Review HQ Matrixx 3 2017

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Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2017
Brand: HQ
Size: 09m, 12m, 15m, 18m
Type: Foil
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Rider Profile

All terain or light wind riders

Designers goals (manufacturer text)

The new Matrixx III is a versatile all-terrain kite. Several new details in the design give the Matrixx III a performance boost without losing its easy handling. The new kite flies more direct and gives a better feedback and feeling on the bar. Releasing the enormous lift will catapult riders to new heights.
The kite has been optimized for use on foil boards. The result is a stable, yet fast flying wing with reduced drag and an increased upwind ability. The easier a kite is to handle, the faster rider progression occurs. This all is what the new Matrixx III is able to offer on any kind of traction sport on any terrain.

Performance
The Matrixx III offers a significant performance boost over its predecessor. The kite starts to pull a lot earlier and the new construction and higher AR give greater feedback to the pilot. Riders get significantly more power on demand and the increased lift is easier to unleash. Hang time continues to be a hallmark of the Matrixx III.

Shape
Matrixx III features a redesigned shape with a higher AR, more cells and newly positioned air-intakes for an increased level of performance.
The new air-intakes support faster inflation and higher inner pressure of the kite that helps to stiffen and stabilize the shape.   

Bridle
The bridle setup of the Matrixx III is a mix of high quality Dyneema lines. The main bridle is made out of strong, super thin, low elongation Dyneema to reduce drag in the air to a minimum.
The mixer is built with long lasting Ronstan pulleys and pre-stretched Dyneema lines that are maintenance free. Even after hours of flying, there is no need to replace or adjust bridle lines.

Material
For the Matrixx III we only choose high end sail cloth. The combination of fabrics used creates a perfect balance. The larger sizes are light wind optimized and built with our super light and extreme durable 20D fabric.
The 18m² Matrixx III including bar and lines weights just 3.5 kg. To withstand the more explosive power delivery on the smaller sizes, these sails are produced with our well proofed 30D fabric.

Features in kite characteristics

  • Extremely good low end
  • Optimized for foilboards
  • Increased lift and turningspeed
  • Better bar feedback
  • Water relaunchable
  • Higher AR for increased performance

Control bar

HQ kite control bar 2017



Details:

Riding type: Freeride/Allround
Year: 2017
Brand: HQ
Size: 09m, 12m, 15m, 18m
Type: Foil
One pump: not in place
Bridles: Yes
Number of struts: not in place
Colours: Various
Bar length: 55cm
Line length: 24m
Bar: 5 lines
Depower: Clamcleat
Safety: Push
Swivel: Yes
Variable bar length: No
Oh shit handles: Yes

There are 2 reviews on this product:

HQ Matrixx 3 2017 09m
Name:
Nate 
Weight:
92 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
12 
Personal page:
Water conditions:
chop  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 8 knots up to 25
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
09m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
price quality
 
PoorGreat
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
glide phase
 
ShortLong
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
windrange
 
LimitedWide
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
lift
 
GradualExplosive
kitefinder.com - 03.06.2017 at 00:19 hour
Comments:
Matrixx 3 is a bit of a departure from most of the closed cell foils currently on the market, because it uses a lower aspect ratio (5.25 – 5.5 depending on size). The design focusses more on making a nimble kite with good stability and drift characteristics for foiling than full-out racing performance.


Hallmarks of the Matrixx 3 are its quick turn, ability to stay airborne in very light winds, and great lift and float. Jumps are not explosive, but the hangtime is excellent with long glides and soft landings. Turn rate is some of the best in its class due to its relatively low Aspect Ratio. The lower AR also helps make a kite that is more stable. I found the 9 and 12m sizes made great touring kites in the mountains this winter because of their maneuverability and stability. The lightweight fabric construction also allows the kites to stay up in very light winds and pack up very small, which makes them good for back-country and travelling.

If you are someone willing to trade a bit of race performance for a kite that performs better in a wider range of conditions the Matrixx 3 is definitely worth looking at. I personally have really come to love the lift curve of these kites, with jumps that don’t yank you out of your boots but also offer long glides and gentle landings. They are a perfect kite for my current style of riding.

I’ve particularly come to like the speed and sportiness of the 9m. The kite is very quick but also offers exceptional float for its size – more than I was expecting. The 9m has a great usable range - moving nicely on snow in 9-10kts, becoming really fun by 15-20 kts and still maneagable in 25+kt gustier conditions. I've had one session on water, with winds around 15kts and was enjoying the jumps. 
9 kudos - +

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HQ Matrixx 3 2017 15m
Name:
stefarius 
Weight:
92 
Riding style:
allround  
Years of experience:
17 
Personal page:
Water conditions:
flat  
Tested Wind Conditions:
From 10 knots up to 13
Number of test sessions:
Kite size:
15m 
Most remarkable characteristics:
kite feedback
 
MinimalGreat
user friendly
 
PoorGreat
kite stability
 
UnstableStable
low end
 
Small rangeLarge range
bar pressure
 
HeavyLight
boost
 
SoftStrong
total depower
 
Some pressureTotal depower
lift
 
GradualExplosive
kitefinder.com - 29.01.2017 at 20:33 hour
Comments:
Had a land session with the 15m. This is a trustful kite. Direct kite reaction with a gradual power building. The kite is pretty stable and you can stack with this kite, keeping the kite still in every kite position of the wind window.
Looking at the characteristics you see a lot of average. I thing that's the Matrix3 strongest point. No high performance foil and no big downers or hard skills to learn. A easy to steer, control and play all terrain foil kite. Good price for the first step into foil kites or allround/ all terrain users! 
4 kudos - +

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