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14m 2008-9 LW choice- flexifoil ion or griffin?

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Created by pattiecannon > 9 months ago, 6 Sep 2012
pattiecannon
QLD, 593 posts
6 Sep 2012 8:36PM
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Hi All,
I'm after advice from those in the know on which kite I should go for?

I'm looking at a 2008 Flexifoil Ion 5 strut 14.5 and a 2009 Griffin 6 strut 14m.

I'm after the kite that will get me going first and foremost. I'm not expecting a stunt kite and I like the big old slow kites for their reliability and sheer power and upwind ability.

I was all ready to go the FF but I read in a euro forum that there have been some durability issues with stitching and bridle attachments - this was when they had just come out....

forum.kitecrowd.com/kitesurfing/flexifoil-ion-3-build-quality-you-judge-164219.html

Also I heard they are a heavy kite.
But the 6 struts of the Griffin just seemed too much to me. I can only afford one, if any people out there could help me out, that would be awesome.

both kites have standard bars and lines and I have extensions for help in 10kts. (i'm 70kg)

Cheers

Adrenalin Rush
QLD, 876 posts
6 Sep 2012 10:50PM
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Less struts, less weight! I would suggest looking for a kite that has been specifically designed for light wind. Ozone Zephyr, Best TS, Cabrinha LW and the new Naish Fly are a few kites that have been engineered in a way that every ounce of weight has been taken into consideration.

Try before you buy.

Good luck!!

Joe Millen

pattiecannon
QLD, 593 posts
6 Sep 2012 11:19PM
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Thanks arsa but limited student budget only available.

I'm sure size of the struts matter also ;P ie Gaastra 2008 14m Jekyll sports big struts and it is a heavy kite. The Griffin looks fairly lean. Not sure on the ff

I have just read that on the 2009 ion 4, FF took out the centre strut and implemented a 6 strut system- just as the Griffin has- they were claiming that the centre top of the kite is where most of a kites power is derived from.

This is a point to Griffin as well as the glowing reviews on this one next to some mixed reviews on the FF on more than one forum. 2 luv to griffinn

cheers

radman4
678 posts
7 Sep 2012 6:54AM
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Have spent quite a bit of time riding the 14 griff from 2008-2010 models and they have gone well for my 95kg weight,obviously there's much better light wind options out there now and if I jumped back on one I'd find it a bit slow but for a solid easy riding all round kite on a budget you couldn't go wrong my mate still has a 09 model,he had it out the other day while I was on my new light winder and he was havin as much Fun as me at prob 1/10 of the price

pattiecannon
QLD, 593 posts
7 Sep 2012 9:08AM
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Thanks Radman,
that's good to hear especially as I just confirmed pay details on the Griffin!
Cheers m8

archie00
NSW, 137 posts
8 Sep 2012 10:52AM
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From that era - Bandit Dos 14m had the most raw grunt and light wind get go.

Otto14
5 posts
18 Sep 2012 8:08PM
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You seem t be in the same shoes as me. Check out my thread. It should help you decide..

kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2377354&p=764373

GriffinKites
NSW, 201 posts
19 Sep 2012 12:51PM
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In reply to 14m and grunt questions of power in light winds and struts quantity and kites designed for light wind (arsa) TRX is specialty designed for light wind + waves and is a light fast kite, No pulleys, only 3 thin light struts and designed light weight just so you know.

Below video shows the 14m 2013 TRX in 9-10-11 knots 90kg rider on a 5ft 10 board, from 1:50 onwards with a wind meter average 9 knots.








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"14m 2008-9 LW choice- flexifoil ion or griffin?" started by pattiecannon