Has anyone flown RRD Obsession 10.5m??
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 11:30
I am desprately looking for a new kite to be my one kite quiver and I came across some good reviews of the 2010 RRD Obsession and 2011. Has anyone flown the 2010 Obsession? Anyone flown the 10.5m? What is it like??
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 11:44
#1
I have a 2010 rrd obsession
I have a 2010 rrd obsession 12m. Like it a lot. Flies like a bigger kite than its stated size, the 12m obsession has the power and range of a typical 13m kite (like maybe a 13m waroo) but turns similar to other typical 12m kites. Very little backstalling which is good for wave riding. I think its described as an all around kite meant for "freeriding". Very good jumping but not as good as a nemesis HP. Long bridle which I thought would be a problem but hasn't been so far but might be more prone to have problmes when you crash in waves with bridle wrapping around struts or leading edge. I have heard very good things about 10.5m size but haven't flown one.
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 12:38
#2
The 2010 10.5 Obsession is
The 2010 10.5 Obsession is the sweet size in the lineup. That is an awesome kite in all sizes but the 10.5 is super sweet. Robert is right, it's a really good all around kite, jumps well, doesn't like to backstall, super stable, good feedback on the bar... I rode a 10.5 all last year as my biggest kite. Paired with the right boards I think it's an excellent choice, assuming you are average size.
The 2011 Obs are very similar with only a few tweaks, maybe slightly less low end. Also the RRD Vision is due out in a few weeks and so far I've only heard amazing things about it. I'm interested to try that one
Hope this helps!
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 14:06
#3
10.5
I used the 10.5 all last summer as my main kite. Laid out over a gk sonic it is a touch bigger so either the sonic is smaller than 11 or the rrd obs is a bigger than 10.5. I also had a 12 and the 9, but used the 10.5 the most as it hit the 16 - 25 summertime wind sweet spot well. it has good low end for the 15-18 stuff with a bigger board (i'm 210lbs) so I only used the 12 in 12-18. In contrast to robert I found I could jump it much more consistently then my previous Nemi (09 HP and 10Nxg). Maybe the nemi could go a touch bigger if I got the timing just right, but the rrd is easier to go big consistently. Also MUCH more forgivign for freestyle..both hooked and unhooked. the nemis were intorelant of mistakes and were easy to drop if you got under then etc. the rrd is much moreeforgiving while still having the abily to go big and deliver a nice spike in a kite loop .
I would not consider it a good wave kite.it is usable but after using religions (rrd dedicated wave kite) it feels too slow turning..especially when not in the exact right spot in the window, but is an excellent freeride/freestyle kite.
I may consider selling 2010 to upgrade for a 2011 if you are interestd
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 21:51
#4
A related question
Has anyone flown a 11.5 RRD religion? Usable for low wind waves?
I am a simple minded non-technical kiter who like to go fast, ride small waves and love to jump as high (as possible) andstay there for as long (as possible). I seem to only use various directionals now including surfboard and racing boards. The nemi HP is my favorite jumping kite that I have ever had the chance to use because the upstroke is so fast and the jump height is greatest, but I've flown mostly some models of Cab, Best and RRD. Nemi flies relatively fast in a straight line including when racing upwind. Nemi's fast turning, including fast back and forth swinging at the apex of jump can extend the flight. If I was more advanced and did lots (or any) aerial tricks the HP would be suboptimal I bet. Flying downwind on nemi is challenging. Whgen trying to race a triangular race course, nemi does great on two legs but poor downwind, OBS 12m does well on two legs but really well downwind. As Peter noted the timing of upstroke of jump on nemi is unforgiving. Nemi backstall makes waves painful. Many very good kiters seem to dislike the nemi.
I think 10.5 RRD Obs has the possibility of a one kite quiver but not sure I like one kite quivers. See Greg's comments on recent accident, its safer to have a large quiver. Maybe two kites and two boards would cover most everything, details depending on riding style and weight.
Wed, 03/23/2011 - 10:17
#5
I got a 11.5 religion to take
I got a 11.5 religion to take to cabarete as I thought i would be mostly light wwind waves. turns out it was windy so Iused 9/10 mostly but did have one long sesh on the 11.5 and one short. It is pretty good as a light air wave kite. similiar to the other size religions it turns well and keeps a nice spot in the window..not too far back, not too far forward. Not super powerful for it size but also does drag you off the wave face when the wind comes up abit like the the 11.5 kahoona. it turns way better than that beast! Also like the other religions it is an ok jumper, but not anything special in that department. The bar pressure is a bit lighter than I would like, but many like that. I think if you wan a fast turn light air wave kite you do that much better. I f you like the slower turning / gruntier style wave kite for ligh air then there are other choices
The vision might turn out to be a good combo wave/freeride kite. Wil have to see if it turns fast enough, but it issupposed to sit a bit further back than the the obsessions
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 23:44
#6
I really enjoy my 7-9-12
I really enjoy my 7-9-12 quiver of obsessions! They are the first kite I felt like I was a spaceman on.. Jumping is high and soft landings.. They also loop I think really well. I love the low bar pressure keeps me kiting longer, but do think could be bit higher
THANK YOU ALL!!!!! I just bought the 10.5 obssession and I am so stoked! I really appreciate the input, it helped a lot, and I will post my thoughts once I try it out.