okay, i got final word on this .. and they should be here in 2 weeks. i have sizes: 3.3 / 4.4 / 5.6

for more information: http://www.cooperkite.nl/

pictures: http://www.siegersvliegers.nl/cooper.asp

click "Specificaties" on the left menu for Specs (for the reading impared)

i'll also have my own series at NABX, cant wait to Go Fast!

The Pass List:

1. Kite Demon (can) <--- bought one
2. Prairewind (can) <--- Skip, already bought one too
3. speleopower
4. dustin.burch1
5. SCREWYFITS
6. lunchbox
7. dylanj423

Bears a resemblance to the new Peter Lynn Racekite ... same designers?

HMMM, Just in time for SOBB.......

you noticed that ...

I'm not at liberty to say, but talking with Ruudje (XXtreme Buggies) the designer working on the PL Race Kite is dutch, i believe. I havent asked Sieger about it, but he does produce some nice kites. :cool2:

I'd love to try one of the larger ones. Looks like a nice kite from the pictures.

Scott

Hey Rip,

I want to thank you for bringing in so many interesting kites and passing them around. We are lucky to call you one of our own

I'm not sure about the big picture but I'm sure you aren't getting much for all your efforts. I'm sure the Folks overseas are happy you help spread their stuff around. I know I AM :singing:

Seems We and They are the BIG winners ! I'm just glad you still have the passion to do so much for everyone else

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower I'd love to try one of the larger ones. Looks like a nice kite from the pictures. Scott

10.2 big enough? its coming just dunno when

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Hey Rip, I want to thank you for bringing in so many interesting kites and passing them around. We are lucky to call you one of our own I'm not sure about the big picture but I'm sure you aren't getting much for all your efforts. I'm sure the Folks overseas are happy you help spread their stuff around. I know I AM :singing: Seems We and They are the BIG winners ! I'm just glad you still have the passion to do so much for everyone else

i get presented with new kites for different companies all the time, oddly enough. everyone wants a piece of the pie.
the kitebuggying market isnt as big as kitesurfing, but most companies think we're big like them (Euro), which isnt true, well i should say not yet. NAPRKA will put us there soon, fingers crossed.

what do i get out this? is there a hidden agenda? what does it cost me?
I'm just like you, i like to demo everything i can ... why? for the knowledge of trying different kites. we fly kites, not brands. there are a lot of different companies in the Euro, but we dont get to try them, unless someone wants to bring them here, meaning placing a huge order.

I pay the shipping from them to me than me to Pass Person A.

The company giving us the demos gets some public feedback, good or bad or suggestions, they want to know. plus i get to see I should carry their line of kites to distribute to dealers. i'm in the wrong sport if i'm trying to make money from it. my passion is kites (been so once i met Ray Bethel at the age of 12), and kitebuggying with friends, and going fast for miles.

thank you all for demoing, and giving feedback.

i would like to be on the pass list for the 3.3 if you dont mind

Ricardo,
Yes thanks for all the demos! The people way out here on the east coast sometimes feel a bit isolated and The 'pass' program is going a long way to relieve that!
Thank You!
Alex

A 10 meter is big enough Put me on the list for whatever size comes in but I'd prefer to try something larger.

Thanks -Scott

the 4.4m is making a visit to SOBB this weekend. after that the passing begins.

enjoy.

I'd like to get my hands on this puppy when it's in range of me...

:wow: ME LIKE, COOPER KITE :wow:

I'm not generally fond of race kites. This is the 1st one I have flown that I totally enjoyed ! Speedy as all get out ! Yet it is very easy to handle. It didn't require the constant attention and timing that I have found with other race kites I've flown ( PKD and JoJo ) Even when I messed up on turns and the kite lost pressure it avoided getting all messed up and recovery was easy. With a bit more time I could really get to like this kite!

Very well made although I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it up close . It was set up for me ! Smart graphics with the racing stripes! Kind of odd that there is absolutely no logo or size printed on it ?

If you are looking for a fast kite this one gets my

I'd like to get onto the list for the kite no matter what size it is. I've not flown a new kite for awhile and would like to give one a shot.

Thanks-Scott

added speleopower

kite is leaving this TUE ... sorry for the delay need to use the kite this monday for TV show.

also note, i have included both lines and handles with the kite. they are 30m in length ... yes its a little long for this size, so if you have a set of 20m or shorter it works better in for control. these race kites seem to like the shorter lines. I have the 3.3 and the 5.6 on 20m.

if someone wants to adjust the climax lines supplied to 20m, be my guest. thank you in advance.

on its way to Kite Demon

:singing: whoooohooooooooo I just can't wait! Thanks again Ricardo!

Cooper Kites now isn't only just a Nederlander site....

www.cooperkite.nl/

Hey Ricardo,

Can you please add me to the list.

Thanks.

The kite should be on it's way to me anytime. :wee: Looking forward to flying a new kite.
Scott

I posted it out yesterday!

The Cooper,
I spent about 10 hours under the orange glow of the new cooper race kite. To really get value from my comments I think that a little background would be valuable. I have been buggying for about 3+ years and have spent most of that time flying a set of Ozone Accesses. I have also been using a Ozone Razor this summer as well. I will use this as a basic comparison, that and a Profoil which isn't a 'race kite' but is a fairly higher performance kite.

