Four 2019 crossover kites compared

By
Dave
-
43

Probably the most used kites are the ones that can be used at any discipline. Call them what ever you like; crossover, hybrid or a One quiver kite.  Those kites are getting more and more populair. The reason is clear. Who doesn’t want a do-it-all kite? Yes there are still a few people who still want kites without bridles or a dedicated wave kite. But they seem to become a minority. And most of us won’t have set backs by such a do-it-all kites. The 2019 Eleveight RS, Naish Dash, F-one Bandit V12 and the Duotone Dice should fit the description of a do-it-all kite more or less. All of them should be suited -on paper- for a wide variety of kiting styles. Either on a twintip freeriding, freestyle and even on a wave board. And yes they have a lot in common, but they are certainly not the same. Some exactly met the expectations and some don’t.

2019 9m'sPrice €Ripstopbattens kg ProCon
F-one Bandit1335Double22.9Direct feel
Easy		high bar pressure, slower
Naish Dash1349Quadruple03.0Smooth+ predictable.
Best for wave riders		Trailing edge canopy shaking
Eleveight RS1149Quadruple4n.a.Longest/easiest jumpsLeast alive
Difficult kite loops
Duotone Dice1379Triple/double combination63.1Stable power build up
Low bar pressure
Least favorite wave riders

Comparing kites

After using them back to back a couple of weeks in a variety of conditions with the testteam on twintips and sometimes even on a waveboard we can say that all four kites aren different. All of them serve a certain type of kiter. The right question is always which one will fit you the most.

Eleveight RS

On the more stable side there is the Eleveight RS. The kite is less alive compared to the others. But it has the most boosting power and has very good jumping capabilities. The kite is -or feels- a bit to long for a mega loop. On the other hand it isn’t too difficult to perform impressive long floating jumps. Actually the RS is more like an Evo than a Dice and it isn’t a new version from the Best Roca. Although the designers are the same.

We shouldn’t forget mentioning Eleveight is the first brand we see it following Naish in a quadruple ripstop canopy. We are impressed by the quality of Eleveight in general. For example the lines seem to be much better over the Dice and the Bandit. And it is the cheapest (-15% roughly) among the four kites. But be aware to possibly get less out of it on the secondhand market.

Naish Dash

The Dash is the opposite in most cases from the Eleveight. Although Both on quadruple ripstop the feeling on the Dash is much more like flying a feather. Which cannot be said of the Eleveight. This sensitive and reactive behaviour is how we like to have them. Both the weight and the feeling obviously are not -or barely- negatively influenced by the quad-tex. And an interesting point -although undecided about the actual influence on the Dash- is that it should be pumped to 11.5 PSI. Which might be the only actual novelty in the kite industry for 2019. It is a much higher pressure compared to the others. Certainly if you compare it to the Dice (only 6 PSI).

On a wave board people were really happy to with the Dash. Quick and snappy, always in control and good drifting. It would be the winner for the majority of us. Too bad the trailing edge was shaking heavily when being put in a stress test by the more radical moves. A Core GTS or a Ozone Enduro can show you how a rigid canopy can be designed. When powering up the Dash drastically to a maximum in a gust or throwing it down in a megaloop you not only see but also feel the shaking of the cloth in the back lines.

Duotone Dice

This is the point where the Dice takes over. Although it clearly isn’t everybody’s perfect choice. Things like timing -, rider and input wise it is quite a step to get used to the Dice. Probably mostly due to the low bar pressure. Out of these four the Dash is much better at riding waves for instance. But when you get the hang of it, you understand why the Dice is made. When in the right wind, input and take off the power comes as strong as a proper C-kite can deliver. But than as smooth as a hot knife goes through butter. The pressure build up, particularly when being really wel powered up, is so smooth. And yes – on the contrary to a C-kite-  the Dice (and all four kites in this test) can be depowered easily at any moment just by pushing the bar out. If you get it right it will reward you big time (currently it holds the WOO record). The designers at Duotone clearly did a good job tuning the Dice. We don’t like all things of Duotone. For example the lines on the bars are wearing out too quickly.

