Photo credit: Kitegarage.de

For a kite that has already been out for a number of years and already been covered by some of the best out there why would I need to add more to what’s already out there ?

Quite simple, I have one, I like it and I want to share it, and there are still some that need to know even more about this kite.

First off the Cosmic, for us State side folks, is not cheap.  Easily going over 4 Benjamins and then the wait for it to come is a very daunting endeavor for those who don’t have the resources to give it a spin before they choose to buy it.

For the $450-ish investment the owner will receive a very, and I mean very well made kite.  Everything is well thought out and consistent, and at the same time keeps the tinkerer happy from totally messing up a great package.  One of the things I have found, though may be totally benign, is the addition of dacron tape on the leading edge where the yo-yo stops are located.  The nose is very well trimmed and there is a lot of attention put in the nose pinch that allows for no snags.  Another interesting and effective bit is Kitehouse’s use of flat fishing weights.  They are very low profile and slide into a pocket at the end of the spine.  No need for any fancy slidy contraption to attach weights, and no having to slide barrels through a velcro tunnel.  Removal is simple with a pull of the attached tampon string out of the gap.

I do have beefs with it though.  If you are not paying attention, the weights can be easily slide into the wrong pocket where it will fall out and then be lost forever.  I personally am a fan of the Blue Moon weight kit because the incremental values and simplicity, and because I don’t have to utilize my upper spreader to shove the weight all the way in to the spine pocket and don’t get much pleasure over pulling the attached tampon string, but…

…Ironically the supplied weight(s) cover most of your needs, so there really isn’t need for weight swapping excessively in attempts to change some flight characteristics, and if you really have to you can easily add a BMK kit to supplement.

The yo yo stops for the first version consist of split coolant hose.  Why they went this direction I really don’t know, but they work, and the more recent incarnations use the R-Sky stops, so who really cares here.  It’s still a well made kite and I’m really not going into the bulk of it for I am very happy with mine.  Windrange is very good on this kite. 3-16 is about right, with the bridle adjust ability remaining effective and allowing for a good day.

The bridle is a standard turbo with a good amount (lots of knots™) of adjustment.  If fooled with enough you can get some redundancy, but there is an aspect of where the bridle really shines.  Though perhaps an obvious statement, for some, the adjustment allows the flier to tune the kite to their input style and conditions, but not lose flight characteristics with tricks.  Everything from pull to input strength is there, and the beautiful cohesion between a tinker here and noticeable result there is neither drastic, nor a time vampire in regards to endless knot sliding, nor are there any huge trade offs.  In my opinion it is very personable and gives the flier a great deal of satisfaction.

First flight was a dream. Since the Cosmic has already been out for a while I already had preconceived notions and they were all realized immediately.  Yes there is a flare to fade dead spot, and yes you can get around it, and no it’s not by changing the bridle.  Axel based spins are the kite’s forte.  Very late 540’s, extremely quick mid window slot machines and give away taz machines were the theme on the first flight.

The Cosmic also has very nice backspins that can get flat and can be reversed with almost no effort.  Lazy susan spins are not as pretty and take more attention in the mutli realm, but you get very good cyniques out of the gate.  Be aware that along with the dead spot, the Cosmic loves to get on its back and stay there.  For me this is the largest detriment to the kite.  Insanes are uneven and take some tweaking and can be missed leading to a very frightening Klingon Death Spin™ and “Oh god it’s only a 6mm LE!” moment.

Back on praises it has a very quick and clean rollup with wobble free wrapped flight and a very accessible yo fade which will catch you off guard while the first flier is mucking about the dead spot.  The nose forward stuff like the crazy copter is easy in less than 10mph, and remains accessible, and most importantly worth it, up to 12mph.  The comet is very clean without any rolliness unless told to.  Jacobs ladders are easily accessible after a few minutes.

Precision flying is interesting with this kite.  There is good feedback and with some adjustment to the lower outhaul can allow one to tune their kite with their arm movements.  Though at first it feels snappy and nimble I have found that it’s not as “point and squirt” as the benchmark.  It has a spring in its step, but sometimes there’s an “I don’t wanna” response when asked to lock into the line.  The Cosmic also does not benefit much from leech line loosening.  In fact with the leech line undone I swear the sail was screaming during comets in higher wind.  It really just felt loose like instead of deflating the tires for traction I more like loosened up the lugnuts.  In time I was cutting figures to my hearts content.

All in all the trade-offs are far outweighed, and the Cosmic will provide a very refreshing experience.  I intentionally kept specific references to a minimum, but the Cosmic is truly a change of pace that will not disappoint and has been the answer for those who want something different on the comp and freestyle disciplines.

-Britt