F-One Bandit V Review
F-One Bandit 5
Here’s another kite model hitting the waves and is really making waves amongst the kites sold in the market. Reviews are awesome and that this type of gadget for the sports is a must have. The new F-One Bandit 5 (V) is the new designed kite that offers better performance and safety than ever before yet it performs at all levels no matter what your skill level is.
F-One’s goal is not just to offer you a versatile kite but the best kite for each discipline, aspects and every style of rider whether you’re a beginner or a professional kite surfer. It is user-friendly and aims high on the following aspects: –
- Range: To increase further the range of the Bandit 5, F-One needed both a kite that you can easily power-up in the low end and a kite that was even more giving in gusty and strong conditions.
- Lightness: An additional lightness was given a priority at the bottom end to provide much more improvements of its performance when under powered.
- Handling: To position the kite immediately where you want, to precisely manage its rotation during a kite loop, and to have the most responsive kite in larger sizes, its maneuverability is crucial. This is why we focused on this particular aspect.
F-One Bandit 5 (V) Key Features:
One Pump Collar Valve:
The One Pump System allows you to pump the whole kite with just one valve. Safety clips on the connecting tubes isolate the struts from the leading edge. The neoprene cap is simple and effective and every tube is fixed with a security clip to the valve. The security clips are easily removed in case of bladder repair.
Kite Tuning:
2 different positions on the back lines wingtip allows for more bar pressure and a slower turning kite or lighter bar pressure and a faster turning kite.
Kevlar Leading Edge Reinforcements:
Most seams on the leading edge are now reinforced with Kevlar to prevent the seams to deteriorate on aggressive ground friction. They protect the leading edge from damage whenever the kite comes into contact with the ground and significantly prolong the life of the kite.
Skin Reinforcement:
Each skin of the kite is sewn and reinforced by a self-adhesive Dacron for extra strength.
Profiled Leading Edge Tips:
The leading edge tips are profiled and have a reduced diameter to avoid any bridles tangling and drag effect.
Profiled Batten End Tips:
A new batten closing system enables F-One to reduce its diameter in order to decrease the drag. A small batten ensures the closing and holds it in position.
Vertical Cut Battens:
The Bandit 5 struts are designed with a vertical cut in order to optimize the strength/diameter ratio.
This single design is solution for all types of riders for one clear choice. It combines strong features such as safety, performance, wind range, easy auto relaunch, simplicity of setup and unhooked riding without any compromises.
Conclusion (The F-One Bandit 5 (V) Improvements)
The kite structure, profile and its bridles have been reworked in order to attain the above said goals. Its construction has also been made in a step-by-step fundamentals plus updates in both aspects of choosing and distribution of materials in the manufacturing processes. Because of the soft kite structure, it can deform and twist to allow full rotation. A fully rigid profile wing will not turn at all. Therefore, the maneuver and responsiveness of the kite depend directly on the twisting ability, this is one important point that F-One have improved on, thanks to a thinner leading edge, new shape of struts and a new 3-point bridle system. All these great features were made to free the kite’s profile. Decreasing the diameter of the leading edge with almost 25% less air volume brings an important amount in terms of aerodynamics and weight. The results are better performance in the low end. It does not only provide incredible ability under power but also at the top end. Riders are all praising for the improved thin handling profile the kite now has.
F-One has also gained in terms of set up comfort as the inflation time has been reduced. A new type of flatter profile was employed by reducing the profile curve depth making the Bandit 5 (V) easier to depower and keep control at the top end. In the low end, a flatter profile is more efficient when powered-up and fully sheeted in providing constant power. The result is a better control of the kite aerodynamics, less lateral traction and less pressure and therefore effort through your legs and into the board when the wind picks up. Finally, some important work was undertaken on the bar feeling and pressure. The feedback from the bar provides you with constant information and lets you know what’s going on allowing you to adjust the position, the pull and the speed of your kite in the wind window at any given time.