Ok, this is a bit overdue, and I owe this to John over at Power Zone Kitesports. I've had four sessions on the SA since getting it back from him after he installed the "1.5 mod" and an FDS safety for me.

First of all, what a kite! It is everything people rave about for light wind capability. Compared to my 10.5m Blade III, this kite can get up and flying in the same winds and, while maybe slightly less pull at the 4-6mph range, still has enough to get me rolling on blacktop or hardpacked dirt w/low cut grass. I did have to enlist my 18v cordless Makita blower to get the thing inflated in winds that low. The beauty is that this monster can be sheeted out or tossed to a near zero-pull safety, so I can stay out on it way longer and also test ranges that I would never have w/the Blade.

It is a slow turner, but nothing I found to be unmanageable. Like other high aspect kites I've flown, you need to keep ahead of this kite. Again, no worse than the big blade here, and the plus to the depower is you can sheet in to get a little more turn speed out of it.

The 1.5 depower is a thing of beauty, I've had this kite out in winds as low as 4-6mph and in 12mph gusting to 18mph and felt totally safe (maybe my 220lbs has something to do with that, heh heh). The FDS John put in behaves exactly like my P3 13m did, though I've only used it in a test capacity so far - haven't deployed it in a real emergency yet.

Jumps were nice and floaty - which I expect from Flysurfer. Pulled a 12 footer that I didn't expect and just glided back down with no panic or drama.

I did get two quick sessions on the kite prior to sending it to John, and while I must admit there was a tuning issue with some line stretch that had taken place from the prior owner which was also fixed during the mod, this was night and day. Might as well have been a different kite.

All in all, I'm into this kite about $1500 (mods included), not bad compared to the prices I've seen on used S2 19's and SA2's. With the winds we get here, this will probably prove to be my workhorse this winter. The only two downsides I see are, first of all, it makes me wonder just how awesome the SA2 19m must be (that's one expensive "wonder"), and secondly, I will admit I do not trust the Skytex. Some of my chikara kites I had no qualms dragging on grass, hay, or cornstalks. I'm definitely "babying" this kite - no dragging by the lines and picking the whole thing up when I need to move it. I don't fly tubes b/c of not wanting a twig in the grass or frozen cornstalk etc ending my day with a pinhole. The Skytex kind of has me flying in a mode where I am being as careful with the sail as I would with an inflatable.

I definitely recommend this mod, and John's services to anyone considering it as an alternative to a SA2.

Ashe

Nice writing. I love my SA2 as well. It opens up a new world of kiting. The other day, wind was 9~10mph and I was the only one out kiting. The whole time, I couldn't stop smiling.... - Brian

Cool, i have the standard silverarrow, do you reckon it's worth it upgrading it to the 1.5? Powerzone was talking to me about doing it..... i love it as it is, the only problem i have is it can SERIOUSLY overpower me sometimes, i believe the speed 2 you can depower a lot more... :puzzled:

I would do the upgrade, especially if you've already got the SA1. You do get some added stability and tip-tuck resistance with the mod, but the main purpose is exactly what you're after - more depower. It feels to me like it adds 20-25% to the top end. Where I'd feel overpowered on land around 15mph, I can now hold to 20+. If I feel uncomfortable, I can always dump to FDS - which I trust way more than the old FLS that was on there and which I think is a perfect compliment to the 1.5 mod.

To put it another way, I when I first got the kite back from John at PowerZone, I was hesitant to fly it in winds bottoming around 14/15mph. Set the trim to fully-depowered and stared at that massive white sail inflated on the ground, and very cautiously launched from the edge of the window. Kite went up without a hitch and floated without issue, wanted to overfly so I trimmed to about even balance and got it locked in at zenith. I was still unnerved seeing that big sail up there and feeling pretty solid wind in my face. Worked the kite a bit and it felt more and more like my prior P3, clearly the depower was up to the task, so I started pulling some jumps. Got more comfortable, stayed out for about 2 hours. The winds actually settled during that session, I probably started it at 15g20 (maybe g22), but ended at 8g11. Never really noticed other than having to adjust the trimmer once or twice.

I see you have two Psycho III's, and if you have the two mods done at once, you'll basically have the same control setup on your SA1 that you're used to on the P3's with similar depower. John did a phenomenal job with my kite, I highly recommend him. Plus, it wasn't all that expensive, and I'm sure I could get my money out of the kite if I choose to sell it at some point. I think since you already have the Silverarrow, you can't lose - you'd only be adding value to an already rare and sought after kite.

