Tested some epic kites

not on board · Since 08 May 2009 39 Posts United States

Was in Sydney last week and flew some epic kites and the Renegade is ok but the Screamer was exceptional. Flew my 9m rev for 1 hour then the Renegade 9m in 20 to 28knots. Renegade is a wave kite and loops quickly but does not have the pop or power in turns as the Rev. The bar setup is excellent with a push away system and a leash attachment line running thru the center of the CL. after 40 mins I switched to The Screamer 9. It is very much like the rev in power and ability to get you high off the water. Better I would say. Also much smoother in flight with constant feedback. I did kiteloops with the rev and renegade but not with the Screamer as it just felt too powerful and was pretty sure I was going to get my ass handed to me if I tried. Still like my Rev but when will be looking to upgrade it to the screamer if I can find a decent price. Anyway, I don't know where these are being sold in the US but just thought you would like to hear one persons experience with them. If you are into wave kites, I also tried the Argo prototype from Griffen kites. I have had some not so good times with them in the past, but this kite was very smooth and had no bar pressure and was totally depowered when pushing the bar out. It is not my style as it does not have the rip you off the water type of jumping and it has a bit of a hesitation in power as you loop it due to pivot type turning, but overall it is a great improvement in prior designs and would be fun on the snow or in waves when you want to carve with out feeling the pull but still being able to re-engage the power with a simple pull back of the bar.

j · Since 08 Nov 2006 94 Posts Seattle

The Screamer 9m is a kiteloop machine!! Boosts you high, yards you sideways, then gets right back up above you to catch you and land you easy. Bad ass kite. I haven't tried the Renegade yet but these guys have them in stock:

www.bellinghamkiteboarding.com

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

EPIC KITES FLY JUST LIKE ECLIPES, AND THEY WERE DISCONTINUED Question

wytcap · Since 10 Mar 2005 203 Posts NW oregon Stoked

Jimi, I will let you try a Epic, not even in the same ballbark as Eclipse!
Epic is here to stay Laughing

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

epic!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Aha!

The ole 'name your brand after an adjective' ploy.

Brilliant.

Or is it?

http://images.google.com/images?q=epic+fail+images

jfwy

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Feb 09, 10 9:40 pm

Never heard of them. Might give them a try once I get my new fuck stick brand board.

Slightly OT but can we agree that "ultimate" is the gayest name ever for frisbee football?

Pepi · Tue Feb 09, 10 10:47 pm

nothing like another retired pro-rider kite company to add to the growing list of internet closeout and back-of-the-van direct sales on our beach program.......

Nick · Wed Feb 10, 10 11:36 am

I have a new game.

Who is going to be the next "X Pro Rider" with their own brand?

Sol-flyer · Wed Feb 10, 10 11:39 am

wow pepi, Thats a pretty bold statement...Its to bad you feel that way, Dimitri is working very hard to ensure things are not the old Eclipse way, and i think it would be wise to find out the facts before coming to a conclusion.

I personally am stoked on the new Epic kites, I have flown the screamers for over a month now and they are good flying kites with great build quality. yesterday was my first time out in the snow for the season, sure is nice to get back to my roots. It will be interesting to see how they perform in gliding, but the low(er) end is very nice for light winds.

surfboy1968 · Since 17 Jun 2008 222 Posts south padre island Stoked

Damn, isnt there an industry section for this shit Rolling Eyes

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

The biggest thing that pissed me off is they killed the term "EPIC"... It was probably getting a bit old by now but there were times for that term to be used but now it impossible to use that word and not feel like a choad.. Crying or Very sad

Maybe the term "Key" would work. Dude/Bro that's was soooo KEY! HAHAHAH just kidding... I'll figure something out... The English language has to have some key word replace EPIC! Wink

Boo'ya! could make a comeback... Alien

Had to add something to make clicking on this post worth it.... Twisted Evil

wytcap · Since 10 Mar 2005 203 Posts NW oregon Stoked

Now that is truly Epic!

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Ya that's EPIC

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

forrest · Wed Feb 10, 10 1:51 pm

Matt, I don't know if I speak for everyone but I think people are extremely skeptical of another brand from Dimitri, skeptical of Dimitri, skeptical of forum marketing, and skeptical of another kiting brand in general. Dimitri should have got it right the first time and you can't blame anyone for saying: "Oh shit, here we go again." Specially after the bullet-proof warranty fallout.

I am skeptical that anything, ANY kite brand puts out in the next season or two, is going to be any better than ANY kite brand is already doing. So the only way for a new brand to gain market share is to take it from another established brand or capture beginner kiters. Forum advertisement is risky and usually aimed at established kiters.

I think Epic should focus its efforts on securing a strong set of Team riders, such as yourself, and getting pictures published. People trust kites that they see trusted people riding.

Pepi · Wed Feb 10, 10 1:55 pm