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Core GTS-5 review.

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Created by OZGrominet > 9 months ago, 24 Jun 2018
OZGrominet
VIC, 10 posts
24 Jun 2018 11:51PM
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Hi guys,

This review of the new GTS is about freestyle and freeride, but unfortunately no wave test in here, sorry. Sizes tested : 9 & 10m

After a huge success with the GTS-4 during the past 2 years, CORE kiteboarding has decided to release the new GTS-5, and we couldn't wait any longer for it. But a few months before, a little baby was born, the NEXUS. Which is a crossover, more delta than C-shape kind of kite. And of course, with such a new comer, we were expecting the GTS-5 to go toward a more aggressive style than the GTS-4 because the GTS is no longer making the bridge between bow and C kites since the NEXUS is born.Even if they've done a huge marketing about the GTS-4 being a "megaloop machine", the GTS-4 was maybe easy to generate low and very controlled kiteloops, but in reality, it didn't have that much grunt compared to some other kites on the market.

So now you know, CORE has decided to inject some more horse powers into their new GTS-5. For us this new version of the GTS is basically a GTS-4 with the kick of an Ozone C4 or a Torch for example. But before telling you more about this aspect, let's describe the new beast step by step.

First, on the bar nothing changed apart from a second ball stopper installed on the safety line. Then the bag has a bigger front pocket but keeps the same general aspect with the same German quality (I know, I know, the factory is based in Sri Lanka.). Finally, you unfold the kite and you can see that once again the quality and solid construction are the priorities for the German brand CORE kiteboarding. You'll notice a few little changes compared to last year, like shorter strut connectors so they let the air flow normally when you pump up your kite. You'll still have the same three settings on the wing tips (hard bar pressure\medium\lighter) and on the bridles (freestyle\freeride\wave). On the wing tip settings, they actually call them medium\easy\super easy! Waowww! amazing.. sorry to make fun of that marketing description but it would be fairer to let people know straight away that the bar pressure is definitely harder than it was on the GTS-4.Yes, in fact, that's the first thing you'll notice when you launch the kite. The bar pressure is clearly one step higher (at equivalent settings please), and you'll love it if you're looking for a kite with a maximum feedback, but you will obviously be a bit uncomfortable the first time if you are used to lighter bar pressure like on a DICE or an FX. Just to remind you, the harder bar pressure will ask you more commitment but will make you progress much faster on your kite skills, lighter bar pressure is good for very long sessions and focus on your grabs and little movements (pop to blind for example ..).

The second change you will notice as soon as you get on the board, is the constant feedback of the kite. You'll know where your kite is at any time. And I'm not talking about the bar pressure giving you more feedback. No, try to remember the first time you tried the GTS-4, there was a tiny area between 10/11am or 1/2pm where the kite would stop giving you a frank feedback, and even more on the GTS-3. We know that after one or two sessions your body gets used to that hole and none of us would notice it again without paying attention, but still, this probably constantly disturbs your timing. But don't worry, this is finished, now you feel the kite flying like if it was your second skin at the very first second you're launching the GTS-5. Your transitions, downloops, and all your jumps will feel really natural.

Now you better be ready because the latest generation of CORE GTS is going to make you a ninja. But do you know what the main characteristic of a ninja is? ...whatever they do, they always land softly.

For me, the most exciting change about the GTS this year is the kick! Whoever has tried the Ozone C4 probably knows what I am talking about when I say I could spend my entire session doing straight kiteloops, just enjoying the explosive pull of the kite. This is where the GTS-5 is going. For those one that have started to actually move their kite while there're planning up in the air, you probably noticed that the GTS-4 wasn't giving much pull when you would resend the kite forward. Now this new model will give a good kick forward generating more adrenaline in your blood but also, will deliver more hangtime after your kiteloops. Yes, you've heard me right, and on top of that you still have the legendary fast recovery the GTS-4 had after any kiteloops. So now you can loop the kite super low, be certain the kite will catch you, and all the way up to 12 you will feel the kite holding you nicely, still making you traveling really far downwind if you want to keep the kite slightly forward, or you can just send the kite behind you to reduce the speed straight after your kiteloop and go back quickly to your take off zone to jump again. The GTS-4 always gave us the feeling of free falling after a megaloop for 1 or 2 seconds making the hand time a bit poor, or at least the timing to generate the hangtime was more difficult to synchronise, whereas the GTS-5 makes it very instinctive.

Unhooking abilities are still the same, which means really good I think. Although I'd say the kite is a little less stable than last year and off course a bit more explosive. But I can't say much about it as it's 5 to 12 degrees in Melbourne at the moment (winter) so I don't want to start saying bull**** that I'm not 100% sure about, just to fill up the review if you know what I mean.

