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Rider: Intermediate
Pies: 92 to 93
Not Affiliated and buy all my own gear.
I had my first go on the new 2015 model Zephyr 17 today in flat water conditions at Shearwater, Runaway Bay on the Goldy in slack tide (so non to negligible tide assist). Myself and a mate were out testing this back to back with the 2014 model Zephyr in "ONLY" 9 to 12 knot wind conditions on my 141 x 44.5 North Spike TT and he on his Crazy Fly Light Wind Pro model 148 x 45 TT. I was so impressed with it's performance that I rushed back to our local kite shop Surf FX and bought one. In my opinion I found It has far superior upwind performance and quite a bit more power delivery than 2014 model kite however not to take too much away from the 2014 model kite as it is still a very good kite and solid performer for what it is. I was able to boost the latest model one approx. 3 meters high (which is impressive for my weight in such light conditions) and it just wanted to hang in the air for ages, somewhere around for what felt like a good 15 seconds and 30 metres of travel. I know this does not sound much but for light wind it starts to make those conditions into a fun session instead of a mow the grass session. I'm sure in better winds this thing is going to boost huge. I was saying to my mate that one would want to calculate for increased downwind room for in those conditions. I was able to single and double back roll it as well with no troubles at all. My mate also tried it out the previous day in approx. 15 knot winds where I did not have that opportunity and he confirmed that it boosted amazingly (somewhere into Ozone Edge territory) and cut upwind way better than the 2014 model. More riding would need to be done in varying conditions for me to be able to comment to much further but we found that it appears the new kite has a bit more higher aspect and has a more flattened out arc than the 2014 model. We both felt that this is where the trade off comes that this years does not turn or pivot quite as fast as last years and feels like it is more sluggish in trying to loop it. But it is what it is and that is a light wind performer kite and with the improved upwind and boosting capabilities in such light conditions and the trade off for a bit slower turning speed which did not bother me to much was enough to convince me to upgrade. One thing of note though we did have to move the under the bar end float adjustments down to the lower knot closer to the bar to reduce back line slack for such light winds. I'm sure as the winds are up over 16+ knots then it would be a case for adjusting the knot setting up to the furthest away from the bar setting. This now leaves me with the dilemma of my 2014 model Zephyr (in very good condition, no repairs) to sell. If anyone is interested please PM me. What about you Sisco? 
I can honestly say, I find it hard to believe the new zeph would be that much different, the 2014 flys upwind and is an awesome moderate wind kite, from my experience these kites come to life around 13 /14 plus,under that and I would rather do something else!
I've been flying my 14m rpm a lot lately, which is awesome from around 15knots.
In Melbourne there is a mid day patch of between 12 to 16 knots, a perfect smooth sea breeze, and I can't wait to bust out the mk3 zephyr.
Hopefully it arrives tomorrow, if so I will also have a review , however not sure with the forecast for next few days.
I have the 2013 Zephyr and weigh ~90kg with gear. Low end is 12kts, comes alive at 14kts. I can push the lowend down with a light wind board but then you are just mowing the lawn.
If the new model has better low end but turns slower I suspect it's simply bigger. I love how 17m and 17m can be quite different, see the 17m Dyno vs. the 17m 2013 Zephyr. I'd love to see the 2013/14 Zephyr on top of the 2015 model. 
I agree, i would love to see them laid on top of each other to give an idea of the differences in shape
....ok I am intrigued, more boost, more upwind with little compromise on slower turning? The earlier model is already an awesome kite and a godsend for us heavy blokes. Let's hear from someone else who has actually tried the new one. I want the doubters to be proven wrong Lostinspace.
