Windwing Rage 2 12 (Year: 2005)
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| Review by:
Hurrah - 2004-12-22 (12:36 am)
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My experience with this product: 1-5 sessions (first impressions)
After much waiting (wind) I finnaly got my Rage II for the first fly on Saturday 18th Dec 05 conditions were 10-12knt as per anenometer at ground level. OMG, Can I say that the SAFE system is the safest and easiest to use that I have tried. I am using the CC bar with the kite. No need for the 5th line.... just four lines. I intentionally dropped the kite a few times to test the relaunchability of it. I would say that I'm a early intermediate kiter and have always hated to traditionally relaunch a kite. The SAFE system just helps you to relaunch much quicker in the traditional way. WW provided the Jumpstart relaunch with the kite also but I did not use this. The SAFE system allows the kite to practically drop over itself when you sheet out. I believe that had I had this when I was learning, I would have progressed much quicker. I would have not dreaded relaunching and could have been more adventurous with the kite. Much less swimming and getting tired and more time on the water. I suppose I will progress much faster with this kite now as I feel 100% confident on the water with it. The SAFE system 90% depowers the kite when you sheet out. It's not 100% as WW claim.This is great when flying at the edge on really windy days and walking the kite or when close to full depower is necessary without releasing from the kite. The kite flies very well and holds its shape nicely. The kite is made my A lam sail manufacturers in HK/China so the quality is the same as most other brands made by them. The materials are all the same. The bag provided is top notch and very well thought out. Comes with pockets for bar and Pump as well as straps for board. Pump has aluminium shaft . WW also give you a wet bag to put the kite in if you don't want to damage the bag.
One criticism needs to be made of the release cuff above the CL on the CC bar. I believe that it will not release 100% of the time due to a small hard material built into the velcro tabs. This tends to grab onto the ring that binds the kite to the CL, I have emailed WW about this issue so stay tuned for an update. I was not phased by this as I use a third release mechanism, SS surefire bar and or Wichard. Other than that the bar is very smooth and easy to use. 
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Biased review: |
Not biased as I have no connection to WW at all |
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| Comments |
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DRAZ |
This is getting me really stoked on Windwing. Their products are innovative & inexpensively priced. Just wondering how much wind you've taken it out in ? And how is the turning speed?
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Knut |
I’m also very interested in the WindWing kites, just waiting for user reviews to pop up before ordering. How is the bar pressure? Do you like the “CC” bar ? Does it really stay in place when jumping ? What kites have you flown before and how do they compare to the RageII ?
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dewey |
I already ordered my outrages. One question, is the depower all or nothing. What I mean is can you depower the kits 50% instead of 90%? And also can you fly the kite fully depowered? Thanks for the great review
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hurrah |
Guys, get stoked,.
The kite is really smooth yet powerful.
Does not jellyfish. You can depower to your content by sheeting to your desired depower need.. That is 10-90%. Winds are still relatively light in Sydney so like I said 10-12 is really all i've used it in. Bar pressure is light by my standards.
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hurrah, |
Ooh Sorry,
Forgot to mention about the turning speed. It compares to the Yarga 04, Strike04, Flows 05, Gastra 04 and Bronco 12 05s. All kites I have flown recently.
P.S update on Release. I'm still in discussions with Mike (Sales Manager at WW) about this issue. No answers yet.
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Heavy |
Somebody told me the 04 Windwings were heavy compared to other kites... the website says that they are lighter this year though... what's your experience hurrah?
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hurrah |
The Rage II kites are not heavy at all. I actually had the 12 Bronco 2005 and a best yarga 11 next to each other. It's the same as the Yarga.
I though have never felt the 2004 Rage so cannot really advise from that point.
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Knut |
How did the RageII compare to the Yarga ?
