Neither of those 3 would disappoint! It would actually be quite hard to do a comparison as the pro's and con's on those 3 are almost the same. I think it would come down to rider preference on handle design and front/back hand pressure. Also whether you have a priority on discipline or looking for wider versatility. Welcome to give either of us a shout for a run down.

@@poseidonwatersportsuk What about build longevity? It's great to have a good wing but if it bags out after 15 uses then the performance drops like a brick?

Good question. Tough again as they are all top of the game and still perform equally well after a run of maxed out sessions. I think the best: Construction, seams and manufacture : easily ozone without question - it will stand the test of time. Anti stretch panels - XPS, its panel layout ages well. LE fabric abrasion durability - F-one uses a tougher style of Dacron that’s handles scrapes well.

Havn't GPS tracked it, but yes i would say the 999 is faster than the 900 an 1099, it carries it glide faster and further too.

We only got got hold of the 999 V2 to test, similar weight to you, it feels like a good staple size for average conditions (15-20 knot wind, flat-chest high faces). If you are comfortable riding <1300cm foils you would be happy on this foil. Keen to try the smaller sizes, I feel as i feel they could be really lively and fun, so long as you have the conditions and riding level for them. Depending on your local conditions and level - I'd imagine if you had the 999 you would also want something smaller for the firing days. The 939 might work as a 1 foil quiver.

Always running Axis on the Advance +. It really loosens their foils up and brings more life into them. Would recommend Advance + for almost all their foils and level of rider. It's amazing to see the development of the sport progress so quickly, brands stepping in late to the party have lots of data to get their products comparable quickly, it's nice to see brands like Axis who have been there since the beginning and helped make the sport it is today adapt and keep up as new lessons are learned and trends established.

Konrad median line is more 2-D than Axis median line 1-D so you can interpret that for stability in turbulence vs the straight median line explanation which every time I listen to it converts to a word salad. I suspect Axis foil sections are slightly better than my own but no idea how they compare to Konrad, depends on Konrad's research prior to their recent startup. Axis have had plenty of time to refine their foil sections but they are also up against companies like Armstrong and many companies now days run simulation software to find weaknesses in their foil designs. I don't think the current state of art software gives accurate answers fast though and it's not just running the software, old computer saying "GIGO" garbage in, garbage out. If you don't feed the simulation software with things like distance from water surface, Atmospheric pressure, compressability of water(not), % of disolved gasses etc etc then you won't even get a close result from the software. And then things like turbulence from the wing, require 3D modelling of the fluid flow which is typically only approximated from 2D stacked layers. Ride quality is so much more than simulation results.

Thanks. Not tried the Konrad foils to compare, they look interesting. Will add to the list when there's opportunity

Thanks, glad you enjoy. Always the advance +, it really loosens up the Axis Foils and recommend it to almost all levels. Spent time with the progressive tails, not put time pairing it with a skinny yet.

whoops! 😬 lucky it's built strong

Glad to hear you like. The ART v2 and HA v2 have a very similar range, but very different feel. Both weapons in their field, enjoy the back to back testing

@@poseidonwatersportsukHow is the feel different? Armstrong HA no doubt has a lower stall speed, turns prob about the same, same top speed?

Stall speed is similar in a same size comparison, HA v2 maybe slightly lower. The ART v2 is faster. The HA has a much looser roll. The ART v2 a looser yaw. Stock setting - the ART has more front foot pressure, the HA drives more from the back. They feel very different to ride. The HA's looser roll and rear drive makes it feel more 'surfy' and playful through gentle or snappy turns with minimal input, the ART is more planted and flat, liking a firmer input and is more suited to softer turning and rides like a smooth 'glider' between lumps

Hi, Nice review! I'm coming from hps 1050 for very light wind and hps 930 for everything else. Mostly finding they both hit the wall for speed (although that could be me) around 38kmph. Sounds like 999 would replace both and be faster? Looking for a form of quiver - what might that look like e.g. 999 replaces and 939 or art pro for faster/higher wind? 85kg on 85l board intermediate for reference...

You’d definitely enjoy the upgrade from HPS to ART v2, you would find the 999 faster than those sizes. Worth saying that the take off speed and forgiveness of the 1050 is real mellow and swapping to a 999 v2 might loose you a few knots of bottom end, at least for a while until you have learnt the high aspect take off technique. For sure the range of the new 999 would bridge those sizes. About small ART pro vs ART v2 - they are very different, the pro is like a drag car and likes to go straight, flat and fast, quite locked in with an abrupt stall speed, it only does that 1 riding style very well. The ART v2 is like a touring track car, it still has stacks of performance but likes to turn and can be ridden slow. If you want playful and fast go 999 & 879. Hope that helps?

