Flysurfer Soul vs Ozone Hyperlink V1 - Video Comparison

[mgs]

With respect
Both kites are of different designs, so the differences noted should be based on that fact.
The FS offers some neat features, such as little line connections, adjustable speed and bridle system.
With respect to the comment starting at 5.00 regarding back line adjustment, this is covered in the FS Soul manual page 21 – Ref 12.04. https://flysurfer.com/project/soul/
I did the back line adjustment for when I had Tube kites,same principle applies for foil kites.
Checking and adjusting back lines if needed is standard practice no matter if the kite is new or used and is a “easy procedure” in my opinion.

mgs, to clarify. The tuning on the Soul for the back lines had to extend beyond the common and pre-equipped adjustments that the Soul provides.

Hello and okay.
Making an extra knot as the existing knot (s) wasn’t enough to take up the slack in the back lines is not what you were expecting to do,but this is something I personally wouldn’t be overly concerned with.However, this is your personal review so fair enough.
All the best.

[slowboat]

With respect
Both kites are of different designs, so the differences noted should be based on that fact.
The FS offers some neat features, such as little line connections, adjustable speed and bridle system.
With respect to the comment starting at 5.00 regarding back line adjustment, this is covered in the FS Soul manual page 21 – Ref 12.04. https://flysurfer.com/project/soul/
I did the back line adjustment for when I had Tube kites,same principle applies for foil kites.
Checking and adjusting back lines if needed is standard practice no matter if the kite is new or used and is a “easy procedure” in my opinion.

mgs, to clarify. The tuning on the Soul for the back lines had to extend beyond the common and pre-equipped adjustments that the Soul provides.

Hello and okay.
Making an extra knot as the existing knot (s) wasn’t enough to take up the slack in the back lines is not what you were expecting to do,but this is something I personally wouldn’t be overly concerned with.However, this is your personal review so fair enough.
All the best.

On this discussion about adjusting for slack back lines, are you referring to adjustments on the kite bridal or the bar end? Thanks

[FLandOBX]

......
With respect to the comment starting at 5.00 regarding back line adjustment, this is covered in the FS Soul manual page 21 – Ref 12.04. https://flysurfer.com/project/soul/
I did the back line adjustment for when I had Tube kites,same principle applies for foil kites.
Checking and adjusting back lines if needed is standard practice no matter if the kite is new or used and is a “easy procedure” in my opinion.

mgs, to clarify. The tuning on the Soul for the back lines had to extend beyond the common and pre-equipped adjustments that the Soul provides.

Hello and okay.
Making an extra knot as the existing knot (s) wasn’t enough to take up the slack in the back lines is not what you were expecting to do,but this is something I personally wouldn’t be overly concerned with.However, this is your personal review so fair enough.
All the best.

This adjustment might not concern me after a few years of flying the kite, but a brand new out-of-the bag kite shouldn't require new knots to adjust the steering lines so the kite will perform properly. Maybe it's not a deal killer, but it's definitely worth noting in a kite review. There are a lot of people who just won't tolerate that level of adjustment on a brand new $2500 kite. Just my 2 cents, of course.

By the way, OKk, I appreciate your reviewing these two kites. A lot of us have been trying to piece together a comparison from various opinions here and there, but yours is the first head-to-head video comparison of these kites that I've seen.

[FLandOBX]

On this discussion about adjusting for slack back lines, are you referring to adjustments on the kite bridal or the bar end? Thanks

Based on the video, it looks like new knots were added to adjust the back lines at the bar.

[foilholio]

This adjustment might not concern me after a few years of flying the kite, but a brand new out-of-the bag kite shouldn't require new knots to adjust the steering lines so the kite will perform properly. Maybe it's not a deal killer, but it's definitely worth noting in a kite review. There are a lot of people who just won't tolerate that level of adjustment on a brand new $2500 kite. Just my 2 cents, of course.

Tying knots is basic kiteboarding skill set. If you can't then you are not really competent. Yes making adjustments on new gear is never ideal. But there is a history to this with foil kites. Also consider that line shrinks when unused, so if the stock is old it is likely to need adjustment.