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Hurrah |
Knut,
Sorry for the late reply. Been off line for a few days. The Yarga 04 and the Rage II 05 are the kites I can compare. I don't have any experience on the 05 Yarga as yet. The Yarga and the Rage II are not disimilar. I have noticed that the Yarga has a little more bar pressure but having said that the CC bar in combo with the Rage II is the reason for this. I have noticed though that the Rage II feels a little more stable in the air. I would say that it is very similar to the Bronco 05 from OR. It does not have the sensation of wanting to yank you off the ground even in steady winds like the Yarga does. I would go for the Rage II as I feel the kite gives you more confidence especially when mated with the CC bar and SAFE. Construction is the same, the actually come from the same factory as the Bests, ORs,.....etc. well made. Same materials, the Rage II is probably a bit lighter. The Rage II also has carbon battens that I personally find annoying when travelling but they are a necessity when using SAFE and will make the kite fly better. I don't know the exact numbers but I dare say that they are the same aspect if not very close. Turning speed is slightly quicker on the Rage II. If you are interested ask specific questions and I can answer else it's a little hard as I will probably re-hash stuff from my review above.
PS I have had 3 more sessions on the Rage II. OMG i am in love with WW, and my wife of course....
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Knut |
Thanks very much for your answers. I’m thinking of going for a quiver of Rage II kites for me and my wife, size 8, 12 and 17. Have you tried other sizes than 12? What do you think of the higher projected area, does the 12 Rage II equal a 12 in another brand?
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Hurrah |
Knut,
no have not used any other than the 12 as yet. Am waiting for my 8 to come in the new year. I have a Rhino 16 so did not make the full quiver purchase. Am interested in maybe getting the larger on soon when the wind is lighter. Higher projected area did not cause the kite to feel any bigger IMO. I think that answers your Q huh ? The 12 Rage 2 is again not dissimilar to say the Bronco 12 or the Fuel 11. Go for it and get the Rage II you won't be sorry. Speak to Mike via their email at Windexpress to get delivery times. You'd better act fast though as the better than best deal ends 1/1/05 changes to just one at half price not two.
Are you in OZ cos your Q's were quick to my replies.
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Windshreder |
The depower is progressive. It will pull you a little bit on powered up days fully depowered and always remains steerable when fully depowered.
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Gilles |
Hello Hurra,
What is tour weight in kilos ? why did you choose rage instead of outrage ?
can you use the same CC bar and lines for a 12M and 17m ?
Best regard
Gilles
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Hurrah |
72kgs
Chose Rage 2 as it is better for the conditions and areas I ride in.
CC bar is used on 8-12-17.
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Gilles |
Tahnk you to take time to answer me. I need still some advice from you. I weight 67Kg. I have a board 138*35.I want to buy 2 rage kites and that 'all. I hesitate between a Quiver 12/17 or 10/17 ? 10/17 will cover more windrange but I am afraid to have a hole in the middle. I do not know what is the windrange of a 10M versus a 12M .
Aren 't the Rage II too much physical for me (I am light)?
how are the jumps ? easy or not to jump, easy or not for kite control once in the air ? small hangtime or huge hangtime ?
Last question: what is the size of your CC bar (50 or 56 ?)
Thanks a lot if you take a few time to answer me
Best regards,Gilles
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Hurrah |
The 10M I cannot advise but the 12 has great depower.
As I have said I have 8/12/17 and this is great for me in my areas. The R2 is NOT too physical for you. It is a nice kite. Perhaps for your weight, I would choose the 10/14 Maybe even the Outrage 10 as it has the same pull as the Rage 2 12
Jumps are easy enough and soft landings, again I answer this according to my experience and time with the kite.
You will find the WW's very easy to adapt to.
I ride a 50cm CC bar
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christian |
hi i im a beginner and i just purchased a aero2 16m, i needed to purchase a 12m kite to cover the wind ranges, i was thinking about another aero2, but i see everybody speeks very well about the windwings. what is our advise?? can i use the rage2 with a north bar and lines???? or any other bar???
christian tozzi
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Hurrah |
Chritian,
The WW bars are prefereable to use as they have a larger sheeting range. 18-20inches which helps to deploy the SAFE system. without this the SAFE system will now work as desired. For a beginner, I would definitely suggest the Rage 2 12 meter. If I had this when I was learning, I would have progressed much quicker. Alternatively, you could try and lengthen the depower line to match. Good luck
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Hurrah |
That should have read the SAFE system will NOT work as designed. IF you set the kite up as per standard, ie no SAFE or Reverse Launch, then any bar will do. If you can afford to go the B-safe bar for a traditional feel. I have gone with the CC bar and like it alot
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