Hi all, i'm planning to pick up three new wings and torn between grabbing remaining 2024 sale Duotone Units (3,4 and 5.5) or the Armstrong XPS (3,4 and 5.3). Pros and Cons of each wing option for sure but wanted to get input from anyone who has ridden either one or hopefully even both. Thanks in advance.
I had the older 2022 units in 4m and 5m and a dlab 6.5m and replaced them with the XPS even with the sale prices on the Units and the fact that I liked the way the older Units handled. Main reason I went away from Duotone is multiple leaks around the dump valves. I decided I wanted a wing design with less failure points on the bladders. so looked at brands with no dump valves and no "1-valve inflation" (eg. The hose connecting the 2 bladders). Then based on price point decided on XPS instead of the Ozone Flux. Currently have 4m, 5.1m, and 8m xps (the 6.5dlab is still in use). The XPS has been working well - they feel a little weak at the lower end but really handle overpowered conditions well. The 8m is my first big wing and it feels flexy compared to everything else I've owned (but I haven't used any other wing over 6.5m), but still handles very well overpowered.
Select to expand quotekiwiupover said..
I had the older 2022 units in 4m and 5m and a dlab 6.5m and replaced them with the XPS even with the sale prices on the Units and the fact that I liked the way the older Units handled. Main reason I went away from Duotone is multiple leaks around the dump valves. I decided I wanted a wing design with less failure points on the bladders. so looked at brands with no dump valves and no "1-valve inflation" (eg. The hose connecting the 2 bladders). Then based on price point decided on XPS instead of the Ozone Flux. Currently have 4m, 5.1m, and 8m xps (the 6.5dlab is still in use). The XPS has been working well - they feel a little weak at the lower end but really handle overpowered conditions well. The 8m is my first big wing and it feels flexy compared to everything else I've owned (but I haven't used any other wing over 6.5m), but still handles very well overpowered.
I've never had issues with the dump valves on Duotone wings, probably because I've never opened them.
The rear handle on the XPS is longer than the front one, which is a strange design choice.
I have had many Duotone wings and also never had an issue with any of the valves. Albeit I don't use the dump valves either.
I've used the XPS 5.3 but not the duotones. That XPS amazed me with how light and balanced it feels in use. Plus the wind range it handles is broard. I've also used a friend's XPS lightwind (7m not the 8m) and it was similarly surprising how well it handled given it's area. They added a carbon strut across the back of the main inflated strut to add area there and this keep the wing span down. I was impressed!
I'm buying a smaller xps next
P.s. have you seen the YouTube vid of an xps with handles OR boom option that is apparently in development?
Select to expand quoteskood said..
I've used the XPS 5.3 but not the duotones. That XPS amazed me with how light and balanced it feels in use. Plus the wind range it handles is broard. I've also used a friend's XPS lightwind (7m not the 8m) and it was similarly surprising how well it handled given it's area. They added a carbon strut across the back of the main inflated strut to add area there and this keep the wing span down. I was impressed!
I'm buying a smaller xps next
P.s. have you seen the YouTube vid of an xps with handles OR boom option that is apparently in development?
Thanks Skood. I appreciate the input. I think I'm going to go the route of the XPS....the weight difference alone is significant. I saw videos of their team riders on an XPS wing with a boom but when I inquired directly with Armstrong, they said its just been made for them. I can imagine they are working on a commercial version given the trend to booms but I have no idea when it might be released. I have asked my dealer to look into this but no word yet. Can you send me the video you've referred to?
