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FlyDunes

Since 09 Oct 2007
1034 Posts
Aloha
XTreme Poster
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Tue Aug 06, 13 3:57 pm |
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Lurk wrote: | Thanks for the photos and comparisons. Much appreciated. Only comment I have is that I like the 2012 Rallys a bit more for their lightweight and speed. I think speed makes up for size, and at 180lbs it works better for me. |
I own 2011 Rallys, which have been my favorite kites to-date, and I just recently bought a 2014 12M, which I've flown in conditions ranging from very light to way overpowered.
My observations are:
1). The 2014 Rally 12M feels like a 14M. It's got the pull of a 14M but it's significantly slower turning than my 2011 Rally 12M.
It's extremely stable in all conditions, has a ton of power, and it's a great kite, but to replace my 2011 12M Rally, I think I should have bought a 2014 10M Rally. Slingy literature suggests something like "if you are on the edge between two kite sizes, choose the smaller". I'd suggest that you just go one size smaller regardless of whether you are on the edge.
I don't see any advantage to the new additional "mini-struts" that got tacked on a couple of years ago. I've never had any stability or flutter problems with my 2011's. I'd rather that Slingy reverted to their old three strut design.
2). The 2014 bar kicks ass. It feels better in your grip (slightly smaller diameter maybe?). In my experience the depower works like a charm without binding even when way over powered. The new donkey dick seems much more durable, easier to engage, doesn't crease when you engage it, and it locks in solid. I'm considering getting new bars for my 2011 Rallys. The new bar is dialed-in nice!
_________________ Lets FLY |
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toddjb

Since 16 Oct 2007
271 Posts
MD
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 06, 13 7:45 pm |
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FlyDunes wrote: | ...1). The 2014 Rally 12M feels like a 14M. It's got the pull of a 14M but it's significantly slower turning than my 2011 Rally 12M.
It's extremely stable in all conditions, has a ton of power, and it's a great kite, but to replace my 2011 12M Rally, I think I should have bought a 2014 10M Rally... |
Yup...I replaced my 10/14 with the same sizes and was thinking I should have gone 9/12 instead. BUT, still have minimal time on 'em. So your feedback is good to read!
FlyDunes wrote: | ...I don't see any advantage to the new additional "mini-struts" that got tacked on a couple of years ago. I've never had any stability or flutter problems with my 2011's. I'd rather that Slingy reverted to their old three strut design.... |
I understand WHY they did it as I have seen heavier riders and folks in lessons fly the thing through the power zone, fully sheeted in, with less than optimum air pressure and the kite did weird things. So yeah, they had to do something. BUT, it never did for me, so I agree with you!
I did notice those extra two struts add some weight and size to the kite when packed down. The old 3 strut design packed down like a dream! My 2012 always impressed folks... "damn, that 14 packs down small!" So, I guess for 2014 it's more on par with the size of everybody else's kites.
Anyway, I'm still talking out my ass for the most part because I need more time on the darn things, but as I haven't been able to find wind, I like reading about other people's!
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knotwindy
Since 25 Sep 2011
615 Posts
Addicted
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Tue Aug 06, 13 7:56 pm |
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a friend had his 8m 2012 on the beach and we laid my 7m 2014 on top of it and there was almost no difference in size although the wingtips are a slightly different shape. so, yes, the 2014's have a better bottom end! and they are plenty fast for me but my largest is a 9 so that does not mean much. great all around kite, jumps, drifts, turns and even has some pull in the loops now. and i agree the bar is better now as well. easy to depower/power with one hand without looking, nice.
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toddjb