Still, I'd love to get the chance to do a back-to-back with a a 19m SA2 and a 15m SA2 just to guage where the 17m 1.5 falls in relation to turning speed and bottom end. I think the only reason I'd sell this kite would be to finance an SA2, but I'm not sure (at this point) just how much more I'd be getting for the extra grand.

Hope this helps.

Ashe

Glad you're stoaked on the SA 1.5 Ashe.

the 17m speed 1.5 is VERY close to the Speed2 15m. just a little better low end on the 17m 1.5... but we're only talking 1knot or so. the SA2 15m would probably match the SA 1.5.

the 19m SA2 will have alot more power than the S1.5. it is a whole different canopy and design and additional 2m of sail.

first water session today on the SA.........she was awesome....winds 11 to 13 kts.............I dipped the kite and thought Id be ripped out of my bindings but not so......popped up, set the edge, and the power speed kept building.....bar out to decel.....bar in maybe 20%...power speed back on.....lots to learn and grow with this one but "AWESOME" first session......................and she def drew a crowd of lookers on the beach..........................:duh::duh:

Sounds good Tridude! I really enjoyed my 17m SA1 - must be sweet with the 1.5 mod

thanks Joe and great to see you back on the forum. The SA has plenty of depower with the current mod. As I understand it alot more than the stock set up. Powerzone did an awesome job on the mixers and FDS. This kite isnt auto zenith but its VERY stable and WELL behaved......no problem on the board start and I was in the breakers. I have alot to learn and room to grow with this one for sure. Was it enough to say I would spring for a 19m some day, most likely.......................hey Buzz, Lebrianh, and Dom........when you upgrade to the SA3, shoot me a U2U:duh::duh:

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude hey Buzz, Lebrianh, and Dom........when you upgrade to the SA3, shoot me a U2U:duh::duh:

SA3 is supposed to be available end of summer, but with all the lessons I have learned, this time I ain't gonna sell mine before I try the new one. We never know. I wonder how can they make a better performer than the current SA2 19m.

I am a bit worried that they put 3x depower (like P4) and this creates less low end or a kite with more backstall than current version.

Probably the S3 will turn faster and generate more apparent wind, but what is fun now with the S2 is really the park and ride

Let see with Brian but I am pretty sure he shares some of what I say

As for the P4 15m, sometimes I wish I had kept my SA2 15m too. Might swap this one for a S3 15m if good.

Low end kiting with the P4 is very feasible but not as easy like the S2. Its not park and ride, and you gotta be gentle at pulling the bar not to make the kite stall in LW

SA1.5's are great kites. there's many days where I miss having mine. I'm not sure who owns my former kite now. it had the custom North chicken loop and PSS handles and custom powerzone extra long pulse 2 bar. really a sweet kite but I get more high wind days then light wind days so I couldn't justify keeping it.

had a short session this morning on the SA2 19m + DOOR 59

the wind meter was averaging 6-7 knots on the ground just few minutes before I launched.

I was going upwind effortless most of the time unless for a few lull that happened.

this is a beast. I am always surprised.

sweet Buzz...................the 17m SA is strong, I can only imagine what the 19 feels like powered up..................let me know when you go for that S3..........................:duh::duh:

2 session on the SA and man what a kite...........10 kts upwind no problem on my 145x48 Crazy Fly. Both sessions I was the last one staying upwind and last to come off the water................thanks again Big Steve. Props as well to John (Powerzone) on the FDS and 1.5 mixer mod................quality workmanship..............top drawer deal all round........................:duh::duh:

son was out yesterday in 8/10 kys winds upwind and cruising.....said he couldnt stop smiling.................only one out.......................:duh::duh:

glad to hear its workin out for ya!

arrived at Folly this morning around 1100......low tide was 1130.............winds SSW at 11 to 13 till about 2pm then they picked up............the SA was amazing and the only kite out till around 2 pm................................Nate and I both have big smiles, amazing kite.............thanks again Big Steve.....................:duh::duh:

just seems to get better each session out..........................:duh::duh:

Keep it comin bud!

winds were ENE yesterday (strange summer direction) 10 to 12 but much fun................popped a break away A row line tab after ramping off a wave a crashing on the LE.......relaunch no problem but some left side LE tucking with bar in.........drug to shore, landed, replaced tab, back out for another hour.................sweet machine:duh::duh:

Nate and I had our first 19m SA 2 session today.........winds were east at 10/11 mph and WOW I really dont know where to begin.................................:duh::duh:

a pic or vid is worth a 1000 words...................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhWxscpv1Uk