@Adventure Logs:
Yes as there are always prototypes around also heard something, but I would be sure that there will be nothing before another 6 month or more likely another year. Just check the Sonic², which is now 3,5 years old and Sonic3 is not yet released, even if a friend is riding a like serial looking proto since about 5 month and I have tested something also not looking like proto about an year ago, so doesn't mean anything to see a kite looking like a finished product flying around. It can still be another year to be published.
Just check this topic start, my first Peak4 which was still pre serial (and which I still use) is just 16 month old, so no reason for FS to bring something new, while Peak4 still sells very well. Also to me, even if I still say 3 m² to 5 m² is not a to big gap I now bought also the 4 m²
for luxury
and as it better fits into a 3 kite setup for travel with 2,5 m² firefly, 4 m² Peak4, 8,6 m² Sonic² . Oh and by the way I also bought another one of the last 9 m² Sonic2 as I am so happy with its great performing and long living consturction. Sonic3 unfortunately will not have the long living lotus cloth.
I hope FS will build a great firefly²/Peak5 but I also hope they take their time to make all improvements the concept of the firefly could have. Then I will test and likely change towards it.
@LeoLeal:
Yes backroll (normal) tack is definetly harder with a kite like the Peak4 that sits deeper in the wind window, at least compared to a foil kite. It for sure depends on what LEI you are comparing to. Compared to a "single skin" no struter it could even be better. I have done these days an upwind run of about 6 km with the Peak4 5 m² and was impressed how well it was going upwind. Haven't measured but could be that I could go nearly 45° against the wind, at least with a high performing Cruizer monofoil. Flying tacks I started to learn, at least with the 5 m² but not ready to show it in a video yet.
Sitting on foil on the other hand the kite doesn't make to much difference so will be fine with Peak4. Also changing stance is not problem when powered a bit, I also do it with the monofoil that shows you well when you don't get enough support from the kite.