View Full Version : 2005/2006 Slingshot Machine 20.5m
HIGHFLYN
07-17-2006, 12:45 PM
With the introduction of the new bow/flat kites, It appears the C-kites are dropping in price like the stock market did in 2000/2001
My question is:
Any feedback on this 20.5m kite (problems/issues/drawbacks/upgrades)
I'm NOT a big kite fan and If I could just hold out long enough summer will pass and we'll be back into the windy season here in South FL.
But I've been considering purchasing this kite for those 8-12kt days that we have so often down here.
Price range on this kite is between 850-750 brandy spank'n new complete.
Since I have more faith in my kite-bros opinions then the guy retailing the kite, I have come to ask these questions
Come one~ Come all with your comments positive or negative
Skyway Scott
07-17-2006, 02:36 PM
I currently help with retailing of kites.
It does us zero good to get a guy out on something he doesn't like. :(
Not only will he not come back, he will tell his bros he got taken. Not so good for business.
Just thought I would throw that out there as something to think about :D
HIGHFLYN
07-17-2006, 03:24 PM
I currently help with retailing of kites.
It does us zero good to get a guy out on something he doesn't like. :(
Not only will he not come back, he will tell his bros he got taken. Not so good for business.
Just thought I would throw that out there as something to think about :D
Well Scott even though you offered no help with the question(s). Your point is valid. I'm also in retail & customer service/relations (Marine Industry) and I agree with you. If we could get ALL retailers to play by the same rules the world would be a better place. But you as well as I know some are just out to line there pockets. Especially in todays internet world.
Skyway Scott
07-17-2006, 05:40 PM
Didn't know if my input would fall on deaf ears, especially since my answer might sound like it is meant to sway you toward our shop. Take it as you wish. IMO, internet or not, no one will survive long with short sightedness. In small communities, such as kiting, word travels fast (especially with use of the internet)
If a bigger light wind kite is what you are after at a close out price, the 20m Machine is pretty good, but, only if you weigh 190 or more. The 17.5 machine (which we have complete at a competitive price)
http://www.oceanextremesports.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_22_45&products_id=70
iis a better bet if under 190 because it is about 30% faster in the turns than the 20m Machine and has less drag (smaller kite).
The 20m feels just plain spongey to me when I go to jump it. The 17.5 feels pretty good.
In addition, unless a really big guy, the 17.5 provides pretty good low end
(I can ride it on a decent light wind board in as little as 9 knots) and the 17.5 definitely will have better high end than the 20m (I can hold on to it comfortably to 20 knots). I weigh 150.
So, IMO, the 17.5m is about 30% faster in the turns and I like it much better for jumping due to this better responsiveness and speed. Long story short, more isn't always better in terms of light wind kites. Drag v. pull v. effeciency. This won't be as much a problem in the near future, is my bet. Kites above 18m won't be common is my guess.
What do you weigh and what are the intended wind ranges you have for the kite. How long do you want to "stick with your investment"? One full season? a couple months? Sounds like a couple of months to me to get you thru the summer.
If it were me, in your situation, I would wait til we get some wind. Try a skimboard on ultra light wind days.
They are alot cheaper and you will have some fun trying to not bust your A$$ in 9-12. :shock:
I currently don't have a newer "big" kite and I can get them cheap. Why don't I have one? Well, the new stuff is literally right around the corner (proto SS kites on their way among others), along with some real wind :D
Just hold out. Its literally what I am doing while I ride my big board this summer.
If I might add, IMO, in the light winds, the board is alot more important than the kite. Two of our local team riders (both right at 170) have as their biggest kites the 16m Octane and the 17m RRD HIR. They both however have great light wind boards (the Glide and the Barn Door, respectively) Depending on your weight, maybe you should test ride some light wind boards?
Hope this helped a little. I'm in the same situation as you, and opted to wait on kites. I did sink my money into a light wind board, though.
I think it might be possible in 6 months to get a kite that rides in as little as 10 up to 20+ comfortably. Maybe I am overly optimisitc, but to me, its worth the wait.
Scott
HIGHFLYN
07-18-2006, 08:59 AM
Thank you for your time and input on this one Scott~
This was the information I was looking for :D
I've owned in the past a 21.5 ARX and what a pig it was, Now I know thats OLD technolligy compared to 05/06 kites, Hence my inquiry on the "Machine"
I agree that the board used in light wind plays a major roll, My current "Light wind" board is a Squall Custom 140 x 49cm carbon sandwich. My largest kite in my current quiver is a 16m X4 and the two work well together in 12-18kts.
To me a 16m in light wind is already a s-l-o-w kite and like I stated before I'm NOT into "Big" kites. But as with every summer time pattern the passion for the sport has one looking for other alternatives to get one out on the water. This is why I was looking for some input on the "Machine"
Perhaps I should just take the monies alocated for a BIG kite and take a trip to a windy destination :wink:
Once again Scott~ Thank you for your input
Skyway Scott
07-18-2006, 12:16 PM
You are more than welcome. It's just an opinion about the "20 plussers", but one I feel strong about.
Yeah, if I didn't recently start here at the the shop, I would have already been to South Padre and N.C. by now.....(that was part of my "down time" plan). Those squall boards are pretty awesome. I haven't ridden one of that size, but I was very impressed by the low end on a couple customs much smaller than that one.
Thanks for the friendly response and good luck with booking your airline tickets :D
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