The 2010 Zeeko kites are available and Blast is hoping to get their hands on theirs next month so if you have the slightest interest in them check this post out







'Notus by Zeeko won the 2010 test magazines' see the result below.








DESCRIPTION

- Reinforced and Simplified Bridling system (only 3 attachment points/side instead of 5 or more for most of the kites in the market): Simple and easy to use

- Unbeatable balance between reactivity and rigidity: Comfortable to ride

- Exclusive profile getting one of the most powerful kites at the low end and keeping easiness of control in high end: Save money buying less number of kites

- Ultra Stable kite: Giving you confidence in your kite

- Work done on the leading edge diameters giving a fast turning kite even the big sizes and providing unrivalled reactivity

- Firm bar feeling and progressive bar pressure to always know where the kite is.

- Trimmable kite handling: C-shape Behavior/Hybrid Behavior by just moving the back bridle

- Optimized kite for Freestyle and Unhooked tricks: Improve your level safely

- Impressive upwind ability and Gliding in jumps

- Adjustable line length 20m (waveriding) or 24m (jumps and freestyle)

- Easy relaunching under any circunstances. ERA (easy relaunching assistant) on every sizes

- One pump system

- Notus kite delivered with kitebag and repair kit (pump and bar are optional)

- 12m and 10m powerfull kites, 7m and 9m dedicated for stong and gusty winds








Construction


- Maximum reinforcements on critical locations: Bombproof build and a light kite at the same time.

- Reinforcements on the Elbow






- Reliable one pump device, each strut can be isolated using clamps. In order to prevent aging, all the pieces of the one pump device are covered by neoprene.





- Double layers of PU located on each bladder end

- Inflation valve with airlock and deflation valve without airlock

- Heavy cloth reinforcement on tips and struts

- Reinforced Leading Edge seams: Triple stitching

- All leading edge seams are reinforced with mark cloth

- Tapered seams

- High resistance 3D foam protectors

- Kitebag with straps to hold bar, board and pump

- The kitebag is able to store the kite without deflating the struts. Central opening helps alot with inserting the kite into the kitebag.

- Internal pocket dedicated to store repair kit, keys, ID card…

- High quality ball bearing pulleys

- High quality bridles Cousin-Trestec. The bridle passing thru the pulley is reinforced

- Pocket on the tips of the kite to store extension lines








It is possible to modify the Notus handling by adjusting the back bridle location




Connectors are fixed to modify the behavior of the
kite.

Moving forward the back bridle (connector 3), the kite settles down, ideal for riders in
progress and unhooked training : the bar pressure increases to have more support
and the over-sheeting is almost impossible.

Moving back the back bridle (connector 1), another kite appears : the bar pressure lightens, ideal for sportive navigation and waveriding. This is the favourite trimming of ZEEKO team for megaloops.


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The 14m LW

A specific light wind kite, will be available in 2010. In 2009, it had already
acted as revolution for the navigation by light wind and had really proved its efficiency.
It will return at the beginning of 2010, delivered with 8m of lines extension, compatible
with the Zeeko bar.



ltnotus lt
5,5 - 7 - 9 - 12


freestyle and beginner kite

New this year in the gear ZEEKO, it is the consideration of the "beginners" or " in
progress " request.

A kite more adapted to learning.

Notus LT is like the young sister of the Notus. The general shape remains identical, between delta, bow and C-shape.

"LT" for LIGHT: only 4 inflatable struts, and no one-pump. It induces an easier starting than the Notus : the kite is lighter and has a more powerful profile.


To keep the same rigidity as Notus with only 4 struts. One fiber slat (replaceable) was added on the tips to avoid flapping during kite movements.

Bar feeling

The kite has more bar pressure than Notus. Piloting is less precise, but forgives bar mistakes and stays firm. The kite reacts slower, to fit learning conditions. Traction is more constant, ideal for learning low kite riding and unhooked tricks.


relaunching








http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2359268&p=611349[img][img][img]

Hope this works , here is a video of the 2010 kites made two weeks ago

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7144220

Nice one Sarah!

