Sizes Available: 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18m
Sizes Tested: 15m
Ozone Says:
Born from the Chrono legacy and packed full of the latest technology, this all-new design takes it to the next level. The Chrono v3 is by far the most universal high level foil kite, you can expect outstanding performance across the board. Our design brief was to enhance every aspect of the V2. To do this we had to take the design to the next level incorporating features and understanding from the highest performance race kite on the planet, the R1 V2. It was a lofty goal but we believe we have made it happen.
It all starts with a totally new plan form, slightly more compact and with wider tips. Less obvious but perhaps the biggest upgrade are the internal diagonal ribs which help to keep the upper surface clean while creating a more solid internal structure. We have included internal straps to link the tension from the diagonals to the lines in order to create a uniform tension across the span. The upper and lower surface tension has been manipulated to reduce its effect on the internal structure resulting in a cohesive, stiffer wing in flight.
We’ve radically improved the overall flying sensation, making the V3 more responsive and reactive giving the rider a more direct feel and confidence. We’ve focused on creating a progressive feeling in the bar throughout the depower throw range, keeping consistent control in light or high winds.
The handling has an impeccably smooth turning motion and the kite has nice drive following through the turn, which means the V3 can easily be looped.
The kite is more reactive due to being a stiffer wing, which means it’s incredibly efficient even in the lightest breeze. With the Chrono V3 upwind riding has become a “no brainer” and this kite will get you out in winds you previously thought were unkiteable. Stability is essential no matter what conditions you’re out in, we’ve made sure the V3 holds its ground and delivers the utmost rock-solid stability.
The Chrono V3’s multi-purpose design means it is perfect for high performance Twin Tip freeriding – launching yourself into big floaty airs or out and out power and speed riding. Hydrofoil riders will instantly notice the improved stability and tacking/gybing potential of the V3, it will lift you for longer making maneuvers smoother and more intuitive.
Snow kiters will notice a significant performance boost of the V3 over its predecessor, ensuring riders have power to carve up the snow and sky in even the lightest breeze. The responsive handling has expanded the realm of possibility for landboarders, giving more control for engaged freestyle maneuvers. The incredible stability of the Chrono V3 gives riders the assurance they need to go for new tricks without hesitation.
The Chrono V3 is designed to deliver, for the competent kiter aspiring to ride an enhanced performance kite, which is powerful yet at the same time forgiving and not demanding. Get ready to experience heightened sensations that will give you the confidence to take your riding skills to a whole new level
For more info visit: https://ozonekites.com/products/water-kites/chrono-v3
TKB Says:
When it comes to light wind one of the most effective approaches to getting out on the water is the foil class of kites and the Chrono is probably one of the first models to open up standard LEI kiters to the advantages of ram air kites. The Chrono features the standard high aspect shape, the self-inflating screens and the complex bridles that tend to send the inexperienced running for the hills (relax it’s not that bad one or two foil sessions and you will have it figured out!) The latest version of the Chrono features the shark tooth ribs along the leading edge all the way to just shy of the wingtips and the deflate flap on the underside. We launched the Chrono late in the day when there was hardly a white cap to be found and it had plenty of power. Launching a foil is counter-intuitive with the use of a brake to oversheet the kite to kill the power while hot launching. Anybody coming from the inflatable world is going to have to make some big adjustments to get used to the performance of a foil kite, but the powerful advantages for the heavier twin tip riders out there is massive. The first thing we always notice is that with our first waterstarts, the power stroke doesn’t create a lot of instantaneous power like our freeride inflatables. Instead the power builds with the speed of the kite and the board’s movement through the water and when the Chrono’s pull kicks in, it almost seems to defy physics. In terms of low-end pull and grunt in light air cruising, you really can’t beat this kite because once you get going it just starts cooking. For the amount of pull the Chrono has, it’s got really light bar pressure which makes light air kiting much easier on your forearms.
In terms of sheeting, we found there’s a lot of action that happens in a very little amount of space on the bar’s throw. The one thing you have to be careful of with these kites is that they don’t have the same progressive sheeting feel as an inflatable, so sheeting in too much may be braking the kite when it would otherwise accelerate, yet it seems like the kite comes rigged with the bar such that it’s really only risking oversheeting in the last inch of the bar when the bar is being sheeted all the way in. Turning speed on these kites is fairly slow it’s the nature of the beast with a big steering arc and steering response that is slow in comparison to an inflatable like the Zephyr. That said, with a bit of practice you can still do some nice jumps with some really impressive hangtime; it just takes a couple passes to figure out the timing for load and pop. The Chrono puts all inflatables to shame in the upwind department and makes staying upwind and returning to your start point quite easy in the lightest of wind. When it comes to relaunch, the kite is designed to keep its shape, but it’s best to avoid putting this kite in the water. When putting the Chrono away there’s a good size zippered opening on the top surface near the center of the trailing edge that releases the air. The 15m size is probably overkill for anyone on a foilboard but if you’re a dedicated twin tip rider wanting to capitalize on light air, this is definitely an excellent choice. For those beginning with foil kites you might consider watching some videos on the concept of using a brake to kill the kite power during launches, take some extra time when setting up the lines and loop someone into helping with your first launches to make sure you use the power of this kite correctly.
The Chrono came with the Foil Contact Water V4 bar which just recently got a massive upgrade in the quick release department. The completely new quick release design features a groundbreaking feature that allows you to reconnect after a release by simply pushing the loop into its recess and it automatically clicks closed. A colossal improvement, its simple and surefire in the way in which this system works. The scenario goes like this: there’s a problem, you push the quick release, the kite depowers, but then you want to reconnect the quick release in the water and resume. Normally this is a 10- finger/two-handed struggle to hold the release open while you stick the loop back into its mechanism and close the gate apparatus to continue. Some models try to keep the release open upon release, but this design doesn’t require you to hold the release open to reconnect the loop into its locked position. The biggest question is whether the mechanism will behave under normal operating conditions and abuse with the usual sandy saltwater wear and tear, but as of our test, we were sufficiently happy with its reliable functionality. The quick release has the standard push away handle, a hand swivel above the release that also doubles as a travel guard and a molded locking finger to prevent accidental unhooking. Beyond the new quick release, the Foil Contact Water V4 is a 4-line fixed length bar (available in 38, 45, 50 and 55cm sizes) that features the standard brake lines and a single center line safety depower with a low V. The center lines end in loops for rigging purposes and the outside lines end in knots. The Contact features above the bar tuning with a cleat and a magnet that keeps the depower strap in place while riding. The bar has a plastic coated/PU throw line with no sliding stopper or adjustable length throw. The padded bar ends are tunable and feature integrated floats and retractable bar bungees and are soft in the event of accidental face contact. This year the bar got a significant color change; there is no longer red on the left side of the bar grip although the leader lines coming out of the floats are color coded for red and blue. Testers gave the new bar solid praise for its comfortable grip that is both wider and ergonomically shaped to fit your hand.
For more info on the bar visit: https://ozonekites.com/products/control-systems/foil-contact-water-v4-control-system
