Thanks awesome review.
As a Aluula roam 10m roam user. Your spot on. When using with hydrofoil.
Love its range, ability to dump power, drift and relaunch.
Just lacks in the apparent wind generation in light wind. Though that comes down to its low aspect ratio I guess.
Though I’m still good down to 8-9 knots on a 1050 surf wing. Just don’t expect to generate much speed on the foil.
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I haven't flown the neo SLS but I have flown the regular one. The on/off grunty power is great but they are handful at the top of there wind range.
I am surprised the Roam didn't have much more grunt if it sat further back in the window. I really thought that would be a wonder kite. Great observation as to it not having a zipper. Maybe that's how it made some of the difference in weight.
I am *guessing* here that a skilled foil rider might make the Neo work in similar low winds but I think the Roam shines in a way that anyone can fly that kite in low winds.
Yesterday was a good example for me with anything between 8-15 knots wind. Context: I am still a beginner on the foil (I can do Jibes but not tacks/foot switches)
What I think what's making this kite special:
* I could just park the kite at 12. No babysitting / looping needed to keep it in the air.
* Both down and up-stroke are very similarly powered. No need for looping the kite to get up (looping still gives a bit more power but with very gusty conditions I prefer to just move it around)
* Drift is amazing: I still mess up my jibes sometimes heading to much downwind I had quite a few full-slack lines moments made worse with lulls but kite just happily drifts downwind.
I don't really notice any problems getting upwind as mentioned in the video in low wind but I am just happy riding and trying to stay dry at the moment.
@okkiteboarder
It would be interesting to know how these two kites compare in actual size laid on top one another.
Same? (I have a hunch the neo might be a bit bigger based on the results, please add this info, thank you!)
I am *guessing* here that a skilled foil rider might make the Neo work in similar low winds but I think the Roam shines in a way that anyone can fly that kite in low winds.
Yesterday was a good example for me with anything between 8-15 knots wind. Context: I am still a beginner on the foil (I can do Jibes but not tacks/foot switches)
What I think what's making this kite special:
* I could just park the kite at 12. No babysitting / looping needed to keep it in the air.
* Both down and up-stroke are very similarly powered. No need for looping the kite to get up (looping still gives a bit more power but with very gusty conditions I prefer to just move it around)
* Drift is amazing: I still mess up my jibes sometimes heading to much downwind I had quite a few full-slack lines moments made worse with lulls but kite just happily drifts downwind.
I don't really notice any problems getting upwind as mentioned in the video in low wind but I am just happy riding and trying to stay dry at the moment.
Fair enough and really good points. I don’t disagree with your thoughts at all. Thanks for the input.
Grate review, thanks. I agree with you, if I had to choose, y would get the sls (probably Evo or rebel) since it complements the peaks for twintip and jumping (relaunch).
It is difficult to compete with the peak in price and ease of use in all the rest.