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The new liquid force echo seems to be well built much thicker and stronger than the previous dlx model but for a wakestyle board not a huge amount of rocker, much less than the tranq or tona. Trying the board out on land, the boards tips are really flexy, which I thought might be a problem but Once out on the water I felt instantly at home on the board, it planes early and flys up wind and pops really well. It also works really well in light wind, I'm 90kg and could get going in a bit over 12 knots on a 15mt.
Now for the bad, I found i got a bit of spray in the eyes off the tips and it can feel quite harsh in rough chop, I really think it needs more rocker in the centre of the board, the top of the board is also not flat which leaves contours where you mount the boots, so you have small holes which let in sand and rocks between the boots and board. It's meant to be a wakestyle board so where the f#%k is the grind base. I'd be happy to sacrifice weight for a sintered grind base. All in all it's a good board that works really well most of the time.
I have been riding a 137 LF Echo for the last month, it replaced my 2013 influence lfx as my main board. I have to say I was surprised how easy it was to get on and get comfortable with, it is probably slightly less hardcore than some other wakestyle boards but it is a great board for getting out and doing everything in a variety of conditions. I was initially a bit worried about the weight but this is a non issue and you do not notice it at all when riding. The lack of a grind base is a bit annoying I agree but I don't hit obstacles and if I go to a cable I would probably use my lfx anyway which has a grind base. Compared to my lfx the aggressive channel profile on the Echo allows you to hold an edge much better and has definitely made me more confident when loading up an edge. I did have a big stack from an aggressive boost that i bailed out of which caused one of my boots to move in its mounting position. This has never happened to me before and am just wondering if this may be to do with the contoured top deck allowing a bit of movement between boot and board under extreme conditions. There was no real issue after just had to redo the boot mounting but it was still annoying. For the price I am really pleased with the board and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an all around wakestyle orientated board.
Hi,thanks for your reviews guys. How would you compare the Echo the Tona Pop?
@axion what is your weight?
I have 78kg and I am leaning towards the 137 - good choice?
Snow,
I have never ridden a Pop so I cannot comment on how the echo may compare.
I am 5,11 and weigh around 71 kg. I initially demoed the 141, there was not much difference between the two. The main reason I went for the 137 was it was more similar in size to my LFX which is 138 and I found when sliding from Heel to Toe etc I just felt a little more comfortable on a slightly smaller board. As I am not the biggest / strongest person in the world I like my board to feel reasonably light under my feet so I am not having to constantly muscle it around. That said I know a guy who would be lighter than me who rides a 141 so I guess alot of it comes down to what you are used to and personal preference.
Hi Axion,
thanks for your fast reply. It sounds like you are still pleased with the board and would buy it again?How does it ride in chop, also compared to the flatter but flexier LFX?Is the base material robust given they skipped the grind base?Cheers!
Hi Snow, yeah for sure still really enjoying the board. As it is the first version of a new model i imagine it will only get incrementally better each year. It rides well in chop, I think the rocker and weight and extra channeling help here as opposed to the lfx. I am not sure what the base is, but it appears to be some soft of textured plastic. I dunno how it stacks up long term versus a grind base but it appears to be tougher than your normal kiteboard base.
Hi thanks for taking all the time ;)Can you tell me how many cm of rocker it has? :>You give me a hard time - I was almost decided for the tona pop but what I see and hear from the echo sounds very compelling.
Snow, you won't go wrong with either board. If your hitting rails a lot or using the board at a cable park go the pop, if it's just for kiting the echo is good, (I'm really happy with its performance so far.) It doesn't have a proper grind base but it's still ok and is lighter and will get you going a bit earlier than the pop. As for size with your weight it depends, are you using boots? if you are tall, or ride predominantly in lower wind conditions go the 141, if your short or ride in high winds a lot go the 137. If you can test both
Hmm thanks for your input..I am 178cm.. As I will use the board mostly in holiday I can say I use it in all wind conditions depending on the holiday location. At my homespot a small lake I ride only straps (nasty entry and changing winds), however I wanna get a pair of boots for the holidays ;)I never kited on sliders so far, however a solid board is a must for me as I like going on holiday in very remote locations..From the economic perspective the Tona Pop seems to have a solid fanbase where ass the echo will be probably harder to sell in case I do not like it.I like the shape and contours of the Echo more but prefer the graphics and durability of the Tona. Hard choice. I wish they would produce a Tona Echo ;)
Very interesting guys!