I think the pro has a much wider wind range and a 2 wing quiver totally doable. But whilst the pro does have a better top end, its bottom is about the same, so if you are needing the grunt of a 6m but still wanting to ride in 3m weather it might be tricky to only have 2

@@poseidonwatersportsuk Thanks for the reply!!

How much do you weigh? Wondering if 780 will be big enough for prone, cheers

Good question. Both great boards, ride characteristics on foil are similar, take off and touch downs quite different. The slice v3 has amazing acceleration and release, it takes off crazy fast and easy. It touches down when level really well, on a rail it can bite a little. The skipper is a little less eager to break free at slow speed and likes wing power, but then bounces off the water at any angle and speed so well you often don’t notice the touch down. I’d say - slice if you are into blasting speed runs and turns on flat water, skipper if you are into slashing waves. Did you see our foiling mag review vid on the appleslice v3 too? We talk about the comparison a little in that

@@poseidonwatersportsuk hmm yes very tough call. I'm certainly more of a wave guy, however it seems that the most recent designs from KT (and boards such as the omen flux) are closer to the slice v3 for wave riding... Don't think the skipper might be a little outdated (it's a little wider...)? Also would love it to double as a prone board(I'm a beginner in this area... I can surf normally but never prone foilled). Thanks, love the content. Eric from Canada

The sport is developing fast and kit changing with it. In the end neither the Skipper or the Slice would disappoint, they are both at the front of the pack. In my opinion I'd point to the slice if you ride more straight and fast as it is so easy to release onto foil and so has a big range of condition usage. For carving and waves I'd still choose the Skipper, it might not take off quite as easy, but handles touch down and foam hits so well

Also I ride 85L and I am 190lb

Dreamy for those mellow conditions. We had an AK foil mounted centre of the tracks on these clips. Obviously it depends on the foil to find the best balance, but I agree it feels nicer to be mounted further back than usual on this board, I feel that’s because of 2 very different sections to the bottom shape and nice to be able to utilise the flat rear half

It’s designed for flat water and light winds, that’s where it excels. Our filming day turned out to be firing, but this board is all about early take off and ease in mellow conditions. The rocker helps with touch down, whilst the rear section is totally flat and narrow to help it accelerate and release

Great question. Exactly what I keep thinking with the rocker. That much rocker makes me nervous about truly light winds. I do have to say I have a Macro 58l and love the nose rocker, it pops off the water on touch downs so nicely. To get going, the back of the board is flat, so I lean towards the back for takeoff. And I usually don't like rocker on boards but the macro I've come to love. Anyway I'm assuming cabrinha is following similar consideration in this design. Thanks for the video!

dude.. chill.. it's ski season still.

I have one on order - how do you like it?

@@carstensen100 it’s awesome - fast to get on foil, light, responsive - love the sunken concave deck

🤩

Thanks, hope it's helpful. The board in video is the 80L - 5'4 x 22.5" x 4.60"

Hey, neither of us have tried the Omen Flux yet to be able to give an honest comparison. You are right they both have similar spec and brief. The Bottom shape is quite different though, I would imagine the Slice v3 takes off and recovers easier, whilst the Flux touches down less on the carve, but unfair to say until trying. Will make a note to let you know when we do

@@poseidonwatersportsuk Thanks a lot! Looking forward to it. MacKiteboarding seems to be stoked on the Omen.

The flux has more of a v-hull with rear chines. They do have a similar shape though. I proned and kited the 36L. I reckon that would be hard to wing on although they have much larger volumes offered. AT has light boards, but they come at a cost…. Very delicate. You need to handle these boards very carefully. Not so easy when frothing. 😂

Hey, they looks sick hey! They are indeed a custom from Brainchild. They complement our reviews and fly great, currently not plans for them to hit stores