All in all, the GTS-5 capitalises on the strengths of the GTS-4 bringing in a few welcome improvements, although if you like a lighter bar pressure and reduced power you may not find this new version much better that its predecessor. This new version is going toward a more aggressive style that requires a little more commitment, although you still have three different settings on the bridles to make the kite gentler. The relaunch abilities of the kite are still incredibly good, the depower is still great, and the progression of the kite through the wind window is even more instinctive than the GTS-4 was. As always, the feel you get from a kite is very personal, so go ahead and try it at least 1 hour to get used to it and give yourself a descent opinion about this new kite. Personally, this evolution suits better what I am looking for in a kite. My favourite set up is freestyle setting + middle setting on the wingtip (called "easy"), and I used to ride the GTS-4 on freestyle setting + furthest setting from the wingtip (called "medium").

We hope this will help you to choose between the NEXUS, XR5 and GTS-5 and the other kites of the market as it's never easy to make a choice since all the manufacturer\big shops reviews look all the same. Please let us know what you think.

Best windzzzz,

CORE Melbourne kiteboarding












www.facebook.com/MCoreKite/posts/1850203255026298

kemp90
QLD, 1692 posts
25 Jun 2018 6:12PM
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The gts 4 was the funnest kite iv ever looped. Not sure why they wanted to change it.

Fly on da wall
SA, 725 posts
26 Jun 2018 4:24AM
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That's a pimp not review.
Regurgitated spew...
Although paragraph 4, line 5 got me thinking.. Huh

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
26 Jun 2018 12:21PM
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F-arc I wish there was a red-thumb for you Fly

Fly on da wall
SA, 725 posts
26 Jun 2018 6:44PM
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Try 1.. I've never seen a guy swim in more than a guy on a black n white quiver of core kites. When they stall n do a WING TIP WRAP, then it's a long swim in hey old mate... ?? like old mate has done many time's... So guess what, he's on other kites now and still trying to sell em .. P.s.. I didn't say ****! Hardcore swimmer required!#goericreinstrayouchamp.. Pity about your new kite scenario...

Puetz
NT, 2172 posts
26 Jun 2018 11:12PM
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... nice one OZGrominet

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
27 Jun 2018 7:31AM
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Select to expand quote
Fly on da wall said..
That's a pimp not review.
Regurgitated spew...
Although paragraph 4, line 5 got me thinking.. Huh


I have to agree with fly on this. That review was as Sincere as a drunk alcoholic.

OZGrominet
VIC, 10 posts
28 Jun 2018 10:37PM
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Hi guys,

First sorry for the regurgitated spew, I must be drunk all the time then haha.
But I've tried to be as objective as possible, everyone has different perspective right ?

To Fly:
I caught the wing tip once with the short bridles on the gts5 but after maybe 10 seconds I managed to get it untangled. I don't think this is a real problem. Personally what I would like to replace is more the safety system on the bar as I'm more used to a single front line kind of safety for landing.... but you can use any 4 line bar system on the GTS5 anyways.
And we are 5 mates riding often together with our GTS and we never had to swim, except when one of us forget to attach the leash.

To Puetz & NorthernKitesAUS :
Thanks for your support so I don't feel alone in this wild environment. haha


CJ2478
NSW, 482 posts
29 Jun 2018 8:01AM
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I'd consider getting a kite from Core if these changes were ever implemented;
- soft ends on bar that wont knock your teeth out
- low V

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
29 Jun 2018 8:16AM
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Bar... get a north click bar adjust the height. Agreed, their bar is different

Low V... the characteristics of this kite revolve around the V height (and north's) . It's a big reason it flies like it flies and we like it... especially it's ability to handle strong gusty wind. Get over this low V crap and while you are it the ridiculous notion that pulkeyless kites are more direct. All that produces is mushy feeling kites that rock back and forth on the front lines as the bridles work so damn hard to Change the angle or attack. Bridles can only do so much so the kites canopy has to move, deform, rock back and forth... jellyfish to spill air. But crew like that I suppose. More dynamic for sure.

SibboV1
368 posts
29 Jun 2018 11:03AM
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Select to expand quote
NorthernKitesAUS said..
F-arc I wish there was a red-thumb for you Fly


Now you know how I feel when you post.

Macster
VIC, 276 posts
4 Jul 2018 4:45PM
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I look forward to trying it. I only flew the GTS4 once and really liked it. Compared to the Vegas (my usual weapon) it had better low end and was much more user-friendly for kiteloop jumping and catches you on the way down really well, but as you said, didnt generate a strong lateral pull through the loop.

I would have thought the GTS4 and maybe GTS5 is perfect for a kiter who likes to jump and loop a lot, maybe mix it up a little in the waves and do basic unhooked tricks but no double rotations that require a lot of line slack?