F-one Bandit

Now about the 12th version of the F-one Bandit. We struggle. We struggle to understand what to make of it. First of all the bar pressure is much higher and seconds it is slower than the Dash and the Dice. Which does make it easier to feel where the kite is. This is how it gives a certain confidence to the (intermediate) rider. Mellow maybe the right verdict, This isn’t liked by all riders. It turns rather easy around its axis and jumping is more easy over the Dice. But a more experienced rider who is pushing the Bandit to it’s limits will get a kite that is rather trying to ease down all input. Sadly the bridle eating pulleys (and already rusty) are still in use on this 12th edition. We did manage to pull of some really high jumps on it. The 12th version is much like the 11th. But there is one clear change. F-one has changed the back line connection. We are not sure if this is a succes. There are two options; heavy bar setting or even more heavy. Numerous time we tried the Bandit at different power setting. Mostly because we couldn’t find its sweet spot setting.  What wasn’t helping that -even very depowered- the Bandit would give some sort of back stall feed back. The Bandit is the lightest of the kites we tested, but that is not clearly felt. Like we did something wrong. We have some Bandit owners among our test team. But they didn’t seem to fall in love with the newest version. We contacted a couple of other long-term Bandit riders (who don’t ride other brands but just to get the answer about the pros and cons from version to version). Two out of the three riders we contacted answered that we are crazy and that -of course- the newest version is the best. And the third? Unhappy about the new back line connection….Let’s see how the comments (below this review) will turn out.

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43 COMMENTS

  2. Hi Thomas,
    We didn’t test this. Never heard of such a problem. 90% sure it is a rider’s (un)expierence issue.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  3. Hi Dave, I’m still thinking of getting the Bandit 2020. Just heard some complaints about its relaunch ability. Did you experience problems with that? Cheers

  4. Hi Dave, great! “a bit better than 2019” sounds not as enthusiastic as “has improved a lot” and “we really liked it” below. Anyways, a full report would be awesome. Thank you!

  5. Hi Thomas,
    We used it a few hours and sees a bit better than 2019.
    We will try to use it longer and make a full report!
    Dave

  6. Any news about testing the Bandit 2020? Would really like to see that. Cheers

  7. Thnx for the good work! I’m on my 3rd set of Bandits and are pleased with the 10th edition (2017?). looking to upgrade to some newer later this year. I like my kites fast and resonable powerfull, without heavy barpressure, and are getting into more kitelooping lately :-). Any Kites you can suggest I should look into, and it dosent have to be the latest ???

    Just one input to the bridle pulleys. I have had bandit 5th, 8th anfd now 10th edition. Use and abused them all heavely but NEVER had any pulley issues or Bridle wear ?! Having had problem with it on old Naish Kites I check them and make sure the wheels are spinning every time I attach the front lines, maybe thats a tip for others ?!?

  8. Correcto, confirmo que las poleas acaban rompiendo las pre lineas despues de dos años de uso aproximado. El modelo 2016, ademas tenia una peor seguridad que no despotencia del todo el kite. me alegro qu
    e ya este solucionado. A pesar de eso me parece que es un gran kite, muy versatil y que permite avanzar mucho.
    Muchas gracias por tu atencion, muy util!

  9. Hola carlos
    gracias por tus cumplidos! de nada.
    Creo que estará satisfecho con el Bandit 2020. Lo hemos navegado pero no lo hemos probado a fondo. Creemos que esta versión es claramente mejor que la de 2019. Si está buscando una cometa con otras características, es importante cambiar, pero si cree que le gusta el Bandit de 2016, puede cambiar fácilmente a la Versión 2020.
    Lamentamos que todavía usen las poleas malas en todas las cometas F-one.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  10. Buenos dias Dave. acabo de descubrir wetestkites y me parecen genial las valoraciones de alguien experimentado y sin interes que influencie su opinion sobre las marcas.
    Tengo una Bandit 2016 9mts y estoy encantado, velocidad de giro, kiteloops, versatilidad, rango alto, pasar de 0 a 100 en un segundo…. He leido que habias probado el modelo 2020, estoy pensando en renovar todos mis kites y me gustaria saber tu opinion.
    Muchas gracias y enhorabuena por tu trabajo!

