New HQ NEO 11

We had a great labor day weekend this year, and it was made better because we received the new NEO 11 by HQ powerkites.

We tested the kite at Elberta Beach for water and the Lake County Airport for land. Though winds were light in both locations, this kite has excellent light-wind performance and generated surprisingly big pull for the conditions.

One thing we liked about this kite was that there was no pumping. Unlike LEI kites, a ram-air foil uses air entering through ports in the leading edge to pressurize the foil, helping the kite to hold its shape, and in this particular kites' case, allowing it to relaunch from water without sinking, as well as function equally well in summer or winter.

We really liked the ability to "reverse launch" the kite. When the kite is nose down, all you do is pull both the back-leader-lines with the reverse-launch strap, and the kite rises off the ground, turns over and when you release the lines, she takes off. You can use those same straps to land the kite; when you pull on the back-leader-lines, the kite depowers, you can steer it down and lands ready for take-off.

We'll be testing this and other kites in varying conditions and in combination with water, snow, and land gear - stay tuned for updates.