Other reviews made me think:
"The main feedback which TheKiteMag team got from the Echo is that it needs to be ridden fast and hard, with the W-tips outline allowing it to plane early and to be a very controllable board. The Echo packs an explosive pop, with the combination of the stiff flex and rocker working hand-in-hand, and the triple concave ensuring excellent grip and a smooth glide in any conditions. The Echo’s ride is super smooth finless when setup with bindings, with the angled channels providing an accelerated water flow for the faster riding. We would recommend either riding the Echo a size up from your normal board or riding a bigger kite than you might otherwise do."
Epikoo memeber comment:
"It tracks upwind well for a wake board and it has lots of grip. Don't like landings though. They're kinda hard."
Brandon Scheid interview:
"I can say that the most important thing for me was that the board could handle everything I could throw at it. I like to go big, land hard, and hit rails, so I need something that can take the abuse first and foremost. I also like to ride fast, preferring to use more board speed for pop, rather than sheer raw power. Therefore the board is not a super high rocker water plower. On the other hand I like really like soft landings, and so do my knees and back. So, by combining specific bottom contours, flex profile, and rocker line we made something that landed soft, without compromising board speed. Lastly I needed something versatile, I may be known for my wakestyle, but I love to rip turns, boost, and cruise just as much as everyone else. So the shape is pretty fun to carve and really forgiving."
So it sounds like because it's not a super high rocker water plower it plains and ride faster than a pure wakestyle board.
That makes sense with riding it one size bigger than you normally would.
I was riding the Best Armada 134x30 so the Echo 137x42 should do it for me. (75 kgs)
I only can't rhyme the comment on Epikoo about hard landings and brandon liking soft landings.
But i was thingking gettin LF Vantage boots which have gel-based shock absorption.
Keep them comments coming people!
It is quite flat but I don't think it lands hard at all. The flex isn't crazy stiff (it's not uncomfortable) and I find it a very forgiving board. I like to say that as a real world conditions (ie choppy and gusty) wakestyle board it ticks all the boxes. If I was riding glass all the time I might want a bit more rocker but Sydney isn't exactly known for it's glass flat water haha. I'm 85kgs riding the 141 and it's perfect for my size. The base has held up well on features as well! Have been very impressed.
Thanks, so the 137 should fit me wel.
Or am i getting better pop with a bigger size?
Mate, 6'1" @ 75kg here. Best board I've owned. Had an underpowered and overpowered sesh now after a week of owning it. It was down to this, the Axis Tranq and the Slingshot Asylum. They're all light and wake orientated but this being the tamest option has proved the best bet. I've lost next to no upwind performance from my freestyle board (135 best armada). It's a little skatey in chop when it's hard to hold an edge but totally worth the compromise. Just do it! 137 if you plan on staying in straps I'd say, but 140+ boards are where it's at for binded riding for sure. One mod I made to mine was to bolt on some axis slim fins so I could really throw it around and play in super shallow water (where I like to start from as I bind in). Just my 2 cents but it's really a top performer, I'm stoked, you will be too.
So much utility though! Haha. I know it's daggy but so much easier when I'm on the skateboard down to the beach fully laden with kite gear! Function over form ;)
and you can always sell it to someone who wants to ride straps...
i know...it's not done!
Thanks for the inspiration guys, lets hope it rides as good as I think it looks!!
Ps, also looking for smaller fins. I tried those green Cab fins from my other boasrd but screws are to large and won't fit the whole, I guess Axis is the only other option??
So i went for the 137 in the end and i don't regret it!
With the Vantage boots the landings are like cushions.
I don't think i suffer much upwind and lowend capability.
I was riding with the new 10.5 Envy in light wind and was riding the same as others on 10m.
I mounted some 1.5 fins from a Cabrinha Rival.
Right now my boots are set on 18 degree angle.
It might be a little too much.
Will try 15 next time.
What angle are you guys set on?
I get really bad knee pain from too much duck. Set on 12 with inline inserts. Amazing board. Much better with small fins.
I always set my boots at 12 deg. For kite or wake, to much or to little angle is a sure way to blow out your knees
yep, set them on 12 now.
will hopefully try today.
first i had them maximum duck but that was terrible!
so far i love the board.
only my right knee hurts a little bit i guess with sliding turns it wants to twist a little bit.
maybe i need softer boots.
right now i have stiff flex.
for wakestyle it's awesome but to ride it overpowered in choppy conditions is hard.
i just bump over the chop like crazy i can not even do a normal jump.
but it's not made for that.
after 4 months i tried the standard 5.0 fins and i like it better than small ones.
much more grip in chop what i ride most of the time.