All who have tried them here in Brazil have loved them too (2009 kites) Cant wait to try the 010 models!

Just found this review of the 2009 Zeeko Notus......

Zeeko Notus 2009 9m2

Zeeko, an odd name for a new kite brand from France. But not just another new kid on the block. The company is founded by Nicolas Caillou: a designer who is around since the beginning of kiteboarding. He worked among other for Takoon.
The only kite available for 2009 was the Notus. I say “was” since the whole 2009 stock is sold out before the end of the season in Europe. It was more popular in the homeland then the biggest French competitor, F-one with their BanditDos. Being a Bandit and Banditdos owner for over two years now, from the moment I heard about this fact my attention was drawn.
Although I own a Banditdos 10m2 and 7m2, I did a lot of testing on the Banditdos 12m2 and 9m2 as well. I have tested many other 2009 kites, from Best Waroo to Slingshot Fuel 2009. I also did test the big 13m2 and 11m2 Notus. I live in the Netherlands, in Northwest Europe. I do kiteboarding since 2002 and my weight is 72kg (165lbs). I have no relation to Zeeko or any other kite brand. I have to pay for all my gear. I am just stoked to test as much equipment as possible
I will review the 9m2 Zeeko Notus and occasionally refer to the Banditdos 9m2. I had the chance even to test them back to back on a few occasions.

Test conditions:
Total number of sessions: 9 (av. 3 hours each)
average tested windspeed: from 13 to 30kn, most of them pretty gusty
Spots: wave, flat water, chop and currents.

Kite
The kite comes with a simple backpack style bag, manual, repair kit and bar. No pump supplied.
The kite has a one-pump system based on the Slingshot system. All hoses can be cut-off by a plastic clamps, which all are covered in neoprene sleeves for protection against wear. The filling valve features a return valve. If you pull out your pump hose, it will stay inflated. Strangely the dump valve is of the same size as the filling valve. It takes a bit more time than usual to get all the air out after a session.
The construction and finish all look very good, comparable with the Banditdos. The kite’s frame and canopy create a sturdy construction without the necessity to put a lot of air pressure in it.
The bridle has a 3 point connection to the LE on each side. The front lines are connected with a ball bearing Ronstan pulley to the bridle, equal to the Banditdos. The second and smaller V-bridle is fixed.
The backlines are pretty long to compensate the front bridle length. This bridle is much shorter than the one on the Dos. The lines are secured by using the cook proof connectors, originally found on North kites.
Beside the 9m2, there is a 13m2, 11m2 and 7m2. Also a special 14m2 light wind version.
What is it? A Delta or SLE kite? My two cents is that their marketing explanation is quite realistic: it is a combination between a delta, c-shape and a SLE-kite. It unites different features of those type of kites. It is definitely not a full delta-shape like the Banditdos, Best Kahoona or Core GT among other.



Bar and safety
There is only one bar available, which can be adjusted in width (46/54cm). This way it is possible to fly every size Notus with a single bar. The bar itself is pretty unconventional: it features a very thin diameter. It has real carbon fiber tip ends. There is a strap instead of a clam cleat, and the safety system is comparable with the 5th line on the Banditdos. The chicken loop looks like the one F-one is using for years. I would say a little bit outdated, but it works. A nice feature is that the end of the Chicken loop fits exactly in the center hole of the bar. When you unhook the CL will stay open, always facing the rider in the same way. Standard the bar is supplied with 4 x 20m lines (front line is a so called Y-bridle like the Banditdos, but without the swivel) and 4 meter extension lines.



On the water:

Wind range
I could stay upwind in 15kn and up, one to two knots later than the Banditdos. The total wind range is compatible since the Notus’ high-end is a bit better. The kite gives Delta style power, straight from the moment you send the kite down there is plenty of grunt. No sinusing necessary..
Going upwind is something not to worry about. Very good upwind performance. I would say even a bit better than the Banditdos.

