The SBC Kiteboard Magazine Test Team has just released their 2009 Kite Tests. Check out this review from the crew at SBC on the new 2009 LF Havoc!!
For more info and the complete review- Surf SBCKiteboard.com
Here are the highlights:
The new ’09 Havoc Generation 3 emerges as a top contender in the freeride category and has performance applicable to a wide range of conditions and styles. This year’s Havoc is positioned as the most advanced yet user-friendly premium freeride kite in the formidable LF lineup.
Key kite features
LF kites exhibit fine attention to detail, killer graphics, robust build and a ton of industry-exclusive design features. Premium features of the Havoc include the USB 2.0 (Ultra Stable Bridle Technology), diamond wingtips, static wingtip pulleys, a flatter canopy shape and the wider MPC trailing edge. Robust leading-edge build and single-point inflation system top off this premium engineered kite.
On-water performance
Our first impression of the ’09 Havoc was its robust construction with tons of reinforcement. The leading-edge bumpers wrap around the leading edge and cover up seams, lending confidence for those untimely powered crashes. In the air, the Havoc feels stable and solid, and even in strong gusts it maintains its stability and smooth pull. Depower comes on quick and within arm’s reach, and the kite maintains its steering control at all levels of depower. The bar pressure is increased slightly this year, enabling better positional feedback, ideal for waveriding and freestyle.
Testers ranked the Havoc as one of the best SLE’s for unhooked freestyle manoeuvres. Also impressive were the big jumps and hangtime available. Bigger glide than last year’s Havoc was noted by several testers. The water relaunch in moderate and strong winds is very easy and one of the most reliable in the test, even after being tumbled in the surf—a real confidence booster. The Havoc rivals the top SLE’s on the market that have attempted to merge the C-kite feel with the depower character of the SLE.
Bottom line
The Havoc has come a long way from it inception three years ago. Its rock-solid stability in high winds combined with easy-to-access depower and unhooked performance allow it to rival any freeride or freestyle kite on the market. The Havoc easily meets the demands of a wide range of conditions, skill levels and disciplines.
