Review F-One Bandit5 2012
« Return to search results
Riding type: | Freeride/Allround |
---|---|
Year: | 2012 |
Brand: | F-one |
Size: | 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 14m |
Type: | Delta |
Share: | |
Buy: | Buy Now |
Kite
Allround 4 line delta kite
Designers goals
Since the first generation Bandit we have been committed to offering one single kite in our range. Our goal is not to offer just a «versatile» kite but rather the best kite for each discipline and style of rider, from the beginner to the pro athlete. To be successful in all areas is a real challenge from an R&D perspective ; this process is proving to be much more complex than developing several highly specialized kites. The most difficult challenge faced with the B5 was to improve from the B4 in all areas without losing any of its qualities - an extremely tough call that is ongoing.
The specifications that we set for the B5 in three words:
Range
To further increase its range, we needed both a kite that you could easily power up in the low end and a kite that was even more forgiving in strong and gusty conditions.
Lightness
In order to improve its performance when under powered, and add to the ease of use at the bottom end its lightness was a priority.
Handling
To immediately position the kite where you want it, to precisely manage its rotation during a kiteloop, and to have the most responsive kite in larger sizes, its maneuverability is crucial. This is why we have focused our attention on this particular aspect.
Technical solutions
The whole structure of the kite, its profile and its bridles have been reworked in order to achieve these goals. Its construction has also been fundamentally updated both in the choice and the distribution of materials and in the manufacturing processes.
Because the structure of a kite is soft, it can deform and twist allowing the kite to rotate. A fully rigid profile wing will not turn at all. Therefore, maneuverability and responsivenessof the kite depends directly on its ability to twist, one important point that we have greatly improved on thanks to a thinner leading edge, a new 3-point bridle system and a new shape for the struts. All this to «free» the kites profile. Reducing the diameter of the leading edge, with almost 25% less air volume, brings an important gain in terms of weight and aerodynamics. The result is better performance in the low end, but in the also at the top end thanks to an improved handling thinner profile. We have also gained in terms of set up comfort as the inflation time has been reduced. A new type of flatter profile was employed. By reducing the profile curve depth it is easier to depower and keep control at the top end. In the low end, a flatter profile is more efficient when powered-up and fully sheeted in providing constant power.
The result is a better control of the kite aerodynamics, less lateral traction and less pressure and therefore effort through your legs and into the board when the wind picks up. Finally, some important work was undertaken on the bar feeling and pressure. The feedback from the bar provides you with constant information and lets you know what's going on allowing you to adjust the position, the pull and the speed of your kite in the wind window at any given time?
These sensations must be precisely delivered so you can receive them all without the steering becoming a physical burden.
The B5 puts more effort through the harness and less through your arms. The direct bar feeling allows for the transmission of all necessary information.
Each year, we test more than sixty prototypes in order to meet all our chosen criteria and we spend more than 120 days on the water to develop each new collection. With the B5 we have largely achieved all our initial objectives over the B4. Lighter, more maneuverable and responsive ; the B5 is even smoother and ultimately more enjoyable and more effective regardless of the type of riding you do.
Expo Movie about Fone Bandit 5
Bar 2011/2012
Details:
Riding type: | Freeride/Allround |
---|---|
Year: | 2012 |
Brand: | F-one |
Size: | 05m, 06m, 07m, 08m, 09m, 10m, 11m, 12m, 14m |
Type: | Delta |
One pump: | Yes |
Bridles: | Yes |
Number of struts: | 3 |
Colours: | Various |
Line length: | 24m |
Bar length: | 45cm |
Bar: | 4 lines |
Depower: | Clamcleat |
Safety: | Pull |
Swivel: | Yes |
Variable bar length: | No |
Oh shit handles: | No |
Kitetest F-One Bandit5 10m
Kite Designer goals?
Make a all in one kite!
Conditions
Setup: basic with 45cm bar and 24m lines
Wind: tested between 13 and 22 knots
Water conditions: flat/chop
Detail Photos
Conclusion
The goal of the Bandit series has always been to provide an all-in-1 kite. In its 5th reincarnation, the Bandit has been fine-tuned to become what it ultimately was designed for: a real all-rounder that does it all.
Beside its good base characteristics the Bandit 5 now possesses less pull in its high-end and its wind range has been expanded.
Wave riders will value the Bandit for its drift and turning speed, while starters will like its stability, feedback and broad wind range.
Freestylers can expect a more explosive pop in its low-end. If you get into its high-end, the boost it provides can certainly be called a challenge.
Has the Bandit 5 become a kite for everyone to enjoy? Most definitely! It can be employed in a broad range of circumstances and is thus a suitable kite for a large (recreational) public.
The big question to answer here however is how quickly one evolves from a beginning all-rounder into a specialist in one or more disciplines. A specialist who demands more specific flight characteristics. We can certainly advise you to test it out though, it's definitely worth it.
Basics
Total depower
Low-end total depower, high-end little power left
Safety system
4 line safety, always little power left on the frontlines (high-end)
Windrange
Good low-end and high-end, easy handling great comfort
Kite re-launch
Almost by itself
Kite stability
Great stability and feedback on the edge of the windwindow
Oldskool
Glide phase
Lift
Long streched out lift, divide over the full flightline
High-end
Better than the 2011 Bandit but still it keeps his famous Bandit pull
Low-end
Good low-end, more explosive pop than in the high-end
Wave
Steering with low line tension
Only in his high-end +20knots the 10m has a little delay
Turning circle
center turn, turnable everywhere in the windwindow, always sitback in the windwindow
Reaction to steering action
45cm bar and fast reaction!
Feedback at edge of wind window
great feedback and control
Race
Kiteposition in wind-window
pretty deep in the windwindow
There are 1 reviews on this product:
Replys to this review
Hi all, just to warn any potential buyer of a second hand bandit 5 that the bar has a manufacturing defect acknowledge by F-one, it erods and breaks ! Happened to me and all the bandit 5 owners I know, Fone sent me a 2013 bar as a replacement but I dont think they're still doing it now. Cheers
Write your own review