Jumping
Some say the Banditdos does not jump as high as de Bandit 2008 did. Of course these kind of things are difficult to measure. The Notus shares good jumping performance in the lower reach of the wind range. The 9m2 jumps very well both on 24 and 20m lines. The hang time is definitely better than that of its French rival. The height of the jumps is a little bit confusing. There is not that much boost as the Dos has, which gives you the impression that your jumps are just average. However the opinion of all bystanders along the waterline was unanimous: compared with the Dos, but also with any other kite out on the water, it is the highest jumping kite I have ever tested! Especially In the high-end jumping is insane thanks to the still high level of control you have when the kite is depowered a lot.
But there is more to tell. The Bandit’s are blessed with a large sweet spot for jumping. The Notus tops that with an even larger one! There is no need to steer the kite actively in the air, even when you swing underneath the kite safe landings are still possible. Board off’s and rotations, you have plenty of time for those old-school favorites!

Bar pressure & turning
The Notus has 3 pigtail options on the backlines: SLE, hybrid and C-feel. I tested them all. The SLE setting was not my cup of tea. I like a firm bar and steering pressure. The hybrid setting gives a firm bar pressure, slightly higher than that of the Banditdos. The C-setting had my name on it, I simply love this one. The bar pressure is not a lot higher, and turning speed is even better. Even the 13m2 turned fast enough on this setting!
But best of all: on hybrid and especially C setting this kites gives unmatched feedback what the kite is doing and where it stands in the wind window at all times! Getting back on the Dos makes that kite feel a bit numb, which is odd since this kite gives also I high amount of feedback through the bar as well.
Turning slightly better compared with the 9m2 Banditdos. But most important: It turns so much nicer with much more feel!

Comfort
We have a lot of gusty wind here in Holland. The Notus makes sure you are still aware it is gusty out there, but it does not give an uneasy feel on the bar. It irons out all gusts! Amazing for a kite with so much grunt and performance! It is very comfortable!
Another key feature is its unreal stability. I got caught by 6 feet rolling waves a few times, which pushed me quickly down wind. When I came to the surface again I was looking for the position where the kite should have dropped…but it did not. It floated above me with all four lines completely slack! You also notice this behavior in very gusty wind when standing on the beach! A very nice and useful feature. It helps you push new tricks because you have the knowledge it is so stable, and does not tumble LE first through its lines!
The default depower line is pretty long. There is a shorter version available, but I did not receive it on time for this test. When you try to spin back the bar after a rotation you do not stop and sink. There is no on/off feel on the bar. But you have to reach far to pick-up the bar again. Especially for advanced riders the shorter version could be the better option I guess.
When you remove the 4m extension lines, the character of the kite completely changes. Gone is most the gust absorption and a bit of the low-end, but steering is now extremely direct and feels therefore very fast. I had a lot of fun with the kite in this set-up!

water relaunch
Although it is not a 100% delta-shape, there is some degree of auto relaunch. But it behaves different from the Bandit: it lies more flat on the water, and restart faster. When the kite reaches the edge of the wind window, it does not climb on its tip like the Bandit. Only one wingtip is facing upwards, and waits for you to pull the bar to restart it.
I have crashed the kite also in the surf. As long as the kites is on its back busy with restarting, the chance a wave will roll over it is small. Most of the time the waves pick up the kite and rolls underneath it, not over it. Of course the fast restart helps here too for damage control.

