// 4 line freeride/ freestyle C kite - supplied kite only
Product Overview
The Vegas 05 was north’s second step in a very successful direction. It was their first fast kite that had manners and ease of use, one of the industries favourites for many years. Although very performance oriented it is good for intermediates and beyond, offering some depower, but exceptional handling which is rarely found in the modern high depower kites..
North describe;
The Vegas 05 is the Royal Flush of the new school kite generation. Its smooth power in combination with good lift and hangtime create very balanced flying characteristics. Fast turning speed and enhanced range make the Vegas 05 a perfect kite for technical New School maneuvers and loaded jumps.
The Vegas 05's flying speed is lower than that of the Rhino 05, which makes it just perfect for waveriding. Greater pull on the flying lines provide better feeling for the kite and translates into easy handling in jumps. The Vegas 05 is very forgiving and has excellent power control. There is nothing that can stop you from having pure fun on the water with this kite.
If you do not want to use the bar setup of the 5th Element for some reason, you can also fly the Vegas as a conventional four liner.
// Features -
Canopy and Seam Reinforcement
Many features pioneered by North, such as the use of Dacron (stabilized woven polyester) in a segmented leading edge, have become the standard in high quality kites. North have continued this tradition by reinforcing the canopy only in key areas to avoid unnecessary weight. Nevertheless, the new kites are now more resistant to damage from crashes and abuse and the panels are easier to replace, which simplifies repair work. Key reinforcements can be found spanwise at the leading edge of the canopy and chordwise between the ribs and the canopy.
Low-drag Canopy Reinforcement
The entry of the kite is aerodynamically the most important part of it. Therefore North have chosen to put low-drag canopy reinforcement in the entry area.
Ballistic Snakeskin
Ballistic Snakeskin is twice as tear proof as conventional Tejen material!
North Reflex Tip
The tip of a kite tends to operate at low and changing angles of attack. The result is that kites often look nervous in the air, with the tips wobbling from side to side. Part of our solution to this problem is the patent-based Reflex tip; an elongated s-shaped profile. In this profile, the trailing edge is designed to deflect airflow in such a way as to slightly increase and stabilize the angle of attack of the entire profile. The desired Reflex Tip shape is controlled and maintained through the use of Carbon Reflex Tip Battens and Reflex Hexribs.
Fusion Rib Joints
Fusion Rib Joints not only ensure the kite's high rigidity and stability, but also help keep the entire canopy smooth and eliminate flat spots.
Dump Valves
Dump valves in the tips permit the rider to roll the kite up from one end to the other.
Segmented Leading Edge
The leading edge is composed of conical segments for a precise distribution of stresses that enhances the kites durability. The main seam is tucked away behind the leading edge for protection against shocks.
Turning Speed Controller
Optional points of attachment at the ends of North kites offer the opportunity to attach the back lines closer to the front lines. This reduces the kite's speed and agility. Ideal for beginners practicing with small kite sizes or for wake style.
Self Rescue Handles
These loops attached to the inside of the wingtips make it easier to hold the kite for bodydrag rescue.
HexRibs
Hexagonally modeled ribs provide lower drag, greater rigidity and better fidelity to design than any other rib.
Fool Proof Connectors
These connectors prevent the number one cause of kite accidents by ensuring that front lines cannot be attached to the back of the kite and back lines cannot be attached to the front.
Control Tip
The low-drag solution to tip stability and control, the tip batten keeps the tips from folding in turns and gives the Rhino precise turning response.
Originally available in 18 / 16 / 14 / 12 / 10 / 8m the only kite sizes left are 14 in and 16 in green and orange. Kite comes complete bag and pump, but no bar. You will need a 5 line bar to fly it, please call or mail for a cheap price on suitable 5 line bar system.
// North 5 line bar
5th Element bar – not supplied,
Call or mail for bar options.
Riders of all levels, from pros to newcomers, will all gain substantial advantages from the new 5th Element system.
Safety - perform all moves with safety leash
Water Start - without swimming
Performance - increased performance due to wider wind range
The 5th Element will come already set up so there are no hassles on your first day and it doesn’t take any more effort to wind up or unwind them, and you don’t feel anything else but better performance when flying them.
All kites can be flown with the same bar, just the short line attached in the middle of the leading edge has to be adjusted to the different kite sizes. Instructions will be attached to all bars or upgrades.
Safety: The 5th Element line set permits anyone, from novice to pro, to easily and conveniently use a kite leash. The leash can be short and inconspicuous, or it can be a long handle-pass leash like the pros use. In either case, releasing the chickenloop quick-release while leashed-in causes the kite to depower immediately and totally and with no line tangles.