This to me places it in the same category as the FX, Dice and Enduro though in my experience the GTS4 delivers the most punch out of the lot and possibly more now according to this review?

OZGrominet
VIC, 10 posts
9 Jul 2018 5:52PM
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@Macster

Definitely less lateral pull one those 3 kites you mentioned.
Plus you can shorten the lines if you wanna make the kiteloops more explosive. 18m for maniacs and 24m for risk analysts.

The FX is really a one handed riding style or for beginners that don't like bow kites, not for those that want adrenaline.

For double handle passes ( maybe 20 kiters max in australia ), I think you are asking too much to be honest. But hey the triple handle pass has been landed with an RPM so why not :)

Ozone Kites Aus
NSW, 884 posts
Site Sponsor
10 Jul 2018 11:09AM
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Select to expand quote
eppo said..
Bar... get a north click bar adjust the height. Agreed, their bar is different

Low V... the characteristics of this kite revolve around the V height (and north's) . It's a big reason it flies like it flies and we like it... especially it's ability to handle strong gusty wind. Get over this low V crap and while you are it the ridiculous notion that pulkeyless kites are more direct. All that produces is mushy feeling kites that rock back and forth on the front lines as the bridles work so damn hard to Change the angle or attack. Bridles can only do so much so the kites canopy has to move, deform, rock back and forth... jellyfish to spill air. But crew like that I suppose. More dynamic for sure.


Chris, the high V on the front lines is a small part of why kites designed for it fly the way they do and for sure its true that they need the high V to keep the tips of the LE pinched so that the rest of the design of the kite delivers that powerful/tight turn feel. Keeps the LE shape and TE shape uniform too.
The bit you wrote about pulleyless bridle kites is a generalisation that is just not true or accurate at all for all kites that have no pulleys. Some pulleyless kites probably feel better than others, and vice versa for pulley bridle kites, but to some degree that's also subjective based on the riders experience and preferences.
My kites definitely do not "jellyfish to spill air", they also don't rock back and forward unless the rider is letting the bar in and out. A well designed pulleyless bridle does give a direct feel (but so does a well-designed pulley bridle kite although in my experience not as much direct feeling).
I've never heard my kites described as mushy, by anyone, but have heard that description from riders of some pulley bridle kites. I have flown pulleyless bridle kites (and pulley bridle kites) that do have a mushy feel, but it's important not to put all pulleyless bridle kites in that same basket, agree?

Nathe
WA, 433 posts
10 Jul 2018 9:38AM
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I've got the xr5 and hated the bar so I used my wainman low v bar and didn't even notice a difference in the way it flew, even on a gusty nw day. Might be that I'm not good enough to notice

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
15 Jul 2018 4:47PM
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Select to expand quote
Ozone Kites Aus said..

eppo said..
Bar... get a north click bar adjust the height. Agreed, their bar is different

Low V... the characteristics of this kite revolve around the V height (and north's) . It's a big reason it flies like it flies and we like it... especially it's ability to handle strong gusty wind. Get over this low V crap and while you are it the ridiculous notion that pulkeyless kites are more direct. All that produces is mushy feeling kites that rock back and forth on the front lines as the bridles work so damn hard to Change the angle or attack. Bridles can only do so much so the kites canopy has to move, deform, rock back and forth... jellyfish to spill air. But crew like that I suppose. More dynamic for sure.



Chris, the high V on the front lines is a small part of why kites designed for it fly the way they do and for sure its true that they need the high V to keep the tips of the LE pinched so that the rest of the design of the kite delivers that powerful/tight turn feel. Keeps the LE shape and TE shape uniform too.
The bit you wrote about pulleyless bridle kites is a generalisation that is just not true or accurate at all for all kites that have no pulleys. Some pulleyless kites probably feel better than others, and vice versa for pulley bridle kites, but to some degree that's also subjective based on the riders experience and preferences.
My kites definitely do not "jellyfish to spill air", they also don't rock back and forward unless the rider is letting the bar in and out. A well designed pulleyless bridle does give a direct feel (but so does a well-designed pulley bridle kite although in my experience not as much direct feeling).
I've never heard my kites described as mushy, by anyone, but have heard that description from riders of some pulley bridle kites. I have flown pulleyless bridle kites (and pulley bridle kites) that do have a mushy feel, but it's important not to put all pulleyless bridle kites in that same basket, agree?


To a point Steve I agree. But not entirely. It's a characteristic I've felt in EVERY pullless kite I've flown over the years without exception. Some more than others for sure. The guys I ride with concur.

Each to their own.



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"Core GTS-5 review." started by OZGrominet