Rider: 66kg intermediate
Style: Freestyle/Powered/Boooooosting on a TT (UG Steeze 137 w/ straps)
Weather: 11-35knots
Build Quality: 9.5/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Addicted to kiting!
To start, I had high expectations of this kite, whilst being skeptical of all the online hype this kite has procured through basic biased online advertising, seeing is believing. And there are plenty of videos out there. Needless to say, summing up this review in 5 words, I was not let down.
About me first, I have been kiting for around 5 months starting end of October last year, in that time I have no doubt spent 5/7 days a week on the water through all conditions. I have kited on a LOT of kites in this time including full C's to bows, my main quiver consisting of F-One Bandit 3's and personally own Naish, Cabrinha, North and F-One kites, as well as this one, and have demoed quite a few others. This review may shed light on my limited experience in this sport, but take it with a grain of salt, I'm always open to demo this kite to anyone in the area.
Having had this kite out on four separate occasions testing both the bottom and upper end wind range, and I'm happy to state the low end was 14 knots and the upper end, I wasn't quite getting tea-bagged in 35 knot gusts. This kite really starts to get fun around the 18 knot mark and still easily enjoyable in the upper end of the 20's.
DESCRIPTION
Epic Screamer LTD
A quick 10 meter kite freestyle/powered moves orientated. Grasps a lot of its designs from the full C in Epic's range (the judge) with its batons and shape. The bridals remind me of Ozone C4's, this kite falls in the Hybrid catagory. It comes only in one colour BLACK w/ white writing and a gold logo.
The reinforcement on this kite is great, much better then any kite I have seen (definitely haven't seen them all though!) Dimitri is definitely a forerunner and advocate of providing the community with what they want, not just what the pro's are going to enjoy.
The bar is basic, although has everything you need. It comes with two options, 45-55cm depending on where you run the lines. The depower system is a two tab depower system similar to Cabrinha's. Standard Push away quick release as well as an under the bar center line swivel is also present. Chicken loop is good nice and strong as is the donkeydick. What I did notice about the bar was that the chicken loop has a limited amount of swing on one axis, which I thought was a great addition.
This kite/bar combo has medium bar pressure (although stated as light, in comparison to say Naish kites this kite is a much heavier feel).
HOW IT FLYS
The main focus of this design is clear as soon as you send this kite, it is designed to BOOST! And boy does it do that, in comparison to say a 2011 North Rebel, this kite has twice the hang time and being such an quick kite it rockets you up there. If you don't like jumping this is not the kite for you. Actually had trouble jumping on this kite first few times as I had to learn about flying the kite from left to right overhead on the way down so as to successfully land the maneuver.
This kite is designed for powered freestyle, and although personally not very good at unhooking, I did unhook for a raley at around 20 knots, the usual basic trimming applies on this kite to ensure it doesn't back-stall, but all in all felt good, nice solid pull. Haven't had an opportunity, or flat water to try any other moves (sbend/tantrum) yet. Same with looping, can't comment definitively, although finding moves like hooked f16's and basic pussy kiteloops a lot easier then all my other kites seems like a more constant pull through the last 3/4 of the loop.
It is a high aspect kite so sits forward in the window and can shoot up wind when powered, on the low end of the wind range this kite doesn't pull you up wind like many freeride orientated kites but is still good. And this kite generates lots of its power through its speed, more comparable to 8's and 9's then most 10's out there.
Stability of this kite is great! Although in the upper end of the wind range this kite can be quite dangerous, in the kites description it states that, it generates wind directly into power and I thought this was quite apt. On the occasion that I had it out it was a solid 25 knot day with gusts coming through at 30-35 and I found that the kite was jellyfishing quite a bit in these stronger gusts. This kite is designed to be pumped to around 11 PSI and without an electronic pump I was not able to attain this pressure (more likely closer to 8), this may have attributed to the performance of this kite in gusts.
As with all modern design kites this kite relaunches easily.
PROS
This is a goto kite for absolutely anything, because it is so quick it is great for the surf (not experienced here just quoting what I have been told). As well as being a great freeride kite. BUT this kite is designed for going large either boosting or powered moves. This kite has a wakestyle option which slows the kite down (untested). It is a great build and a pleasure to fly.
CONS
Wouldn't recommend learning on this kite as it does tend to be less forgiving in the gusts and you definitely have to be on the ball in the upper end of its wind range. This kite is designed for experienced/advanced riders, and myself not falling in this catagory has proven a steep, yet enjoyable learning curve.
END RESULT...
I find myself waking up in the morning with an ear to ear grin on my face thinking about the possibilities of taking the kite out in the afternoon. This kite will not disappoint.
Good Winds,
Josh
Mate, can you do sbends and tatrums just after 6 months of kitesurfing? That's amazing! Any tips how to progress so fast?
I had the 2011 10m LTD so yes it does all the above with ease.
Just adding to the review - it is designed for HUGE jumps so at a baseline... it is aimed at someone who already has the jump basics down. The harder you stamp that edge upwind - the more you will get 'ripped' off the water and rewarded with WTF I didnt plan on goin this high !!! but will put you down softly.
I found that if you are goin to Loop this kite, make sure full power on your bar setup, does not backstall the kite (tune your lines) and jump as high as you can then fully 'Committ'. It loops with one hell of a pull because of the design aspect - and lands you half way down the beach, so look before you jump - no s**t.
The 2012 has been tamed down a tad, although still aimed at HUGE jumps it has been as I have mentioned previously 'tamed down'.
Would also like to add that I tried the kite in flat water today with a different board (130x39 F-One Acid) which is a flatter freestyle board. I was screaming upwind without too much effort in 12 knots. 5+ meter jumps when the wind picked up to around 15 knots. Flat water made a huge difference!
Just to clarify, I do believe this kite has a useable wind range of 12-30 knots whilst still being holdable when the 35 knot gusts come through. Amazing kite!
