Just came down from the snow dunes of Hardangervidda playing with my new Flysurfer Speed 2 10m and a little review:
My former kites were all Peter Lynn Phantoms, these are ARC ram air closed cell kites. Only four lines all the way to the kite, like many inflated kites (tube kites), unlike the FS which have an intricate bridle like a paraglider. The phantoms are out of prod. but were the most efficient PL's mass produced AFAIK, due to the high aspect ratio. Due to the lack of bridle, tangles are nothing compared to the FS, when it happens.
Both are water relauncheable, so suitable for boats. The FS has a lot higher CL, means much more power per area. In the snow it is useable from almost walking pace wind. Phantoms require more.
Have not met FS top end yet, but the depower is quite astounding. It comes in a lighter fabric as well as the standard, making it even better for light winds.
Much more powerful than phantom 12 and steers quicker. Much more direct throttle - a two edged sword, since the mushyness of the Ph. is part of what makes it so great in gusts - it eats them and gives the rider a safer feeling. FS is more prone to luffing/overflying and collapsing at the edge of the wind window, in slight wind changes. It requires much more attention than the Ph. The Ph, as will most the arcs, will fly to zenith if you let go the control bar - nice feature for chatting or smoking, cutting hole in the ice for a drink etc.
The safety release to one line of the Ph is very safe and nice, it will go to ground like a flag and pull very little.
On four lines the safety release and landing system of the FS is inadequate, IMO. It will flog around like a bat (out of hell) on a string and make a terrible mess, if there is much wind. The pull can meanwhile be on the border of too much for retrieving the kite unless you have an achor point for it and can walk down to the kite. There is a fifth line system for this kite that I want to try, said to make a better release system.
Both has one way valves in the leading edge to make them suitable for water.
The FS has overpressure valves to protect it when crashing. I have blown a cell in the phantom 6 when crashing, earlier.
Both seem rugged and well built, ARCs have short sticks at the tips.
To extrapolate this to kite sailing, I believe these are both superb for that. The phantoms are much easier to fly, but will require acres of kite for a big boat. Probably the newer, lower aspect PL synergy is even easier to fly, has more power to to the area, more guaranteed water relaunch and may have a similar depower. As I see it upwind power is a major issue for kite boats - the phantom 12 is like nothing compared to an 8sqm una-rig - upwind.
Side note, the jumps with the speed2 is just frackin amaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiizing.
)
