Nobile NHP 2010 (10m) review
Tested on 3 occasions, winds ranging from 6 to 30mph
The NHP is a C shaped SLE with swept wing tips, small diameter leading edge and five thin struts. It comes with a very nice one pump inflation system which gets you out on the water very quickly, and features good reinforcements on the leading and trailing edges leaving the rest of the canopy in lightweight material.
In the Air the NHP is very nimble and accurate to control. The canopy seems very efficient and the kite generates a surprising amount of power when worked through the window in even the lightest of winds. Steering is medium-fast and direct with pretty light bar pressure. There is a secondary rear line attachment point which seems to increase bar pressure and decrease turning responsiveness slightly. The kite generates a good solid pull straight through the harness and seems to iron out variations in windspeed very well. Upwind performance and relaunch are surprisingly good – at times I found that the kite relaunched itself with no input from me whatsoever!
The NHP generates a nice surge of power when you load and pop, which whips you up into the air, leaving the bar nice and light on the hands. When the kite is powered it loops strongly without flutter – the force of which may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone used to a bow!
The top end of the kite was surprisingly good, when tested in light winds it doesn’t seem to depower much on sheeting, but when it’s blowing strong I was impressed with the usable range.
The Nobile bar, moulded chicken loop and fulcrum quick release all do their job very well. The moulded chicken loop has a clever shape which seems to lock in well to the harness hook in most circumstances, and is quick and easy to hook into and out of.
The NHP is a kite which advanced riders will appreciate, constant power, direct steering and good wakestyle / kiteloop characteristics. Intermediates or below are unlikely to fully appreciate its qualities unless they really know what they’re looking for, but its a kite which any competent rider could have a lot of fun on!
The NHP is a C shaped SLE with swept wing tips, small diameter leading edge and five thin struts. It comes with a very nice one pump inflation system which gets you out on the water very quickly, and features good reinforcements on the leading and trailing edges leaving the rest of the canopy in lightweight material.
In the Air the NHP is very nimble and accurate to control. The canopy seems very efficient and the kite generates a surprising amount of power when worked through the window in even the lightest of winds. Steering is medium-fast and direct with pretty light bar pressure. There is a secondary rear line attachment point which seems to increase bar pressure and decrease turning responsiveness slightly. The kite generates a good solid pull straight through the harness and seems to iron out variations in windspeed very well. Upwind performance and relaunch are surprisingly good – at times I found that the kite relaunched itself with no input from me whatsoever!
The NHP generates a nice surge of power when you load and pop, which whips you up into the air, leaving the bar nice and light on the hands. When the kite is powered it loops strongly without flutter – the force of which may come as a bit of a surprise to anyone used to a bow!
The top end of the kite was surprisingly good, when tested in light winds it doesn’t seem to depower much on sheeting, but when it’s blowing strong I was impressed with the usable range.
The Nobile bar, moulded chicken loop and fulcrum quick release all do their job very well. The moulded chicken loop has a clever shape which seems to lock in well to the harness hook in most circumstances, and is quick and easy to hook into and out of.
The NHP is a kite which advanced riders will appreciate, constant power, direct steering and good wakestyle / kiteloop characteristics. Intermediates or below are unlikely to fully appreciate its qualities unless they really know what they’re looking for, but its a kite which any competent rider could have a lot of fun on!
Review Summary
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Kite Style
Struts Inflation Front connection Rear connection Tuning options Depower Safety Low End High End Bar Pressure Turning Unhooked Upwind Hang time Relaunch |
C Shaped SLE / Swept tips
5 One pump Basic SLE with a single pulley Direct 2 options for rear line connection Pull/Pull webbing strap Mini 'fifth' line to single front line Very Good Good Light Fast Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good |