Since 16 Oct 2007
271 Posts
MD
Obsessed
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Mon Aug 26, 13 7:18 am |
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knotwindy wrote: | a friend had his 8m 2012 on the beach and we laid my 7m 2014 on top of it and there was almost no difference in size although the wingtips are a slightly different shape. so, yes, the 2014's have a better bottom end! and they are plenty fast for me but my largest is a 9 so that does not mean much. great all around kite, jumps, drifts, turns and even has some pull in the loops now. and i agree the bar is better now as well. easy to depower/power with one hand without looking, nice. |
Ditto with the 9M.
I laid the 2014 9M on top of the 2012 10M and they were the same size. Just the elbows of the 2012 sticks out because the straight sections on the older kite's wing tips run longer. (Shout if you want pictures and I'll post 'em.)
So, the wind range of the two (9 vs 10) is probably comparable, but the 2012 10 probably has the edge because it has two less struts and is lighter. But just buy the 2014 10M if that concerns you.
I have flown the 2014 9M and it's a great kite. Very stable. Agile. Will be fun in the waves. The 14M is sluggish (nothing like the 2012 14M). BUT, it's a super stable sky helicopter waiting to serve you! It's really a unique feeling as even in the low teens (mph) it required very little input...you can't turn it as fast, but in some situations (strapless in small waves) I just stopped trying. I just left it alone up there, carved up some ankle biters, and the 14M just steadily pulled me along as needed.
Has anyone flown the 12M 2014? Curious to hear about the low end of the kite.
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jeremy

Since 18 Aug 2006
276 Posts
Manzo & HR
Obsessed
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Mon Aug 26, 13 1:16 pm diffs between brands |
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Well, I lined up my 5 Blade, 7 Caution, 9 Caution, and 9 Naish kites, was very surprized to see how much the two 9s varied.
My 9m Mayhem always felt a bit small and the 9m Torch felt a bit big, maybe Naish doesn't count some of the wing-tips since it's a C ??
I picked up a 7m Helix recently, and it's almost got as much power as my 9m kites, was surprised a kite's design could have such a HUGE impact on power generation.
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5,7,9, and 9 ! |
kite-sizes 015.800.jpg |
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toddjb

Since 16 Oct 2007
271 Posts
MD
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 27, 13 12:29 pm Re: diffs between brands |
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jeremy wrote: | Well, I lined up my 5 Blade, 7 Caution, 9 Caution, and 9 Naish kites, was very surprized to see how much the two 9s varied.
... |
Interesting line up!
the 5/7/9 SLEs seem to make sense.
The 9 C? Yeah, I guess that's because it is a C.
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Weaz

Since 23 May 2012
360 Posts
Beaverton
Obsessed
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Tue Aug 27, 13 2:06 pm |
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I've heard that some manufactures size it by power and wind speed instead of fabric area. That could be so that a 10m C and 10m bow work about the same in the same wind.
_________________ Switch Nitro II (8m, 10m, 12m)
2011 Slingshot Key (10m, 13m) |
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MTBob
Since 11 Jan 2013
10 Posts
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Sat Sep 07, 13 8:17 am |
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Am I the only person with 2013 Rallys without multiple attachment points for the steering lines? I've been waiting for someone else to chime in. I've got 7 and 9 meter 2013 Rallys and the only attachment points are on the front of the wingtip...most bar pressure, slowest turning. My old 2012 14 meter and my new 2014 12 meter have several...four on the the new one.
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ldhr
Since 21 Jul 2009
1489 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster
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Sat Sep 07, 13 3:37 pm |
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2013's had one and only one attachment point on the wing tip.
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boardrider

Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
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Sat Sep 07, 13 5:33 pm |
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2014 has 3 attachment points for the steering lines - Has anyone tried the different settings ? I've only used the middle attach point..
Got to try the 8m unhooked today, and I was diggin it .. Pretty darn good for a kite of this design ..
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toddjb

Since 16 Oct 2007
271 Posts
MD
Obsessed
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Tue Sep 10, 13 7:41 am |
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boardrider wrote: | 2014 has 3 attachment points for the steering lines - Has anyone tried the different settings ? I've only used the middle attach point..
Got to try the 8m unhooked today, and I was diggin it .. Pretty darn good for a kite of this design .. |
Since nobody has answered this. I have an answer...although it probably doesn't help.
I think my 14M actually has 4 steering line attachment points. I tried this twice, in light air. The factory location is 3 back from the tip, I moved it to the tip-most connector which is where I left it. I can't say I noticed a significant difference in turning speed or bar pressure. BUT, it was light air and again, there was nothing conclusive about this test...I just thought I'd move it and see what happened.
One of the two times I moved it I also accidentally left one side 3 from the tip and the other side at the tip. Oops! Kite flew fine...didn't pull one direction or the other. I didn't notice the screw-up until the next time I rigged.
So, no conclusive tests here...I leave the 14M on the tip so I can get the fastest turning it is capable of. For the 9M I left it on the factory setting as it is plenty quick.
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