Slingshot 2010 Product first impressions

[Tighe]

Got an introduction to some of the new gear while in the Gorge. 2010 looks like a great year for Slingshot. Check out their whole 2010 lineup at http://www.slingshotsports.com

RPM
Ok I had totally overlooked this kite. Initially I had thought it was a kite designed for wake style riders only. After a fair bit of experience on this kite, I have to admit I was wrong. This kite is as much an all round performer as it is a wake style kite. I was amazed to see that it was one of the most popular kites in the Gorge. Even among SS kites there were 10 RPMs to every 4 Turbo series, to every 2-3 Revs, and only a few Fuels on the water.
Talk about a smooth kite! I took the 12m out in winds that were initially 17mph or so with a little bigger board. It worked great. Stayed with me as I played in the swell, never fluttered, quite nimble in the hands. Then the winds came up to near 30 and I came in to get the Lunacy. Noticed a lot of people going out on 7s and 9s. The 12m RPM was still great, not even a lot of work, still very comfortable. Many new kites can be ridden super powered up but loose some of their performance since they are so depowered. Not the RPM, still very controllable, and smooth. Jumps were about as smooth and predictable as any kite I’ve flown. Really impressed how predictable the jumps were in fairly gusty conditions. Would really make it easy to dial your moves, without worrying what the kite was going to do.
Overall the Range and smoothness of this kite amazed me the most. Oh yeah and with 3 very thin struts this kite pumps up in seconds.
In Stock at Midwest Mountaineering.
more Info


2010 Octane
The Octane is new for 2010. There has been a lot of talk about whether it is just a Rev 3, or a completely different kite. It doesn’t really matter what it is. It feels similar to the Revs I have, and love. They tightened the trailing edge and pulled the draft back a bit so the canopy stays tight even when depowered at the bar. It flys like a dream. Fast, zippy, and fun. Seems to handle gusts a bit smoother than the Rev. Great boost and float, not unlike the Rev. I spent a lot of time in the swells on this kite and I think it stayed with me a bit better than a Rev would. Probably the result of the tighter TE.
The most visually noticeable features are the construction and the bar. SS has covered every seam on the LE with a thin Teflon looking material, so there is no visible stitching on the LE, which will help make the kite even more bomb proof in the winter. Underneath this patch the seams are still like triple stitched, glued, etc etc, as always. They’ve also added neoprene covers over the tube clips and both the inflate/deflate valves. Never had a problem in these areas but it gives a much cleaner look. The struts are super thin which makes pumping up a breeze.
The bar is totally new for 2010. I can’t imagine a need to ever redesign this bar. It is perfect. Below the bar leash attachment, self aligning chicken loop, spinning center lines clean execution. I tend to spin a lot more one direction, so the spinning center lines are really nice.
The industry has gone to a standard for Chicken Loop releases, push to release. Personally I don’t fully understand it, but I appreciate the need for a standard from a safety perspective. I also realize for unhooked riding, the pull to release isn’t ideal.
More Info


Boards
2010 Lunacy
The Lunacy is Slingshot’s hard core freestyle board. Designed for and by Ruben Lenten, I initially thought this board was not the board for me, I’m clearly no Ruben. I’ve been riding the 132 now for most of the year and it has become my main board. I never thought I’d be on a 132 more than any other board. It has huge range, provides more hook up and pop than any other board I’ve ever ridden, adding more height to any style of boost. It took me a bit to dial in the riding stance but once achieved this board slices through chop.
For 2010 they changed the rail geometry a bit to get a smoother ride and less board spray. The board comes with their new straps and pads. The system is pretty slick. Lace up straps, super cushy pads and adjustable duck stance.
The ride is definitely smoother and the pads softer, though I’m not sure I prefer the ride over the 09. On this board I like a more direct connection to the board. If I pick up an 2010 model I’ll probably use the older pads. It may just take some getting used to.
More Info

The same pads/straps are used on their entire twintip lineup, and I think on the SX they would be sweet.