  11. Yes the 2020 normal version has been used. We also used the s-version for 20 minutes.
    We really liked the normal 2020 version. But the s-version is really not ment for twintip and you can feel that.
    We try to set up a test with the 2019 vs 2020 version 9m this spring.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  12. hi dave,
    did you try the 2020 or the S version of the bandit. i own the 2020 in 12/10/8m, asi had before the the bandit x in 12/9/7 it is hard to compare. i really love the 8m it is much better for looping then the previous bandit in 7m and the bar pressure is fine, feels a bit like the previous 9m. as for the 10m it feels a bit heavy to me, not like a 12m then a 9m. it looks quite well and catches you easily but not so playful then the 9m. but hard to compare a 10m is no 9m kite 😉
    i just tried to set the knot a bit closer to the kite, it might help. maybe extending the second line of the backline connection a few centimetres. not quite sure in the moment.
    always like your opinion. keep on doing your tests!

  13. Hi Andi,
    thanks for thinking with us. That set up with only one connection isn’t really an option as far as we know? Anyway we did not try that. But there is also good news; we tried the 2020 version and it looks like it has been improved a lot compared to the 2019 version in terms of handling.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  14. About the Bandit heavy bar pressure: have you ever tried to fly it only with only the backline connection on the wingtip attached? if bar is sheeted out it should mostly use this backline connection and have lighter bar feeling and faster turning.
    wondering if it would help.

  15. Hi Will,
    Thanks, this exactly why we do it!

    To get the most out of a Dice you indeed need to be a bit experienced. If high boosting means pulling the bar and go up than you should rather go for something like a Rebel. But if you mean a fears but short pull than you are right at the Dice.
    Also to be considered would be the Dash, Enduro, FX or Union.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  16. Hi Dave

    Firstly thanks for all the reviews, you guys are one of the few transparent and thorough reviews around and make most kiters lives easier!

    Secondly, Responsive, high boosting, looping machine. Is the Dice the best option? And will intermediate riders find it hard getting the timing right? If you have any other kite recommendations to consider it will also be appreciated.

    Thanks again

  17. Hi Paolo,
    Most people Just replace the two that are going to your lines. Indeed make a knot, that is why we adviced to make Them longer!
    You could also add another pig tail to make you lines longer again.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  18. OK I bought the North Pulleys, but would you replace the 4 pulleys, or just the two closer to the point of attachment of the lines from my bar?

    I am asking this because the top 2 pulleys are attached to the bridle, and how can one attach the bridal to the North pulleys without having to sew it? And even the line to which I attach the lines from my bar…I assume I need to make a knot in order to attach it to the pulley, but that makes it become shorter.

    Thank you

  19. Thanks a lot Dave,

    you guys are amazing, I will give it a go and let you know if I face any issue

  20. Hi Paolo,
    They indeed damage the bridles more than other ones. It depends on how rough you throw the kite around, but after two years it mostly start to give problems. You need to replace just the pulleys if the lines are still okay. For example from North/ Duotone. But make sure the line that is attached to the pulley (which you attach your lines to from the bar) is the same length. So better make it too long so you can shorten it.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  21. What can a bandit owner do about the pulleys? Do they really eat the bridles? Is this dangerous? Should we contact F-one and what can they do? How do you change a pulley, do you need to buy a new bridle attached to it, or can one just change the pulley? Thanks a lot!

  22. Hi Igor,
    Yes they also wrote the Evo is without pulleys and forgot to ask to test at least 9m’s on same line lenghts. Did they mention the brands need to pay for the test? Would they ever write about the bandit’s distructive pulleys? Why is nobody mentioning the inflate differences (another nozzle needed).
    The Dash and Dice Both have lower bar pressure and will be more reactive over the Bandit. That is what we consider as being “faster”.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  24. Naish Dash – you have mentioned about “Trailing edge canopy shaking”.
    Lots of ppl were complaining about this same in previous (2018/V2) model.
    Does that mean there is no improvement since last year?

    Some people say that Dash 2017/V1 was free of this error. Can anyone confirm that?
    Cheers,
    czezz

  25. Hi Ran,
    No. We have not been able to get our hands on the Moto yet.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  26. Hi Dave

    Have you had a chance to try the new cabrinha Moto – I am curious how it compares to these kites.

