Power Kite Forum

Ozone Manta - RIP

indigo_wolf - 18-9-2011 at 03:59 PM

Looks like they have officially(?) pulled the plug on the Manta.

I know there had been rumours about it, but seems to be more concrete now.

Can anyone verify this?

Gosh how I hate the Ozone site sometimes... pretty, but also pretty bad to navigate. Also very often littered with "bits of masking tape" from the last batch of edits/updates.

ATB,
Sam

macboy - 18-9-2011 at 04:26 PM

?! To be replaced by something? Seems odd to drop it.

indigo_wolf - 18-9-2011 at 05:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
?! To be replaced by something? Seems odd to drop it.


No word as to a replacement.

The implied rationale seems to be that the Frenzy and Manta were veering closer and closer to each other through the multiple iterations.

I expect the actual kite to be pulled from the roster was based on sales performance rather than anything else.

Until a retailer, distributor, or team rider/rep chimes in this still falls under the category of "all the gossip that's fit to print."

ATB,
Sam

kitedelight - 19-9-2011 at 02:23 PM

ya, around here there are more frenzy kites that Manta for sure. That must have been the case generally too i guess.

Given their experience with foil wings of all sorts, i am surprised they haven't tried their hand at something like the speed series of flysurfer.

DAKITEZ - 19-9-2011 at 03:05 PM

This should be confirmed and made official any day now.

The reason was as stated above ... the progression of the frenzy put the 2 kites too close together in performance.

DAKITEZ - 20-9-2011 at 10:56 AM

Official today ... no more manta. To take the place in the line up is the new frenzy ultra lite. The frenzy still exists but the new ultra lite will be new for 2012. The ultralite wil be 25% (on avg) lighter than the standard frenzy.

More to come soon ...

erratic winds - 20-9-2011 at 11:06 AM

Frenzy DLX eh?

DAKITEZ - 20-9-2011 at 11:09 AM

yes DLX version ...

looks like all same sizes as the normal frenze with 13m being the largest. I would have loved to see a 17m or 19m

dandre - 20-9-2011 at 11:29 AM

mmm 9m ultralight
any idea when the 2012 line will become available?

DAKITEZ - 20-9-2011 at 04:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dandre
mmm 9m ultralight
any idea when the 2012 line will become available?


lol I learned long ago to never again give expected availability dates in the kite industry. When they are on the shelf ... only then will I saw they are available :)

So to cover my butt all I can say at this point is they should be available sometime between now and december 2012 :saint:

shaggs2riches - 20-9-2011 at 05:01 PM

I guess it makes the snowkite decision making easier with only the access and Frenzy in that particular lineup. I wonder just how much more the dlx version will cost over the standard. Also curious if it will actually have a usable lower end, or not. I love my access maybe one day a 9m & 13m will join them in the kite closet. Unfortunately not for a while though.

DAKITEZ - 20-9-2011 at 08:01 PM

take a look
http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/products/kites/frenzy-u...

shaggs2riches - 20-9-2011 at 08:35 PM

Wow they sure made the point that the fabric isn't as strong.Porcher Sport Skytex 36gm2 cloth. With the durability that Flysurfer has gotten from its deluxe fabric, it makes me think that Ozone is just trying to cover their ass in case people complain that their kite ripped. Also I just noticed that a 12m has been added to the Access line...Or was that there for 2011????

indigo_wolf - 20-9-2011 at 09:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shaggs2riches
Wow they sure made the point that the fabric isn't as strong.Porcher Sport Skytex 36gm2 cloth. With the durability that Flysurfer has gotten from its deluxe fabric, it makes me think that Ozone is just trying to cover their ass in case people complain that their kite ripped.


Not sure it's CYA as much as managing expectations. How many times have you seen posts on this forum with some pretty unreasonable expectations that's made you want to...



I think a reasonable subtext to read into it might be.... "snow kite... ice can get sharp enough to cut skin... pause and think about that."

Quote:
Originally posted by shaggs2riches
Also I just noticed that a 12m has been added to the Access line...Or was that there for 2011????

Nope... 2011 was only 4m², 6m², 8m², 10m²

ATB,
Sam

Krohn1999 - 21-9-2011 at 03:39 AM

As said above the Manta is no longer made. But the new 2012 kites are all available (at least in Europe)

I would not expect a better performance from the ultralight, it is more a weight and pack size thing, just like they say on the web page. If the performance was better I am sure they would have written it.
Sure the weight does make a difference in flight, but if it was a big difference they would use it as a selling point. The price is around 250€ more for the lighter version (standard 11er 1274€ in UL 1528€) we will have to wait and see if it is worth it or not.

Ozone has played around with lighter kites before but never brought them on the market because of durability issues. I think that this is the reason for the "warning" for the UL. time will tell!!

kitedelight - 21-9-2011 at 04:18 PM

ya, the ones they mention are fairly obvious..."In control of the right person the Ultralite really feels lighter moving through the air and launches in even the slightest breeze."

I would guess its only the 13 size that's going to benefit from that anyway.

macboy - 21-9-2011 at 10:21 PM

I wonder if this'll lock down the resale value of the Manta lines or death-spiral them (hoping in my case for the latter of course :lol: )

I LOVE the Access. Really love the Frenzy. Can only imagine I'd be head over heels for the Mantas.

indigo_wolf - 22-9-2011 at 01:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
I LOVE the Access. Really love the Frenzy. Can only imagine I'd be head over heels for the Mantas.


Maven's low mileage 12M Manta M3 is still available.

