebel for anyone that wants to boost to the sky. In any case the reason you'll find uneven reviews of the orbit is because of how much they have refined the orbit over the last 3 years. The best thing about the dice is that it's great for unhooking. If you switch to the orbit, evo, or reach, you won't generate any slack and handle passes will become very difficult. I think for you, upgrading entirely to an orbit quiver for boosting, board offs, dark slides, is a fine idea, you'll get a lot more height and better upwind, but then keep one of your old dices, either the 12m or 9m for doing handle passes. The kite you want for huge air is exactly the opposite from the kite you want for handle passes so you can either go for something that does both equally poorly or keep one kite just for handle passes. The evo is also a great kite for boosting, but again can't really generate much pop and slack for a handle pass.

Thanks! This is very usefull. Im doubting between 2021 or 2022 Orbits. But seems like the 2022 will be the best choice then.

Furthermore, the only handle pass I do is a railey to blind and that’s (in my case) more a surface pass. I don’t think I will progress more in unhooking.

Seems like that a 8m + 10m Orbit + 12m Reach is indeed a good option.

[Dutchman]

What year dices do you have? I had some from 2019 and they were really light bar pressure. Evo is a nice kite, should fit what you are looking for, I have them now but am not kiting as advanced as you but if bar pressure is an issue, then the 5 strut kites are probably not the way to go. Had a rebel and that kite had proper bar pressure once a bit powered.

The 9m I have is a 2019 version. Tried an Orbit a while ago in 22 knots straight after using my Dice and thought the bar pressure was a big difference.

Do the amount of struts play a role in bar pressure? Thought it was more the shape of a kite.

[duddd]

you definitely should test the Evo SLS
the bar pressure is very low and it gives you confidence to try new tricks, because you don't feel the power in the bar (or at least this is how it works for me)
i have 8m rebel SLS and 10m Evo SLS .. with the 8m rebel it takes me at least 30 minutes into a session to build the confidence to try small loops, while with the Evo SLS i'm going after 5-10 minutes and started working on baby boogie loops, while with the rebel i was always hesitating.
i think one determining factor is the high pressure that i get in the rebel

[Saltyman]

Slingshot RPX or the Naish Pivot as previously said both are good for looping, boosting and general freeride/freestyle. The RPX is good because you can change the bridle to freestyle or wake settings.
The pivots do everything pretty well so is an awesome all-round kite imo.

[elmarco]

Do you want to stay with the same brand ?

Not necessarily, it’s that I heard good experiences from the 10m EVO SLS. Pivots might also be a good option, but think Orbits suits my preference more.

The dice has probably the most even pull through a loop of any kite. It yanks hard just like a C kite but is very even. In 2019 the orbit was finicky and impossible for anyone to use except for an expert. The 2022 orbit however is fantastic and great for even a beginner. They fixed all the problems in the old orbit and I can recommend either the orbit or the rebel for anyone that wants to boost to the sky. In any case the reason you'll find uneven reviews of the orbit is because of how much they have refined the orbit over the last 3 years. The best thing about the dice is that it's great for unhooking. If you switch to the orbit, evo, or reach, you won't generate any slack and handle passes will become very difficult. I think for you, upgrading entirely to an orbit quiver for boosting, board offs, dark slides, is a fine idea, you'll get a lot more height and better upwind, but then keep one of your old dices, either the 12m or 9m for doing handle passes. The kite you want for huge air is exactly the opposite from the kite you want for handle passes so you can either go for something that does both equally poorly or keep one kite just for handle passes. The evo is also a great kite for boosting, but again can't really generate much pop and slack for a handle pass.

Thanks! This is very usefull. Im doubting between 2021 or 2022 Orbits. But seems like the 2022 will be the best choice then.

Furthermore, the only handle pass I do is a railey to blind and that’s (in my case) more a surface pass. I don’t think I will progress more in unhooking.

Seems like that a 8m + 10m Orbit + 12m Reach is indeed a good option.

I've been on Airush Union's for a few years, and love em.
Light bar pressure. cranked loops, unhooks well. I ride 8 & 12. The 8 is a riot to loop.