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Dazza's Neo Review for 2016
70kg rider
Today I got to fly my new Neo 9m in 18-24 knots being my second Neo season having come off every year of Rebel Prior to this.
Clearly the Neo is the dedicated Wave and Freeride Kite of the North Range and must be ridden 1-2m smaller than most other kites.
Regular features and functions: Awesome drifting ability down the line and down wind, ease of use in the air so you can concentrate on the wave and not the kite. Softer feel through the hot zone for kiteloops and slack-lining leading to re-engagement of power in the hot zone, bungee cords to the steering lines and wing tips allowing for a bit of extra slack lining but you still have some steering before loosing steering, (This by far for me has been such an FAB feature on most North Kites for years now and gets better each year) Also the bungee ensures that if the kite hits the water the steering line is pulled inside the canopy and does not snag on the wing tip.
So whats new? The kite has not changed radically since last year - there is now a front bridle adjustment as well as the steering line adjustments that were there last year. I changed both settings this session back to back. the setting are:
- Blue knots (front and back) for harder bar pressure and stiffer feel (wake style - bow feel) but more depower - it felt a bit more Rebel like.
- yellow knots (front and back) softer setting - quicker steering - more drift and lighter bar feel
These are easy to change as and when you wish not just one of selection that leaves over tight knots etc.
I found that the softer setting was very different - the steering was much quicker and the bar lighter - it was quite a different feel (Airton's preferred setting I think) - the depower was still fine - but with this short session I really felt that the blue knots did offer more potential for higher winds
Generally the kite seemed to have improved with more high end - this needs more testing but I did feel it was steadier in stronger wind, and possibly drifted even better - I know this can be a little subjective but again I can only report on what I felt this session, next one might reveal more.
The bar has some improvements including improved lower wearing features for center rope and safety line. As per last year the bar can be adjusted as required at each session for wider or closer line positions by the click in and out system of the tip housing, also the unit offers steering line length adjustment without fuss in the bar system. 4 line is the preference for Neo and it flags to one front line on safety release.
Stoked and Brilliant
Daz
Had a few downwinders on the 10 meter demo kite, and after first session ordered a 10 and 7.
prior to this my big kite was a 2013 (I think) 9 m and hadn't seen the need to upgrade till I flew the new 10
the first time I flew it was in pretty light winds, and I was working it hard, lots of looping etc, and lots of bar work to try and get the most out of it.
normally this would cause a bit of grief in my shoulder afterwards, but I was impressed with the nil pain on the next day.
the next time I used the 10, twin tippers and other kiters on bigger kites were struggling to get off the beach.
we took off and had a fat time.
other reports are that in the stronger winds guys were not over.rpowered on the 10 when others were riding 7m kites, but I wasn't there, so can't say for sure what the facts are.
When I flew it I set it up plug and play I expect it was the light bar pressure settings, and it looped and moved around really nicely and was smooth on the power.
drift down the line was impressive to say the least and users will have to get comfortable with looking at slack dropping lines as you run down the line And just have to be patipence as the kite picks them up. So many times when I thought it would be falling out of the sky, but it just drifted back and took up the slack and went back to work.
relaunch in very light conditions was still good.
its just an opinion, not a review, but I am really happy with its performance, and can't wait to see what the wind range on the 7 is like in a good NE downwinders.
Enjoy...
I have ridden the 6m now a few times in 25-30 knots
I confidently feel that it has definitely more top end and stability in gusts than last years kite.
Daz
Disclaimer see my profile
Question about the Neo's (2015 or 2016): how do they jump, and how do they kiteloop (both hooked in)? Riding 2015 Dices atm and love em, but never unhook really. Did a lot of waveriding this season and might be tempted to get the Neo's for an even better wave experience. However, when the wind picks up and it's choppy/sucky waves I do like to go out on my twintip to just boost around and throw some mellow kiteloops. A guy on the beach told me that the Neo is well suited for that, only advantage the Dice has is when you unhook (which I don't). Anyone who can share experience?
