tidetothewind
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RRD HyperType 12mtr
RRD Hypertype 12
Popped in to Airhead the other day to say hello, and I felt a need to try the RRD HyperType 12mtr.
The wind was a bit marginal,(14-18mph) but some times that’s when it’s best to try a new kite for the first time.
I arrived at the beach in a bit of a rush after a busy day at work not knowing what to expect, and after my paddy fits with another kite I don’t want to mention.
Anyway here goes.
First thing first, the bag is well made and easily accessible, not to big not to small. Good construction inside and out. Kite comes out easy and goes in the same way.
Pumping up the kite is very fast and I was surprised as it’s quite big for a 12mtr.
It has a very good 1 pump system, stopper ball on the main valve made it so easy, as you don’t want to be fiddling around after a hard day at the office.
There was also a nice large dump valve that made packing down super easy as well.
I had a quick look around the kite as I knew I would be writing this.
Build quality was very good and as you’d expect from RRD. Colours and graphics were nice. It had all the protection in the right places, but they’ve not over done it.
Setting out the bar and lines was as simple as most kites, with smallish bridling for the front lines and direct attachments for the rear, all connectors were gook proof.
You can tighten the rear steering lines for a bit more power, but I left as standard.
The depower adjuster is very simple and uses a line and cleat system like the ones used by slingshot.
In the air and on the water the kite really surprised me. The bar pressure was extremely light, and you almost feel that there is not enough wind to get going, but get on the water dive the kite and off you go.
The kite turns very fast for a bow and takes you by surprise, you really have to keep your eye on the kite at first, but when you dial in its ok, there is a tiny delay in the time it takes the kite to turn, but nothing major.
The depower is super fast, maybe a bit to fast for my liking.
Let go of the bar and everything stops very quickly.
If the kite falls out the sky, don’t worry this kite does not want to stay down.
The slightest pull on the rear line and the kite was on its wing tips and ready to pull me round the ocean once again.
Jumping was extra easy and boosted well. The kite keeps you up in the air for a long time if you want it to, but you do travel downwind quite fast, and come in to land like your strapped to a parachute.
Quick release is a very simple in your face system located just above the chicken loop
The safety leash is attached to a line that runs up to the front lines.
Negatives. This kite did make me a bit nervous for some reason, I think it was because it was light wind and the kite did feel like it wanted to fall out the sky if you pushed the bar away to quickly, and as it was not my kite, I did not want to drop it.
For me I’ll never like any depower system that incorporates a cleat.
Self land was a pig as the leash line was attached to the mouse ears and pulled on both front lines rather than just one, and the kite just did not want to stay down.
Packing away was very straight forward. Pull the dump valve and fold the kite, unlike some one pump kite where you have to squeeze all the air out of the struts to get it in the bag.
Would I own one?
I would. But the way the kite flies does not suit my style.
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6/3/07, 22:41
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