The bag.
Yup it is a bag. I would rather have a great kite in a simple bag rather than a great bag and a poor kite.

The kite.
I love the orange and stripes. I know that the way it looks and colours does not effect the performance but it just looks fast. The bridles are sewn and very neat, always a good sign. There is a line that runs inside the internal structure for reinforcement I have never seen any other kite like that, it seems to be effective. The Cooper is quite a well made kite with no obvious defects I could find. All in all a very well made kite. The only thing I noticed that I wondered at was the lack of dirt outs.

In the air the cooper is a fairly forgiving kite I had it out on a cross shore very light winder, a rumbustious cross on day (12 knots with gusts to 18) and light wind cross on day. It the light light winds (less than 5 knots) the 4.4 Cooper flew with enough power to move me and my buggy gently along the beach as long as it was moving. I found a small tendency to snag the tip on the bridles in a lull and have to aggressively shake it out. This was almost completely eliminated in the higher wind.

The power it produced is a smooth even power unlike that of the Razor. With more wind comes more power, a careful launch not knowing quite what to expect. The Cooper performed with the same buttery power it did in less wind. I found it accelerated quickly but with out the rapid 'jerks' that my Razor manages. I felt very relaxed with it in the gusty conditions, having low lift and fast easy turning, I even managed to stay dry! I dreamed of a long runs up and down the beach unfortunately this was not to be. I had a lot of short runs across the beach, short runs... 70 yards (65m). I managed to hit a top speed of 32 km/h not bad in 60m. I found the Cooper pointed quite well, perhaps not as high as the Razor, but respectable.

I tried the Cooper with a range of lines and control systems. I tried it as I received it with the 30m lines and handles, with plenty of break input. This worked really well in lumpy cross shore winds, as the wind dropped the Cooper seemed to take to a lighter break pressure. I have been plagued with a pinched nerve in my wrist of late and handles have been problematic for me. I switched out the handles for a bar... I can just hear the comments a performance kite on a bar? What was he thinking!!!? Ok, to be fair it is a home brew pulley bar. I was surprised by the result. The Cooper handled the bar exceptionally well. In fact I rather enjoyed the feel of the bar with it. I ended up spending quite some time with the bar set-up.

The only complaint I have is about dirt-outs there aren't any! Where I am the sand is soft and blows around a lot I stopped for a bit of lunch went to re-launch the cooper and so much sand had blown in it just bounced the process of flipping it over and shaking out the sand and trying to work it over from the edge is a frustrating one.

I really enjoyed this kite, in fact so much so, that I would like to buy one... This is a fast kite, a race kite. I am not sure it would be the first choice for a serious racer it is missing that aggression, the instant ON power. I do think that for a new racer or someone looking for a faster kite without the twitchy nature of many other high performance kites, the Cooper is a perfect choice.

Thanks for the review. I hope we get some decent onshore winds for some runs down the beach.

Scott

Great review kitedemon...Thanks!

I can't wait to try this kite. I'm hoping it will be here soon.

kitedemon did you send the kite with a tracking number?

Thanks-Scott

I recieved the kite today. I'm impressed. Very well constructed and flew quite well. The wind was somewhat strong maybe 15+mph. The waves were a little large and I didn't want to take the kite onto the water without some flying time on it.

2 things I noticed very quickly is 1) if you let off the line tension quickly the kite wants to flip over. This is dealt with by applying brake tension when tension is let off. 2)there are no "dirt outs" near the wing tips or on the trailing edge.

When I got the kite there was quite a bit of sand out in the wing tips. It took some 25 minutes to get most of it out. The kite needs some sort of velcro flaps on the trailing edge on the wing tips.

Looking forward to trying this kite with my ATB or surfboard.

Scott

Hey! I still have the Cooper kite but the winds have not been good when I get a chance to fly!! Gettin' kinda bummed.

Who is next on the list?

Scott

Great review and a great summary ! I agree with you totally!

I never looked for the dirt outs when I flew it but agree they are needed.

I found that even if I lost it on a corner in too little wind as you described that it was sort of my fault and I could have / should have flown it more aggresive. Good training for an entry racer! It was still FAR more forgiving than the few racekites I've flown + always shook open !

I understand they are a pretty reasonable price !

The only other thing I find I'm not fond of is all sizes look exactly the same. None have ANY writing on them and they are all the same colour scheme ? I like the No writing part and the retro race stripes but would like to see each size in a different colour or something !

SWEET KITE in ANY colour!

Quote:

Originally posted by kitedemon I really enjoyed this kite, in fact so much so, that I would like to buy one... This is a fast kite, a race kite. I am not sure it would be the first choice for a serious racer it is missing that aggression, the instant ON power. I do think that for a new racer or someone looking for a faster kite without the twitchy nature of many other high performance kites, the Cooper is a perfect choice.

Yeah, no dirt outs suck. I spent the better part of an hour shaking sand out.

I'm hoping there is some wind tomorrow. Today the wind is blowing but it is in the wrong direction.

Scott