Ocean Rodeo 17M Flite

Rider: Weight - 80 & 85kgs. Level - not beginners but Im unsure of skill level.
Style: Freeriding
Weather: 8 to 13 knots
Build Quality: ?/10 "impressed"
Satisfaction: ?/10 "fantastic kite"
Disclosure: this is 'cut & paste' email feedback - from our first demo tester of the Ocean Rodeo 17M Flite.
I havent tried it myself as yet but wont be long.

Thanks for the demo, my wife is going to drop the kite off so thought I'd give you my thoughts.
Ended up in Cervantes for the long weekend which usually is nuking but Saturday was nothing about about 15knts. A mate also bought along his 2011 Zephyr which made for an interesting comparison. We spent the day alternating between 132x42 Luigi, 136x40 Cabrinha Twin tips and an airush sector 60.

Kite flew really well and was impressed with the build. we came to the same conclusions;
1. Flite has more upwind potential and was easier to fly than the zephyr we had
2. Bar pressure was less on the Flite
3. Flite seemed to have more low end (only 1-2 knots)
4. Flite turns quicker in the lighter winds, about the same in the higher winds

We were trying to get going in 8knts at one point on the sector 60, which didn't work (he's about 80kg and I'm 85kg). His girlfriend did manage to get going in 8 knts on the sector 60 with both the flite and zephyr (no experience on the sector 60 before) and weighs around 55kg.

Wind built to 10-11knots and I had the Flite up and going on the sector 60, but couldnt get going on the zephyr. My mate could just get the zephyr going with the same conditions (his kite, so knows it well) but said it was far easier to get riding on the flite.

Around 13 knots we were both able to get riding on the twin tips on both kites, again the flite was easier due to having a little more low end power. Didn't get to see it's upper end as the wind never really came it but it is a fantastic kite.

Ocean Rodeo are claiming its the lightest kite in its class???
On returning the kite our customers first comment was on how much lighter it was than the Zephyr - but remember it was a 2011 Zephyr they were cross testing. No comparison intended here re the latest models. Just reporting as reported.
Flite is available for demo anytime.

2011 zephyr, absolute pointless comparison. Completely and utterly redundant.

Fair enough....

Gee Tomasb from Swaziland you really are brave. So good to have someone like you pointing out all Eppos's weaknesses.
Thankyou SO much.

wow

handbags at the ready . . .
1
2
3
Fight!!!

Fair enough

Okay so I grabbed the new 3 strut flite from puppet for a run as I figured I was out of line above, breaking my cardinal rule, never comment on a kite unless you've flown it.

Guilty as charged.

I can infer the points puppet provided through that other dude and pretty spot on.

As outlined on the kite forum a while back on back to back demos done by ocean extreme (in which all the riders really liked this kite...will try and dig it up as a link) this is a very nice, stable and relatively quick kite in the air.

This is due to the fact that it's power generation is not wholly aspect driven given it's moderate aspect. It does sit back a little in the window but nothing like a big mama or a fat lady for instance. In a nice spot, that allows some consistent power and through the pulley and bridal system provide a nice comfortable bar pressure.

It does give a nice consistent smooth pull and as I said is very user friendly. Some of the power for jumps can be a little lost through the pulleys and through the air especially when looping (say on a darkslide or backroll back loop) the feeling through the bar is reduced. The loops have little power and some people may dig this as after all it's a 17m kite!!

Another thing I'd like OR to consider is the small low flow inflate valve on a 17m kite,... just doesn't cut it anymore. Get a high flow on that sucker please.

A well built, fast turning 17m with a great balance between this turning speed and consistent smooth power delivery due to its aspect and profile would be the best way to describe this kite for me.

It would have to be a kite one must put on their demo list when doing a light wind kite search. It's a fair dinkum light wind kite as well, we got going in some very light winds at times.

Hope that helps....

hey eppo, m8 only 25 posts to go, my bet says it'll be tonight.
Is this one on sports bet?

Anyway, we've got the new Flite demo kites on the Eastern side, should be some reviews coming up soon....

Reverse launching does that... especially when you don't pump it up enough.

I got a new flight 17 off Nigel from east coast kiting on the Sunshine Coast it's a really nice easy kite to fly and very fast turning for a kite that size. I have been riding it on my surfboard mostly and loving it , it doesn't do anything crazy like on rippertom 's video link, quiet the opposite it's very well behaved








9-12knts ne and having a fun I guess that's all that matters

That would be the Ocean Rodeo Fusion bar with ATB trim (from the look of it)
Its a nice clean bar with all the required goodies.
Note here...
Much like Push-Away QR's a few years back bars will be pretty much same same regardless of brand in 2015.
Apart from the few exceptions who arent following suit with whats evolved as best features & options required by our developing industry.