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2m, 2.5m, 3.2m, 4m, 5m, 6.2m, 7.8m |
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Non Water Re-Launchable Fixed Bridle Foil |
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U Turns are the latest kites designed by Ernst Stroble, formerly of Airea (Raptor and Bronto) fame. He set up U Turn after the demise of Airea. The Oxigen is his intermediate kite and comes in two forms the Pro and the Standard. |
Packaging, Style + Construction:
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The kite is supplied in a simple drawstring bag, no fancy rucksacks but thats not a problem, makes the kites easier to fit in your Buggybag. The two versions (Pro & Standard) differ in that the Pro is made from a lighter, waterproof material and has a lighter, kevlar bridle. The difference in weight is about 10%. Otherwise the design and dimensions are identical. The Pro will fly in lighter winds per size and is meant to be stronger, having owned both types I'd say the Pro version is a better kite and really comes into its own in the larger sizes.
The standard has an orange upper with a yellow claw design and a white lower. The Pro has various colours but the lower is the same colour as the main upper colour. |
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The key to setting up the Oxigen is in the brake tension, they need alot of brake as standard. Linked to the use of power rings this keeps the trailing edge creased and just keeps the kite in the air better. At speed the bigger sizes will lock in, the smaller sizes (3.2 and 2) need to be kept moving to get the best out of them. The kite is much more stable than a race kite and has no problem going upwind. |
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The Oxi is really a pure buggy kite and has a low AR making it much less lifty than other kites. Nevertheless it can produce lift at the top end of each kites wind range and two wheel activity is easy. |
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The Oxi is my ideal kite (hence the collection) its faster and easier to fly than the Bullets/Busters of this world and will keep up with a race kite most of the time. The key to its appeal is its stabilty, yes it will luff if you let the lines relax but if you keep it tensioned correctly it will hoon up and down the beach all day. My top speed so far is 38mph and I'm aiming for faster. |
