Took the 15M hyper out for 2.5 hrs today. Prior to the sesh, I checked the wind on my phone and it was reading 15mph. At the end of the sesh I called a local wind service and it said 17mph with a range of 14 to 21. The wind felt like it as 15-20.

Right now I literally feel motion sickness to to this kites ability to boost. Every backroll became a 720, every spin became a double. I had a hard time on a few landings because I was overrotating due to the extended hangtime. Today I kited at a location with sandbar protected flat water and 1-2 foot waves on the outside.

Going upwind on the hyper is almost creepy. I'm not a toeside freak and usually when I ride toeside I can maintain ground or go slightly downwind. Today, I could ride upwind toeside with the kite in flat water. Jumping the Hyper in flat water is not as fun as jumping off a lip or wave. In flat water I was landing somewhat under the kite. When jumping off a wave, I was able to get tremendous float and distance.

One thing I really liked about using this kite in 15mph+ was the ability to boost just by pulling the bar in. I could park the kite at 10:00 and pick off the wave I wanted to use for a jump and when I got to the wave all you have to do is pull the bar in and up, up, up you go.

Some kites produce massive lift, explosive pop - not the hypertype. It just brings you up nice and slowly and glides you down nice and softly.
I am convinced that this is the best jumping kite I have ever been on.

The BAD -
It took three tries today to solo launch it. It didn't seem to want to do a sand the tip launch, so I tried what worked yesterday - attaching the leash to a fixed object. Today however I used the loop in the mini 5th. Both times the kite got bouncy and ended up falling over. When I went back to attaching the safety to the chicken loop it went up smoothly. But the RRD handlepass safety leash has clips that are way too small. I have ditched this safety for the Slingshot with bigger clips.

Landing the kite was a mess - primarily due to pilot error. I brought the kite down and it was sitting on it's tip. I had the handlepass leash attached to the chicken loop. When I went to grab the leash, I grabbed the red QR and the kite was now detached from me. Luckily I was able to grab the mini 5th line and hang onto the kite. But the kite did go directly downwind and scrape a small fence / beach grass. My first unintentional durability test is RRD 1 - Sharp Objects 0.

The knob at the end of the depower rope is a bit small. When you try to depower the kite, it can be difficult to pull. I live in Cape Cod so it will be interesting to see how it works this fall with gloves on.

I played with the depower slightly for an unhooked ride but otherwise this kite handled all the gusts perfectly just by sheeting out. I rode yesterday in 11-16mph and today in 14-21mph and never touched the depower except for my unhook attempt.

Relaunch -

My backloop transition became a 720 and the kite ended up in the water. The kite basically sits there and waits for you. I dropped it a second time after a failed rotation and it came up in less then 10 seconds. I would rate the relaunch on this kite to be high (like alot of the other bows).

Minor issue -
The kite lines do not have the litte 'thingy' to undo the half-hitch. Not a big deal, but the less picking at the line to undo them from the kite the better.

When I rode with the safety to the mini 5th, I noticed that this line would tangle around the line for the front. I had to stop and unwind it. Not really a big deal, but you never want to have anything tangled or wrapped up expecially if it has to do with safety.

After two sessions I love the kite. My entire body feels totally worked which is a great feeling for kiting in 14-20mph on a 15. My arms feel like I have not even been out on the water. I Rode all day with one hand or two fingers on the bar.

The only issue with this kite (and every other bow) is that you really have to have a plan for a solo launch and land. You really should have plenty of room both downwind and perpendicular to the wind because things can go wrong. If you have a helper, it's not a big deal. I think it would be interesting to see if anyone puts a 5th line on this kite. It would make solo landing a little more safer.

Anyone want to buy a used Vegas 10 or Sonic 8M. I will going for a full quiver of the Hypertype.

Frank

hey nukin, i self launched my 12M HT today twice with no problem. I just put some sand (not that much) on the wing tip without folding it over. It didn't take much sand to hold it in place. Then i walked back to the bar & just launched as always. No issues what so ever. I did not need to secure the bar to anything. Let me know how you find this method. Obviously the leading edge should not be flapping around. It should be aligned with the on coming wind. Hope this helps.

For Self landing i used two methods. In light wind i put the kite down in the edge of the window. The i unhooked while holding the middle lines then walked towards the kite holding one of the middle lines. In stronger winds, i put the kite down slowly, then disconnected my leash, then grabbed the 'oh-shit' while totally unhooking. The kite will flap around at first & maybe even spin but will eventually stop & gorund itslef. Then just walk towards the kite holding the 'oh-shit' line. Obviously you want to make sure the landing area is clear & be careful not to wrap the line around your hand. Sure you know this already but sometimes it doesn't hurt to state the obvious!

I will try the sand on the wing tip on my next session. I have also seen some videos of putting a bow/sle kite on it's leading edge and letting the wind hit one side of the kite and sort of reverse launching it.

I have not done many O shit handle landings. Since the O shit handle is on the left side of the bar, do you have to put the kite down toward the right, left or does it not matter?
Thanks for the tips - I know you have a 12. I am considering a 15 /12 /9 or maybe a 15 / 9.

Just FYI
I drift launch this kite and all my kites with no probs at all (appreciate poss wear etc but beaches I launch at are big and smooth) feel it is safer as attached at all times.

agree NYC, just on high wind landing using OSH I attach leash to the OSH - more safe. yes, I land with OSH as uppermost line.

I self-launch the same way. I don't like to let go of my kite (even momentarily) on launch either. But some guys are great at the other methods.

It's the self landing of the hybrids/bow that I am still not so good at
(I had the Cs pegged down)



Basically what I do. Doesn't look so pretty, but it works.
I could land a C on a dime. Oh well