Tried the 13m Chameleon last night at Alnmouth. The wind was very light to begin with, 10-15 mph then about 40 mins in it really picked up to about 15-25mph.

Out the bag its a well made kite. Leading edge triple stitched, scuff pads everywhere and reinforcements around the strut attachments.

The bridle is pretty simple, not as simple as the Waroo 2006, more like the 2007. There are different set up options all over the kite, at the bridle end and at the bar end. You can pretty much customise the kites style how you like it.

On the cosmetic side of things, the design is nice but it's not my favourite. This was a light grey, black and red. Not that important though.

On the first flight the back lines where way too tight and it didn't behave right at all. I changed that and put it on the 'freestyle' setting (choice of beginner, wave and freestyle) and it was completely different - felt very good. It's very responsive for a 13m and I immediately noticed how powerful the kite was.

The 13m was enough to get me going on my 132cm CrazyFly in 10-15 mph which was pretty impressive. I had to work it in the lulls but at the 15 mph mark I was able to 'park and ride'.

The wind starting getting really gusty just before it picked up. I came in on land again to see how it behaved and in the very gusty stuff it needed rider input to stop if from drifting backwards in the extreme lulls, especially at the edge of the wind window but my Waroo's do this when oversheeted in horrible winds.

Back on the water in the 15-28 mph winds (according to wind stats at Druridge) and the kite was very different. It was very fast and was pulling me effortlessly. I started trying a few jumps and they were very floaty. One took me by suprise with a 2nd lift and it was in the league of my highest jumps to date.

The kite does have very good range from a very long depower strap which is always in arms reach. The depower line a little shorter than the waroo's so it doesn't give me as much depower when a big gust hits but it's still a ton more than c-types etc.

Water relaunch was an absolute doddle. It just waited until you wanted it back up. I only tested this in the stronger winds so most kites are happy to relaunch in that. I'll have to see what it's like in the light stuff.

Keen to see what it can do in more steady and lighter winds. Im not saying 'it's the most amazing kite ever made' etc etc but first impressions were very good.

Cheers,

James

Has anyone any experience of the 7m in this kite. What would the top end typically be.

Never tried any other size except the 13m. At these kind of sizes, if sticking with Eclipse, you would be best off with the Nano.

There is the 2008 line up with is looking very nice. Best place to search for information is www.kiteforum.com, loads of info on there about Eclipse.

There is also an eclipse forum at http://www.eclipsekites.com/forum/index.php

Cheers,

James

Cheers James

I've looked at the other forums and there is loads of info but the reviews tend to be from brand reps and are seem a bit biased. I generally find this forum a better place for opinions. Plus they are usually opinions from people using them on a horribly gusty SW at Paddies or finger numbing NE at Beadnell and so are spot on reviews for me. Don't think I'll be buying just yet anyway untill I've found the top end of my 10m vapor, but there is a tempting x demo chameleon on ebay at the moment.

Adam