Anyone try the Orbit yet?
Trying to get hold of one here in North Qld but no success yet.
I believe SunshineCoast Boardsports in Caloundra on the Sunny Coast are stocking the new 2020 North range.
There is some feedback on kiteforum.
Thanks epp....yeah I've read about it on there but nothing really in depth about it. Probably wait until Mac kiteboarding to finish off their full test.
Thought we might have got some feedback from Briskites demo day....maybe no wind that weekend?????
Anyway Epp if you can't find a descent kite to replace your 2017 10mt, I've got mine which I've used about 6-7times....might be able to work out a deal
Thanks Gateman but don't think I'd be able to get a demo from them as I'm further up North
We've been using both the Orbit and the Carve for a few weeks here now and the feedback has been amazing, don't take my word for it go grab a demo!
Here's a video from last week here in the UK, we've used both the Orbit and the Carve in our school also. Obviously the Carve is the better choice for beginners but the Orbit was well received too.
There is some feedback on kiteforum.
Thanks epp....yeah I've read about it on there but nothing really in depth about it. Probably wait until Mac kiteboarding to finish off their full test.
Thought we might have got some feedback from Briskites demo day....maybe no wind that weekend?????
Anyway Epp if you can't find a descent kite to replace your 2017 10mt, I've got mine which I've used about 6-7times....might be able to work out a deal
Thanks Gateman but don't think I'd be able to get a demo from them as I'm further up North
Sent an email bro...
that link is amusing...
I'll just wander down to Western Australia on that date
Anyone try the Orbit yet?
Trying to get hold of one here in North Qld but no success yet.
Ben at Unhooked Watersports Wollongong stocks North
I got my new 11m orbit today and had a run for a couple of hours. I did demo them in Sydney a few weeks ago and i found it really confidence instilling 7m 30-40kn westerly and was as comfortable to ride as a 12m in 18kn. I haven't looped for a few years but it really made me want to loop. Steering felt direct with great feedback and its stable in the gusts. It is super easy to jump. My 2019 rebel always felt vague and unsettled.
Just my initial opinion as not enough time on it yet to find negatives. I get the bar next week. Bag is really nicely finished
The test day in Sydney was probably the worst wind to test a kite you could ask for. That being said if the kite felt OK, that is a good sign in those conditions.
Look forward to hearing more from you when you really have put it through its paces
I only put 6lb air in it today.. while general riding it was stable the leading edge did fold a little in a heavy loaded loop. It wasn't doing this with a bit more pressure so will pump it a bit harder from now on.
I thought North was finished or replaced by ... ahem... "Doootownnne". Spewing
What rock are you living under
Just a quick update regarding the new North kites after a few demo days around the country with different wind conditions and listening to different feedback we can finally say that the Orbit flies exactly like... an Orbit!!
Despite lots of people wanted to tag this kite as a copy of the Switchblade or Rebel, the Orbit doesn't feel like any kite out there, light bar pressure, amazing top-end and incredible looping abilities. Yes, it does belong to the Freeride - Boost - Big Air game as the Rebel an SB, but probably with a more playful feeling.
And yes! I am affiliated with NKB, therefore don't take my word for it, but ask your local dealer for a demo and find out yourself.
P.S. Wind is building up and I just received the new Pulse, and trust me, looks waaaaaay different than an FX :)
Will post some pics soon
I tried the new Carve (12m) and the Cross directional. I was impressed. It was a crappy, light, directly onshore wind, and this rig had me flying upwind with no trouble and loving the very even power of the kite. Would be cool to try in good conditions. The demo was a few weeks ago, and provided by Kite Addiction in Myaree
Hi Mate,
I had some really good feedback form surfboards, Thanks to the Futurelite construction the board is strong but still retain lot of flex, despite lots of board out there with so many layers.
All the components are top notch:
- FCS 2 fin plugs , ot cheap chinese Multibox plugs
- High density foam figure 8 fin plugs insert, cutting a square block is way but prone to creasing
- Full deck pad with front foot bump and additional EVA pad under your front foot, will prevent your heel from shattering the glass over time, and will be soft on your knees
- Futurlite construction, 5x8mm of blanks have been routered out the blank and filled with Carbon and Innegra, the board retains a lot of flex and the Futurlite wire act as stringer along the deck and around the straps insert, on the bottom, it goes around the fin plugs to lock them in and around the rails to transmit every feedback coming from the tail to the whole board.
And much more, here is the link scroll down to see all the technology used on these boards.
www.northkb.com/en/products/surfboards/charge-performance-surf
As I always say, seek your local retailer and get a demo if you can, where are you located?
Soooooo, went out on the Pulse 9m yesterday and felt pretty good.
Wind was 18-22knts dropping but the kite felt nice with a decent low end and good upwind ability ( I am 70kg )
It's definitely way more square than the Orbit, and quite playful, the kite is very stable and require a decent input to have a response ( which is what I like on freestyle - wakestyle kite ) but then the turning speed of the kite is pretty good, looking forward to try some loops today in stronger wind.
I haven't been doing unhooked tricks for a while but the kite was very intuitive and I surprisingly landed my first backmobe in ages at the first go, I am mostly wave riding nowadays as I find it much softer on my knees when compared to wakestyle sessions.
I take some pics and a lucky enough to get a video of my pass, so posting that one as well.