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I agree that there isn’t any proven performance superiority. Icarex has a long proven track record, though, and some people will be willing to pay for a known quantity. Others are cost sensitive and may well be getting the better deal. Given the small size of the sport kite market, it could be a couple more years before there is enough track record to say one way or the other. The only kite in my collection that might be PC21/PC20 (I’ve seen it called both) is the Sky Sport ATM. Honestly I don’t know, but it’s never worried me. It performs well and there aren’t any unexpected wear issues. The funny thing is, Icarex was short lived in the sailing market it was made for. Icarex spinnakers were known to fail unexpectedly and catastrophically. Boat owners didn’t care for that. It makes a nice kite, though. 😉 I’d be willing to bet there are other spinnaker fabrics being made that are as good or better for kites than Icarex, but that name sells.

In my quest for my first quad I have gotten great advice from riffclown, bunduki and of course John via PM. One question John encouraged me to post is what the difference between the two Freilein quads is when they look identical to me when I compare pictures online. I know the Exodus can be had vented, but the full sail versions of these kites look identical. What are the actual differences between them?

Thanks for all of the input, I have decided to get a Vertigo Max.

I think I settled on a package to make sure I am in this for more than just a thought. THe EXP for 185 RTF is tempting. Comes in under $200 RTF to my house. But I settled for a Freilein Vertigo for 199 with Freilein handles for 49 and LPG 90#x80' lines for 71. All of it together for 320 to my house. Still wondering if I should have gone with the EXP first, but ohh well .... I had really great advice from all of you, especially riffclown and John and I am very grateful for your guidance!! That's also why I renewed my subscription here too to put back in. If I get the hang of it and stick with it, I will go with a Djinn MV as my next one.

Will also add that this discussion has been going on in a few circles for about four years now so the lighter fabric is proven at least to some point. I've heard far more about Green Trimmed Rods breaking than Vertigos failing in that time frame. I can't recall but two instances of a vertigo failing and both were a rod break, not a fabric fail. If you are looking for lower bottom end and you want to stay with the 1.5 size then a Vertigo or even a Printed one piece sail would be the way to go. Icarex is not cheap (i buy quite a bit of it) but is also better accepted and IMO has a more define supply chain to the US for those of us that make our kites. As far as the Freilein Brand goes, If Price is the major issue then a pair of Vertigos would be the simple path. (A full sail and a Max) If venting options are the focus, then the Exodus would be the better offering from Freilein. You can't go wrong with the KiteForge Djinn which seems to be at the apex of innovation right now but that price point is a bit steep for many. Revolution is the way to go if you like Springs and just want that brand. but most seasons fliers will tell you to look for used and avoid the green trimmed rods. Revpolo and Phoenix as well as the numerous boutique makers are all pretty solid choices as well. Initially get what works for you and decide from there. As long as you have good quality lines and handles, what's on the lines 35-120 ft away becomes less of an issue for the casual or new flier. Once you progress in skills, the decisions become easier for you but they become much more personal. You won't ask the same question because you will already know most of what you seek. We don't mind the question at all because we welcome new entries into the quad flying world. Just know the more you experience them more you will know what you want to look for next. Bottom line is there's no wrong answer or right answer. it's really what works for you and fits your pocketbook and preferences. Best advice is to start used and something with some resilience to learn on.

Icarex is a name brand for PC31 fabric.. Vertigo is a lighter fabric PC21 and the fear when the Vertigo was first released was the durability of the fabric itself. FWIW, Icarex is also a Chinese fabric. The difference here is the weight of the fabric and expected durability.. Having owned several Vertigos and a few Exodus kites, I have no personal complaints with the durability of either. I will note that the Vertigos have do a tendency to mar at the crease marks and that has been since the kites were new but I have yet to have a run, tear or fabric failure in either model. (I throw launch a stack of Vertigos so I'm not easy on them by any stretch of the imagination) A couple or relevant threads https://kitelife.com/forum/topic/7389-4-lines-your-choices/

Get the red one.

Do this badly without help. Send us proof. Get a trophy for coming in last.