True love is just a U2U away. :rolleyes: :lol:

ATB,
Sam

windzup - 4-10-2011 at 11:01 AM

Personal insight to the line up changes is this...
In September 2008 primary kite designer Rob W. (My personal paragliding and kite hero) left Utah for a new permanent residence in New Zealand, with a new primary design focus on inflatable kites for Kitesurfing. (He had previously shared our passion for Snowkiting during 2000 to 2008 living in the mecca of the French Alps and then moving to Utah). Discussions with Ozone owner and manager Matt T. made it clear that Ozone was focusing energy and budget on their better selling inflatable kites. On average Ozone has sold just over 2,000 Snowkites world wide each season since 2004, without much change over the years in sales numbers for those products. (Side note, the USA was responsible for 25-45% of those sales every year until 2011.) The inflatable range however has grown steadily. In 2006 Ozone purchased only enough material to create and sell 1500 inflatable kites. By 2008 that number doubled, and by 2010 that number doubled yet again, with the factory maxing out production at 8,000 units of inflatable kites, (along with increased production times along the way).

The 2011 Frenzy was a marked improvement over previous Frenzy flight performance, and it was designed on the beach in New Zealand, and then tested at Skyline by Windzup and by Chasta in Alaska. While there is no obvious reason for dropping the mighty Manta, it is obvious that Ozone is flattening out their Snowkite line-up, as no one in the immediate design team lives in the mountains or Snowkites full time.

2011 Frenzy development: The production sample (finished design including colors and graphics) was shipped to the US for final rider testing in March & April 2010. We had 9 and 11 meter models to test fly. Despite the light winds we encountered in that period, we gave a thumbs up, recognizing the improved flight characteristics of the new model. (side note: all 3 Ozone Snowkites had been growing closer in overlapping performance for a couple of seasons.) It was only during the 2011 winter in real world conditions that flaws were discovered in the 2011 Frenzy. These were addressed and reported to the design team in New Zealand. Here is the flaw, despite improved flight performance, during strong winds the kite maintained 50% power when held on the ground with either the manual break or the top hat safety. Due to the newly added cross bridle (which provides the needed stability for the higher performance shape), one can not simply pull in one outside line to flag out the kite… a technique easily employed on previous Ozone Snowkites. If you were caught out in a gust, you needed a rock solid anchor, or a friend to grab your kite, or you were forced to ditch the entire kite for fear of being drug around into possible obstacles.
Ozone, rather than improve the design, simply added more bridles and incorporated an additional 5th line. Not a bad idea, considering their sister brand GIN Kites has successfully incorporated a 5th line safety for a while now. But it does strike me odd that Ozone added a 5th line to their Y-line snowkites, when they adamantly abandoned 5th lines on all their inflatable designs.

During the 2011 winter I switched back to my beloved Manta for my dedicated backcountry kite, I also embraced the new breed of inflatable kites that have better performance and safety. (please don’t mis-quote me here, as if I plan to be farther than 100 yards or 10 minutes ride from my car, I only feel comfortable with a packable open cell foil.) My gut feeling is that the changes in the Frenzy from 2011 & 2012 will create an increased value for all previous Manta models. I personally picked up a brand new Manta III 12 & 15m at the end of 2011, and kept my 10m Manta II. All Manta II & III’s are amazing kites and should be regarded as such.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

awindofchange - 4-10-2011 at 03:23 PM

Thanks for the heads up Brian! And congrats on the new addition papa! Always a pleasure to hear from you, can't wait to ride together once again.

windzup - 5-10-2011 at 08:11 AM

Thank you Kent. I must admit that my buggy wheels have lkely started to rust and there is definitely not enough playa dust on my kites this year.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

dandre - 5-10-2011 at 09:03 AM

Yeah Brian that was really informative. I had this sneaky suspicion everyone was giving ozone too much credit on the snowkite lineup.

I never saw anything too impressive in videos; aside from the ride up series..
But I credit that to spectacular filmmaking/editing.

The riders were just such charming and confident personalities

shaggs2riches - 7-10-2011 at 11:01 PM

I don't think its a matter of too much credit.......Ozone quality is top notch, they really do make an amazing sail. The issues with the new Frenzy might be a turn off, but if you are only worried about land kiting/not looking for a crossover, then you could count on an Ozone foil any day. I can vouch that my access is probably the easiest kite to setup,launch,relaunch, and packup out of any of my kites. Chasta has some pretty incredible snowkiting videos out there. The aerial tricks in the snow are not the same degree as landboarding or kiteboarding partly because riders are strapped solid to the snowboard, so no board offs, finger flips etc. However Ozone really does push the expedition kiting aspect more than other brands. Each to his own though, I'd just suggest giving them a try if you are looking for a snowkite, you won't be disappointed.

dandre - 8-10-2011 at 05:48 AM

I'm not saying I won't. I'm just sayin, when I buy new... everyone is getting a fair shake.

shaggs2riches - 8-10-2011 at 06:40 PM

Please don't take it as an attack from me of any sort. But yes if you have the chance try as many kites as you can before picking one. There are so many choices out there and the only way you know what you like is to try for yourself

kiteyakker - 11-10-2011 at 05:48 PM

iheartpie - 16-10-2011 at 12:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitedelight
ya, around here there are more frenzy kites that Manta for sure. That must have been the case generally too i guess.

Given their experience with foil wings of all sorts, i am surprised they haven't tried their hand at something like the speed series of flysurfer.


I heard that the Flysurfer Speed 3 is pretty heavily patented, so I'm not sure how close anyone's allowed to get to that kind of thing.