Big Air Kite Review 5 - Flysurfer ERA

[@jasonofmontreal]

One thing I should have mentioned in the video that a few people have commented on: The bar was really comfortable in the hand, perhaps a little wider than I am used to but wasn't a significant detriment, and the lines have 17/20/23m options, so really great setup if you want to get into shorter lines and big angry low loops.

[@gnygjerde]

Best kite reviews on the internet! Thank you

[@jasonofmontreal]

Thanks

[@the_knutzer1208]

Let's go, hope you get the brands on board. Love your reviews 💯

[@jasonofmontreal]

hope so too! Thanks

[@Alexomator]

Have gotten myself a 9m Orbit 24 following your recommendations in previous videos. Amazing Kite that catches so unbelieveable well. Thank you!

[@jasonofmontreal]

Happy to help.

[@zzzzzz-zzz-789]

To the brands, give this man a kite to test, well worth it.

[@jasonofmontreal]

haha, thanks

[@sanderpsychologie]

Jason! Stoked to share I got myself an 8m nitro to fill with my 10m orbit. Had a great blast on my first session, it felt exactly like what I expected based off of your vids! Absolutely stoked with the kite. Keep it up!

[@jasonofmontreal]

Love hearing that mate, I often worry if what I enjoy will translate to others so appreciate the feedback

[@sanderpsychologie]

Great proposal Jason! Hope many kite brands join in. And another great review. What do you think about adding some more areas to give grades to on the review if you get to test many kites over longer periods of time? For example to add a grade to the Low end windspeed of each kite in terms of looping, and possibly High end windspeed as well. Also durability/wear and tear of the kite after for example 20 sessions when looping a lot. P.S. I got myself a 10m orbit 23 and 8m nitro. Orbit is mostly for 20-25kn and the nitro for 24-32kn looping. For purely boosting I have my ten velox which i love between 30-40kn 😊 so happy to have made a decision after a year of digging around! Loved the era as well in 8 and 9, naybe next time 😅

[@jasonofmontreal]

Some elements like Low end, or hangtime are likely, our windy season doesn’t start until around May/June so have some time to work out what’s most likely

[@sanderpsychologie]

@@jasonofmontreal yeah that sounds awesome! Quite a long wait, let's hope off season has it's proper days as well!

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@sanderpsychologie I’d start the series as soon as I got the kites and enough time to ride them a few times in the right conditions so it might not be that long

[@sanderpsychologie]

@@jasonofmontreal nice! I meant for you (the long wait), half a year with barely any proper wind sounds like torture 😄

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@sanderpsychologie summer is a lot of 12m sessions on my 145 board... good enough for small loops and board offs

[@physmichaeltsui]

wonderful review! yes would be definitely keen to see you make the vlog series, would be super useful!

[@jasonofmontreal]

Cheers

[@odysseyalternative]

Can't wait to watch the vids when the brands hop onboard!! Awesome review as always man 🤙🏼

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers

[@JTechWP]

Really good reviews, hope the brands send you gear to test.

[@jasonofmontreal]

Cheers

[@mjsunkiter]

I think a longer series and test window will be excellent. You really do seem to be an impartial tester, and your commentary is easy to follow. Would love for you to add a "fun to fly" metric to capture the magic that kites like the Dice and the Rise have, so we can compare that as well for those of us that pilot kites like sports cars.

[@jasonofmontreal]

I do include a fun factor rating at the end of each kite review… but it’s fairly subjective I’d say

[@rammohanmalasani6541]

Love this series. May be the best kite review series out there along with the blank test series! Any chance you can include the Harlem Force in your future reviews? One reviewer found it even better than XR Pro for big air and loops which is saying something. Their new welding tech could eventually be as revolutionary as Aluula

[@jasonofmontreal]

Hopefully coming soon

[@muklin]

Keen to see more kite comparisons, and am interested in seeing how the Harlem compares on those. Also would be keen (as I'm also over 110kg) if you want to suggest tips and tricks for getting to the +10m heights. Techniques, kite sizes, etc. Keep these vids coming, they're great.

[@jasonofmontreal]

I would check out the get high with mike videos on jumping high... you'll need to work the most on your edging, being able to build up a lot of line tension and speed before you send the kite etc... I tend to ride my 12m from 15-22 knots, 10m from 20-30 knots, and my 8m from 25 and up, but that doesn't really mean there isn't some crossover as the wind changes over a session... I've cracked 18m on my 12m for example but it took over 30 knots to do it.

[@muklin]

@@jasonofmontreal Thanks :) Yeah, I've watched about all there is to find online, including those 70Kg rider tutorials, (and even a few paid vids.) it was more of a qn of what changes when you're heavier. (you made mention you were over 100Kg in a prev vid, which made me listen even harder.) I think I also need new gear (but we're not all millionaires, or sponsored.)

