I have no evidence, but really got wondering if they are just trying to get everything they can out of the Speed3 by adding more color designs to the line-up. Not that the models don't look great or anything. In fact I never wanted a kite so bad until I saw the first pictures of limited edition purples. But I can't help but wonder if this is a marketing hype to sell as many as they can before they release a new model. I don't know how much they can improve on the speed3 as I've never flown one, but I can't help but wonder. Any thoughts????

I have a friend who saw the R&D. Guy testing a new proto board that collapsed down or folds up after your done on the water and then you can store it in a small space. Haven't heard about kites though :/

haven't heard anything official. Heard guesses that from past upgrades, the psycho5 (presumably) is due this early summer.

wondering what they are gonna bring to the table for the psycho. I am assuming they will continue down this road and make a few changes. I've read some people's observation that FS kites have given up a certain 'grunt' factor in favor of other characteristics (handling, range, etc). This applies to the psycho4 and speed3 (don't know about the unity compared to the pulse though). So, i am guessing the general psycho4 revamp is to stay, but with some adjustments for the newer version (tip tuck for sure, but I'm curious to see what FS has been busy with). They are a fun company to watch with new product.

A folding board would be really intriguing, it could either be a groundbreaking design or complete flop. Doubt that they would release it until proven though. Really would love a Speed 3 Deluxe but fear they might have a speed 5 before I can have the money to get one lol.

Says on the webpage that they won't release a new model until they have significant upgrades - which makes sense to me. Many of the manufacturers of "other" kites simply change the colours and claim it's the new model

Look at the differences between the Speed2 and 3 - or Psycho3 and 4. For the Speeds, I think they gave up the easy access to bottom end for stability and range ... IMHO an acceptable trade-off, cos you can still milk them for the bottom end beyond what the LEIs are getting and the top-end is just massive - and fun :D

I think the Speed3 21 incorporated a few of the planned upgrades for the Speed4 (no WAC line for example) and I've heard that it should be considered a Speed 3.5.

I'm pleased to see new Deluxe colours ... although I don't think it'll draw in new customers - either you're into the foil thing and have enough or will trade-up for a new colour option (anyone want to buy a white Speed3 21? :D ) or will buy a new size ... or you're a foil hater and wouldn't buy them, even if they were the coolest colours in the known universe.

Oh, what all that ^ means, is I think releasing new models when there is sufficient new technology and new graphics in the interim is a fine idea. No matter the time in between ...

ya, i liked the color thing too. i don't think it's milking, but something fun and different for the current owners. Lots of guys can trade up regularly, and gives them some fun doing so. Great idea on the part of FS, I loved the green special edition.

The lack of year to year updates is interesting. For sure, some LEI updates are pretty minor....BUT, it does give current owners a reason to follow the market and a reason to regularly trade up if they want. FS doesn't really offer that, for better or for worse. Once you buy a current model, you can pretty much forget about FS news for a couple years. The colors that FS came out with are the only reason to trade up besides wanting a crispy kite. If FS came out with, say, a psycho4 version2 which virtually fixed tip tuck, part of me wonders how many guys would trade up even if they know a psycho5 with significant changes is coming. Then, they would pass their stuff onto the used market, possibly attracting more customers who might be willing to try a FS at used price? just a thought.

Ya for sure I truley believe that it best to hold out till they really have a better model to release before doing so. Much better to do that then try and follow the release something new every year or two just because they would want to follow that trend. I never really thought of the marketing strategy that it puts more kites on the used market allowing more people to come to their brand, thus more possible customers to support a new model when it finally is available. I definitely have no problems with the new color options either if I'm being honest.

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza Says on the webpage that they won't release a new model until they have significant upgrades - which makes sense to me. Many of the manufacturers of "other" kites simply change the colours and claim it's the new model Look at the differences between the Speed2 and 3 - or Psycho3 and 4. For the Speeds, I think they gave up the easy access to bottom end for stability and range ... IMHO an acceptable trade-off, cos you can still milk them for the bottom end beyond what the LEIs are getting and the top-end is just massive - and fun :D I think the Speed3 21 incorporated a few of the planned upgrades for the Speed4 (no WAC line for example) and I've heard that it should be considered a Speed 3.5. I'm pleased to see new Deluxe colours ... although I don't think it'll draw in new customers - either you're into the foil thing and have enough or will trade-up for a new colour option (anyone want to buy a white Speed3 21? :D ) or will buy a new size ... or you're a foil hater and wouldn't buy them, even if they were the coolest colours in the known universe.

there is one LEI that is close...............it was the first kite on the water at JIBE...............

having said that there is no kite with better low end IMO than the 19m SA2...............:wow:

Why go to all the bother of tooling up just to fix one specific issue though? Fixing tip tuck may lead to other improvements or required fixes ... I'm sure there's plenty of interconnected issues that means yearly "updates" are not viable ... if you actually look at "new" yearly-models from other makers, the changes are usually minimal (colours!) and IMO just pandering to the "Gotta have the latest!" guys ...

tri - I'll believe they're "close" when they can keep up with my fat ass and still relaunch easily SA2 was pretty bloody good but the 21 is much the same - just requires a bit more concentration. I'd take that for being able to ride it out to Stupid though :o

lol..................had a chance to take a go on Kitedogs 15m SA3 but passed................have to say his 15 and 10m Infinity were rocked solid in the air as were the two 15m Matrixx.......................we have a local rider who goes 275 and rides his Zephyr and 164 door in 12/13..........................

ya, Shaggs, I can only see good things happening from more kite flow.


"Why go to all the bother of tooling up just to fix one specific issue though? Fixing tip tuck may lead to other improvements or required fixes"

I don't know how much of a bother it would be. But, all the LEI companies do it, so it's not like it's asking for something totally out of reach. I guess I ask myself why FS doesn't leave room to subtly improve upon 1-2 things and give guys a chance to refresh the canopy and get a slightly improved kite, even if FS puts out a 2nd version, not a yearly reworking.

but, reality check, all this is said from the comfort of my computer, not from the FS offices or factory. You're right Kami, there is probably more than meets the eye to the issue.

Quote:

Originally posted by kitedelight but, reality check, all this is said from the comfort of my computer, not from the FS offices or factory. You're right Kami, there is probably more than meets the eye to the issue.

Almost all second-guessing of companies' business models or release schedules just leads to a lot of belly-button staring. Good for finding stray navel lint, but that's about it.

On another forum, there's a lot of speculation about why a product that was announced in January 2011 is not more generally available.

That's something that's happened more than a few times in kiteworld. Phanthom IIs, Prism Tensors (release pushed out 1 full release cycle), XXtreme Basixx, etc., etc.

ATB,
Sam

Yeah, there's no point discussing these things that interest us cos we couldn't possible come to a rational conclusion about possible reasons why things happen the way they do :P

All it concludes to me is that maybe in two/three years I might have the stash o cash to get one of two new shiny FSers. If that happens to be when they have a new model out then hooray. Wanted the unity bad when it came, but now that I'm getting used to the speed 2 I'm glad I didnt.

I think the only thing to worry about is that after you've just blown your pile of cash getting new Speed3s ... that's when they release the Speed4 just one week later :o so second-guessing might just come in handy - especially if people dump their kites to upgrade!

With the LEI market you can pretty much be sure of waiting a few months and picking up cheap deals on last years kit as retailers flog it and people sell used to get the latest and greatest