  27. Hi Igor,
    Yes it is/was very spectacular what Aurelien did with the Bandit. But to come to a conclusion on the basis what a very, very good kiter can show or do is a bridge too far.
    He is so good, he will probably be just as a bad ass show off guy on an Evo, Dice, FX or anything similar. We are not as good as Aurelien. Not even close. Most people are not.
    A Bandit is not a slow kite. A Rally or a Edge is. But there are quicker kites with a more smooth steering character. How ever, on the other side some people will not like the lower bar pressure those kites come with.
    Hope you agree.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  29. Hi Maurice,
    We will be able to test the Core kites this spring. The Escape will be a bit more difficult to get our hands on.
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  31. kites i like to see tested and reviewed by you guys: Core GTS4 vs GTS5 and the peter lynn Escape v7 vs Core Nexus

  32. Hi Dave,
    Did I understand correctly that Bandit 12 is slower than 11(and has a heavier bar), and the reason for this is in the new method of attaching the back lines?

  33. Hi Jeroen,
    Correct. We did test it. We are working on the review. We have been a bit busy with the new website.
    Now it is ready we will work on the review of the Evo.
    Stay tuned!
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  34. Hi Dave, saw on Instagram that you tested the evo in Nov 2018, will you be writing a review on it?

    Thanks

    Jeroen

  35. Hi Mike,
    Thanks for asking.
    There is some personal preference involved here.
    my first intention would be to advice the Dash out of these 4. But it is quite a fast kite which might not be the most favorable for a newbie at freestyle moves. We see in Tarifa a lot of people use the Dice. But that one is again more powerful in the pop. Same is probably for GTS5 (we rode the 4 only). Those ones will be the ones perfect for advanced riders. On the other side of the spectrum there is the Bandit; much more forgiving and better feel where the kite is but less extreme. The Enduro has a lot of bar pressure. If you don’t mind that it is a perfect in between all of those kites.
    Let us know what you took and what you think!
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  36. Hi Dave

    According to you, which one is the most suitable for strapless wave riding and strapless freestyle ? Dash / Bandit / GTS5 / Enduro v2 ?

    I know it’s not specifically their program but I don’t want a pure wave kite

    Thanks in advance,

    Mike

  37. Hi,

    Good article to read again,
    As I ride this 12th version of the Bandit and did ride the 11th version too, I feel that I can add my point of view to this article.

    I am joining you on the fact that the new version is more user friendly, less radical.
    the bar pressure make you feel at any moment where the kite is, as a quite heavy rider (90kg), it is not an issue for me, but I understand that it can be tiring after very long sessions.

    I have 10 and 12sqmtrs, the 10 is very good for big boosts and kiteloops, while the 12 is more my low end – freeride kite with still ability to have fun, unhook and loop.

    to resume, I think I did prefer the 11th version for engaged riding, even if I beat my WOO record on the 12th.
    my mates who tested it with beginners to intermediate level enjoyed it and say that they really felt confident with it.

    I used to ride the noth evo, and I really dont regret having the bandit now.

    Have a good ride.
    Max.

  38. Hi Jean,
    Sorry to say we haven’t been able to get hold of the Moto yet.
    Dave
    We Test kites

  39. Would be interesting to know how the new Cabrinha Moto will fit into this list?
    Also a 3 strut crossovers kite.

  40. Hi Bart,
    Thanks for your reaction.
    We did use the FS to in a later stage. We will write about that one later!
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  41. Hi Dave,

    thanks for your feedback!

    We are happy to read you noticed our love for quality. Quality is one of our main principles, more than just marketing-talk, and we work hard everyday to apply this quality in our products and bring them to our customers.

    As for megaloops, the RS is indeed not designed for that purpose, and we instead advise to try our FS Freestyle Series. We get lóts of positive feedback and are sure you will be thrilled when you will try it someday.

    Bart, Eleveight Benelux

  42. Hi Pierre,
    Thanks for asking.
    The Enduro indeed is somewhere in between the Dice and the Bandit. On 22m lines it comes quite close to the Dice, but with more bar pressure.
    A really nice kite!
    Dave
    We Test Kites

  43. Any chance to fit in the Ozone Enduro V2 in this comparison?
    Not a 2019 kite (due to Ozone release policy… I guess they could change a bridle color and call it a 2019 model ;)) but certainly a cross over by design.

    My guess is that it would fit in between the Bandit and the Dice in terms of ease of use.

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