Very interested in getting a bit of feedback/interest from land and snow boarders and a not so subtly hidden attempt to move a couple of kites!
Last year I brought into the country a couple of Genetrix kites to demo..
(9 and 12m)...pretty sure they are still the only ones in NZ but the big point of difference with the Genetrix kites is the extremely flat bow shape coupled with a bridle system at the front and back which connects to the strut tails...this gives the kites controllable sailing through an extreme wind range, while still using a standard 4 line bar setup!
So while looking like a typical bow these kites offer a huge amount of stability and control into a much higher wind range than most if not all other bows... they still relaunch and boost as good as any other kite on the market as well.
This level of control saw Seb Cattelin use the genetrix to be the first kiter to break the mythical 50 knot barrier on water and also later the first to bust 55 knots.
Ok so I figure these kites could work on either land or snow as well...
Anyone up in Auckland who is interested in checking out / sailing these kites is welcome to contact me to try them out and form their own conclusion on how good they are!... elswhere in the country I can send a pack of pictures if wanted
Cheers

Hey Bro, could you upload some images on to this thread?

You could check out Genetrix web site.. genetrixkites.fr/

photos at
genetrixkites.fr/en/pics/photos-genetrix/album-genetrix-2010

image 21 on the page shows the bridle setup

I will take some more close up shots if you are interested

Interested to note that Genetrix have not changed the kite at all in the new release Hydra 5 this year..
so the Hydra 4 model I have are still current

yeh sure i'll have a look but putting some images here would give a better feel and context to your post.

I have accentuated the rear bridles in this pic so you can clearly see the kite structure
... the front and back lines from bar simply attach via a single larks head knot to each bridle

Whats the negatives CT? i see the possitive of better Angle of attack adjustment. What about solo launch/land and water relaunc. is there more chance of bridles hooking up and having kitemares?

Because of the spots I kite I mainly drift launched and landed... had no problems ...but granted there is a higher chance of a tangle with the extra lines on rear bridle if you do have to drift launch a lot.. the safety line through the bar to chicken loop is as good as any to throw the kite out on one line to either land or depower in an emergency.
There has been some debate on Aussie kite forums where Genetrix kiters have made some outrageous claims about superior bottom end ....thats a load of crap to be polite... they tend to power up at a slightly higher wind range than other bows of the same size but can then carry that powered control into a much higher wind range


Water launch is similar to most other bows ... but because of its flat profile and very small shoulder area if you want to solo launch on land from a fixed pin to chicken loop you need very steady or strong wind so the kite stands on its shoulder.. in lighter or gusty wind the kite wont stand on its edge but will roll forward onto its face...

The other negative is that unlike other brands all 4 lines have a larks head knot so its easy to mix up the front and rear lines (they are colour coordinated tho) ...but this was an easy fix by adding an extra set of loops so that I could reverse the rear lines and avoid confusion...
The construction looks solid and well thought out and given the conditions that guys like Sebastien Cattelan sail in they do the job!

Cheers Chris

really nice review, very informative.