F-One Kites 2010
At A Glance
F-One created a storm back in 2007 with the Bandit. A whole new concept in kitesurfing kite technology the Bandit was a Delta shaped kite aimed at being really stable and easy to fly. It was also a kite that could do it all; ridden by the Pro Team and beginners alike it was somewhat of a revolution. Last year the kite was tweaked and refined to bring the public the F One Bandit Dos.
This year there was much speculation about what the kite might be; well the speculation is over! It is the F-One Bandit 3 and this year it is quite different.
The team wanted to improve the top end range of the kite and also the amount of control felt at the bar end. The kite looks quite different to last year and it is higher aspect with a much shorter middle strut.
The real news lies in two improvements, which will sway a lot of people who weren’t convinced before. Gone is the long bridle, so now you have 4 lines all the same length on the bar. This hugely reduces the chances of the kite getting tangled inside itself in the waves, and also makes it much neater to pack away. Next up is an external one-pump system, which is just about the icing on the cake. Elsewhere, when you look at the detailing on the canopy, you can see this product oozes quality. At a time when some brands are cutting costs it looks as if F-One has gone all out at the factory!
The Bar
This year the bar has been simplified; the trim straps on the rear lines are gone and replaced with simple floats. Under the floats are knots in the leader lines so you can still adjust the backline tension should you wish to.
The Chicken Loop release has been slimmed down a little and works really well. It also has a solid plastic male pin that fits into the bar to lock the loop in place when you are unhooked, and the top part, which was plastic last year is now made from inox metal and has a loop for your leash for a suicide set up. The clam cleat above bar depower is back as is the mini 5th line safety which will totally depower the kite in an emergency.
Overall the bar is cleaner and simpler than last year, yet still retains all the important bits you need to fly the kite.
In the Air
This year, with its brand new profile, the Bandit III is a totally different animal than last year. Because of the higher aspect the kite flies much further forward in the window, developing a pull completely different to the Bandit Dos. Let's be a reminder than Alex Caizergues exploded the world speed record last year in Namibia after he switched from a Bandit Dos to an early Bandit 3 prototype. In previous years the Bandit has always had a great low end, the new higher aspect ratio vastly improves the top end of the kite, but by using some clever profiling of the canopy the kite still develops its much beloved low-end grunt. The 10m gets going really early and coupled with a surfboard it could easily satisfy a one kite quiver for lighter riders.
Another improvement over last year is the depower throw has got much shorter; meaning that just small movements with your arms can dump the power from the kite and put it back on again. In gusty conditions this is great for maintaining an upright stance and allows you to control the kite rather than the other way round.
In terms of performance the kite has improved too, unhooked it feels much more controlled especially as the pull is more forwards rather than directly down the window. It also does some impressive kite loops, taking a much wider more powerful radius as opposed to spinning on its axis. You can check B3 review by Randy Hereman, F-One Freestyle Pro-Rider here.
Riding the Bandit III as a freestyle kitesurfing kite it is certainly rewarding, and it really comes into its own as a free ride and wave machine too. Once again the F-One crew has cracked the versatility right on the head and the Bandit III will impress you in the air, wakestyle, on the wave or even just with the simple things like easy relaunching, a result of the Delta design.
Conclusion
The Bandit III is a really polished kite that easily outperforms its predecessor. Features like the one pump system and the shorter bridle will have previous non-converts getting onto the Bandit band wagon. This is as good as it gets in terms of finish and all round performance. Some used to complain about the lack of one pump and the long bridle. This time is gone! The best looking kites out there in terms of graphics and legendary F-One attention to detail. Happy to perform with whatever conditions or style of riding you throw at it, the Bandit III looks set to have another stellar year.
Kite Only Equipment:
- Kite with new EVO bridle system (3 x 2 pulleys)
- Kite leash
- Repair kit
- Expendable kite bag
Optional Equipment:
- Complete Bar and 24m Lines
- Pump High Output
- Short Line kit
Pricing:
- Free Ground Shipping in all US States
- No local taxes if shipped outside New Jersey
- Complete Bar & 24m Lines: $400 USD
- Pump High Output: $39 USD
- Kite Only available
- Bandit III 5 m² complete $1,349 USD
- Bandit III 6 m² complete $1,399 USD
- Bandit III 7 m² complete $1,449 USD
- Bandit III 8 m² complete $1,499 USD
- Bandit III 9 m² complete $1,549 USD
- Bandit III 10 m² complete $1,599 USD
- Bandit III 11 m² complete $1,649 USD
- Bandit III 13 m² complete $1,749 USD
- Bandit III 15 m² complete $1,849 USD
We heard the buzz about the Bandit 3 and decided to give them a try and now we are glad we did! We got our 1st Bandit 3 in late November and got to try out the 10m in the ocean. The wind was about 20mph and the 10m was powered up for us (195 lb + 170lb) on a surfboard or twintip. The Bandit 3 is very stable and easy to use, it has moderate bar pressure and very quick turning speed. I was very surprised at the lift and loft of the jumps and it goes upwind very well, even when the wind dropped in speed. I self launched it on the beach and couldn't believe how easy it rolled over and launched without any input on the bar! Now I believe the B3 will launch by itself like the video's.
The build quality is excellent and the bar is "clean" with a positive cam cleat adjustment and PVC coated depower rope through the bar for maintenance free riding. Do yourself a favor and try a Bandit 3 ASAP!