Whether you ride unhooked, spin, try a water relaunch for the first time or practice a handle pass, all maneuvers, including the latest tricks, can now be performed with the safety leash of the 5th Element.
As soon as you pull the Quick Release or let go of the bar it slips up the safety line. The kite is then completely depowered and comes down without twisting the lines.
One additional benefit of the 5th Element is that it makes dragging upwind to reach a lost board much easier.
Waterstart: When the kite is on the water after you crashed or let go of the bar, the 5th Element system allows you to relaunch without swimming
a) Keeping tension on the middle line, reload the chickeloop if necessary, and hook in if you want.
b) To get started again, use the middle line to pull the bar toward you.
c) If you pull the back lines simultaneously, the kite will slowly come off the water.
d) The harder you pull on the side of the bar, the faster and lower the kite will start in.
e)If you only pull gently, the kite will move as usual to the edge of the wind window for relaunch.
f) No unsafe pulls or drags. No more swimming!
Performance: The 5th Element stabilizes the kite’s arc and thus clearly increases performance. Enhanced profile stiffness brings considerable advantages in depowered situations and increases the kite’s wind range. As a result, the kite flies closer to the wind window and responds more directly to steering impulses.
While arc-shaped inflatable kites have a marvellous simplicity, they also have a tendency to change shape as the wind increases and decreases and as load goes from front lines to back lines or vice versa. While it's possible to control such unstable tendencies in conventional four-line kites, such control comes at a cost: more drag. The 5th Element line set offers a low-drag solution to maintaining kite shape stability, thereby permitting higher performance in every respect.
5th Element-equipped kites have greater high end, greater range, and quicker turning. Because of the better high end they also have better lift, which makes for higher jumps. Because low end power is in no way reduced by the 5th Element line set, such kites also have excellent hang time.
// Surfstore's Opinion
The North Vegas ’05 is one of the first really good multi use C kites, excellent build quality and good range. If you value the direct steering and freestyle potential then this will be a good kiute for you! Its’s also really cheap!
- American test //
Review of the North 2005 Vegas 6-meter Kiteboarding Kite
North Kites are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in kite design and ease of use. This
years line up is the culmination of the best features invented over last three years. The six-meter Vegas is one
of the best wave riding kites I have ever ridden. It’s ridiculously fast on the widest settings which is great for
experienced riders and can be slowed down for beginners. Both the Rhino 05 and the Vegas 05 are designed
to be flown using the 5th Element bar system, however the Vegas can be flown as a standard four-line kite as
well for more bar feel.
Construction - The most noticeable difference from last years kite is the reinforced leading edge. Triple
stitching and an oval patch at key stress points, which allow the kite’s leading edge to be pumped up rock
solid (6 psi). As with last year’s kite, the struts (pumped up to 10psi) are built with a hexagonal shape and are
connected to the leading edge via fusion rib joins, which allows the canopy to maintain rigidity. Another
improvement is the rubber patches (shown below right) which prevent the wing tip batten from wearing
though the leading edge.
Power – Pumping up the six meter I thought the kite would need at least 30 knots because of its small size. I
was pleasantly surprised when I (150lbs) was able to ride the kite at 20knots. The wind range on this kite is
amazing, great low end power but also incredibly easy to edge out when over powered. I have ridden this kite
in 30+ knots and have never been overpowered, most likely due to the 5th element bar set up.
Turning Speed – As with all North kites the turning speed is adjustable by moving the pigtails in or out on the
trailing edge of the kite. On the fast settings the six-meter Vegas is one of the fastest kites I have ever flown.
Advanced riders will love the speed in which the kite turns on itself and the responsiveness of the bar input.
During a wave riding session with this kite, I was able to loop the kite consistently while riding down the face
of the wave at top speed. If you are used to flying a slower turning kite, I suggest starting on the middle turn
setting and then adjusting as you see fit.
Lift – As with any kite that is flown in high winds, it is incredibly easy to jump to ear popping heights. The kite's
speed across the top of the window makes jumping a breeze albeit a little tricky when attempting your first
jumps on this kite. The hang time is good, but because of its small size the descent is rather quick.
Re-launch – Using the 5th Element bar system for re-launch is simple and quick once the proper method is
used. When using the 5th line to re-launch the kite you only need to pull in on the red line enough to flip the
kite half way onto its back. It is very important not to flip the kite all the way onto its back, as in a standard re-
launch. Once the kite is half way onto its back pull on the left or right side of the bar to move the kite to the
edge of the window. For more information on the 5th Element bar system, go to our review page.
Wind Range –
<150lbs, 20-35 knots
>150 lbs, 25-37 knots
No video currently available for the 2004 Vegas..
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