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@muklin having friends to kite with who are at your level is super helpful, it pushes you to try harder and can also be helpful if they notice bad habits you have. Newer gear will be easier, but it isn't holding you back too much... I had my first 20m jump in 2019 I think... it just took me another year after that to do it again... then a couple more years after that to do it consistently. The weight actually helps in big big winds

[@pedrozunino]

I would loooove that series! You are hands down the best kite reviewer in KZbin! Keep the videos coming! Thank you

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks mate

[@konstantinosmakrykostas5267]

It would be amazing if you could get your hands on an XRPro. I had the chance to fly it and I was very surprised!

[@jasonofmontreal]

@gethighwithmike and his great shop in CT tried to tee it up, but the wind just didn't play ball, unfortunately.

[@bondvillansarebest]

Hope you can get the series started. I think it would be interesting to see some of the less known brands as they don't get the same publicity. In particular I think the new Eleveight RS+ would be interesting as well as the Lift Team. The RS+ was ridden in KOTA (rather than the XS) so should be of interest

[@jasonofmontreal]

I did ride the Eleveight xs in my first video, but they’re on the radar

[@noebonne2028]

the video series comparing multiple kite would be so interesting, gotta try Vantage kites, they are sooo good

[@jasonofmontreal]

Thanks.

[@pietervisser7683]

Great review, would be keen to see any kites you can get your hands on for review :)

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers

[@OliverkiteBorder]

Please test out the XR8 VS Rebel sls. 🙏 I love your videos and your feedback on the kites and hope to meet you in the future😊

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks a lot, come to NZ between July and October and you'll catch me on the water 😂

[@jyk4]

I have tried the latest xr (8) and the second latest rebel sls. They are quite close to each other and both jump great. But from those two I would choose Core because rebel bar pressure was way to much. Ozone edge is also a great kite, quite slow to loop, but if you don't it doesn't matter..

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@jyk4 that's interesting, when I tested the '23 Rebel Sls, in the same day I found it a lot lighter on the bar, and much better for loops than my XR7, and they both jumped about the same, but I have not tried the XR8

[@jyk4]

@@jasonofmontreal I see.. it was a 10m (and overpowered) and 9m sls what I tried and felt way too much bar pressure, especially 10m. In lighter winds they were fine. And the xr8 was 7m. It wasn't so overpowered, and there was some bar pressure but didn't felt it overwhelming. From Ozone I own edge 11m v11 and no issues with bar pressure at all. No matter how strong the wind is. Thanks for the great (unbiased, hopefully:) reviews!

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@jyk4 that's why I always test 9m, and ride multiple kites at once on the same day... I rode the 9m SLS in 30-35 knots and didn't find it very heavy at all actually, it was really manageable and so easy to use. I preferred it to my XR7 right away. I was borrowing the Rebel SLS and had not tried dlabs at this stage and was already considering swapping my 8m XR7 for an 8m Rebel sls

[@hanno729]

definitely do that series sounds sick

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers

[@707rudo]

Would love a vlog, the more content the better. Would also be keen to see the Lift get a review.

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@707rudo I’ve thought about what other content I could make but it actually takes a lot of time to plan, film, and edit so for a non paying hobby just ends up being too much really, and when we don’t have a ton of wind you really need to make the most of what you get 😂. Re lift, I’m afraid no airrush in New Zealand so tough on to get hold of unfortunately

[@mikhailgurtovoy6950]

I'd love the idea of a Jason Montreal blank kite test where you try to guess the kite and review them at the same time. I'd love to see you review the XR Pro to see how the aluula helps the performance. Could be awesome to see you boost on foil as an extension of the windy season. One of our local guys consistently jumps 10-15m in way under way 20 knots with his 12m kite and foil.

[@jasonofmontreal]

I’d bet he’s a lot lighter than me though 😂. I can do loops on my 12 in 18knots but I’m not going too high

[@mikhailgurtovoy6950]

@@jasonofmontreal I don't think that he's any lighter than you. He did compete at KOTA a couple of years ago (during Covid; knocked out in first round). According to him you can get a lot more "pop" and line tension with the foil since you can really drive it upwind and he positions his mast all the way forward whilst riding with the majority of his weight on his front foot so that when he releases the weight he rockets himself into the sky.

