Best foil kites you have never heard of!?

[mig27]

Here you are

And the weight is missing unfortunately.
And on both the official as the French distributor website there is no information yet

The first model was available with these fabrics:
Main fabric – NCV Porcher New Skytex 40 gr/sqm (32 gr/sqm for LW edition)

[Bille]

The Navy 16 had 50 cells , and the newer Navy2-15 and 18 both , have 43 cells ; wonder
how the 50-cell flies in comparison ?

Bille

[mig27]

The concept air pulsion also breaks with the current statement that the highest foilkite performance can only be achieved with a high AR's and large cell counts.

I will be following this kite for sure!

[pstkk]

Revolt Ultra http://libre.de/?q=en/node/223

Storm Thunder http://stormkitesurfing.net/produit/thunder-12m/

[kitexpert]

The concept air pulsion also breaks with the current statement that the highest foilkite performance can only be achieved with a high AR's and large cell counts

High AR and high cell count are needed for high L/D. It is not a good idea to try to make high AR foil kite with not enough high cell count. Only weight (and costs) set a limit to cell count, trend is upwards. Aerodynamical advantages are more important than added small weight, for example Elf Jokers.

Specs of the Pulsion tell it is not a high performance foil kite, but no doubt it is very good low wind kite. In low (wind) speeds quite a big line drag is not so harmful and simple structure makes it even lighter. And it must be remembered Pulsion is mid to high AR kite, above most if not all LEI's.

I checked Storm Thunder kite, it seems very competitive priced. It has quite respectful specs, referring to higher performance than for example Speeds. But of course kite has to be good enough design for it specs. It looks decent: three-level bridle, spanwise straps, 8 air intakes, reasonable line row locations etc.. Primary bridle is perhaps a bit too long and valves look short, but if they work it is ok.

[Mossy 757]

I checked Storm Thunder kite, it seems very competitive priced. It has quite respectful specs, referring to higher performance than for example Speeds.

But it doesn't have double-cordwise-ballooning technology, performance double surfaces, or maximum pressure valves!

[joriws]

From other thread here at KF I found

PKD

with INFERNO claiming AR

More info from Kite-Power-Shop in St.Peter-Ording including photos:
8M, AR of 7.0
12M, AR of 8.0
16.5M, AR of 8.5

[mig27]

Wow! What a huge slim wing!
Would it work? Seems like a very difficult kite concerning handling!?

[Jollydriver]

I was looking back through this thread, and I don't seem to see anyone mention Kitech kites out of Hungary. Not super high aspect, so not for racing. I haven't flown one...can anyone else comment on their performance?

JD

[coleman]

I was looking back through this thread, and I don't seem to see anyone mention Kitech kites out of Hungary. Not super high aspect, so not for racing. I haven't flown one...can anyone else comment on their performance?

JD

kitech.JPG

As a matter of fact, i received the fly4 9m to demo last week. Had two sessions on it so far with the Alpinefoil access and xlp wing. Awesome kite, especially for foiling. I also own a speed4 lotus 10m so i can compare it to that kite to give you an idea of how it performs. The Sp4 definitely has better low end although its 1m bigger but the real distinction there is the apparent wind generation in light air. The speed continues to generate power through apparent wind while the fly4 does not and must be worked to generate power. The fly4 is extremely stable and easy to use and the power through kiteloops is really great so for water starting i found it to work better than the speed as it holds its shape and pulls much harder through the loops. But once up and foiling the speed will generate more power through apparent wind.

Fly4 is a great jumping kite! Got some huge air in 18-20kts on the 9m. Easier to boost and more fun than the speed in this regard probably owing to the faster steering of the fly4 so better to redirect and pop out of the water.

Fly4 drifts well, far better than the speed and this is the reason i wanted to try it. I am looking for a good freeride foiling kite that will drift, boost, and hang in the air in light wind. This kite ticks all those boxes. Probably the speed4 lotus will stay aloft in less wind but not by much. During the lulls the wind would drop into the 5-8 kt range and i had no issues keeping the kite in the air. On the occasions that the kite hit the water and folded, it sorted itself out well and relaunched easily.

Downwind speed runs were good, not as good as my ozone edge but fast enough to get my attention.

I am very likely buying one as my next kite. My foiling improved in the two sessions i had on this kite. Just a very smooth, easy to use, solid performing kite that you can forget about and focus on foiling.