I don't have Reos but my 6m and 10m 2011 Ozones have the oversized valve. I haven't had any problems with leakage.
there is also a product recall on some of 2011 valves. check ozones web sight put in your number and you might get a new bladder.
Anyone flew the 12m Reo?
I wonder if it would be suitable as a general light wind kite for a 70kg rider.
I tried the 8 and 10, they were sweet, but I had been burnt by (miss)judging a big kite by looking at her smaller sister. I had two in the past few years, and both needed considerable wind to fly to the edge, so they had plenty of power, but no upwind.
More specifically, I am looking at a 8-12 quiver for Perth mush, with a 12 for lighter days, not only for waves.
thanks for the feedback...
time only and variable winds tell the real wind range of a kite, but it has been said countless times how much more wind range modern kites have... so having to have a 10 and an 8 is just a bit too much overlap after years of flying 8-12 and 9-13 quivers with still some overlap.... of course if $ is not an issue 6-8-10-12 would be the best quiver for me in Perth... and it may happen..
Demo flying the 8 and the 10 showed me that there was much more juice left in the kites if I had shortened the back lines, so I am still wondering about the wind range..... kites behave differently when flown on the front or on the back lines (meaning high or low end of their range), for example my 6m RPM loves to be fully powered, while my old Cult just froze on the back lines....
...as for the nose diving, I flew the 10 in less then marginal conditions when I had to walk 100m upwind after every ride, yet I have not experienced the nosediving.. I just wonder if it is about the difference in the style we fly the kites....
I have a 12/8 Reo combo. Seems to work quite well on the east coast, south of Sydney for most conditions. The 12 is fun, quick to turn, apparent airflow and ok for drifting in waves. I feel it does not drift as good like the 10 or 8 but the 12 is flying in lighter winds, so I sure that is the reason why.
That massive flaming fireball falling out of the sky looks a bit hectic!!!!! Why wasn't that on the news??
I demo'd the 6 and 8 on the weekend. Didn't get to try the 10 as it was too windy.
Rider: 70kg intermediate kook, currently owns 6/10 catalyst and 8 xc light.
Style: SB strapless
Weather: 20-25 and then 25-30 later. Quite gusty and onshore, few hours north of Perth.
Wind range: In 20-25 knots the 6 was going ok but as we were surfing an onshore beachie it was difficult to get enough power to get upwind against the surf. Sining the kite doesn't generate a whole heap of power but does help a bit in under-powered conditions. Pumped up the 8 and there was no problem. Had a great session on the 8 and it is a vast improvement from my 2009 8m.
Wind picked up 25-30. I was holding the 8 down but well powered up. Got the 6 out again and it's in it's sweet spot. Being a 6 it is fast, but still predictable. I was often flying both kites blind to pull me out of situations eg white wash.
Canopy size: Laid the 8m over my 2009 8m xc light and the size is the same. Kite shape varies a little and shorter bridles. A mate down at the local beach yesterday told me he laid the 8 reo over his 6 rpm and the 8 was only slightly bigger, more like a 7 he thought.
Quiver options: Selecting a quiver is difficult - 6/8/10 is the obvious choice but I would like to go down to a 2 kite quiver. Was actually thinking 8/10 with the 8 on shorter lines when the wind picks up. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? I would also like to try the 8 in 15-20 to see how it fairs.
My current quiver is 5, 7 & 9m 2010 Ozone C4's and a tired old 2008 12m Ozone Light II. I weigh about 75kg, ride surfboards between 5'6' and 6'
I only do waves these days, and after trying Catalysts, found I preferred the C4's. Before getting the 9m C4, I briefly owned a 10m 2010 C4. Maybe it was a bad one, but I couldn't get on with it, so swapped it for the 9m which I love on 20m lines. Totally different kite from the 10m.
I would like a new light wind wave kite, and was wondering if the 10m Reo would be significantly better than my 9m C4 in light winds? As long as the wind isn't too onshore, I can be out in 11 -12 knts on the 9m, but it's a struggle.
I am not too keen on getting a 12m. Also I like the light bar pressure of the C4. Would I find a significant difference in bar pressure with the Reo? I read the Reo is heavier on the bar.
Thanks
Gary
Hi Benny, yes it was Trigg. Opinions and experiences do differ greatly, so take mine like that, but after flying both kites (8, and 10), (for riding waves) I would use extension only on the 10, and only to extend its wind range. Longer lines mean slower turning kites, and bit less upwind in return for the increased bottom end, so in conditions when you need more lower end from the 8, you rather put on the 10... and when the wind drops further, extend the line of the 10, but expect a less responsive more powerful kite. Some guys I know simply put on a bigger more floaty board to extend the range of a kite. I don't ride big boards so I can't comment to this.
See you on the waves
Here's my 10 cents worth. I have 8m; 10m; and 12m Reos and a 17m zephyr.
I am a lazy fat bastard and i like my kites to do most of the work for me.
I ride a 6'2" surfboard
The 8 and the 10 are in my opinion the best wave kites I have ever ridden and I am finding the 17m Zephyr heaps of fun when it's lighter.
I can comfortably transition from the 17 to the 10 without really needing to pump up the 12.
If you weigh more than 85kg and are looking for a light wind kite that will drift down the line check the zephyr out. just saying.
KR
The 10 is fast and direct enough to generate as much power as the 10m switchy, you might just have to work it a bit more.
I would definitely recommend the 10 over the 12. The 12 is still a 12m kite and, as good as it is, it still feels soggy and slow compared to the 10.
happy riding
kyteryder I'm 70kg and have been using the 10 around 15kn. Was going upwind the other day in 12-18 holey wind. Start to feel overpowered unstrapped at 18-20.
Took a twin tip out today, for the first time in a couple of years and did some boosts. It certainly doesn't give floaty jumps, it just drops you down so quick. Point the board down wind and ride it out.
8m looks very quick in that wind. Actually looked a bit like the session I had today, 10m in max 1ft waves!