Author Topic: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.  (Read 6514 times)

Wetstuff

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Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« on: June 13, 2020, 10:37:22 AM »
All sorts of newness... Try: order on Monday and arrive on Friday.  C'hit... I can't get a carton quickly to the westcoast without taking second mortgage on the house ..this was free shipping from HK?!  Perhaps Patrice at GONG should have a chat with these folks.

The largest initial impression: THIS is a wing. You don't need a Ph.D. to tell a wing that goes flaccid after about 1/2 of its cord is less efficient.  I do not know the secret but these panels perk right up. I would guess when you guys do that move to help get up on the foil ...the one that looks like 'child disipline' at Walmart, this wing may not waste the first third of your effort.

The second impression...  this is a water kite - not a land kite.  This looks like a loinclothed warrior compared to King Arthur's knights.  I have yet to weight it, but it is lightly reinforced compared to the Ozone I have.  I did see an access port where it looks like I can fix a bladder ...' not on the Ozone.

Apology for picking the wrong camera - I will make some better ones when the Sun is not so hard.  I also have time to look at it some more.

Jim

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Wetstuff

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2020, 10:43:10 AM »
One concern answered... does upping the size increase the span too much.  Luckily, not much.   I notice less dihedral vs the Ozone.  It will be interesting to see if this wing will want to 'wander'.





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Wetstuff

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2020, 10:45:36 AM »
Oooops... #1 and 2 did not load. 

Jim

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flkiter

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2020, 03:52:58 PM »
Very interested in how it rides. My buddy just got one also.

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2020, 02:58:05 AM »
I have yet to weight it, but it is lightly reinforced compared to the Ozone I have.

That's a great looking wing.  Weigh that thing :)

Overdoing the reinforcement on wings may be overkill and borrowing unnecesarily from kiting in a way that we actually don't really need.  We aren't slamming these from 22 Meters.  Good materials and workmanship matters but almost all of the damage is canopy tears from landing on an exposed foil.  A little something for abrasion at the wingtips is plenty. 

Dwight (DW)

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2020, 04:06:39 AM »
Overly light will be a thing of the past.

I’ve seen two center struts show early signs of failure and need repair before they pop. I’ve seen two other center struts explode sitting on the beach.’ 3 different brands.

Draft stability fades by the month! I know one pro who can feel the difference between a wet and dry canopy.

The industry is in desperate need of new materials being invented.

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2020, 06:44:31 AM »
Draft stability fades by the month! I know one pro who can feel the difference between a wet and dry canopy.

I wonder what a dry one feels like.

Thatspec

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2020, 10:32:28 AM »
Yup, I don't leave inflated toys sitting in the sun at full pressure very long, particularly on a dark surface. Lost a kite LE bladder this winter on a dark sand beach.

Speculation from Airtime repair a couple of weeks ago was that Gong wings came out of the same factory sewing Switch and Ben Wilson kites. I'd assume Switch wings also. The tech also mentioned they've tested the pressure spike when folding an inflated kite LE and that it wasn't significant enough to worry about, though the diameters are much smaller. He thought 10psi in my 5M Gong was ill advised and that puts something like 100psi on each stitch (I'm sure I'm not quoting that correctly but there's some math to consider in there somewhere).

Another interesting quote. "you early adopters are wing construction beta testers"  ;)

Wetstuff

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2020, 10:59:29 AM »
I got 4 lbs - 8oz. (2kg) on a commercial scale. It's a bit ungainly even tied up.   I will weigh the OZ 4.2 when I deflate it next.  I will also take a look at some other details differences on the Switch.  It is hard to argue with the price... 

I will only go over to the shore during the week. It looks like Florida on our beach cams. 

Jim

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2020, 04:09:15 PM »
I got 4 lbs - 8oz. (2kg) on a commercial scale. It's a bit ungainly even tied up.   I will weigh the OZ 4.2 when I deflate it next.  I will also take a look at some other details differences on the Switch.  It is hard to argue with the price... 

I will only go over to the shore during the week. It looks like Florida on our beach cams. 

Jim

That is on the lighter side for sure.  I love light wings.  Glad to see more brands producing options like this.  Stoked to hear how this one goes for you Wetstuff. 

Fishman

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2020, 06:22:39 AM »
Nice looking wing. A lot of simularities with the Takoon. Even the weight looks to be the same.

Receiving it the same week is super nice. I wonder if they get the US subsidizeded shipping cost deal from Hong Kong. I'm betting you really going to enjoy that wing.
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flkiter

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2020, 08:43:49 AM »
Here's my quick review of this wing. I tried out the 6 meter. I want to say great wing for beginners and those that don't tack. Good power, drifts well, excellent bag. Stable in gusts. Cons I had with it were, the strut is stitched above the handles so put some sail tape on that or get cut up knuckles. The handles are really soft which seems nice till you're riding and realize they're going to deteriorate pretty quickly with use. The leash isn't a cuff like the F1 style so easier to break loose. For tacking, you need to grab the handle further forward on the strut otherwise the wing wants to fall in front of you after coming across the wind window which stalls your turn. I mentioned these little things that can easily be fixed but the reply from switch was today the Maui riders they have, had no issues at all with the wing. I would say it's like the progression wing with the lack of lift in the canopy but with better pressure.

Wetstuff

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2020, 10:03:04 AM »
I give FLK's review 1000% better than I could offer given his experience. (I believe he did the excellent video below) but did not understand the leash comment.  Frankly, I find it 100% more secure than the overly large WASP wrist attachment.  (5-10 x 175... so I am not a dwarf)

Jim


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIspFfN3vfs&t=110s

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2020, 06:49:29 PM »
@flkiter Thanks much for the review!   Very helpful- I've been eyeballing the Switch as a way to get into Wingin' but have been hesitant as there are no reviews to be found out there. The positives sound promising and the negatives you mention are pretty minor issues I can live with considering the price-point.

Think I've likely found my first wing.  Maybe I'll come back at some point w/ a review regarding build quality/durability as I assume I will give the thing a proper beating trying to figure it out.  Suppose I ought to scare up a beater Foil SUP to get me through my first sessions.

Wetstuff

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Re: Holy Switch! ...a new winding.
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2020, 06:09:05 AM »
... I got hung up on the leash and forgot to add to FLK's comment about the handles:  Yeeech!  They are about as limp as a post-coital member. In that same vein, I bought a WASP from Dwight where he had done what could be called a 'penile implant'.  It was successful but he ('can probably discuss it better...) did not find a clean way to suture the opening.  I found Velco one-wrap closed it off to at least make it cosmetically acceptable. I made external stiffeners before, and recently found a thermoplastic that looks as if it will 'form fit' as a handle cover.

Jim
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