"I was on flag beach recently - there was ozone team to shoot HL V2 and alpha"
So will be interesting to compare the V2 Hyperlink and the changes

It is great more medium AR foils are getting development. The hyperlink is more my style than the soul. I wish Ozone would close cell some of their other foils, which I like even more.

My friend had a ozone foil. The bridles need adjustments so it cost him 300.00 for new bridles plus 2 hours to replace all of them. With Flysurfer you do a mixer test that take 10 minutes.No other cost. I know that many kiters do not understand the mixer tests . They think that only Flysurfer will have bridle adjustments to be done...

This is not right. The only bridle parts you should be replacing are broken bits or pulley lines that wear. All bridles are adjustable, all you need is some appropriate line and knots. Usually though you can restretch things or tie adjustments in existing components. One thing with Ozone is a lack of LCLs makes bridle fixing a huge pain.

The Flysurfer mixer test is overrated and over complicated in someways. It's standard adjustment to level things can make things worse and it has no Z adjustment which is the main adjustment needed.

A new project I've been working on to compare two of the most popular foil kites on the market today. The SOUL VS. HYPERLINK SHOWDOWN.

Great video.

I will comment on the zip vs velcro. Flysurfer had velcro then went to zips for a long while then back to velcro. Zips have a problem of wearing out, corroding, getting stuck and breaking. They be fine for a few years and regular use. Pulling out a kite after it's shelved for a month or so to have a corroded stuck zip is not fun. You can use plastic zips so they don't corrode but they wear faster..

Packing on the water, I am not a expert but you more want a smaller opening so to keep air pressure up as you roll so to prevent lots of water getting in the kite. With zips I have always only partially opened them for this. Though my limited experience I may be wrong.

For deflation towards the TE is worse. The thicker part of the wing allows better airflow out. A zip near the LE on the back is best I think. Neither HL or Soul has this. You could open the center cell on the HL and it should deflate ok. Overall I think I prefer a zip, as long as it is just a standard style, so easy to replace and plastic and isn't too long. The HL zip is way too long like old FS ones were.

[FLandOBX]

This adjustment might not concern me after a few years of flying the kite, but a brand new out-of-the bag kite shouldn't require new knots to adjust the steering lines so the kite will perform properly. Maybe it's not a deal killer, but it's definitely worth noting in a kite review. There are a lot of people who just won't tolerate that level of adjustment on a brand new $2500 kite. Just my 2 cents, of course.

Tying knots is basic kiteboarding skill set. If you can't then you are not really competent.

Very informative input.......if we were we discussing the ability to tie knots.

[winduser]

Foilholio
This is not right. The only bridle parts you should be replacing are broken bits or pulley lines that wear. All bridles are adjustable, all you need is some appropriate line and knots. Usually though you can restretch things or tie adjustments in existing components. One thing with Ozone is a lack of LCLs makes bridle fixing a huge pain.

Tell me where I can find the information of the lines length on Ozone site. The dealer told him that he have to buy all new bridles . Lines stretches. You have many bridles it is not a guessing game... On a bar you have 4 lines it is easy to fix . Not so easy on bridles on a foilkite . So many lines.
So easy with a mixer test....

[PrfctChaos]

A new project I've been working on to compare two of the most popular foil kites on the market today. The SOUL VS. HYPERLINK SHOWDOWN.

Nice video. But can't help feeling it is a bit of a pity that you did not wait a bit for the Hyperlink V2. Maybe your second video can be SOUL VS. HYPERLINK V1 VS. HYPERLINK V2??

[mikesids]

@prfctChaos, when is the Hyperlink v2 due out? There is zero mention of it on the Web- maybe you know something that the rest of us don't?

[PrfctChaos]

@prfctChaos, when is the Hyperlink v2 due out? There is zero mention of it on the Web- maybe you know something that the rest of us don't?

Yea, I had to do some asking around to find out, because I'm keen to see what changes were made and I'm in the market for a small one for foiling. (Really like the way it flies, but there are always one or two details that can be improved / unnecesary things taken away)

Don't know a exact date, but should be soon (days not weeks).