Unhooked & kiteloops
I would recommend to use the 20m lines with the C-kite setting when performing unhooked tricks and kiteloops. When you want to make your first unhooked attempt 24m on hybrid or C setting will give you much comfort.
I found the necessity to adjust the strap before you hook out. I also do that on the Dos. Both kites are very stall proof, but the Banditdos hooks out a little bit better in the lower end of the wind range. But in the middle of the range the Notus is nicer. The pop is more aggressive on the Dos, but still more than enough on the Notus for most riders. I found I hooked out in conditions I would not dare to do that with the Dos. Of course this says also something about me
I am a fan of hooked in kite loops. Especially on 20m lines this is so much fun with the Notus. Forget the comfort: the kite produces quite a lot of boost when looping, comparable with the Dos. But most important it flies a bit faster up again after the loop. For loop training you can have comfort in the lower end of the range with the longer lines as well.



Waveriding
20m and hybrid or C setting. Choose a twintip or waveboard. Guaranteed a lot of fun! Thanks to the long depower line you can dump as much power as you want. And thanks to its grunty power just pull the bar to get out of the surf at call out! Like an accelerator! Also the comfortable overall feel of the kite makes wave riding even in gusty conditions a lot of fun.

Summary
Is it a kite that I would recommend? Absolutely. It is a friend in the hands of beginners, but also advanced riders and everybody in between. The level of comfort is exceptionably high, with an unmatched feel what the kite is doing. Most other test riders said that the kite gives you the impression your riding becomes a lot better instantly.
Is it better choice than de Dos? Although it does not match the low-end and the grunt is slightly less, the overall feature list makes that a yes according to my opinion!

Pro:
- unmatched feedback for a non C-kite
- very comfortable in all conditions
- Very big wind range
- Very stable, even in gusts and forgives a lot of pilot error
- Top of the line jumping height and hang time
- very easy to jump
- kite maintains control even depowered a lot
- Very good upwind ability
- One pump

Cons:
- Bag is a bit simple, the zipper could be of a better quality
- depower strap can get stuck when you pull it to maximum depower
- Dump valve could be bigger for faster deflation
- Thin bar diameter will not be every bodies favorite.
- Even better acceleration after a kite loop up the zenith would be welcome

Thanks to http://www.zeeko-kites.com/ for making it possible to test the kites thoroughly! Also thanks to user HJ11 for some of the photos.

That ERA relaunch looks well clever.

How well does it work?

Best guy to ask is Alun as he has tested it quite a bit (mostly intentional) he reckons it really does work effortlessly. Ask him tomorrow if your down.

I'll probably be on a Zeeko too if you want a demo

Just had part of our latest shipment of Zeeko Kites!
So a few going out to team riders and some for our school/demo!

pretty good models, as for me)
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Found best glitter text ever...

Hello All,

The wind hasn't been up to much on the south coast, I couldn't wait so took the Zeeko's to a hill to get them out of the bag. I had the 10m up.

The wind was terrible, coming around the hill an over trees so bad conditions for testing. I can tell the kites will have a really good low end but thats about it until I take them on the water.

The missus tried out the ERA system, this allows one side of the trailing edge to lift off backwards and flip the kite ready for a launch. Works well and is a necessity for the land, the delta-esque profile means that these kites wont reverse launch by pulling the two steering lines. The flip side for delta's is that on the water they'll roll on their leading edge almost by themselves for a standard relaunch, which you can also do on land with abit of paul daniels rope work but you'll look like the kite whisperer. Anyhow being good at the standard launch is the important trait in terms of getting out of trouble.

The build quality is A++, sturdy pulleys and reinforcements in all the right places. The kite looks good in the air, all panels were nice and tight, no flapping through the loop. The one pump looks robust with protectors over the bladder connections, the kites come with spares for this system and bladder patches etc. The leading edge has sturdy proportions so when crashed in the drink i'd expect the kite to maintain its profile, no wing tip folding which will be nice.

Here's a couple of pictures. If you're bored in super light winds try do a full 360 sweep with the kite. It involves alot of running especially when the kite is directly upwind of you!


360



Some nice graphics



That's all so far, fingers crossed for this weekend and a proper report to follow.

All the best

Martyn