Class: All-Rounder
Cost: £120
Reviewer: Jimothy
First Impressions:
Having heard nothing but good things about this kite, and needing something to practise on that was more forgiving than a Gemini. I awaited delivery of my E2 with baited breath.
When it arrived I was very impressed by the build quality and packaging ? it seemed like a very nicely put together package, and the inclusion of lines and straps (but why aren't the lines sleeved?), ball and float windmeter and instructional DVD added to the satisfying glow of new ownership.
The kite also seems to have bee designed with simplicity in mind, with just one (adjustable) standoff and one wingtip stretcher at each side, and a nice clean 'reverse turbo' bridle.
The DVD went straight into my computer and I sat mesmerised as Mark Reed went through everything from the basics to combinations like the Jacob?s Ladder and Full Monty. The only downsides to the DVD are that the footage has obviously been shot on quite a poor quality digital camera, meaning that it looks grainy when displayed at full screen size, and the truly awful background music (this is almost embarrassing at times).
Build quality/durability:
Having flown this kite quite hard in the first few days, I can say that the sail is very well put together rand well, as is the rest of the kite.
Notable problems are that the standoff-to-spreader fittings are like small leading edge connectors (rather than the more usual spar-grabber type). This may not in itself be a problem, but the fact is that the standoffs are much narrower than the fittings, meaning that they are stretched by the force of the standoffs pushing against one side, and this causes the standoffs to pop out in clumsy landings (I never crash).
Another questionable choice made by prism is to join the upper and lower leading edge with an internal ferrule (ie. a thinner carbon rod that fits inside the spars) rather than a metal external ferrule. Try this: go to the North Pole and build an igloo. Jump up and down on the top (the igloo stands unmoved). Now go inside and push outwards (the igloo falls down around your ears). The designer have obviously failed to realise that whilst circular shapes are incredibly strong against pressure from the outside (which pushes them together) they are relative weak against pressure from within (which forces them apart. This is exactly what happens to the lower leading edges if you put too much pressure on the wingtips, as the inner rod pushes it's way out through the wall of the outer spar. (It should be mentioned her that the Hotrod spars used in the E2 cost $12 plus $11 p&p to the UK if bought direct from Prism, and I've been unable to find any other stockist.)
Flight Characteristics:
The kite is fairly stable in a straight line, and turns quickly with little oversteer as long as you set it up for the right wind conditions. It side slides nicely and holds stalls well.
In terms of tricks I find it copes well with most of the basics, like axels, 540s and flic-flacs. It's incredibly stable on it's back, though it prefers the fade position to the turtle. Cascades are possible, but never look as seamless as they do on say, the Gemini (the E2 being slightly more picky about what positions you can axel it from). Kickturns (half axels) are very clean and snappy, and the lazy susans are both are easier and faster than with the Gemini.
Summary:
Overall, the kite is good for a first or second time buyer, with easy control and plenty of room to grow into it, though arguably there are other kites out there that do as much for a bit less money. Also, bear in mind that with those easily breakable leading edges that you'll worry every time you take it out in more than a light breeze.
Skill range: Beginner-Intermediate
Build quality/Package: 4
Durability : 3
Precision: 3
Tricks: 4
Axels: 4
Fades:5
Spins: 3
I'm sure it'll have a few more by the time I get round to flying it properly 
