Standup Zone Forum
The Foil Zone => Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP => Topic started by: Dwight (DW) on February 21, 2022, 10:31:15 AM
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Y’all need to try this wing. You’ve been warned. :D We sold our quiver of ORs.
We bought a 3.5m Unit to fill a gap in our OR quiver between the 4 and 3. Never would have predicted it would turn into a complete quiver change.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaP7czglA_h/?utm_medium=copy_ :Dlink
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I'm going to need more from these "reviews". They can't ALL be the best ever, can they?
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I'm going to need more from these "reviews". They can't ALL be the best ever, can they?
It’s early days in this sport, so expect wings to keep advancing at a furious clip.
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It seems the Unit has been available in Europe but not yet in the US..looks like the answer to my prayers. Have the 6m and 5m Unit ..like the wing a lot not the straps...miss the boom.
Dwight who has them in stock in the US?
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Dwight who has them in stock in the US?
Dealers appear to be getting one each. It took some serious internet searches to find all the sizes we needed. We have the 3, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5m. I’m still looking for a 2.5, 4.0 and 6.5m
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Dwight who has them in stock in the US?
Dealers appear to be getting one each. It took some serious internet searches to find all the sizes we needed. We have the 3, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5m. I’m still looking for a 2.5, 4.0 and 6.5m
holy crap you bought all the US inventory!! Alan Cadiz has a great video on YouTube reviewing both new Units.
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They are my favorite wings I've owned thus far and the D Labs are extra special as one would expect.
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https://youtu.be/vs4fqeKAqFg
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Same colors might make you think it’s the same old wing. But you’d be wrong.
https://youtu.be/hoxuc_yyHr0
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Same colors might make you think it’s the same old wing. But you’d be wrong.
https://youtu.be/hoxuc_yyHr0
good video, some of it filmed on Union Island in the Grenadines down my way (Bequia). amazing water and conditions..
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How would the new Unit compare with the F one Strike V2? Anyone? I'm going to get a new 3.5 and these are my two favorites.
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Pay attention to the part where Ken talks about the wing lifting during handling. This is something I felt right away. It's real, and it's feature I want in all my wings going forward.
https://youtu.be/YxJaq1PaLlg
Jacky today
https://youtu.be/2U29zasXHW8
Regarding F-one or Unit.....handles should make the choice easy. As for construction, the Unit uses 3x3 canopy. Fone uses 2x2. 3x3 canopy stays tight longer and performs better. Leading edge construction, the Unit uses Challenger Penta TX Dacron. A tougher, and more tear resistant Dacron than what Fone, and many others use. Look at the reinforcement strands in the leading edge Dacron to see the difference. Same with canopy cloth. Count the strands. What does Fone gain with their fabric choices, less weight, less cost.
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Hey Dwight, do you really feel that you need a quiver at .5m increments? I mean is there that much difference between the 3 and 3.5 that you couldn't just bump up to the 4 m?
These arent cheap as you know. Maybe you are sponsored/ambassador?
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Hey Dwight, do you really feel that you need a quiver at .5m increments?
If it was just me, absolutely not. I’d have 1 meter gaps. I have a wife who wings ;D
For example, say I’m riding the 4m and want to take the 3m, but she’s using the 3m and isn’t sure she wants to use the 2.5m. I’m screwed.
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Ooooh ok that explains it. 😄👍Damn, sure wish my wife foiled, i could use a bigger quiver
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A shop in Jupiter had a 3.5 Unit is stock so I punched the ticket. Thanks for the input.
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Does the tail lift up when you're flagged out and going down wind? I'd love to find a wing that does that. The old ensis did it a little but now everything I try, the tail drops if it's light wind and ride fast in the turn.
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Does the tail lift up when you're flagged out and going down wind? I'd love to find a wing that does that. The old ensis did it a little but now everything I try, the tail drops if it's light wind and ride fast in the turn.
Only ridden the river with it so far. So no extreme pushes downwind like we’d get in the ocean. You can feel a different balance from anything I’ve ridden before. In a good way. The tail is high, not low.
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A shop in Jupiter had a 3.5 Unit is stock so I punched the ticket. Thanks for the input.
