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According to the RRD user manual, the 13m HiR and the 9m Type 7 have the same wind range (top end)? Is this a misprint or does the 13m really have that much range???

check it out:

http://www.live2kite.com/images/rrd/kites_manual.pdf

I don't think it's a typo. From what I was told, with the kite unzipped it has a huge topend. If you zip it up it will fly more like a mid aspect kite with more low end. So I think that the low end range is zipped and the top end is unzipped. Last year at sherman there were guys on 13m zh's when I was powered on a v4 10m. But I think that 28knots is the extream topend on a 13.

I'll be getting the kites soon so I'll let you know if it's comfortable at the topend.

Dewey

I can only comment based on the ZH-16 versus the Type-6 15, but here's my experience: The boosting kites have a dramatically different feel on the top-end compared to the freestyle kites (at least they did in 2005).

I could hold onto my ZH-16 in gusts well over 30 (I'm large) and did so with frequency (and delight!) On the other hand, the minute the T6-15 was really pushed, it wanted to taco/fold-in and became very unmanageable. Not fun. I got rid of the T6 kites for this very reason. I'd rather ride lit with comfort/control at the extreme top-end since boosting is my favorite part of the sport. And, huge people are always riding in the upper range of any given kite size, yes?

If you prefer a steadier pull, easier handling, handle-pass/freestyle stuff, I can see owning the T6/7. But, if you are prone to riding over-powered, like serious juice, whip your kite a lot, live for power, consider ZH/HiR.

That said, I can certainly imagine that the '06 T7 9-meter and the '06 HiR-13 will have similar range when pushed to the upper limits. Now I'm all jacked up to do just that!

Or, you could ask Evan/Live2Kite if it's a typo I guess...

Have not flown the hir...but had type 6 15 as well as zh 13 last season....(13 is now for sale btw...) I agree with everything that Dave said, but I flew the type 7s waay wound in Baja, and had none of the difficulty experienced with the op type 6. In fact, I was staying out on the type 7 15 when a bud was coming into the beach op on his 12 crossbow. I had the wave 2 bar, which gives all kinds of range and confidence.

bob

The type wave bar looks really cool. Maybe one is in the future!!!