The HiFi comp was introduced to me during an epic 7m session on my Fuel last year.
I was so keen to hang on to my beloved fuel and not try the hifi comp that I lied to the poor sod and told him “that I’ve crashed every kite I’ve ever borrowed”. He still insisted I tried it, so reluctantly handed over my 7m fuel and hooked in to this 9m HIFI Comp, which had a mighty impressive shape, and although first I was unwilling to let go of my Fuel, I had been hankering for a go for quite some time.
Now as you can imagine I was quite powered on this baby, being already powered on my Fuel 7m. It noticed it was instantly less responsive than my fuel. Not a slower turning speed, but slower to react. Bar feedback is light for a C kite, but still has a lovely reassuring feedback. Every time you see the wingtips judder in the gusts, you can feel it run down the lines and into your finger tips... A well tuned kite! Anyway, powered up, I was working up to a kicker in the distance. A sent it hard, back to 1 o clock and wow, I don’t think I’ve ever gone as high in my life from a jump. The lift this thing has is quite astonishing, and quite surprising from a company who is so focused on wake style riding. The Leading edge is very small, so it generates a hell of a lot of power from the speed it generates. Its one thing I’ve never understood really. You would think a kite that has such a focus on Wake would have a big fat leading edge for park and pop kiting.
After establishing the HI FI comp has the most powerful “sent power” I have ever experienced I was keen to know more. Comparing to my fuel, I found the kite needed a lot more input through the bar. It needed to be worked to generate board speed, which is not surprising given the shape and size of the leading edge. Pop is might. At one point I was actually a little cautious of loading up and releasing because there was just such an explosion of power from the kite. It wants to deliver all the power at once, where a Fuels power delivery is slower and smoother, releasing energy over a longer period of time. It very power hungry the windier it is the more the kite comes alive and the bigger the smile on your face. It reminds me a little of the 2007/08 Fuels.
Kite looping is very easy and predictable. It’s very fast on the loop, particularly the 7, and although it doesn’t loop with the same power delivery as a Fuel, it certainly gets you out of trouble thanks to its speed and 22m lines as standard.
Steering and controlling the kite is unique, and in size 9m and upwards the kite has a slight delay upon bar input, and presume this is the wake style LF DNA coming out. When you park it you want little movements not to affect the kite. Minimal twitchiness, and that’s exactly how the HIFI comp feels.
The HI FI comp relies on a precisely adjusted 5th line. This is mainly because the leading edge is so narrow, it needs that support to maintain its aggressive C Shape
The Bars have had ups and downs on the LF kites in the past. Last year’s bar didn’t have a very reliable chicken loop. However, for this year, Liquid Force really pulled their finger out on bar design. It comes with a very clever “push away” chicken loop, 5th line system and high depower which really works well. Although I would say the bar might like the refinement on a North 5th element, it does all the jobs you want it to. Simple and effective. Taking all types of riders in mind. Plus there is no Y bridle which is a plus for me.
Although this kite really is centered on high performance freestyle riding, it is a truly epic free ride kite. Relaunch is good although requires a little more input then a Vegas because it has a smaller leading edge.
Although in many ways it’s very similar to a Vegas (hi depower, huge boost, 5th line practical c kite) the Vegas feels rock solid, no matter the gusts, it feels precise, reliable and comfortable. The HIFI comp is a bit more of an animal. A kite tuned on performance to within an inch of its life. It always feels like it wants to go. When gusts come it’s bouncing around above your head, encouraging you to give it some input. I suppose your really comparing a performance kite (the Vegas) and a higher performance kite (the hifi comp).
Both kites are worlds apart from a Fuel, both will satisfy the majority of free-riders very well and to make a decision between them both is very difficult.
I would say a Vegas will do a better job on all aspects of kiting, whether it's ripping on waves, or providing an introduction to freestyle kite boarding, yet performs very well in freestyle. The HIFI comp is more focused on two jobs. That’s freestyle and free ride, both of which it delivers with firm hand squeezing your adrenal gland! Huge excitement and performance, Large wind range and easy enough for most (non beginner riders to use)
