2013 Ozone C4

Any news on pricing and preorder dates?

Seriously disappointed. I'm all for testing but ozone have had a full year since they had trouble with their last batch of bars. Fail

Ozone are one of the leading manufactures as far as quality goes, however in my opinion they are now years behind the leaders in regards to safety systems. Their current pull towards systems are safe to general freeride riders, but they just don't cater to freestyle/unhooked riders that ride suicide.

Ozone just might be (correct me if I'm wrong) the only brand that doesn't have a dual safety system where it is possible to ride suicide yet still have access to a complete flag out safety when needed immediately. I have had many instances where I have got into trouble when riding suicide (known that there is a high possibility of the kite looping/ripped by waves) yet I've had to wait several anxious seconds disconnecting the carabiner from suicide to the safety loop - NOT FUN.

Was set to buy a quiver of three 2013 C4's with the new push away release system playing a big factor towards the purchase. With the new chicken loop set for release in 2014, I'm thinking of looking at other manufactures or possibly riding my current 2011 c4's into the ground.

^^^

I have found myself in trouble when hooked in (yet still in suicide mode) therefore still giving me access to pull the release. I can't pull the release though until i reposition the carabiner. Once had a fuel fly through my lines sending my kite into a "soft" loop. Managed to get my safety connected in time though.

Steve I will send you an email regarding the package you sent me. If I stick with my 2011's i'll reimburse you accordingly. Thanks mate

I was also looking at C4's for 2013, but coming from another manufacturer the bar feels miles behind so for me the C4 is off the short list this time. I did demo a 2012 one. Downsides for me are the bar being super fat in the middle, limited safety options for unhooking, no stopper ball so the bar shoots up when I unspin my lines, girlfriend can't reach the depower clear and just don't like those pointy plastic things on the end of the bar. Obviously some of this is personal preference and some is purely functional. The kite is very nice, but it didn't blow me away enough to go with the bar. Of course you can use a different bar but when you come to sell second hand buyers want the bar that goes with the kite.

Whats the RRP on a 11 metre (kite only) 2012 model ?

Just so I have a idea of how much cash i need to stash outta sight of the wife between now and release date?

Cheers, I know there is nothing major bad about it but compared to the current bars from North, cabrinha etc there is not much good about it either. Just feels like paying full toke for out of date gear. Is the updated bar definately going to be available next year???

^^^^^
You just keep using those sand bags to keep your kite safe and secure on the beach mate! Wouldn't want some wet sand discolouring your crispy white canopy.

You're kidding yourself if you don't think the bar is outdated. It's 3 years old and all they've done is put some neoprene around the clam cleat and thin the line floats. I think the current bar is almost perfect besides the chicken loop. All they need to do is drop the safety line through the middle of the chicken loop, push away release and they could manufacture that bar for the next 10 years.

Ozone would have had a similar safety system to North and Cabrinha if they could get their **** together - Simple as that! Has nothing to do with them not buying into "safety equals sales" nonsense you are dribbling on about...

The new bar will be available next year for sure. Regarding other brands bars, some evolve their bars, as Cab have done for several years now, releasing new a minor upgrades each year. North would be in the same boat and I only mention those brands because you did. Problem with this type of constant refinement is that product becomes hard to service due to all the different parts, unique to each annual upgrade.
This is a serious issue for customers and retailers!

Ozone work quite differently. They are a kite company and they are unique in that they make their own kites and nothing else in their own factory. This is one of the reasons behind the extremely high quality of an Ozone kite.
Ozone don't make bars and as far as I know none of the kite brands actually make their own bars, so quality control does become an issue. Ozone was caught up in the failure of one of the main bar manufacturing factories this caused a massive setback and delay to the R&D of their new bar.
Ozone also do not believe in change just for the sake of change and to compete to have the brightest most fashionable kites, instead Ozone prefers to make constant refinements based on user feedback and feedback from the R&D team.
Hang in there, I'm sure the new bar will be worth the wait, Matt, Robbie, Torrin and the team are super thorough when it come to product design and testing.

While it is amusing watching you ozone folk bicker like little bitches I do understand ya frustration. Don't feel to bad the bandit 6 is being released with a bar setup that I was using back in 1997. Now thats stupid.

Just buy the kites I reckon. As this is 99 percent of why you fly an ozone kite. It it's not ya have ya head up ya ass and need to get real.

Well today I went out and purchased a new line set 200 bucks, so I will be definitely buying a new kite only and thrashing my bar into the ground.

Positives of my bar:
- Fly's kite
- Feels comfortable to me
- Simple
- Easy to de-power on the fly

Dislike
- Release system could be improved

IMO the ozone kites are bloody fantastic, the bar is simple and practical.

I'm only newish to the kiting world and haven't had any problems caused by my equipment and feel confident and happy with my kite and bar.

Bring on the 2013, ill be happy to get a new bar when it comes out because I know that it will be quality.

release date looking like it's november

ouch, i pay well under 100 for my genuine ozone lines , you was ripped dude

Eppo. Go watch the bandit details on production re: bars.
They look super strong and simple and comfortable. I personally like the ozone bar, and love my race bar. I want something I can rely on when I'm looping my c4 in 30 knots. Not some new shiny plastic and colorful bar that could kill me.

You wonder why people give you thumbs down...

I'm just guessing you wonder how Ozone sell kites because you don't run a business that is similar? Ozone are selling thousands of kite annually, with very loyal customers who repeat purchase, because they like the quality of the kite and the performance and feel.
If Ozone were to release info on new models then dealers with unsold stock would get stuck or lose even more of the precious margin they need to stay in business in these tough times.
I've already stated there will be no new bar this year and that a completely new bar will be released with the 2014 kites after Ozone have tested it thoroughly. New kites do not need new bars every year, unless there is something seriously wrong with a current bar design, and the fact is that there is nothing seriously wrong with the current bar design. However Ozone owners and design team all kite, travel frequently to kite spots all over the world and get feedback on design improvements, which is what ozone owner expect and will get on their 2014 kites. I'll bet that new 2014 bar will then be around for at least 3-5 years with only minor running changes.

I've stated a couple of times that you can pre-order 2013 Ozone C4 kites now, and that dealers will be able to place orders on the Ozone order system within a week or two at most. The C4 will be available to customers around the end of this month.