Trx 2013 17 v7.
There have been a few negative comments to do with pimping and questioning this kite's ability.
I'm not going to provide a detailed specification style review however I will comment on the basics which is what 90% of buyers need as 90% of buyers don't kite 10 hours every day of the week.
I have been riding for over 10 years , now only ride surf , I've tested well over 30 kites over the years from around 10 makes , can't be bothered listing them all here .
I currently ride f one bandit 6's, 12, 10, and 7. With three types of surf board, f one signature 5 foot 10 being god's gift to kite boarding style surf boards.
Anyway to the 17 trx, I had the 2012 model, great kite, a 17 Argo before that and had plenty of 17m kites prior to that one, going back to slingshot machines and also a 19 m fuel.
The trx does the following.
Turns the same speed as my 2013 f one bandit 6 12m (in very light wind).
Gets going in around 9 knots, I am 86 kg.
Loops without yanking, smooth power delivery, very good depower and with this confidence levels grow immensely
Sits in the sky as if it weighs half its size , this in turn allows for huge confidence down the face of the wave leading into drift in light wind. The issue with large kites and light wind is the drifting ability whilst being accelerated down the face. This issue has never really been overcome to date as it's very common to accelerate down a wave way faster than the wind is able to stabilise the kite in the sky. The trx has somehow managed to overcome this issue and I don't really know how. It just seems to drift and drift without falling from the sky and rapping up in white water. I'm putting this down to the kites ability to communicate with the bar so well. The bar feedback is amazing; usually there is a 1 second delay whilst turning these big mothers, not with this kite. The kite feedback is instant. If you feel the kite drifting with the feeling it may stall a quick tweak on the bar will solve your issues.
Can't comment on jumping yet, not really a jumper anyway, Looping and unhooked is incredible, the kite is so stable and smooth through the loops you would think you are flying an 12/14 RPM or bandit.
So yes people have tried to dampen this kites write up's but the 2013 trx is the first large kite that is so fun to fly, offers so much confidence and now let's waves come into the equation I have to say large brands watch out, Griffin has found a winning formula for large fun kiting . Something that's really needed for the rubbish sydney northern beaches winds.
Build quality is as good as slingshot now, they are made in the same factory as 20 other big brands I've been told.
Now watch this link and yes get to the end , that is actually a kite loop in 10 knots on a 17. Never seen that on another other web site with any other make.
Hey mc,
great review
I am in the surf 99% and deciding between the Argo and the TRX and a couple of other big kites. since you have used both the Griffin, could you let me know your findings on a couple of points?
For grunt alone would the argo beat the TRX and by how much?
Also, with those issues you mentioned whilst drifting, ie, ending up in the white water,
did the argo suffer from this and have you gone for "fun factor" over pure low wind ability with the TRX??
thanks for the review, nice read
Cheers
I've used both. Now flying the 2013 with new bridle 9 and 12 trxv7. I mainly surf...I loved the Argo, but now would never go back. This kite really is The Real Deal. Mc dialed everything in about it.
I have the 2012 17 trx with a current bridle, (or maybe last edition not sure) and does as described. As good as it is, Chris changed the template slightly this year and improved the bridle again making it even better. I had issues with the 17 and launching and relaunching early on with the first bridles, but now with the same kite and different bridle configuration it relaunched okay in light winds like 8 knots or so. At 10 it is pretty easy. But the kite is insane on waves. Once the kite is moving you have power on tap. Mc has covered every thing I love about these kites so I wont say anything more.
Hey MC - beyond the kite its self I see you ride F-Ones so my question is how do you find the Griifin bars on the 2013 kites ? I have the 2012 Argo (13.5m)and really enjoy the way the kite flies now that I have found my preferred tuning settings, but the bar is not of the same standard as the F-one bars - the bar seems thick and chunky and I'm concerned about the life of the power rope (a spare was supplied with the kite and a year down the track I'm starting to think of replacing it - compared to the plastic coated B3 power rope which is showing no signs of wear 3 years in ??)
Just interested in your thoughts around the 2013 bar?
Hey Lambie,
There is a new bar in the design process right now, not sure when it will be ready, but it's happening now. This is the last component in having everything top notch quality wise. I have seen a couple of design ideas and they are fantastic. The current bars are okay, and they work fine and do everything they should from a safety point of view. But for my short arms they are a pain to trim on the fly. Also, set to a single flagging line, if you loop too much in one direction you can't unloop the middle lines without having to put the kite down and unspin the chicken loop. This will also be addressed in the new design. That said, the bar has always released when I wanted it to, never had any issues that aren't normal wear and tear.
guys
dafish has covered the questions that you have asked of me , I have no issue with the new bar, its so much better than the last one.
I think you will find this kite now getting slightly refined through the production models , much like f one with their move from bandit 5-6, slight changes but that will be it. Im shocked how small changes to the bridle can make such massive changes overall . yes its far better than the argo but I think this has been confirmed , you can generate power so easily the bottom end extends the range allot
try one you will love it
Great review MC!
I also purchased the v7 2013 17m trx and at 98kg it's become my 'go-to' kite for the most part.
To be honest, the first session I was intimidated by the sheer size of the 17 but as MC explained and evident on the footage above, it doesnt rip you off the board in loops, turns etc and this quickly builds confidence, which translates into some seriously fun sessions, where I'd otherwise be sitting at home checking the long range weather sites...
Initially for me, one of the most outstanding characteristics for a kite this size is the bar feel. Single handed control I find surprisingly easy and as mentioned, the kite is incredibly responsive.