2010 Celeritas
I’ve had surf boards before and love them though find they are a bit specialized for MN riding. My first ride on the Celeritas changed my impression. This board is extremely versatile. It rips through chop, works well in light winds, is super slashy and extremely light. It is a bit wider so I wasn’t sure how it’d do toeside but again it surprised me. I was riding it with straps, though most don’t, and was riding toeside across the river one way without a problem. No need to jibe, if you don’t want to. I prefer swell riding on toeside anyway.
More Info


2010 Misfit
Didn’t ride this board, but Chris Schey stepped me through the changes. They’ve made it a bit more versatile and added more structure in the tip and tail to give you more pop. The new foot pads and straps come standard as well.
I rode the Randy’s 09 Misfit yesterday and was amazed how smooth that board was in the water. The 09 version has insane pop, so I can’t wait to ride the 2010 version. His felt like a big Lunacy with a smoother ride.
[urlhttp://www.slingshotsports.com/2010-Misfit?sc= ... gory=17588]More Info[/url]

Obviously these are just some first impressions and more of a layman’s review. I cannot tell you how the kites do through a kite loop, though I’m sure there are differences. Denis would be much better equipped to give feedback in that area. Stop down and talk to Peter at Midwest Mountaineering about the full Slingshot lineup. Also I highly encourage people to give Chris Schey, the Midwest Rep, a call on the Rider’s Service Hotline 877-775-4832

[RobH]

Hey Tighe,

I didnt see the Fuse in the line up this year - did the Celeritas replace this ? How does Celeritas compare to the Fuse ?

[johnz]

Tighe,
Thanks for the info - fun to see new stuff coming down the pipe!!

Hey, how was the Octane in the lulls? I think my main concern with the Rev is its light wind performance, I'm wondering if they were able to get it to go a bit more.

I totally agree with you on the RPM: I've been riding the 14 for about a month now and, as much as I like my T3, the RPM is a great meld between the T3 and a Fuel. Just about as much range - maybe a tad less lower end, very controllable, smooth, stable, and 'C' feeling. More nimble than a Fuel, more grunty and powerful feeling than a T3. I think a two kite quiver could suffice, like a 10 and a 14. I've had the 14 out in 25 mph+ and found it very reliable and controllable.

It also seems like that every day in MN is gusty and up and down (except on Milly). It's really nice to have the range combined with the C kite performance.

I think I'm going to sell my T3

John Z

[Tighe]

Good eyes Rob. I hadn't noticed that the Fuse wasn't in their lineup. Hadn't heard they had dropped it. There were quite a few in Gorge and I always see a few down in Padre. Sorta surprised if they dropped it.

The Celeritas is a very different board than the Fuse, though they both cater to the same type of rider. Someone who likes to ride swell but doesn't want to fully commit to as full on surfboard. The Fuse does this by allowing you to ride back wards (switch) on a directional board. There is also quite a few options for strap set up on the Fuse. The ride on the Fuse is softer than a twin tip but not as soft as epoxy or glass/foam board.
The Celeritas is just the most versatile, easy to ride, performance direction on the market. Ok I have no idea about the rest of the market but it was a good way to end that sentence. Just cause it's easy doesn't mean it's a surfboard with training wheels. The first batch sold out pretty quickly to hard core riders in the Gorge. It's versatility is an outstanding feature. My first tack out I thought the thing was going to shoot out from under my feet. It's super light and light and lively on the water. Once I was able to drive the power into the board it was like smooth sports sedan. Very nice.

I'm torn between these two boards. It's hard to rationalize having both.

[Tighe]

John,
as far as the Octane's lull performance...hmm...Did I mention I was in the Gorge. Not too many big lulls.

Actually there were few, and it did seem to do better than the Rev. Is it a set and go kite? probably not. Like the Rev, it is such an efficient kite that if you start to slow, you may want to sign it a bit to keep it in the power zone. With the light bar pressure, it takes so little to do that.

I hope to have some of these soon, so if others want to check it out...Just ask.

[toyletbowl]

tighe,

nice write up and i agree 100% on the RPM. I was very impressed with the 10m and 8m and how right at home you feel on that kite in high winds. super stable...if you pump it hard...and in my mind one of the better smaller kites on the market. haven't had much time on the 14m or 12m yet, but the 8m and 10m's rock.

it's a higher performing kite that is not twitchy or nervous at all in high winds. slingy looks to have a very strong line up for 2010.

[dtownkiter]

Tighe--nice reviews and thanks! looks like it may be the year to upgrade for me.

regarding the octane...check out Real's review and video on the kite as well.


http://www.realkiteboarding.com/index.c ... em&id=1615