screwfootsc wrote:Element 11M Review...
My new favorite kite. I am so stoked with this kite.
Some key features:
1. Soars upwind...
2. Punchy, solid low end (15-18 mph for 200+ lb guy->me)
3. Turns quick in the surf
4. Super light bar pressure, nothing like the Method or Nitro
5. Super easy relaunch
6. extremely stable even in punchy gusty winds
This kite performed very well for me in the surf. It is very smooth through the turns and cranks a lot of power.
One push out on the bar will kill this kite, which makes it very safe.
I dropped it in the water once as it was light inside...it quickly relaunched without any issue, and rolled properly on its side as it should. Almost like a bow...that easy.
I would recommend this kite to any surf kiter and even those freestyle riders.
I love my Nitros and the Method, but this kite might be surpassing them
If you want a multi-purpose kite. That's it! It just works insane!
11M is a good central kite.
I have a 14M Nitro, 11M Element, 9M Element soon, and my 7M Method.
Thinking of switching to a Element quiver!
As always, the kites are built as good or better than ANY kite on the market.
Switch keeps amazing me at their dedication. No BS, just straight solid equipment.
Guys and Gals, these kites are top notch.
Grant,
Interesting post.... confusing but interesting.
Based on your (and several others) past posts on the Switch Kites lineup, I thought some of the team (the more expert athletes) riders were going to really HATE the Element kite when it came out.
Your description of the Element's behavior sounds like everything that the Nitro and Method kites are not.
The Element sounds much more "mainstream" and similar to other popular kites, not "purpose specific" as Bill Hansen might say it.
You (and other team riders) have vigorously recommended the Method (even for beginners) specifically for some of the "unusual" attributes that it has, and several of those are polar opposites of what you found out you like about the Element kite.
So, ..now it's good to have a kite that can sheet out in a gust and the kite behaves well?
Don't have to always fly a small kite, fully powered and fully sheeted in to keep it from backwinding..... to feel that Method Magic?
Now you/we want a kite that can turn power on and off easily and safely?
Faster and easy turning is better now?
Extremely stable in punchy winds is a good thing?...and not the sure sign of a weak, boring kite?
Low bar pressure is a good thing? ..and does not mean you can't tell where the kite is?
Element attributes/behavior sounds like it might provide a more positive experience for more kiters.
But not exactly the things that team riders have been selling as the
Magic in the Method and Nitro.
Why the reversal in preferences...and change of heart for you?