Previously, as a heavier rider I was often frustrated when the wind was on the lighter side. I experimented with a light wind board option and got good results on a crazyfly 145 x45 tt but still it had to be white caps before I'd get any decent action. I wanted more time on the water but I didnt want to be simply cruising back and forth on the end of a big slow turning mothership, nor did I want to be worrying about getting hit by gusts and overpowered.
In addition to what's been covered, I've found the following:
Bottom end, with my 145 x 45 tt, can hold upwind when local area wind reading is 8-9 knts av gusting to 11-12knts, (have confirmed this with wind meter also). Plenty of power and small jumps at 10knts, fun floaty jumps at 12+knts. Sensational boost ability also.
Top end, safety release works a treat at 25 knts, unneccesary knowledge perhaps but somewhat comforting to know also :) Fully depowered at approx 20knts for me, great wind range.
Self launch/land I find easy, relaunch off the water isn't an issue at 8knts.
Handles gusts superbly, which needs to be considered with larger kites. We've all seen (or been) riders on larger kites making good progress upwind only to be hit by a gust and forced off their edge resulting in downwind to the point where its hardly more efficient than a smaller kite.
Build quality is great, the only minor issue I find is the size of the hose off the struts which deflates a little on the slow side, easy fix I'm sure. Dump valve is a handy addition.
IMO this kite is a standout. It allows not only more time on the water but the confidence to perform your usual moves whatever your style. It doesnt require the physical effort that other big kites may consume and this adds to the enjoyment.
Are there any 70-80kg riders who have used this kite? I'd be interested to hear thoughts...
I am 83 kilos and have been flying the trx 17 for a number of months now. I can get out and march upwind in 8 knots on my Alaia. It is a great time to ride a board like that, super smooth though pretty skatey. I can be riding waves on my surfboard in 10 knots easy. Have had it out until it hit 18 knots and never felt out of control.
Relaunch in any wind under 8 knots is always tricky, but it is very doable with this kite.
What is really amazing is being able to loop a kite this size with ease. As mentioned easy to fly one handed.
Can't say how low I could go on a TT because I rarely ride one these days, but next time we get a low wind day I will pop it on and see where the limits are for my weight.
I agree with Cvee... except that I need a couple of knots more to get the claimed 17m TRX performance (despite weighing the same 98kg as Cvee).
I think it's a great kite and I find it more fun to fly than my now replaced 13m v2 Best Kahoona. The 17m kite needs to be tried to be believed (I was a skeptic and bought it on the performance of the 14m that I tested about a year back).
I am hoping that the new bridle upgrade that Chris has sent to me allows me those couple of extra knots... I presume this upgrade takes me from a v6 2013 to a v7 2013.
I'll report back once I have had some time on my new setup (and as we head towards the winter doldrums and I spend less time on my smaller kites... it has been too good a season in Sydney to spend much time on the 17m).
I'll chime back in once the new bridle setup has been tested.
The bridle upgrade is a must! It does give you that couple of extra knots without compromising any of the turning ability.
Had the 17 out two days ago in sub 10 knot wind. Rode a tt 135 x42 Xenon La Luz and was able to hold ground on long tacks. Not really enjoyable, but it did hold ground. I then went out on an Airrush Sector (thanks for the loan Dougie!) and flew upwind. Could easily ride this combo in 6 knots or so.
Chris was nice enough to allow me to take a Trx 17 on demo for a while. Didn't have a bar for it yet but anyway I wanted to try with my BWS bar. So I am using a 43 cm BWS bar with 22m lines plus i added 4m extensions = 26m (Griffin bar comes with 25m lines I believe).
This arvo was the first appropriate wind since I got the kite and I had a go at Palmie with it and my strapless 6'8 SB. The wind was very marginal, mostly about 8 knots with a few periods of stronger 10 knots, may have had 12 knot strongest gust.
I was amazed at how well the kite turned, and smooth and in control. I am a newbie shooting up the learning curve at the moment, so not the most skilled flyer, but the kite made it easy. I have no reason to doubt any of the positive comments by others above. Honestly it seems to turn just about the same as my BWS 10 does in more wind (not bagging BWS, I like that kite). I usually struggle with the kite falling out the sky on light wind gybes, but the drift in the Trx was good enough that this was not an issue. The kite also seemed really good in the stall department, able to easily recover from upright, low to water situations when they happened.
I am 80kg and I reckon when it was 6-8 knots I was able to keep going with quite aggressive flying, but not hold upwind. In the stronger moments, 8-10 knots I was making ground upwind and in 10 or over it was park and ride, absolute pleasure! I'm not going to mention names but I have tried another 17 from a major manufacturer and although it was a good kite the Griffin kills it with the low end, turning and staying in the sky, plus it's about $700 cheaper!
Email Chris, fly the kite, if you don't like it he will give you your money back. Simple. If you like it, let your friends try it. They are a great deal.
Currently I am flying the smaller models right now on Maui. Working just as planned.
It would be good to give this kite a review Eppo as you are pretty honest with your testing, very thorough, and pretty open minded. Plus you ride lots of different kites so you can compare directly with other. Hope you find one soon.
Cheers from current location in paradise!
Bought the TRX 17 last week and had a great day yesterday. On a day which sadly fell short of the seabreeze forecast I was still able to have a few goes at getting out in the big waves at Longreef and a lot of fun mucking about in the lagoon. Without this kite I would have only had frustration. And even better, Chris from Griffin was there, giving free kiting tips and fine tuning bridle settings for me. Now that's great after sales service!