I got my 3m and 5.5m from Jupiter. My 3.5m from Sunset Sailboards and my 4.5m from California Kiteboarding. It’s hard work tracking these down!
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So,
removable rigid grip handles: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36194.msg417267.html#msg417267
flat rocker tails with boxy rails: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,35269.msg412629.html#msg412629
rigid insert inflatables: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,35646.msg410908.html#msg410908
If the "designers" had read the Zone 2.5 years ago, think where development would be today :). Did that sound snarky?
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So,
removable rigid grip handles: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36194.msg417267.html#msg417267
flat rocker tails with boxy rails: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,35269.msg412629.html#msg412629
rigid insert inflatables: https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,35646.msg410908.html#msg410908
If the "designers" had read the Zone 2.5 years ago, think where development would be today :). Did that sound snarky?
So true ;D
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guys, how do you find the low end/pumpability of the new Unit? Been reading/hearing from a few places that they lack the low end, for example compared to Strike v2?
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You get the aluula version, or are you gonna have to buy a whole new quiver in a couple months?
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You get the aluula version, or are you gonna have to buy a whole new quiver in a couple months?
Planning on getting just the 6.5m in Aluula when available
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i have been weighing up Unit V2 vs Strike V2 to replace my Unit v1s.
Undoutably the new unit is a class act and has a lot of merits (stiffness being the main one perhaps - and seems better than a boom i would guess, a very tight canopy and apparently super good to boost jumps)
And I cannot argue with the post above about the construction....
But i have also heard some mixed feedback - inc its a little too stiff and unforgiving (arm ache?), the handle can hit you/damage the board, a pain to pack away, top end can be a little less than forgiving, feels heavier, doesnt flag out so well for wave riding.
Of course everyone has a personal preference and different priorities in terms of what they need (low end, high end, flat water, wave riding, local conditions, wind gustiness, available wing sizes etc).
Trying to find people to give feedback who have first hand experience of both without any skin in the game is also a challenge.
Seen this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJr5S4MJ-bM
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Of course everyone has a personal preference and different priorities….
Exactly, so whatever yours are, answers this question. It’s pretty clear the differences in the wings.
They are not heavy.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51900686024_b089f73d37_w.jpg)
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Packing away the new Unit is a breeze. I love the new bags. You definately need to be careful with the corners of the handles and your board. Real potential for damage there. I took one to the chest already which didn't feel good so that's a consideration as well. Not a good wing for beginners IMO.
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Have seen what one guy did to make his Fone better?
My buddy, that bought my OR, is going to try this to make it better.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51901756679_76fe1cb6fc_z.jpg)
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My buddy just scored a 4.5 and 6.5 from shop in New England. They are out there to be found if you work at it.
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I have the 6M Aluula Ocean Rodeo. I wonder if Dwight could comment on the comparison of this wing to the 2022 Duotone Unit. Is it just the handles that make it better? Do you think the new handles for the OR might make it comparable to Duotone Unit? I am in the market for a smaller wing in the 4.5 M range. I am guessing Aluula is not really needed in the smaller size? Thanks!
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I have the 6M Aluula Ocean Rodeo. I wonder if Dwight could comment on the comparison of this wing to the 2022 Duotone Unit. Is it just the handles that make it better? Do you think the new handles for the OR might make it comparable to Duotone Unit? I am in the market for a smaller wing in the 4.5 M range. I am guessing Aluula is not really needed in the smaller size? Thanks!
It’s a little more than just the handles making the Unit better.
The guy who bought my 6m OR cheap, also owns a 5m OR, but likes the Unit better also. He rode my 5.5 Unit. He’s betting on being able to modify his handles later. I was sent a Facebook message from someone in the know, that OR will release the carbon handle in 4 months. 4 months to me, says it’s coming with next years model. So my concern is the handle may not be backwards compatible to the current year. Otherwise, why the delay. It may need rub patches on the strut to deal with the abuse of a carbon handle. My crystal ball talking here.
