Manufacturer:

Ozone

Model:

Samurai

Sizes:

2m, 3m, 4m, 5m + 6m (7.2m coming)

Type Of Kite:

Non – Water Re-launchable Foil

Introduction:

I saw these at Wallop and thought they looked nice so decided to order some.

Anyway Friday some of them turned up, so far I have the 3m, 4m and 5m.

Packaging, Style + Construction:

The packing is to the usual high Ozone standard with each kite coming in it's own rucksack which is in a poly bag with the kite details on it, when you take the poly bag of the rucksack you have an elasticated drawcord front to the rucksack which may take a helmet or a waterproof, and the kite size is marked on the top of the rucksack.

Undo the zip on the rucky and you have another bag containing the kite (folded and held with an Ozone strap, handles and kite killers (which are again bagged seperately) and line set (again bagged seperately) you also have the obligatory Ozone sticker, Ozone keyring and the manual.

I initially set my kites up at home, so I took the lines and handles out of their bags and as I don't use kite killers I removed these from the handles, I than attached the lines and these are numbered a la the Frenzy lines so line 1 goes to handle leader 1 etc.

After this I attached the lines to the kite again they are numbered so this task is relativly easy. I noticed a few subtle changes when attaching the lines (especially at the kite end) the last inchor so of the leaders is stiched and this makes it very stiff so when you have larksheaded your lines on you are left with a stiff piece of leader protruding (which some will trim off so you do not get line snags).

Flying:

Of to the flying site which is a secret location in Bristol, out comes the stake and that is placed firmly in the ground, kite (5m) is walked out in the bag and the lines are unwound, checking before launch I have no twists / tangles etc (as I did say I set this up at home).

First launch is in 5 to 8 mph measured at ground level, all goes well kite flies very very smoothly with little pull or lift, time to trim the brakes to adjust it to my flying style, this is done and inch or so at a time and eventually I end up with my brake lines about 6'' up the handle brake leader.

Now the kite is transformed, it will spin on it's wingtip, give very smooth power delivery and if you add just enough brake to "crease" the trailing edge the power delivery is quite dramatic. I flew the 5m Samurai for at least 2 hours, and during that time tried all the usual moves low ground level passes, spins, take off's and landings.

Landings are a bit like the Little Devil, they need just enough brake and no more, to much and the kite sides fold under to little and the power kicks in so some will struggle as they did with the Little Devil, adjust your flying technique, it works.

I also flew the 3m and 4m Samurai, again I would echo what I said about the 5m, all of the ones I have flown need a lot of brake, and power comes in when you "crease the traling edge" all deliver smooth power and are quick through the window, they can all spin on a wingtip and the only problem I encountered was with the reverse take off.

Usually I have no problem with the reverse take of even with kites like the Razor where the brakes are slightly inboard of the trailing edge, but for some reason I struggled to get the Samurai to take off in reverse, it may have been me ( I don't think so though) it could have been the wind as it was very light yesterday, or it could just be a slightly different technique (I don't think so though).

Final Summary:

All in all I'm sure Ozone have another winner on their hands and this kite will become very popular, with beginners, intermediates and experts.

Apparently they, Ozone are releasing a larger version (7.2m) later in the year, also the purple will be available, I have the Blue as they fly better allegedly much less white on these than the Little Devil series and they are very pleasing on the eye IMHO (In my humble opinion)

Reviewer:

Agger