Haters can keep on hating 
Had the new 2015 Zephyr out in 16 to 17kts winds today on my 138 Cab XCaliber Carbon Fibre and boosting it 10metres plus in flat water with tide assist going in the wrong direction. It was so predictable and stable doing boosts, landings and tricks that just made things so easy for me. As for being a bit slow turning speed, mmmmmeh! Did not bother me in the slightest. Might bother some one a bit more challenged in the guns department. I have found the new love of my life in this Kite and cannot wait to see what she will do in 18 to 20kts. I might need to have a couple of klm's of downwind flight path spare
I wonder now if they will allow Kiter and Kite marriage 
Just to add to my previous, previous post as I am getting inundated by enquiries for my 2014 Zephyr, unfortunately for those it has now been sold to a fortunate new owner 
Had the new 2015 Zephyr out in 16 to 17kts winds today on my 138 Cab XCaliber Carbon Fibre and boosting it 10metres plus in flat water with tide assist going in the wrong direction. It was so predictable and stable doing boosts, landings and tricks that just made things so easy for me. As for being a bit slow turning speed, mmmmmeh! Did not bother me in the slightest. Might bother some one a bit more challenged in the guns department. I have found the new love of my life in this Kite and cannot wait to see what she will do in 18 to 20kts. I might need to have a couple of klm's of downwind flight path spare
Ok, I may have been been a little bit ambitious in my estimate but reflecting back and reassessing on how high I got on a few jumps today I would have easily been clearing the rooftop of pitched roof single story residence so I am going to call it at least 6 metre high jumps. Which totally blew me away on the ability of this kite. IMO I believe I can get this to equal or outjump any Edge at a comparable or smaller size without looping assist in under 20kts winds. Over 20kts might be an issue with me trying to hold this baby down but I am willing to give it a try
35ft is roughly 10m... does not seem that unreasonable, especially as 17knts is going to be in the sweet spot of wind range.
Will know if bollocks or not after ive had a chance to fly in similar conditions.
Is the offer of carton open to anybody who can prove it?
From what you guys are saying the Zephyr is really for what purpose: light wind, boost, edging, racing or visuals?
Like I am still confused about this kite.
It's not a light wind kite, because if you feel it's "sweet" in 17knots, then that makes my 12mt kites light wind kites. They can fly in under 15knots, and I weight 80kg.
So it's a kite for boosting then because of the bigger aspect ratio?
Or is it a kite for edging only up wind?
Or is it better for racing with boards above 141cm?
Or is it just a pretty looking thing in the sky?
When the Z came out everyone raved about it being a light wind kite. It's not. It doesn't even flutter in anything under 14knots!
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Rider:- intermediate.
Pies:- 100+
Boards:- surfboard and Twintip.
Wind:- 12knots building to 16knots.
Location:- St kilda pier.
Affiliate:- Buy all my gear at the best price I can find, but also like to support my local kite shop.
Just got back in from first zephyr session.
Firstly I must retract 10m air possibility, as it's not going to happen. (When it's windy enough for big sent airs I will not be on this kite ).
Ok, so I've now flown, at first there was only a few hydrofoiler out on chronos, but I got out on my surfboard.
It's a really stable kite and straight away I felt comfortable.
Self launched well off the sand and never touched the water or stalled..
Once the wind cleaned up and hit the 14knot mark I grabbed my twintip, the kite is a little slow for doing sent boosts, but then again it's a 17m.
I found it looped too slow to catch me in transition tricks and I got spanked hard once and dragged while the kite looped underneath, prob about 5m height, slighty above the pier height. But I prob just needed to send it harder.
I landed on my side, I tried not to show the pinky slap pain.
Unhooked it was excellent, only doing railies and s-bends tho.
I felt like if the wind picked up anymore I would have wanted to change down to my 14m Rpm, but I did not touch the depower.
I guess the best part is it got me out on the water doing tricks at a lower wind speed, I would have been on my surfboard for the entire session without it.
imo its a leader of the lightwind bunch, but for those that want to progress with their tricks, as a mow the grass lightwing youd be better with the edges, I felt the 15 edge was on a par maybe slightly above in terms of getting out in lightwind, for me it was a 13 to 19knt kite, you can improve both ends depending on what board you ride and weight, gives you a huge amount of time for jumping and rotational transitions, with a very quick response in bar to kite reaction, not in turning more on off with power delivery, team it up with a mako or similar and youll exstend you time in pretty ordinary conditions
