Contact   Imprint   Advertising   Guidelines

Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

For all foil kite riders
martrench
Medium Poster
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:00 am
Kiting since: 2005
Weight: 155 lbs (70 kg)
Gear: Kites: Flysurfer 10m Soul V2, 12m Sonic 4, Peak 5s, 5.5m Hybrid
Foil: Slingshot HopeCraft w/ Axis Spitfire 840
TTs: 134 Shinn Monk Chromatic, 154 CrazyFly Slicer
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby martrench » Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:25 pm

Looking forward to hearing some reviews on the 21m Sonic 3 👍

joriws wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:28 pm
Did you notice 21m Sonic 3 was released today/yesterday.

chaosgate
Rare Poster
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 10:38 am
Kiting since: 2020
Gear: Sonic3
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby chaosgate » Sat May 08, 2021 1:37 pm

Tone wrote:
Thu Mar 04, 2021 12:18 pm
I have a mate who weighs 75kg and he has just ordered the 21. I think it's a mistake, but I will happily test it for him @110kg :D
Did your mate try it out yet? I wonder how fast he gets overpowered at that weight when the wind picks up a little

martrench
Medium Poster
Posts: 140
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:00 am
Kiting since: 2005
Weight: 155 lbs (70 kg)
Gear: Kites: Flysurfer 10m Soul V2, 12m Sonic 4, Peak 5s, 5.5m Hybrid
Foil: Slingshot HopeCraft w/ Axis Spitfire 840
TTs: 134 Shinn Monk Chromatic, 154 CrazyFly Slicer
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 21 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby martrench » Thu Jun 24, 2021 11:55 pm

Any feedback on the 21m Sonic 3 yet?

Curious if it's a better option than the 21m Soul. Thanks!

User avatar
pmaggie
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:54 am
Kiting since: 2010
Local Beach: Gera Lario, Como Lake, Italy
Favorite Beaches: Lo Stagnone (Marsala, Sicily - Italy) - Soma Bay (Egipt) - Cabarete (Dom Rep.) - Kite beach (Maui)
Style: Freeride
Gear: Core XR4 11, Core Riot XR 7, Core Riot XR2 15, Flysurfer Speed 5 21, Flysurfer Sonic 3 13
Shinn Bronq 136x42, Shinn Bronq XL
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Como Lake - Italy
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 31 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby pmaggie » Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:27 pm

As martrench, I'm very curious about a Sonic 21 review. I own a Sonic 3 13 and a Speed 5 21 and they are soooo different! The Speed is easier and far more predictable but the Sonic is far better in any aspect except in very gusty (VERY gusty) winds. I'm quite tempted to sell the Speed and buy a Sonic 18...

fernmanus
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1867
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:53 am
Has thanked: 35 times
Been thanked: 171 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:45 am

I have been flying the Sonic3 21m & the Soul v2 21m back to back for a few months.

First of all, I would like to see a 23m Soul v2, not a Sonic3 23m as the Soul handles better in super light flukey winds. A 23m Soul v2 would be the ultimate light wind kite for snowkiting.

Let’s talk about the 21m versions. First the Soul v2. It is more stable than the Sonic3 and has a lower aspect ratio, so it is the kite of choice for light variable winds. If you kite in places where the wind dies and the kite drops to the surface for a period of time, this kite is superior to the Sonic or if you kite in gusty wind, it is the better choice. It is easier to relaunch, loops with more power compared to the Sonic. It is less prone to bow-ties or tip folds due to user error or crappy wind.

The Sonic is better for smooth wind. Since it is a more efficient kite, it is easier to zip quickly in apparent wind. It boosts better and has better hang-time than the Soul. It also packs up more quickly and has a simpler bridle set.

So, which kite should you buy? If you fly in gusty conditions or are new to foil kites the Soul v1 or v2 is the better choice. If you fly smooth ocean breezes and are a more experienced rider, the Sonic3 is an amazing kite.

I find myself reaching for the Soul when the wind is flukey, while if the wind is smooth or a bit stronger, I prefer the Sonic. Both kites have a comfortable top end for me around 20 knots. I weigh 190 LBS and I have been flying foil kites for many years.

User avatar
mede
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 571
Joined: Fri May 24, 2002 1:00 am
Kiting since: 2001
Weight: 72 kg dry
Local Beach: Lake Geneva
Favorite Beaches: Sri Lanka West Coast, Marsa Alam, Cape Verde, Tarifa, Beauduc, Corpus Christi, Ceara
Style: Foil, Strapless surf, Big Air
Gear: Kite:> Tomo Vader 5.1 HE & KS MariMacho board,
Gong YpraS Foils,
Pansh Kestrel, Kauper Falcon, Blade Trigger kites.
Wing:> Amos Shapes Sultan Custom board,
Gong YpraS + Ypra Surf Foils,
Gong UPE Aramid Droid & Neutra Wings
Brand Affiliation: none
Location: Sri Lanka / Switzerland
Has thanked: 87 times
Been thanked: 38 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby mede » Tue Jul 13, 2021 8:19 am

fernmanus wrote:
Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:45 am
Both kites have a comfortable top end for me around 20 knots. I weigh 190 LBS and I have been flying foil kites for many years.
Are you sure you didn't mean 20 MpH?

When it's blowing consistent 20 knts, I'm boosting my 12m2 Blade trigger up to 10m or more....
Here you're talking 80% more surface in a kite with higher aspect ratio.

User avatar
Peter_Frank
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 12735
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2002 1:00 am
Brand Affiliation: None
Location: Denmark
Has thanked: 1007 times
Been thanked: 1187 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby Peter_Frank » Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:31 pm

mede wrote:
Tue Jul 13, 2021 8:19 am
fernmanus wrote:
Tue Jul 13, 2021 5:45 am
Both kites have a comfortable top end for me around 20 knots. I weigh 190 LBS and I have been flying foil kites for many years.
Are you sure you didn't mean 20 MpH?

When it's blowing consistent 20 knts, I'm boosting my 12m2 Blade trigger up to 10m or more....
Here you're talking 80% more surface in a kite with higher aspect ratio.

I think he is right.

The higher the AR, and the more racey a foil kite is, the less drag, and the more forward it can fly.

What every kite or foilracer seeks.

This also means you got a LOT higher windrange with these kites, no comparison to balloons (LEIs) whatsoever.

As an example, if I am out foiling with a 5 m2 Peak4 kite (a low AR wavekite), my friends are sometimes riding racefoils next to me with 20 or 21 m2 kites, and we all feel its "fine" :rollgrin:
Quite amazing.

So it makes perfect sense with this extreme windrange, as the high AR foilkites has loads of powerspike compared to everything else, so low end quite good, and amazing if on a hydrofoil,

8) Peter
These users thanked the author Peter_Frank for the post:
mede (Thu Jul 15, 2021 8:21 am)
Rating: 3.03%

fernmanus
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1867
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:53 am
Has thanked: 35 times
Been thanked: 171 times

Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:29 pm

Yes, 20 knots. I would never launch a 21 in that much wind, but I have flown it winds that strong when other kiters were riding 12m LEI kites. In 20 knots, I would launch a 15m Sonic or a 12m Soul if the wind is gusty.


Return to “Foil Kites”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 130 guests