Blade Prime (2012)

At a Glance

The Prime is in its 4th year of production now, and once again it is billed as a thoroughbred performance machine. It is a hybrid C 4 line affair with a short bridle on the leading edge to add support and aid depower, the rear lines are a direct connection. The wing tips have been tuned this year to deliver even better performance throughout the kites turning axis. The kite has a 5-strut airframe with a very sleek leading edge, the construction is good and there are plenty of reinforcements in all the right places. It features one pump as standard and each strut features a union connection to the leading edge to ensure you get a stiff frame to the kite.

The Bar

The bar remains unchanged from last year, it is very neat and compact and the bar itself is short, which gives you a nod to the kites performance. There is an above the bar pull pull trim strap and a sliding stopper ball on the depower rope. The chicken loop features a plastic release mechanism that you need to rinse with fresh water after each session to ensure easy release when dry. When it is wet it works fine, but if you leave it in the boot of the car salty then the release can be a little sticky, as with any safety system keep it running smoothly and it works fine. The grip is comfy and the bar is finished off with floats on the rear lines. You can also untwist your lines should you need to using a swivel on the top of the chicken loop.

In the Air

We have always enjoyed the performance of the Prime, and this year was no different. The kite is crisp and direct in the air, you can fly it around the window with some precision and it really packs a lot of pace into it’s movements. The thin leading edge on the Prime aids the performance characteristics even more, allowing it to penetrate the wind window with ease. Upwind is good, the kite flies quite forward in the window so it is easy to get back to your spot after completing a trick or a jump. Jumps on the Prime are fairly lively, as are the kite loops; it really pulls you off the water. The hangtime isn’t as good as the Trigger or a flatter arced kite, but you still get a decent amount of glide on the way down. Unhooked the kite behaves impeccably, the steering is still very direct and you have total control. Depower is good, although the range on the Prime isn’t as big as some of the other kites in the range, as you would expect from a kite of this design. The Prime has a much higher top end range than it does a lower end.

For

Fast direct and crisp steering, good control in strong winds, great upwind and good fun to jump and unhook with.

Against

Lacks a little range compared to the Trigger, but then this is a more dedicated performance orientated machine.

Overall

The Prime offers great performance and control, we loved the direct turning and the speed through the window. Great for unhooked new school riding.

Me an my friend have been testing 2012 kites to change our quivers this year. I am likle veering towards the triggers due to their wave ability , but we were still very impressed by the prime. Its very fast through the air and pulls like a truck. I cant kite loop , but my friend who was testing them with me reckoned they gave the steadiest loop on any kite with really powerful and smooth turns. Unhooking was great , with just a little trim needed to have it flying perfectly with no back stall. Boosting is insane. Easily the bigest boosting kite i have used and thats my favcoutite thing about the prime.. Just huge air..

Relaunch was tricky enough to be honest and it took me a few minutes when i got stuck out back mid session. That said it went up easily all the other times , but it is not as easy as te trigger which was a doddle. My friend dumped it a lot and it went up quickly every time for him , so it could just have been my lack of skill/

Its probably too high end for me , but i really did love the unhooked ability nad the massive boost. Im scoring against for the one tricky relaunch i had but its near perfect bar that.