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12m 15K kite, Ozone catalyst over c4 or Dice

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Created by upandgo > 9 months ago, 15 Mar 2015
upandgo
VIC, 7 posts
15 Mar 2015 8:54PM
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I originally put this in the general kite section but i believe i should be asking in the review section

Hi Guys

Ability: intermediate
Riding style: freestyle, wakestyle, freeride
weight 65kg wind 15k.
board size: 132cm x 39

I have been riding Ozone C4 ever since I have taken up the sport, and I currently have a C4 in 7m 2011, 9m 2010 and 12m 1014. I had recently purchase the 12m to be able to ride in the lower 15knt range. From riding the C4's i have found out they ride the best when there is a bit of wind, almost you need a bigger size for what people could comfortable ride on on the same size in the lighter end of 15kts, once the wind drops the kite fails straight out of the sky and very hard to relaunch. All this could be because of my riding ability.

I am wanting to progress and learn more wake style tricks and it seems in Melbourne tends to have alot of wind around 15knts and the 12m C4 was meant to cover this, but i am finding that

a)my level is not there for lighter winds with this kite or
b) more wind is needed in general. i would love to say B but it could mostly likely be A.

From what I can tell from the oz C4 12m is that the build quality while it is top end, the weight around the kite is heavy compared to most 12m of similar style. i recently had the chance to take out a North Dice 12m Kite (2015) and in the light end of the 15k range flew like a bird, I was able to ride and relaunch (4 string setup) with out issues do some tricks and generate the power, and it felt like half the weight of my c4. I have also heard that the bottom end was improve in the 2015 then previous years.

I am looking for a kite to suit the 15k range without going bigger due to my size. I want to know about the OZ catalyst 12m and peoples thought if this could be compared to the Dice or its chalk and cheese,

1) is the catalyst 12m lighter then the C4 12m

2) does is fly better in the light 15knt winds (12m)
a) which year should i be looking if this is the way to go?

3) trying to stick with ozone as i have three bars which i can swap and change

4) cross over on light days to the north dice and when there is volume in the wind take out the 12m C4

5) or improve on something in my riding so i can accommodate this

6) set the kite up a different way Any information would be greatly appreciative.



i will prefer a discussion to happen and good technical information around the issue and not bagging out brands and hopefully favoritism is left out of the response to some extent. Thanks John

dafunk
QLD, 559 posts
15 Mar 2015 10:42PM
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Go a faster \bigger board .What board do you have ?
Was watching an 8m edge in 15kn on a race board was hauling !
The Cat would be better for light stuff n relaunch ,but wont turn like a c4



pedleym
WA, 168 posts
16 Mar 2015 9:48AM
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what sort of board are you riding at 65kg 15kn should be plenty on a 12m
you will find a board will play a big role in your wind range
if you are serious about pursuing Freestyle stick with the c4

Drury
NSW, 502 posts
16 Mar 2015 12:54PM
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Select to expand quote
upandgo said..

I originally put this in the general kite section but i believe i should be asking in the review section

Hi Guys

Ability: intermediate
Riding style: freestyle, wakestyle, freeride
weight 65kg wind 15k.
board size: 132cm x 39

I have been riding Ozone C4 ever since I have taken up the sport, and I currently have a C4 in 7m 2011, 9m 2010 and 12m 1014. I had recently purchase the 12m to be able to ride in the lower 15knt range. From riding the C4's i have found out they ride the best when there is a bit of wind, almost you need a bigger size for what people could comfortable ride on on the same size in the lighter end of 15kts, once the wind drops the kite fails straight out of the sky and very hard to relaunch. All this could be because of my riding ability.

I am wanting to progress and learn more wake style tricks and it seems in Melbourne tends to have alot of wind around 15knts and the 12m C4 was meant to cover this, but i am finding that

a)my level is not there for lighter winds with this kite or
b) more wind is needed in general. i would love to say B but it could mostly likely be A.

From what I can tell from the oz C4 12m is that the build quality while it is top end, the weight around the kite is heavy compared to most 12m of similar style. i recently had the chance to take out a North Dice 12m Kite (2015) and in the light end of the 15k range flew like a bird, I was able to ride and relaunch (4 string setup) with out issues do some tricks and generate the power, and it felt like half the weight of my c4. I have also heard that the bottom end was improve in the 2015 then previous years.

I am looking for a kite to suit the 15k range without going bigger due to my size. I want to know about the OZ catalyst 12m and peoples thought if this could be compared to the Dice or its chalk and cheese,

1) is the catalyst 12m lighter then the C4 12m

2) does is fly better in the light 15knt winds (12m)
a) which year should i be looking if this is the way to go?

3) trying to stick with ozone as i have three bars which i can swap and change

4) cross over on light days to the north dice and when there is volume in the wind take out the 12m C4

5) or improve on something in my riding so i can accommodate this

6) set the kite up a different way Any information would be greatly appreciative.



i will prefer a discussion to happen and good technical information around the issue and not bagging out brands and hopefully favoritism is left out of the response to some extent. Thanks John


The board is the problem I think. 12m C4 is no problem in 15knts at 85kg for me.

kitcho207
NSW, 861 posts
16 Mar 2015 1:05PM
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yep, i like the bigger board idea.
I know your a lot lighter, but we can compare oranges with marinades... lol (not too sure about the later C4's)
I had an 11m 2011 C4 and at 88kg i wouldnt get it out of the bag unless it was around 24kn.
Then i bought a 9m RPM. I had both kites at the beach and it was only blowing around 18kn
I thought i just wont have fun on the C4 so thought what the hell, ill try the 9m.
Up and riding no prob.
relaunch soooo much easier too.
I'm not saying buy an RPM, but demo demo demo.

pedleym
WA, 168 posts
16 Mar 2015 12:34PM
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it is not just about size but more design eg. my 136 cardboard fr will be powered in 15kn on my 11.5 but not a chance on my 140 tona flow.
at the lower end of the range you need (as dafunk said) a faster more efficient board

also when doing freestyle its nice to have a bigger platform to land on

upandgo
VIC, 7 posts
16 Mar 2015 9:44PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks for the feedback guys, if i was going to consider a bigger board, what size should i be looking at, i feel the one i currently have legth wise is big, but i do nothing the width a little small.

The other day i was riding a friends 9m North dice kite in low winds and her board was much wider and i felt more flotation then my board, i believe her board was smaller in length but i could be wrong.

Any suggestion at the moment i am riding a underground flx i believe it could be a 2010 board.

i will go out and demo demo demo





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"12m 15K kite, Ozone catalyst over c4 or Dice" started by upandgo