After the 15th session with my new 555 12m. I also have a 14m 555 but only used that once. Getting to understand the kite well now. (read one of the users reviews, thx 2 Stephen Crossman)
Nobile 555 KITE
Very good flying characteristics, I have made all sorts of errors while trying to learn new stuff and it hasn’t spanked me (yet). It sits there patiently waiting for me to sort myself out and get going again. Turns fast so that I can do my stuff on the waves, but not so fast it’s twitchy. Even turns fairly well when not much line tension! Decently powerful for a 12, with plenty of depower available. Jumps well with good hangtime. Naff writing on the wingtips (SLE versatility etc). Mine is the black wings with red star, looks very good
Bit early to comment on build quality.
BAR Nobile 555 Kite
After talking to Mark and reading the website I was expecting a really good bar, I must say I’m underwhelmed. It’s not bad but it could be so much better. (Reminds me of a 5 year old Naish bar). The fulcrum system QR releases fine but impossible to put back together with one hand as claimed on the website. Very difficult with two hands and a flapping kite, one of the “lips” of the chicken loop end always wants to ride out over the red sliding sheath.
Silly little thing, but intensely irritating, is that the elastic line retainers on the bars ends don’t retain. That’s because they sit proud and don’t touch the lines, which then work their way out from underneath. The “Oh shit” handles are great, BUT rip off the velcro when used. The mini 5th line of the Nobile 555 doesn’t go to one front line when the QR is released, as claimed on the website, but goes to both. That’s not really a problem, but please get the web info right! The finger indents on the bar are good, easy to tell which way round the bar is even if you can’t see it. The grip is also good.
Nobile 555 BAG
At last! A decent bag! Big enough to take every thing, easy to carry.
CONCLUSIONS
The kite is certainly the finished article, but the bar isn’t. I shall be really peeved if a revised bar comes out now I have bought two of them. The kite qualities out shine the bar complaints. I share gear with my daughter, she wants a 10m so we will probably go for another Nobile 555.