Ozone Reo 8m 2014
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Reo is a wave specific kite from ozone, it’s been in their line up for a couple of years now and has many devoted fans the world over. It’s a simple three-strut design with a fairly high aspect profile and medium arc profile. There is a simple 4-line bridle with no pulleys and a direct connection for the rear lines. This year the Reo features a super fast inflation and deflation system, which makes pumping up a breeze. The canopy has been framed with Dacron for added strength and there are reinforcements on the leading edge to reduce wear. High stress areas have also been reinforced but overall the Reo is still a very light kite.
The Bar
The Contact Control System from Ozone is a 4-line set up with a push away quick release. The mechanism is very clever and really easy to operate even under high load, it is also very simple to reconnect when you want to get riding again. Top marks for calling it the Megatron too, which instantly makes it even better, it can be set up in a standard safety mode, or a suicide mode. There is an above the bar trim system which uses a cleat and also a magnet to keep the trim line neat and tidy. Overall the set up is very clean and simple with no extraneous clutter, the safety is a front ling flag system so you can completely ditch the power in the kite if needs be.
In The Air
The Ozone Reo is a real pocket rocket when you get it in the air, it has a fast and precise nature that is sure to excite you. The 8m has a very impressive top end wind range, but will also get you going early if you have good flying skills and can generate plenty of power as you move it around the window. This fast and predictive nature leands itself to the waves really well and we very quickly got to grips with the kite. In light winds you need to be aware of a slight stall point at the low point of the turn when bottom turning, if you aren’t ready for it it can catch you out. This trait was noted right at the low end of it’s wind range though and is easily overcome when you are expecting it. The kite is exceedingly light in the air, and the drift capabilities are second to none, even at the bottom if its wind range it hangs beautifully allowing you to concentrate on riding the waves. When the wind picks up the Reo really comes alive and has a smooth power delivery that can easily be dumped with small movements of the bar throw. This allows you to switch the power on when you need to get round a section, and dump it at critical times easily. It’s the speed and precision of the Reo that really garnered our attention though. Whilst billed as a wave kite, it also works well with a twin tip underneath it, the kite flies upwind and has good jumping characteristics too. Meaning the kite is far from being a one trick pony, perfect for riders who love the waves, but occasionally want to jump back on a twin tip and play with that. The bar pressure is light and the kite never feels like it is yanking or pulling the rider in an awkward fashion, it feels smooth and predictable.
For
Lightweight, perfect drifting abilities, very fast and direct with a mellow power delivery that is easily controlled, excellent top end wind range.
Against
No real negatives, just be aware at the extreme low end of the range the kite can stall at the bottom of the turn slightly, easily compensated for and it never drops back, just hangs for a split second before completing the turn.
Overall
The Reo is a fantastic wave kite, it’s very light and exceedingly nimble in the air, offering lightneing fast performance and excellent drift capabilities down the line. It’s also not just a wave kite, and performs well in a free ride capacity, which makes it even more appealing
Videos
This review was in Issue 42 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit OzoneRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
