2012 Griffin TRX 12m and 14m

Rider: 88kg ,Level intermediate
Style: Freeriding and Surf
Weather: 12-20 gusty onshore winds with a lot of white water pushing back to the beach
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 8/10 (due to poor wind and wave conditions)
Disclosure: Demoed two kites during 3 hours session.

My Comments:

Despite really bad "Northern Beaches" conditions I had an opportunity to demo Griffin TRX kites (14m and 12m) (thanks to Chris for that)

This is a 3-struts kite with central strut and tips are cut (the close match is Naish Park)

I was riding mostly 14m kite as 12m wasn't enough for the wind conditions and for my skill level. Chris (the same weight as me) hadn't had any problems riding 12 meters kite with strapped 5 feet surf board.

Kite turns really quick, especially for 14 meters. Light pressure on the bar, like on North Rebel. Kite was very stable and handled gusts very well. I couldn't test jumping capabilities of this kite as I was on strapless board. Kite drifts well and re-engage quickly by pulling bar. It likes to be ridden with a lot of speed but doesn't pull you from the board during carves.

I hope I can test these kites again in better conditions and with twintip. I'm looking for all-rounder kite with good surf characteristics.

Kite has two pulleys, one on each side. I think upwind is better than on Argo as TRX flies closer to the edge.

where are you guys getting your info?

I will post some info up soon, we have been testing in WA and Newzealand for a number of months, it will be ready when its ready, but its a fast light 3 strut kite with 2 pulleys and should fly pullyless as well. Images to follow soon....

Have been testing the TRX for Chris for the last few months,at present i have a 8,10,12 and 14m
and all i can say is they are the best kites i have ridden to date,power delivery is so smooth and steering is direct and responsive,prior to riding the TRX i spent last season riding Parks,suffice is to say i have a new favourite quiver.
The 14 is grunty yet liveley no prob doing one handed manovers without altering bar position,it loops like a dream,they all do,and you can back the power right off through the loop so you dont get hauled on the landings.
The 8m is by far the best 8 i have ever ridden,had it out the other day in 30 gusting 43 knots,most of the other riders came off the water complaining of the gusts,on the TRX it was one of the most controlled high wind sessions ever it was like i'd hit the cruise control and was just going with the flow,all sizes have awesome boost and float,most other c-hybrids i have ridden have the boost but lack the float.
Will try to upload some pics of the kites soon ,also the new 012 bar is awesome with the override line inside the main PUtube and above the bar depower,totally uncluttered and a joy to use.
If your in the market for a c-hybrid that in my opinion does it all get a ride on the TRX and decide for yourself,ticks all the boxes for me.

In the TRX i would say a 16m would be plenty big enough,It would have plenty of power and also retain the quick turning of the kite.

Hey radman, how is the wind range on the trx?. I can get away with using my 10m argo for 90% of the conditions we get here. I use it from 12 to aound 28-30 knots. One of the many things I love about it.

Is the 10m trx as grunty as a 10m argo?.
How do they compare for boosting?

I had not heard of this kite until the other day, the funny thing is that I have been thinking that my next kite purchase would be a hybrid c . Fate or coincidence! not sure but I can't wait to demo one.

Good search thats a similar pic of my 10m TRX before it was sent over,the TRX is a c-hybrid designed as a freestyle kite,its real forgiving in the loops and its quick but really predictable,you can always feel exactly where the kite is,i wouldn't say it has the low end of the argo but is quicker so you can generate power easily ,but it def has a huge range ,10m for me on a 133 tt would be 14-35 (95kg),if i compared it to the 2011 park it has better low end ,boost and float.
TRX flies well forward in the window so is near impossible to stall out so its great for upwind surf and unhooked,Chris seems to be close to releasing in Aus,last time i spoke to him he was doing the finishing touches on a pulleyless bridal option,personally i prefer the TRX to the Argo as it suits my riding style and the conditions in my area,been waiting for a kite thats as versatile as this for an age,i cant fault it ,ticks all the boxes for me, so grin factor is off the charts

The Chimera is a 10.5m and the TRX is a 10m so for low end park and ride the Chimera is going to pull a little harder, however the TRX is a real fast turning kite prob faster than the 8m Chimera so you can generate wind real quick if you work the kite a bit more and its near impossible to stall so you can ride it wide open,i'm 95 kg and use my 10 TRX in the same wind as guys that are 80 kg and have no prob, but if you want to park and ride then i would go for a 12m, all c-hybrid style kites require more rider input to get the best out of them, i am going to talk to Chris this week about making up a 11m in the TRX as well, as i think it will be awesome for heavier riders in the 10m range.

TRX is way more forgiving i have had the 14m out in around 24knots, so the 12 will go to up round 28-30 no worries for my weight,the TRX dumps power real fast so you can hang onto it for way longer.

And why not 8/10/14? You would have more bottom end in your total range with this 3 kites quiver.

If the TRX has the same range than the Chimera or still more top end it seems that 8/10/12 are too close on to another and you could loose some bottom end.

I've ordered TRX 10/14 and 17 (or finally 16. It's up to Chris) to have a really big range (keeping a Griffin 7). I hope to continue getting out at 7 knots average as actually with my new bigger 2012 race board and the Argo 17 (I'm 75 kg).

With the 14m you could be on the water in less than 15 knots and you will gain some more kiting days!!! And sure you could take the 10 with any problem before arriving to the top end of the 14.

Radman/Chris what do you think about it?

chris if you are reading this is there any chance you can increase the out value to the extra wide valve most are using now. reason i say this as it was taking me twice as long to get the air out of the 13.5 and the 17 than most other kites that size as you have to get that mass of air through the tiny valve . with the extra size you can get packed away and home quickly, important when the wife and kids and wondering if you have been lost at sea.

anyone else feel the same way, this is the only design change that hasnt been discussed on this forum , and excuse me if the new kites have the larger size as i have only seen and used the 2011 range.

and yes make the 14m trx, the east coast needs it.

There is a big overlap between kites but if you can afford a 3 kite quiver then thats the way i'd go ,i use 8,10,14 and have a 12 but its my least used kite,a mate has a 8,12 combo @ 80kgs and he manages well with this in 12-35knots and have seen him out on the 8m hanging in there in 40knots no worries.
My 8,10,14 combo doe's me from 11-40+ usually in 11-20 i go the 14, 15-25 the 10 and 18-40+ the 8m and some days here its 18-40+ and the 8m is unreal,but if i feel like a big boost session its no worries hanging onto the 14 in 25 knots or the 10 in 30+,for Leovan if you want to cover 14-40 the 8,10,12 combo will be ideal.

GRIFFIN web has been updated with 2012 products info, and now is including info, videos and detailed pictures of the new TRX:

http://www.griffinkites.com.au/products/trx

Totally different kite to the Naish Park different shape, strut placement,bridal config,wingtips etc i have both Park and TRX and they are far different kites, the same could be said for every bow kite on the market but all are different,is the park the same kite as a c4 no,but i suppose ignorance is bliss.

TRX comes with a quick dump valve and a inflate/deflate valve, the dump valve also doubles as a 1 way inflate valve.