15 M Envy

[Wanna-Go]

Anyone have any time on a 15 Envy that could explain how they liked it and what kind of wind they had it in? Things I wonder is relaunch, upwind ability and low end grunt. Thank You for any replies.

[C.J.]

Sark may be able to give you the best unbiased review. might wanna pm him

[eric]

Sark may be able to give you the best unbiased review. might wanna pm him

Sark, probably best to post it up here so we can all give you 'constructive criticism'

[Sark]

Pros- I definitly like my 2011 15M envy, it has great lowend pull, and a very smooth feeling to it, none of that on and off power output. It boosts well, and seems to perform well unhooked with no tendancy to back stall. I think it's a good kite for intermediates like me as it's easy to fly but still fun when/if you get into tricks and boosting. The kite bag and bar are all well made, I am a fan of the LF bar, with it's below the bar depower and multiple flagging options.

Cons- Relaunch in really light wind can be a little tricky, I end up trying to flip it over and hot launch it when it's that light. probably the one performance area I think it could use Some improvement on.( I think I read they worked on it for 2012 model) No functional swivel to untwist lines(not necessary but nice). And I'm still a little unsure on the maxflo thing, it's definitly easier to pump up, but repair is tough/impossible if the main valve goes and then you need a new bladder. Also I keep losing my special max flo adapter(anyone pick up one with a hose at jbay?)

I would buy another.

Sark

[Wanna-Go]

Thanks Sark, sounds about right. So far I haven't found much low end in the 2 times I have ridden mine. Don't like the relaunch and couldn't get upwind very well. I don't think I got in the right conditions for it yet either. Can't remember which knot I was on but on my 7 Envy(totally like it) and Kahoonas 9.5/11.5 I fly on the upper knots. I'm on the fence about keeping my 15 Envy or selling it to replace with something else like a 13.5 Kahoona.

[eric]

Thanks Sark, sounds about right. So far I haven't found much low end in the 2 times I have ridden mine. Don't like the relaunch and couldn't get upwind very well. I don't think I got in the right conditions for it yet either. Can't remember which knot I was on but on my 7 Envy(totally like it) and Kahoonas 9.5/11.5 I fly on the upper knots. I'm on the fence about keeping my 15 Envy or selling it to replace with something else like a 13.5 Kahoona.

Make sure your bar is tuned up real nice. Your lines are probably all stretched out and the kite can't perform to it's full potential.

[Wanna-Go]

Nice point Eric. Never thought to check it, it is like brand new.

[Sark]

Hmm- Yeah the envy definitly has great low end and goes upwind pretty well. Upwind is way better than my kahoona's(imo) which are 2010. I rode both the 15 envy and 11.5 kahoona back to back at jetty yesterday, and the first thing I thought after switching to the kahoona is it was a bit more difficult to get upwind, and it doesn't set you down as gently on the jumps. But when I first started kiting I loved my kahoona, something very intuative about that kite, and still has the best relaunch of any kite I have flown.

I found when I first got the envy I tended to want to oversheet it, since the kahoona has a different touch to it. I think you have to remember to let the kite breathe a bit, and that it doesn't need to be moved all over as often to generate power. I set it on the knot closest to the kite for lightwind, and I have never even tried the extensions. Also try some other shapes(not delta) for better upwind. And lastly a good lightwind board paired with the kite is essential if you really want to push the lightwind envelope.

[stringy]

Hmm- Yeah the envy definitly has great low end and goes upwind pretty well.

hey sark is this the brown kite you use at juanita?

[Sark]

Yep Stringy thats it. I don't use it there much, more often I'll go with the 11.5 kahoona as it's usually 10-12m there, but when it's uber light sometime's I'll bust it out.

Another thought is try pulling a bit of depower if you are having trouble going upwind, this is a big kite.