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@mikhailgurtovoy6950 i didn’t read on a foil board… that’s very possible in not a lot

[@jjslingy9408]

Great review. I was hoping for more info on the bar. I assume the bar is great since you didn't mention it. Thanks Jason

[@jasonofmontreal]

Bar was solid, nice grip, no complaints

[@kitespotameland6319]

Nice review! Would be nice to see some shots of the inflate, deflate and bridles ❤

[@jasonofmontreal]

Inflate/deflate… never thought to show that… flysurfer have their own thing there, and i believe it’s a 6 point bridle. Will keep that idea in mind for future

[@Bl4CK_0RC4]

Based on the reviews it seems its kind of similar to Rebel SLS? Would love to see the review of the Eleveight RS+ V2, besides the standard big air contenders ;)

[@jasonofmontreal]

Unfortunately I tried these kites 8-10 months apart, but I found the 2023 Rebel sls I tried a little bit more plug and play in terms of sheet & go boosting, but the ERA is a bit faster and more responsive so although perhaps not as easy for most riders, it does have the nod in loops, and perhaps overall performance. Really enjoyed both kites though, would be interesting to try them back to back of course.

[@coltorpay8039]

best reviews in the game.

[@jasonofmontreal]

Cheerzt

[@moffmo]

Look forward to seeing you get some brands on board jason!! Great review as always.

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks moffmo

[@KnockKnockwhosthere9]

Can't wait to see your next reviews ! I would love to hear your thoughts on the F-One Trigger if you can get one. There is still no real review of that kite out there.

[@jasonofmontreal]

will see what I can do

[@hugoperez2655]

Yes! Thanks Jason !once again awesome review !

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers

[@Cadburydrams]

Nice review - can you please add in a review on the 8m Edge V12 on 23 lines in good wind. Its fast compared to the 9 and jumps better.. 1m less than others but holds its own. It doesn't hold Jamie back from mixing it. Cheers

[@jasonofmontreal]

I will probably be able to get hold of one this year, there are a lot about in NZ, but I only really test 9m kites because that is what I have always tested, I would need to ride a bunch of 8m kites to have context otherwise.

[@Makuba1992]

awesome video, you explain the pro's and con's very well of all these kites. Liking all the reviews so far! Currently riding duotone dices, but about the pull the trigger on a new set of orbits.

[@jasonofmontreal]

I used to live my 2018 dice 🤘but you should see a little height increase with that swap

[@Makuba1992]

Yea I want a kite that catches me also without helilooping. And I wanna progress more with my kiteloops, so the extra hangtime and height should be nice. Aluula kites are too expensive for me tbh. XR and Rebel seem less nice to start kitelooping. @@jasonofmontreal

[@monimeaupaul457]

You should really try the next Vantage Vulture gen4 !

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks for the suggestion

[@hvs_kite1302]

Thanks Jason! Once again a great review.

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers mate

[@pawel-goscicki]

Thank you for those tests!

[@jasonofmontreal]

no problem

[@carlmajor4917]

I'd like to see a series of comparaisons and want to know which big air kite has the least bar pressure as I have a recurring kiters elbow (tendinitis like a tennis elbow).

[@jasonofmontreal]

As per my other comment, it’s tough to know unless you’re riding them all back to back to back… but my picks would be the evo dlab or harlem force... but these are both quite challenging kites depending on your level. Riding style really matters a lot for this.

[@davevnz]

Give the man kites!

[@jasonofmontreal]

haha, cheers Dave

[@filippoi.4138]

Best review as always! Just a selfish suggestion 😅 99% of people today is into big jumps and when is light wind, foil and wants just one queever. Maybe adding some impressions about light wind would be interesting. With this spec maybe a 3 struts that jumps just a bit less than an XR could gain points on that other aspect Keep it up🎉

[@jasonofmontreal]

The kites that are designer for light wind aren’t really big air kites though so it’s a bit of a different thing to what I’m looking at. The Evo dlab of course has the best range and low end of all the kites I’ve tested which was a big factor why I spent so much money on 3 of them

[@jasonofmontreal]

In my first video I did highlight that the reedin supermodel and naish pivot were better crossover kites that were also good in the waves and foil.

[@filippoi.4138]

@@jasonofmontreal totally agree. I am into foil big air. My aim is above 25 with foil 😆 But buying 6 kites is a bit too much. I will go with evo dlab I think

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@filippoi.4138 that would definitely be the kite for that I believe, I've just gone for my first foil sessions this week in perhaps 4-5 years. I was super rusty but my 10m was very easy for it in 10-14 knots while my body tried to remember how to do it

[@VK-pl1nd]

thank you for reviews :)

[@jasonofmontreal]

no problem

[@Greg-ii6nq]

Great review, as always.

[@jasonofmontreal]

Thanks, as always

[@larssol1]

Great work, boss!❤

[@jasonofmontreal]

Cheers 🥂

[@francislangenberg5257]

Great review again, thanks!

