Power Kite Forum

Foil design: Matrixx vs Flysurfer S3

sigma - 21-7-2011 at 03:07 AM

I am trying to choose a new lightwind kite for land and water and have narrowed it down to either the 15m Matrixx or Flysurfer S3. On land I often fly in contained parks with not alot of room.

I want something with a lot of float which I think the FS-S3 might do better (?) but am thinking that the speed of the higher aspect Matrixx would be good for short runs. I realise not many would have flown the Matrixx but based on design (which I understand little), which would be better?

BTW I can get a S3 15m second at price of Matrixx.

thanks.

Frathouse - 21-7-2011 at 04:16 AM

Sorry I think you got it flipped in terms of aspect ratio. Aspect ratio of martixx is 5. Aspect Ration of Speed 3 is 6. I have not flown the matrixx but I did own and neo2 and other HQ kites. In terms of quality I feel that Flysurfer wins hands down. The flysurfer's are pricey!!! but you get an excellent product.

ragden - 21-7-2011 at 05:00 AM

Unfortunately, I havent flown the Matrix either, but have owned a 15m S3 Deluxe since they came out... Love the kite. I could go on, but I wont as I cannot really compare the two.

If you can test fly the two side-by-side, and get a real comparison, I would do that.

PHREERIDER - 21-7-2011 at 06:16 AM

i flew the matrix on the water at JIBE, very smooth unit, very stable. easy jumps and airs with nice float. loops and downloops where ok, but it was 13-15 so it was light. very solid all around kite land and water. the 15 is a big unit and nimble, like in a snappy, it is not ..so a small spot? neither would suit ATB in a tight spot. matrix will be a better turning unit than a FSS3 with AR of 6!

hi AR units like to run to get speed AND power. if you don't have alot of room to run up your speed then you are really not getting all of the kite.

charger would be better super quick and better suited for a tight spot, and tight spots may have not so clean winds so charger may be better.

Bladerunner - 21-7-2011 at 06:24 AM

We have trouble getting the value out of the large speeds in our small park.

They like room to build up that power. It is hard to get that done + jump before it's time to turn again.

flyjump - 21-7-2011 at 10:11 AM

what light winds are we talking about? at jibe there was a speed 3 15m, matrixx 15m, and charger 19m. can anybody comment how we were riding? I was on the 19, nathaniel was on the speed 3 15, and phree was on the matrixx. nathaniel tried both the matrixx and the speed and said the speed had more power over the matrixx. compared to height and pop for jumps, i'm not sure who was going higher me on the 19 or nathaniel on the speed.

he definatly had a little more hangtime than me i think, but i might have been popping a little higher. cant really say... can anybody chime in on this who was there watching?

i would like to see the speed and matrixx tested back to back as well

Drewculous - 21-7-2011 at 11:56 AM

charger had more pop, speed more float... adam, you were a little more agressive with the charger than nathaniel was on the speed.... he seemed mellow swing, float up, float down... adam was hauling a$$ down the beach in a frenzy of jumps, wham bam gone!

i saw chris on the matrix more than anyone, and i never saw a jump out of him, so i cant really comment on the jumping ability of the matrix

lol, hard to tell! different riders, different styles.. it was all good.... :sniff: i miss jibe now

flyjump - 21-7-2011 at 12:04 PM

i shouldve just tested all three of the kites back to back to see the different characteristics

anybody want to send me there speed 3 and matrixx to compare to my charger...i'll write up a good review lol!

sigma - 21-7-2011 at 03:01 PM

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like I might be best to wait for so more Matrixx reviews. I have always wanted a flysufer but if the Matrixx come close then might be the better option given the space limitation.

ripsessionkites - 22-7-2011 at 03:43 AM

BR and I use to have a FS S3 15m - DLX.
I wasnt happy at all with the height and the above wind range it would boost less than BR's SyN 15m.

This isn't a comparison between the three but for height you need to think bigger or fly to the upper windrange or above.

I want a FS 21m!!! Oh wait I have one coming- finally. Hehehe.

PHREERIDER - 22-7-2011 at 06:32 AM

since the charger has snappy redirect the pop is gonna be more . both FS and MATRIX aren't gonna be as much unless you go with more breeze like 20+

sigma - 22-7-2011 at 06:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PHREERIDER
since the charger has snappy redirect the pop is gonna be more . both FS and MATRIX aren't gonna be as much unless you go with more breeze like 20+


Hmmm interesting. I thought that the 19m might be too risky on a short space of land.

flyjump - 22-7-2011 at 06:28 PM

no i use a 19 charger in small fiels more often then not, they turn at a much quicker rate than the depower bridled foils allowing for riding in a small space

sigma - 23-7-2011 at 02:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by PHREERIDER
since the charger has snappy redirect the pop is gonna be more . both FS and MATRIX aren't gonna be as much unless you go with more breeze like 20+


Ok, now I am back at the beginning as I am after a low-wind machine, by 20+ I am on a Frenzy or LEI on the water.

To step back a little lets ignore the Matrixx, how is the Charger vs S3 flysurfer in light winds specifically early planing and hangtime. I would really value your advice as I am not able to access these kites for demo or trial :thumbup:

tridude - 23-7-2011 at 07:07 AM

The 15m Matrixx flies on water in 10mph winds with a 159cm Door and 150 pound rider...................my son flew the Matrixx back in May, winds were 12/14ish mph on a directional and said he liked the liked the kites turn rate. He flies Flexi Hadlow Pro c kites so that says alot for the turn speed of the Matrixx.....................

Ive been on FSer since 06/07 but have not gone the S3 route. Plenty of time on the Pulse/Pulse 2, Speed/Speed 2 and Psycho 3s............................

how much do you weigh and what size board are you using for lightwind?

PHREERIDER - 23-7-2011 at 07:47 AM

water? land ? light air?

light air on water require tedious board kite skills even more so with an arc. FS light air on the water with less work.

back in a small spot still? hangtime, float have alot to do with FORWARD speed THATS how FB depower hi AR work. if you don't have space the kite will seem just clumsy.

pop is a reaction of kite acceleration, charger def has the snap in redirection better as compared in the larger sizes ie. CH 19 v. FS15 with comparable PA.

sigma - 24-7-2011 at 01:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tridude
my son flew the Matrixx back in May, ...and said he liked the kites turn rate. He flies Flexi Hadlow Pro c kites so that says alot for the turn speed of the Matrixx.....................


This sounds very promising. Of course one kite can not do everything, will wait for a few reviews. Thanks everyone for your advice.