I've been able to get a couple short sessions with the 19m Zeekai in very light and variable conditions. Below is a video link of some fairly raw footage with some of my 1st impressions:



I got the 19m because I think it is going to be the best size for what I'm trying to do here in CO. Typically after we get a snow storm, we often get a post-frontal lull as well, so while the snow is great there is little to no wind. Then once the sun comes out and winds pick up, the sun burns through the snow rather quickly. As a result, I often find myself trying to kite in marginal winds before the snow melts, so I'm hoping this kite might be the ticket. I'm also an old-school type kiter who likes big floaty jumps as opposed to handle passes, so this kite fits that sort of kiting well.

I still need more time on the kite, but initial impressions are quite positive. The Aspect ratio is quite high (7.1 for the 19m), so it does take some extra attention like most kites in this range, but the high C-shape helps reduce tip curling when making turns at the edge of the wind window.

With that said, it is a really nice flying wing: the bar tuning is superb, the power generation is smooth and grin-inducing, the upwind tack is like nothing I've experienced before (I don't have any experience with Sonics or R1's). I've yet to have a chance to get it out in more than about 6kts, but just in static jumps in my front yard and a little bit on skis, you can tell there is enormous lift potential there.

Time will tell, but I really believe this is going to add a whole lot more rideable days to my season here on the Front Range and change the way I view light wind kiting. It feels like a wing you grow into and mature along-side rather than take out and abuse and put back away. I'm looking forward to getting some quality time on it this winter and a more in-depth review in the future.

Nice review and video.

I've never snow kited before and that looks like it would have been a great first day. Jealous!

How does the Z.. compare to the FS Speed 3's?

Hey lunchbox,

Unfortunately I don't have any experience on Speeds. Feyd does, and I'm sure he will chime in once he gets a little more snow coverage.

I can relate it to the 18m Matrixx2, which is a nice lightwind kite in its own right. Disadvantages of the Zeekai to the Matrixx2 would be that it does not hold its shape as well through gusts since it is open cell. When you are moving, the kite stays pressurized really nicely though. I've found that in the light wind riding I'm normally using the kite for, collapses are a non-issue and almost non-existent unless I really mismanage the kite.

Advantages to the Zeekai: Power, lift, and upwind ability for sure. It is quite a bit faster kite than the Matrixx II. Ability to stay airborne and overhead in super light winds seems improved as well. It is uncanny how little wind you need to keep this kite airborne. I really believe the kite is going to excel at exactly what I want it to excel at, which is saving really light-wind days, and not just making them mow-the-lawn rideable, but fun. Biggest advantages I see so far in low winds are that I will be able to set out the kite and go in wind conditions that would leave me needing some sort of pre-inflation with a closed-cell. Pack-down is just as simple - no squeezing air out a vent. So it really does seem about maximizing the lightwind experience.

One more new kite? Might not be so high AR though:

http://libre.de/?q=en/node/223

Great information Nate...Thanks!

Look forward to seeing some more of your videos!

Quote:

Hey lunchbox, Unfortunately I don't have any experience on Speeds. Feyd does, and I'm sure he will chime in once he gets a little more snow coverage. I can relate it to the 18m Matrixx2, which is a nice lightwind kite in its own right. Disadvantages of the Zeekai to the Matrixx2 would be that it does not hold its shape as well through gusts since it is open cell; the Zeekai is also higher AR, so it will turn a little slower and have more of a tendency for tip-curls if mis-managed. The Zeekai is not as beginner friendly as the Matrixx2, but that's not saying much. The Matrixx2 is super easy to fly. Advantages to the Zeekai: Power, lift and upwind ability for sure. Ability to stay airborne and overhead in super light winds seems improved as well. I really believe the kite is going to excel at exactly what I want it to excel at, which is saving really light-wind days, and not just making them mow-the-lawn rideable, but fun. Biggest advantages I see so far in low winds are that I will be able to set out the kite and go in wind conditions that would leave me contemplating some sort of pre-inflation with a closed-cell. Pack-down is just as simple - no squeezing air out a vent. So it really does seem about maximizing the lightwind experience.

It's a tough to compare the Speeds to kites in this category. Even the Lotus, at a 5.8 AR it is just slightly higher AR than your Chargers. The only true advantage it has on the arcs is the material and the projected area. Which is why a Charger can hold it's own against a Speed and why the Speeds, compared to kites like the Sonic or Ozone R1 it fall short in some aspects of performance, especially light wind performance.

The Speeds are more versatile and I think appeal to a broader spectrum of riders.

We have only static flown and played on the ground board a little with the Zeekai at this point. Winter is playing games with us here in New England.:P We have spent a number of hours with all sizes of the kites in various wind ranges in a field where we test all the kites we carry. Our preliminary review from last month can be seen here... http://www.hardwaterkiter.com/kite-and-gear-reviews

In terms of performance, the Zeekai and the Speed 3 pound for pound in the similar sizes. IMO, the Zeekai will out perform the S3 upwind and hang time and turn rate. The Speed is going to be better in gust handling and general dirty wind flying. Power delivery of the Speed is smoother. The Speeds depower range may be slightly better. To some extent the Zeekai is faster launching being an open cell but the closed cells of the Speed pay off huge in shifty wind directions. And compared to kites like the Sonic or Chrono 2, there is very little if any advantage at launch. Those kites launch very well without pre-inflation. Heck even the Matrixx 2, if you have wind, launches awesome without pre-inflation.

In perfect conditions, for my tastes, I'd probably have more fun on the Zeekai but very few people have access to perfect conditions. With these new high AR wings you will notice that very few are being produced as open cells. Maybe because they are targeting the water segment of racing but I think being able to maintain internal pressure is critical to the stability of these types of kites in janky conditions. A kite like the Zeekai is going to require substantial piloting to get the most out of it if the conditions aren't right whereas a kite like the Speed 3 is a bit more forgiving.

Until I get the Zeekai out on the snow and really put them to work it's hard to say just how good she really is. Stand alone, so far I like the kite and I'm excited to ride it on the snow.
Give us a day to bang out some miles on it and we will have a better idea how well the kite stacks up against others.

Yet another: Storm Thunder
https://www.facebook.com/StormKitesurfing/posts/102886347051...

Quote: Originally posted by rtz

One more new kite? Might not be so high AR though: http://libre.de/?q=en/node/223

Interesting. Really good price.