So as you know, I bought a 3.5m Unit to fill a gap in my OR quiver. The handles were so impressive, I bought a 5.5 to try next. 5.5 being what I could get, and a good test of Dacron versus my 5m and 6m OR Aluula. The 5.5m Unit pumped a little better than the ORs. The handles, combined with stiffness while pumping, of a similar level, made it better. Upwind the Unit was a lot better. Draft stability in the harness matched the Aluula OR. Perfect stability in the harness in all wind speeds. The feeling of power with the Unit was more direct. The OR has a soft or mushy feel to the power delivery. Yeah, counter to what you would think! The balance of the Unit is unique. It lifts upwards all the time and tail is high. This makes every kind of maneuver easier. Touch the handles and you’ll be sold.
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https://youtu.be/cx0nxX99goI
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Has anyone tried the 6.5m Unit? Does the concept work well as a big wing? How would it compare to a 7m F-One CWC in light wind?
.
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https://youtu.be/kv5hP-RQ8cs
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Hi all, just got the 5.5m and 4.0m 2022 Units to upgrade from my old S25 Naish (5.3 and 3.5). A couple of qustions I'm hoping you can help with.
1. Does anyone have a link to instructions or video on how to pack up/roll/fold the 2022 Unit.
2. No pump or adaptor with the Unit. My Naish pump doesn't fit the Unit valve, can I get an adapter, or do I get another pump, if so what's good pump for Units?
3. No leash with the Unit, what's the consensus on best leash to attach to waist belt?
Thanks, appreciate any help!
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1. @13minutes https://youtu.be/69Yjzo_s0cY
2. I bought an adaptor for a Naish pump, which just about worked, but ended up buying the Duotone pump, which is of course their aim (Duotone are well know for this)
3. I have tried a few leashes now - the f-one are the best for me. The ozone v2 leashes look like the closest thing that you can actually get hold of, but they are very long. 2 sizes: 3/4 and 5/6, and the 3/4 is much longer than an f-one wrist leash.. I don’t use a belt but my guess is that even the 3/4 is long enough for that. Also has a nice swivel on it..
I have 4,5 Dacron and 6m aluula and am also a big fan of these units.
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Has anyone tried the 6.5m Unit? Does the concept work well as a big wing? How would it compare to a 7m F-One CWC in light wind?
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I have a 6m aluula coming from a 6.5 slick.. the slick was ok, but really felt its size.. really only a super light wind option when all else fails. The 6m aluula feels like a 5.5 and is actually fun. Pumps well and just flies.. Dropping 0.5m has worked really well for me. 93 kg, 88l FG, sab 1110 typically using this wing.. and this works really well.
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Hi all, just got the 5.5m and 4.0m 2022 Units to upgrade from my old S25 Naish (5.3 and 3.5). A couple of qustions I'm hoping you can help with.
1. Does anyone have a link to instructions or video on how to pack up/roll/fold the 2022 Unit.
2. No pump or adaptor with the Unit. My Naish pump doesn't fit the Unit valve, can I get an adapter, or do I get another pump, if so what's good pump for Units?
3. No leash with the Unit, what's the consensus on best leash to attach to waist belt?
Thanks, appreciate any help!
I use the leashes from my reedin wings. I don’t like those curly leashes they have since it would be uncomfortable to have them in your hand with the handle.
I have a mystic pump that came with an adapter that works fine. I guess I got lucky.
I was out yesterday in 8-11, and got up fine with the 5. Waiting on allula 6, but I wonder if 1/2 size down would have been perfect. But it’s light in maine in summer and the dlab 6 should be a weapon.
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2. No pump or adaptor with the Unit. My Naish pump doesn't fit the Unit valve, can I get an adapter, or do I get another pump, if so what's good pump for Units?
MACkite might have the adapter. https://www.mackiteboarding.com/duotone-kite-wing-pump-adapter/
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The Duotone pump adapter doesn’t fit all pumps. It fits many pumps slightly loose. Making it leak. Then many Duotone pumps being sold don’t read up to the 10 psi required. They stop at something like 8 psi.
I use Ozone and Fone leashes on ours.
This universal adapter works on the pumps that leak with the official Duotone adapter. This will work with the Naish pump. https://kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=pks_duotone_pump_adapter
This is the official adapter https://kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=duotone_pump_adapter Don’t buy this one unless you own a Duotone pump.
