Features
In 2005, Cabrinha has updated the C02 and Nitro with Recon Gen 2 - a more refined version of the popular security and relaunch system. Not only has the Recon system been updated, but a complete new bar has been designed making it the most feature rich bar available in 2005. The 2005 bar allows you to relaunch or collapse your kite and lock the power with the powerlock system. What sets this bar apart from all the other manufacturers is that the safety and relaunch system is made possible without using a 5th line, and you don't have to attach a leash to your harness. This bar is the cleanest system with the most features packed into one bar that is currently available, end of story.
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| Relaunching the kite with the Recon system | |
This means you go on the water with only 4 lines, and there is no need to attach a leash as the safety system allows you to collapse the kite without letting go of the kite. When you drop your kite you can relaunch it, you can kill the power when you need to and when you jump you can lock the power.
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| The 2005 Recon bar | |
In addition to this both kites feature the PRO Span technology - a design feature that widens the arc of the kite and results in greater lifting area and less drag, making for a more efficient kite.
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| C02 12 | |
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| Nitro 12 | |
Whilst the main changes on the Nitro for 2005 is the addition of Recon 2 and PRO Span, the C02 has also undergone a significant design change - the kite has a higher aspect ratio - making it a moderate high aspect kite. This means greater lift and better depower in a moderate aspect kite. This is a sick combination, as it brings together hang time and wave riding capabilities into one kite - the best of both worlds.
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| Nitro | |
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| C02 | |
Materials and build quality
The 2005 Nitro is very similar to the 2004 model. The material is still the same, whereas the C02 uses a smoother silk-like material (breaking away from the newspaper-like material found on the Nitro / Blacktips.) Both materials are strong and there seems to be no sign of poor quality on either kite. The Nitro also uses the traditional ball in the valves to keep air from escaping whereas the C02 clearly uses the newer technology found on the Contra - one way valves whcih you have to pinch to let the air escape. Both types of valves work well, and both have their pros and cons. The one way valve keeps air longer and makes inflating the bladders easier than with the ball system, although deflating the bladders is significantly slower than deflating on the ball system.
Flying charactaristics
The Nitro is slightly slower turning than the C02, and has a more old-school / hang time orientated feel to it, whereas the C02 is incredibly fast and has a more new school / freestyle feel to it.
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| Carlo testing the C02 at Shark Bay, Langebaan | |
If you crank the Nitro back for high jumps it is noticeable that the kite has more hang to it. It also has a immediate rocket like feeling to it where it just boosts you very quick and high, and keeps you there before bringing you down slowly.
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| Nitro Testing, Shark Bay | |
The C02 boosts considerable good - it has remarkably good hang time and height. I would say that the major difference between the C02 and the Nitro when it comes to jumping is that the C02 takes you up slightly slower but brings you down hot, fast and quicker, whereas the Nitro takes you up quick and brings you down slow and softly. With the Nitro it definitely feels like you stay up there a little longer than with the C02, although I don't know how much longer this is than with the C02.
The C02 has a fast, light and nippy feeling. It is ready to go anywhere where you want it to go instantly. It turns so quick on it's own axis. This is a very easy kite to loop. Compared to the C02, the Nitro has a slower feeling to it, it still turns quick (faster than most high aspect kites) but not as quick as the C02. The Nitro turns wide and slightly slower than the C02.
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| C02 - solid. Wide wingtips makes for fast and tight turns. | |
The C02's more consistent pull and fast turning speed makes it a great kite for wave riding. It's a very able jumping kite, handles gusts well and The C02 makes gusty wind more managable, as it softens the gusts. The same design features that makes the Nitro a potent jumping kite, makes it more punchy in gusty conditions - giving it a more on/off feeling, but the high aspect ratio of the kite allows you to push the kite to the edge of the window quicker than you can with the C02. In lulls the C02 handles a bit better - the gusts have a noticeable softer feel and you don't have a on/off feeling. The Nitro is a very able wave rider, but the C02 is better equipped for the job and just feels like the right tool when it comes to wave riding.
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| Nitro - steady, cruzing fast. | |
The Nitro is designed for big air and it does this very well, but I wouldn't exactly say that the C02 is far behind in the jumping department. If you are into board-offs or tricks where airtime is the most important, the Nitro is your daddy. The design of the Nitro puts it in front of the C02 when it comes to jumping, but this does not mean that the C02 can't match the height in jumps of the Nitro, or that the C02 is a bad jumping kite at all.
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| Carlo - testing in light winds, staying upwind. | |
So Which one should I get?
Both kites are very well refined. Both are suitable for a wide range of riders - the Recon's safety and relaunch capabilities makes both the Nitro and the C02 suitable to beginners, and both kites are suitable for huge airs, wave riding, free styling, wake style kiting, kite loops, free riding and gusty conditions - pretty much anything you can throw at it.
The C02 is good for huge airs. It wave rides, free styles, wake styles, free rides and handles gusty conditions great.
The Nitro is great for huge airs. It wave rides, free styles, wake styles, free rides and handles gusty conditions good.
Conclusion
The 2005 C02 is very different from the 2004 C02 - the change in aspect ratio and addition of the Pro span gives this kite a unique and fresh feeling. The Nitro still flies very similar to the older Nitros.
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| Nitro - very high aspect - thin and wide. | |
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| C02 - higher aspect than 2004 C02. | |
When it comes to the Nitro vs C02, the C02 is the right kite for 90% of conditions and 90% of kiters. iKiteboarding.com favours the C02. Unfortunately the Nitro is still marketed as a competition kite and many beginners and kiters buy the Nitro because it says it is a competition kite in the brochure, or for the extra second that you might or might not score in the air.
For every day conditions - free riding, wave riding, jumping, gusty conditions and even kite loops the C02 is the kite to have. Hands down.