The Wing Forum
DISCUSSIONS => General Discussion => Topic started by: DCB on April 25, 2020, 03:44:38 pm
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I have the original 4m and 5m Duotone wing and just recently got the Naish S25 5.3 with the goal of learning to use handles. I also have 6m and 4m Echo’s on order but have never ridden them yet. So I can only compare to the V1 Duotones
Hi, just wondering How tall you are? Was Also thinking of getting a 4 and 6 echo. But has I did a try this we with the old 5 m , which was fine, and then chatting with the instructor, he said for my height 1.70 m it might be a bit uncomfortable because of the span of the wing ! He also told me the new echo 5 m is more powerful than the old one ....
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Awesome, Thanks Dspace. You sound pretty good and since you bought the 4 and 6 Echo's I assume you're thinking you'll get more range than seems to be suggested. I'll buy S25 and see how it goes.
I always felt my 5m and 4m current Duotones were too close in range. The 4m was/is by far my favorite size, when the wind conditions were right (lulls not much below 15mph, I’m 78 kg). I’m hoping that Ken Winner and company improved the larger sizes with this new version seeing as they offer Echo’s all the way to 7m. Also hoping the the 6 and 4m will have a teeny bit of overlap. We’ll see.
Here’s a link to a vid of this particular klutzy ole guy (I’m 61 with questionable knees) doing the basics with the original Duotone. Gunnar has been one of the reasons I started wing foiling, and kitefoiling for that matter.
Right now I’m struggling with what will be my next foil upgrade. Such a first world dilemma ;D
https://youtu.be/1Sdg-GJObyI
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I can't compare the two but I am really progressing nicely with my S25's. Yesterday was a great session in 15 mph avg winds. They need some pumping to start but once foiling, they generate tons of apparent. I also find them easy to handle and manipulate.
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Awesome, Thanks Dspace. You sound pretty good and since you bought the 4 and 6 Echo's I assume you're thinking you'll get more range than seems to be suggested. I'll buy S25 and see how it goes.
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I have the original 4m and 5m Duotone wing and just recently got the Naish S25 5.3 with the goal of learning to use handles. I also have 6m and 4m Echo’s on order but have never ridden them yet. So I can only compare to the V1 Duotones
My feeble opinion; booms are all I’ve ridden since starting about 6 months ago. You definitely get used to what ever you started with, and yes the infinite “no-look” hand positioning is great. Doing the basics with the Naish S25 has been a pretty easy transition (just riding and jibing). Tacking with the Naish has been more of a challenge for me in part due to my limited feel for handle switching and in part due to different flying behavior of the wings. That “V” shape of the Duotone that makes it so unstable during lufffing, also makes it roll side-to-side easily during a tack. The Naish needs more of a push to roll over. Again maybe just my limited skill level being the reason.
On the other hand the Naish S25 is super stiff, so it pumps really nice to get you up on the foil, and it has much better upwind capability compared to the Duotones. Still even with those advantages I didn’t hesitate to order new Echo’s even without any real independent reviews out yet. It always comes down to personal preference. I think the S25 is a great wing, and I suspect the Echo will be a nice improvement as well....
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Anyone ridden both?
Trying to figure out a good two wing quiver leaning towards lighter winds.
At first was thinking Echo 4 & 6, but it's particularly strange that Duotone lists the 6m has having the same low end 12 kts as the 5m. Anyone have any insight, maybe they think it's too big to pump effectively up onto a sinker board? But then even stranger they list the 7m as 8-16 kts.
When you look at the wind ranges advertised the S25 of course it looks much better but I'm sure it uses different criteria. 6m S25 in 5 mph seems unlikely. Does anyone actually know what has a better low end, a 6m S25 or 6m Echo?
Seems like people like the Duotones because it's easier to move hands around, but is the ability to control roll better with the boom a thing? My understanding is none of the other brands are using booms because Duotone has patent, or do they just think they know better? My only reluctance then is Duotone/North has made some really good kiting products but have also tried too hard in the past to be unique like cicular foils and 5 line kites.
Anyone know when the next Fone or Wasp are coming out?
Thanks!!!