Thanks JBFletch for your input. Can you elaborate on the "drift tweaks" of the 2016 Dice? More or less drifting ability than 2015? I've heard it has less... Thanks!
Dazza, coming from a long line of Rebels since 2008 and now switching to Neos (waves :) ). Can I get away comfortably with a 3m spread in sizes as I could with the Rebel? Is turning speed and range of the 2016 kites worth buying the 16's over the 15's with 25% off 15 kites? Thanks for the reviews over the years. Cheers :)
Hey WJB sorry been offline
I have one 6m and 9m last year and this year, the 2016 kites have a bit more top end - what I am finding is that as the Rebel has more top end range I would use my 10m Rebel a lot and my 7m far less - but now with the Neos I am using the 6m more than the 9m as it has extra bottom end and less top end than the rebel. but it still takes a lot of wind just not as much as the Rebel.
I almost went 6 and 8 like Josh but I am finding that I still want a bit of boost and my small Kontact strapped which I like to ride powered, and twin tip occasionally and so kept the larger size.
for floaty surfboard ridding and just waves I would have gone 8m but I still think that the 3m gap is okay. I do find myself taking longer to pick the kite size when on the beach now as the 6m does get going in much less wind and when I can I want to ride it.
I think if you still like boosting then stick with larger gap, and if you have reliable consistent type wind that you can predict kite sizes for then go 2015 - but it like us its gusty and goes from 15-20 then up to 25+ and back then go 2016 kites as I really feel they have better top end.
and definitely go a meter smaller than rebels and 2m smaller than 2015 or prior dice
Hope that helps
Dazza
Hi Peeps,
The Neo 2016 is a further refinement of an already great wave kite. It just so happens that the Neo makes an excellent learner kite and is excellent for freeriding if you just want to mow the lawn and boost. Hangtime is good and jump height is impressive but works best on heavy bar settings if you are a noob, or light responsive setting for more experienced riders.
The Dice in 2014 was a better wave kite than it was a freestyler, in 2015 the Dice became a little better at Freestyle than waves IMHO which made it a better choice for the weekend freestylers. It jumped well, slacked well and looped well for the average advanced freerider. In 2016, the kite is an improvement for the advanced freerider. The kite is precise and well behaved and loops great. I feel it is not as suited to the waves when comparing to the Neo, but this would be obvious to most as the Neo is a stellar wave kite.
Both kites are really good and it depends on how you ride which should determine your kite choice. If you never unhook, loop or freestyle, go with a Neo as they are just FUN. If you like the odd wave, like to loop and unhook on occasion, go with the Dice. The Dice suits an aggressive flyer with its responsive playful feel. The Neo suits a learner to intermediate freerider and surfer.
The 2016 Dice has more bottom end this year to bring it more in line with Rebel, Evo and Neo.
It's all good, just get a kite and go play. 
DM
i had 5m 7m and 9m of last years Neo love the kite but found it to grunty in bottom turns with load of being pulled off the board .
i had my first go on my 7m 2016 Neo yesterday wind conditions were around 18 to 24 knots 83 kgs and the kite was set up on the drift mode , first run out and it was like last years plug and play they just do what they are design for ,
first bottom turn going front side on the wave and "wow" the pull was smooth with just enough pull this got better as the session went on allowing me to commit and not worry about the kite .
this years is definitely more stable in gusts, last year i found i was permanently adjusting the de power to find the sweet spot . yesterday session i set the de power at about a 3rd on and never touched it after .
i found i had to work the kite slightly more to keep up wind but this may be more the board i was using 4'10 vanguard. im going out with my old board today to see if it makes a difference .
all in all really pleased
i post again when i've had more water time
Thanks Dazza for the input. I have decided to go 2016. The added refinements to the kite make the upcharge worth it. Especially the increased top end which will be helpful for a 3m spread. I don't need the 9m for jumping so much as I am a bigger guy at 95k. What is the everybody's low end for the nine meter?
Hi _ I would second that : 14-15 knots about my lower end on a 10m Neo 2015. I ride mainly surf, weigh 88kg. Don't believe the "ride it a size smaller line" - been hearing that for years - 10m is still 10m.