I think the aftermarket PKS adapter works better than the Duotone brand adapter.
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1. Does anyone have a link to instructions or video on how to pack up/roll/fold the 2022 Unit.
There are many ways kites and wings can be folded correctly. Correctly… being ways that do not cause internal bladder twisting issues.
I open the dump valve and center strut dump valve. Then wait 5 minutes for the wing to fully exhaust air naturally. I roll each wing tip to center strut, each side going to the middle. With everything rolled up to the center strut, I fold the wing at the back edge of the front handle. This is going to set the length required to fit the bag. Slide it into the bag, then the last bit of tail sticking out of the bag can be folded into the bag. Perfect fit.
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Welp. The new Unit has a definite design flaw.
My friend was just winging along and the center strut exploded at the front of the rear handle. The fabric tore completely through. :(
Looking at it it's pretty obvious the rigid attachment plate on the handle combined with stitching through the fabric causes a stress point on the weakened fabric.
Wing was nearly new and had never been overinflated.
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Found this on Seabreeze, maybe an issue
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Yep, that's the one. You can clearly see the failure at the stitch line.
ETA:
Wow. OK, actually that's not my friends wing. I just checked out the SB thread and that's a different person with a nearly identical failure. Definitely a design issue.
My friends wing failed at the front of the rear handle. The SB wing failed at the front of the front handle. Also, the SB wing got hit by a wave. My friend was up and foiling with no surf or anything like that going on.
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Best Kites had a similar problem with a model years ago. They had poorly designed the construction of the leading edge, a multi layer stiff section was sewn to a single layer. The leading edge exploded along that seam. The whole run of that model was replaced under warranty.
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I wonder if UNDER-inflating would make that failure more likely, as opposed to over-inflation. Maybe think about how one folds the strut when packing it. I also wonder if they’ll give us d-lab replacements!😎
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Best Kites had a similar problem with a model years ago. They had poorly designed the construction of the leading edge, a multi layer stiff section was sewn to a single layer. The leading edge exploded along that seam. The whole run of that model was replaced under warranty.
Yep.. The HELL FISH
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Best Kites had a similar problem with a model years ago. They had poorly designed the construction of the leading edge, a multi layer stiff section was sewn to a single layer. The leading edge exploded along that seam. The whole run of that model was replaced under warranty.
Yep.. The HELL FISH
Actually the 2008 HP, but the Hellfish was also a disaster, but that was the canopy material not the leading edge from memory.
It’s easy to have a great demo run, only to have the factory make a few slight changes for ease of manufacture and suddenly you have a problem in production.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcVzAvdb5lc
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Though I’d give a review of the unit dlab 4 and 5.5.
I ride a 6m echo and a 4.5 slick.
The most remarkable thing is the stiffness. Incredibly stiff. I recently rode a slick that was under inflated due to a slow leak. Getting the wing in the sweet spot was impossible it would just bend and spill the wind right when I was getting in the power zone. Riding the dlab makes all other wings feel like that. It doesn’t spill the wind in a gust so it’s like riding with an extra .5 or 1m wing. I raced a light day and did well I think due to having the dlab. The low end is awesome since every pump is more effective.
The top end is not much higher I find than my other wings, and I don’t want to bag it out.
The other remarkable thing that I will look for in every wing I buy in the future is draft-forward lift. The thing LIFTS from the front. This makes it great for going up wind. It is a tacking machine. Put the wing over your head and it will lift you into your toes or off the board if you sling it up and around like other wings. All you have to do is move it to the other side, no chance of it coming down and getting in your hair. I rode my slick the other day and I swear I used to be able to tack on it but now it’s a nightmare and it takes a huge amount of work and wrangling to get it around. I had no idea until I got on the dlab.
This is where you put the negative stuff in a review. Price?? I do worry it will bag out and I’ll have a $1,700 stiff trash bag so I have contemplated getting a quiver of regular units or riding my old slick, which is ridiculous I know.
I’d love to get a sail loft to put on dyneema (NOT Dacron) sailcloth on the canopy when this bags out. Haven’t heard of anyone ever doing that and I can’t understand why not.