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switch kite alternatives

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dswebb
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switch kite alternatives

Postby dswebb » Fri Jun 07, 2019 11:09 pm

What are the direct to consumer alternatives to switch kites? They seem to be doing a Best and ditching their direct to consumer approach with increased prices and an as to unannounced distributor.

Zian kites? Any reviews of the Hantu?
Gong kites, any reviews of the Freewave?

Who else am I missing that I should be checking out?

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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby Faxie » Fri Jun 07, 2019 11:40 pm

Wouldn't bet on Zian anymore...

Never ridden a Gong, but they seem like good stuff mostly.

Fluid Kites is an option, Storm Kites (Switch rebranded their 2 models into the new Helium and Nitro, ex F-One designer), Ten, KSP, Odo... those come to mind.

nixmatters
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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby nixmatters » Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:36 am

You can check also Takoon, Zeeko, DSD (HYDE), Star Kites, South Easter (now Ullman)

Kees
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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby Kees » Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:18 am

I believe Best kites is back to direct to consumer sales? They have an ad on this forum

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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby alford » Sat Jun 08, 2019 4:18 am

Personally I'm intrigued by Takoon and Gong. Haven't tried either so it's more of a hunch.

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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby RustyChain » Sat Jun 08, 2019 3:18 pm

Alibaba...if you dare.

dswebb
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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby dswebb » Thu Jun 13, 2019 8:51 pm

takoon definitely looks the most polished of the bunch. I can't get past how ugly the storm psycho is, it looks like a fun kite and having ridden most of the iterations of the nitro I'd like to get past the looks but am not sure I can. :lol:

ullman also looks interesting. will have to wait till they launch though.

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alexeyga
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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby alexeyga » Fri Jun 14, 2019 2:50 am

Big brand's previous years on sale? LF's previous years seem to go for peanuts - at least in North America and they are solid.

I've been using Zeeko Rev-s in smaller sizes since 2016 - that is side by side with Airush and Ozone kites - and honestly - Zeeko gear was on pars and sometimes better in terms of flying characteristics and build quality. Especially vs last years Ozones - which fly great, but at the expense of very light and less robust materials.

Can't say anything about Zian or Takoon.

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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby Ozone Kites AUS » Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:17 am

alexeyga wrote:
Fri Jun 14, 2019 2:50 am

I've been using Zeeko Rev-s in smaller sizes since 2016 - that is side by side with Airush and Ozone kites - and honestly - Zeeko gear was on pars and sometimes better in terms of flying characteristics and build quality. Especially vs last years Ozones - which fly great, but at the expense of very light and less robust materials.
Just FYI, there is no difference between Ozone materials and construction from last year and the year before. Ozone is built as light as possible but not at the expense of durability. Ozone uses Teijin D2 cloth, they have been approached by Teijin to use the more expensive tri and quad thread versions of the same cloth. Ozone did their own durability testing and found there was no advantage, but the cloth weighs more and costs more, so they said no. The leading edge dacron is the same as at least 50% of the main brands, its made by Teijin too. Bladders are the same PU, lines and bridles are all very high quality too, and from manufacturers that already supply line to the paragliding division.
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bjw
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Re: switch kite alternatives

Postby bjw » Mon Jun 17, 2019 5:45 am

Bests team went to Eleveight. Not sure about Gongs design team.

DSD is the bargain. The designer used to design for Cabrinha and Slingshot and currently for BWS.

DSD is his brand and he setup the factory with Hyde Sails and moved to the Philippines to manage it. It'd be hard to go wrong, and his wave kites are next level, because thats his main interest.

By the way.. I don't own one or have an affiliation.
Last edited by bjw on Tue Jun 18, 2019 6:39 am, edited 1 time in total.


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