Switch from Method2 to Element3

http://switchkites.com/headquarters/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2881

by effisk » 

Hi all,

I've been the happy owner of the Method2 kite for almost two years now, in 9 and 

6 sizes. I loved these kites so much, I was very reluctant to change for another 

model. They were excellent in many ways. Very good low-end, excellent upwind 

ability, good drift, etc. After two years of intensive use, it was time to get new kites.
I was waiting for the announcement of the Method3 to change my quiver. You can
imagine my disappointment when I heard the model was discontinued.

My options were to either buy a new set of Method2 or get a set of Element3 kites. 

I was budget-driven when I first bought Switch kites, and it is still the case today. I 

could not find any other brand in the same price range that I would trust in terms 

of quality and durability. I read a lot about the Element3 online to make sure that it

was the kite for me, but I wasn't really convinced. I was reluctant to change. Why 

change something that works for me? How could an "all-terrain" kite be as good as 

the Method2 at waveriding? I thought this was just some marketing bs to have one 

less kite in the range, to save on R&D, because the Method was probably the kite 

that did not sell as much as the other models, because of its niche market, and what

not. The fact that there was no Element3 in size 6 was also bothering me. I like 

traveling light, with just a couple of kites. The Methods 9 and 6 were just perfect for 

that. I spoke with Felix who eventually decided me on the Element3.

So here I was with the new and crispy Elements in the boot of my car... It took me 

almost a month to get them out. I mainly kite on a spot where the kite choice is a 

commitment. You have to walk more than half a kilometer upwind in 30 gusty knots 

with sand in your face if you want to change kites, and once you've arrived there is 

no one to help you land your kite. I thought the Element3 would not handle the gusts 

as well as the Method2, I thought the high end of the Element 7 would not be as 

good as the Method 6, I had tons of excuses to keep flying the kites I loved.

Yesterday, I finally took the Element out of the car. The wind was full offshore, 30 

knots, gusty, 1 to 1.5m waves.

After a few minutes on the water, I found the kite very easy to getting used to. The 

depower was excellent, it held the gusts like a charm (that was one of my major 

concerns), and after a couple of hours it was just like I had been flying that kite 

forever. It was predictable. And it made the flaws of the Method2 blatant. Most 

kitesurfers who tried my Methods told me the kite was too different from what they 

were used to, which was often what put them off. This is not the case with the 

Element. The kite is predictable. I love my Methods because after two years of use I 

know them very well. I feel that I won't need long to take full advantage of what the 

Element3 has to offer. I also found that it is a better kite for strapless freestyling 

than the Method. This is where the "all-terrain" part comes in handy.

One session does not allow you to fully assess all features of the kite, but it is 

definitely enough to make me pick the Element first next time I'm going kitesurfing! 

Switch has a new Element3 convert.

Thanks for reading my lenghty message, here's a pic from yesterday for your patience:

TL;DR: if you're riding with the Method2, do switch for the Element3. You won't be 

disappointed.