Fresh garms

Both options would be a really fun upgrade and sensible step from the Phantom 1280. They both have a playful ‘surfy’ roll and are great in the waves. Comparing them, The sk8 is much faster, handles speed great and excels in its mid-top end, at the compromise of bottom end grunt to get going, so you’d probably find the jump to 950 might take some adaption and probably wise to hang onto your 1280 for light days. In slow fat Hayling swell it’ll want you to keep the turns flowing and feel great doing it. The tracer excels in bottom end and lifts super easy in sloppy waves or when underpowered. It pumps great and doesn’t stall out making it very forgiving to learn turns and positioning, but it’s not as fast and as you near its top it becomes a handful. You’d feel at home on the 1030, but probably find yourself wanting the 800 as the autumn energy starts pushing again. In slow summer Hayling swell you could sit pretty straight. You probably want to look at the brand systems as a whole and consider your possible next stage and whether it’s worthy of a full migration. The AK is a very well priced system which makes low powered riding easy and has great options for surf and DW which make you feel a better rider. F-one has a huge range of foils and especially their small ones excel in high performance riding, having such a large range means each design is dedicated to specific riding styles with less cross over. Their foils are priced higher so quiver building is a more costly pleasure. Hope that helps. Welcome to give one us a shout for more advice 🤙 Chris - @poseidon Rich - @kite barn

Awesome thanks @@poseidonwatersportsuk for the detailed reply - that's a great help.

Great choice. The new range of AK foils is really nice. The tracer has a very loose and surfy feel, the plasma is more locked in and focused on efficiency and glide. You’ll find the best low end performance with the plasma, the 1600 would get you gliding in nothing, if that’s what you want. But then the tracer would make more a more versatile option which sacrifices some glide to gain all round fun and smiles, if you want to push turns and catch waves. The 1030 would be a good staple, or 800 lovely at your weight if you are happy holding speed. Hope that helps? Let us know what level you’re at and what you’re looking to do with the foil and we could try to narrow down more 🤙

It’s honestly wild how small you can go with these new wings. My go-to was a HS1250/1050 or a HA1125/925. The 880 feels too big and I wish I grabbed a 680

Thanks for that Andrew.

He's so good at the saucy quips too.

Replied below 🤙

Nice question. What’s your average conditions / wave weight. And do you like to focus on long glides and multiple wave connections, or hitting hard turns and getting critical on 1/2/3 or waves?

Average conditions are usually waist to shoulder height with slight chop on surface. Coming from surf sup background I'm all about the waves...I can pump but not great at linking waves and I'm happy to ride the swell/ waves come out the end and semi efoil back out to the line up and repeat. Battery Run time is important and starts too.I'm e foiling into waves/swell vs prone foiling into them with the FD- so getting up early to my feet is a priority .

Sweet. Consider the 1180/1080/980. 1180 will give you easiest take off, glide and battery conservation, it’s still really playful for its size too. 980 more lively and faster, better suited to the big days, but will zap more juice and be harder to pump. -1080 is obviously somewhere between. Personally I’d recommend going 1180, it’ll be instant fun and easy, has multiple applications for other disciplines and sets you up nicely to add a 880 to the quiver later down the line. Tail wise - I’d recommend the 180 for a faster ride or the 235 for a more locked in grippy feel

Great advice. Im able to demo the 980 and 1080 this week ..but will consider the 1180 too...thanks awesome advice

The 1180 would bridge those 2 foils you have pretty well and its low end would really help dial in different turns. It might not get going quite as early at the 1475, or be quite as quick as the 1225, but makes a good single wing replacement which is loose and rolly. The 1180 is good for DW too, if that’s on the radar. Also swapping out to 1180 would set you up nicely for adding a HA 880/980 or ma 1000 later down the line too, So yes, the swap to HA could be a wise move for south coast riding at your weight and level, just be aware of the small compromise to bottom end of the 1475 an slower speed than 1225 🤙

Thanks for the advice . I think I will go for a 1180, do you guys px, I have a like new 1225 that I would like to PX @@poseidonwatersportsuk

I feel it would be unfair to use something unobtainable by most people as a bench mark. But It does rate very highly when compared with other options and I’d imagine brands will aspire to its tech stats. It’s fast, loose, efficient, direct and super stiff. So stiff that it’s worth noting not everyone will enjoy this mast as it increases all feedback and control to be hyper sensitive. Some people like a little dampening

No way, the whole axis power carbon range are great. The HM model is an industry bench mark, cannot fault it one bit and anyone would be happy to own one. This Ultra HM models takes performance to a new high which was otherwise not available. The price tags alone makes it not for everyone, but true to brand - Axis does make something for everyone. This is for either elite level performance or extra kudos on the beach

It’s strong, definitely not for most. Lucky they do a great standard carbon and high modulus carbon option with is more ‘affordable’

Coming soon.