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks

[@maxvr1163]

What is your opinion of the flysurfer bar which you were using in the video? Amazing review by the way

[@jasonofmontreal]

The bar was fine, I only mentioned the line lengths in particular because they were the most relevant to the session, the bar itself felt solid and had a decent grip so it wasn't worth highlighting or complaining about basically.

[@jamesmcintyre1675]

Hi man, thanks for the video Era looks a great kite, might get a 10m. Would you ever consider giving a foil a go like the Flysurfer Sonic 4?

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@jamesmcintyre1675 I’d certainly give it a try, not sure I’d try any loops though 😂

[@jamesmcintyre1675]

@ big balls will be needed haha 😜

[@JoannaDuda]

Hello Jason, thank you for the videos! I'm about to make a decision to buy Flysurfer Era or Slingshot Code v2. I saw you already did the test of Slingshots. Which one do you like more and why?

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@JoannaDuda probably the Era, it’s a bit better for loops… the code is a bit better for multiple disciplines, and hangtime

[@JoannaDuda]

@@jasonofmontreal so hangtime is better in the Sligshot yes?

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@JoannaDuda I didn’t ride these kites at the same time but I think so

[@Roepstek]

Dude! That spot in New Zeeland looks really sick! Would love to check it out. But Zeeland is far far away from the Netherlands. Did you already tried the Slingshot Code? I’m curious wat you think of that kite

[@jasonofmontreal]

I'm afraid we don't have Slingshot in NZ, hopefully I can get one sent down here from the brand like so many others we don't have here: Duotone, Core, Cabrinha, Harlem, etc

[@Roepstek]

@@jasonofmontrealyeah, NZ is far away ror almost everybody on the world 😅😅 but sick spot I guess 🤘🏽

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@Roepstek it only takes us about 36-40 hours to pop over to Europe... I've done it a few times and it wrecks you for 2-3 days :P

[@Roepstek]

@@jasonofmontreal can imagine that. NZ is pretty much on my bucketlist, so hopefully I can visit it once. Bit then for a longer time so the ling travel is worth it. Nice comparison video’s dude, keep up the good work 👊🏽

[@merlinzwicky5372]

Love your vids!!!

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks

[@superstas27]

Another great video

[@jasonofmontreal]

Cheers stas

[@dpwild328]

Any thoughts on OR Flite?

[@jasonofmontreal]

I've only tried it in shitty wind, but I really enjoyed the Rise v1 at the time of testing in my first review video

[@joshcrashes]

You said it wasnt the woo-stiest kite. After hugo recently set the world height record, do you think he would have gone even higher with something else?

[@jasonofmontreal]

I'm not sure, he's pretty dialled on that kite now that he's been riding it almost a year... there is woosting potential, and ease... eg, I think more people would be able to jump higher on a Rebel SLS than an Evo Dlab, but I also think the potential to jump the highest is on the evo. I don't know if the Era is the easiest kite to boost the highest on for most people (although it's not a particularly challenging kite to use overall), but it certainly is one of the better jumping kites out there.

[@tomassidlauskas8861]

❤❤

[@jasonofmontreal]

@@tomassidlauskas8861 thanks

[@st202295]

Core xr pro obviously

[@jasonofmontreal]

It’s certainly on the bucket list, they’re just hard to get a hold of 😂

[@FreekHuisman]

Airush Lift v3 (team series)

[@jasonofmontreal]

will add it to the list

[@kitesurfmaxx]

Flysurfer tells us, that they checked the Aluula version, but it's not worth it (now). Check their video

[@jasonofmontreal]

Will do

[@jawaji.]

nice

[@jasonofmontreal]

cheers

[@fribbe9]

Flite 5s

[@jasonofmontreal]

thanks for the suggestion!

[@roaldarts7641]

This is going to sound odd and its definitely not a double looper but what about the good old cabrinha switchblade vs nitro, 2024 should have a newish design done by pat.

[@jasonofmontreal]

The last Switchblade I rode was in 2018... so not much I can say about that one I'm afraid... Loved the nitro though so if you're a Cabrinha fan who wants to do loops, I say go for that one.

[@janstibor5952]

Just a suggestion. Your videos have quite a lot of views. If there will be enough supporters which can donate, maybe you will be able to buy thr kites by yourselves, test them and make your videos and get more views etc. I am your fan so would hapilly support you with some donation.

[@jasonofmontreal]

I think I would feel awkward asking people for money to be honest... breaking it down a bit, an XR Pro is 2500 euro (plus shipping), I would need 100 people to donate 25 euro just so they could watch a 10minute video... I'm not against the idea, but that does seem a bit unlikely unfortunately.

[@jasonofmontreal]

now 1000 people offering 2.50 is a lot more reasonable but I don't think I have that kind of draw :P

[@janstibor5952]

@@jasonofmontreal I think its possible. When we will be promoting your videos.