It's very different from the Flow. A little more like the Method(faster kite, quicker kite(handling/turning)). But it still has the good low end the
Flow has.
The kite continues to surprise me in it's differences from the Flow.
2m is mental in stiff winds(upper 20mph range(it may have been gusting upwards of 30mph that day)).
I had an OBE with the 3m. Under estimated it; took the kite for granted, threw it around "like I always do". The wind came up at the same time I
down looped it for a turn. Wasn't ready for or expecting to get one of those diagonal pulled out the front/to the side of the buggy. Didn't think it
would do it to me; but it did.
Flew the 4m around for a while in lightish wind. Got out the 5m later. These kites definitely have more power, and more speed then the Flows.
The Flow is tamer. There were times during that 2m day I was missing some of the tameness and good manners of the Flow.
Octane steers different, turns different, and I find my general cruising speed to be higher in any wind with any size kite. Any time I look at the
speed; it's always higher than it usually ever was before. Upwind is definitely better. I was trucking nearly into the wind with the 5m in a way
that reminded me of the 5.5m 2013 Reactor(which has very excellent upwind).
Downsides? I don't know if it's the reworked bridle; or the kite being slightly more stretched out(higher aspect) then the Flow; but it does some
things now the Flow never did. It has a propensity to get in a situation where it is at an angle to the wind where the kite can wind up flat
on it's back while in the air at the edge of the window at extreme angles. Have had it happen a few times now and never, ever, once ever had that
happen with any Flow in any situation.
Also, it can in a bad lull collapse and wad up in a ball of sorts that needs to be "jiggled out". It's recoverable while it's still in the air. Had
this happen a few times now and never ever once with the Flow.
For me; it was a refreshing change, to change things up a bit and give me a bit better speed and upwind.
The Octane is good for some people for some reasons. The Flow is still better for some people and some other reasons. It's a better learner kite,
utmost stable(reliably stable that you can count on). The Flow has a lot of good and great traits to it. It really didn't have any bad manners. It
will not bowtie, it will not be at full power and instantly collapse at the edge of the window. It didn't have issues with the tips folding in. The
Octane doesn't do these particular things either; but I have seen other kites do them.
The Octane is different enough for it to me be a completely different kite from the Flow.
Is it a Rage/Blurr type difference? I'm not sure as I've still yet to fly either of those two kites.
I'll try and post up some short video clips of some of the things I talked about if the video turned out.
One more thing....
The Flows came in backpacks which made them easy to pack up. Even though it was a "one size fits all" and the 5m was a bit of a fit. Well these new
bags are "one size fits all". But one has to be absolutely mindful of the width of the kite as that is the critical dimension! So that
makes packing these kites up a bit tedious.
Image of the factory width out of the bag:
And no. None of these colors/graphics has grown on me yet. I don't have a favorite and am still impartial to the look of these kites. They are some
how a bit interesting to look at in the air though.
Only pic of the 2m at the moment as I forgot to take a pic on that windy day.
3m pics from the GoPro:
4m:
5m:
So in summary; if you want to change up your kiting experience; try flying some different kites. That's what I did. With the Flow's I knew what it
was going to be like every time I went out. I already knew. Now I don't. I still haven't fully experienced these kites; let alone; able to fly them
efficiently and at the same comfort level I had with the Flow's.
I Flew the 2m one day last weekend for a few hours. I flew the 3m yesterday for a couple hours. I flew the 4m today for an hour or so, then got out
the 5m for another hour or so(then the wind fell off). All flights were with the buggy.
After spending a year with the Octane 5m, here is what I think:
For starters, yeah it does turn kinda slow and (at least for me in the beginning) always wanted to drift into the edges of the window. I ordered it
with the bar instead of the handles, so I'm sure that exacerbated the problem. I got used to that however, learned the idiosyncrasies of it, and it
eventually grew on me.
However..... about 4-5 months in, I discovered a trick. You know how you normally tie the larks head at the end of the knot on the red and blue lines?
Well........ if you move it down further closer to the bar, it very dramatically increases the turning speed and responsiveness of the kite. It also
dramatically increased the amount of sudden "jerk" when I put it into the power LOL.
Footnote -- I also had to move the brake lines up closer to the bridle (moved the larks head on the bridle side further up the string) to bring those
back to life.
After that bit of tuning though, the kite was was an entirely different animal. I'm actually wanting someone else with a 5m and a bar to try this out
to confirm it works.
My 3m Octane showed up today... This is my first Ozone kite and the rumors are spot on, absolutely impeccable quality... I'm impressed so far!! I
actually have to say that in person, the design is really not so bad... I expected to have to let it grow on me, but I really think the pictures don't
do it justice... It's just nicer in person.
I can see what rtz was saying about the bag though, it is a little too simple and kinda leaves something to be desired, but serves its purpose.
If the rain holds off, I'll try it on my lunch break tomorrow and the next day... Hopefully I'll get out on the buggy this weekend too.
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