Reviews Discussion

I have had my 5m Ozone Flow about a month now and have flown it about 5 or 6 times, so here are my impressions –

I had it delivered to work, so spent some time in the office rummaging through the bag, instructions and warranty form, stickers, key ring (bottle opener) now on keys, handles with strop and kite killers attached and the lines on a winder. Very impressed with the colour of the kite – I have a thing about red. Put it back in the bag, got it out again had a feel and a smell, put it away again – can I go home yet?

The first week after it was delivered it rained and rained, most West Aussies were happy, as it was the end of a very dry spell, but me I moped around and looked longingly at my red Ozone rucksack in the corner of the bedroom.

I did manage to get outside in between rain and attach the lines and handles and packed it away ready to fly as soon as conditions were right.

I had an Ozone Samurai in a previous life and like the Sammi I was very impressed with the Flow, from the little Velcro tabs to secure the bridal when packing away, the Velcro sand outs at the tips, and the mesh covered air intakes and not a stray or loose thread anywhere. The handles and kite killers were as I remembered them, comfy and familiar.

Packing the kite was a doddle, I like to para-pack – have spent many an hour watching my wife untangle the twists and tangles in the lines and bridle when I have wound the lines! This way I just stake the brake lines walk down wind with the lines trailing out the bag, unpack the kite and I am ready to fly. The bag is plenty big enough and holds everything I needed from keys, phone drinks and chocolate.

First flight – took it to the footie oval a minutes walk from home, not the ideal location as lots of trees surrounding the area, but had to grab the opportunity in between showers. The wind was pretty light so thought I would give it a go. As you have probably guessed not the best first flight but still left me wanting more. The wind was pretty gusty over/through the trees so the kite would go from powered-up to gently drifting to the ground and the wind direction was also un-predictable. But when it did power-up, out came the grin, and it did exactly as is says on the tin – smooth and predictable, definitely need more.

Then from nowhere somebody turned on the tap and it was like standing under a shower! Packed up as best I could and ran home – then laid the kite over the car in the garage to dry it out!

The next few opportunities I got to fly I took it to Lake Walyungup (part of Rockingham Lakes regional parks), which is a salt lake, big open space and nice clean winds. Slight problem with my original stake as it wouldn’t hold in the ground – but was soon resolved with a corkscrew style stake with a carabineer.

Quick to un-pack, and sat ready to fly fully inflated, slightly bouncing on the brake lines. I new this was going to better. Kite killers on, let off the brakes and woohoo, started to put it through some figure eights gradually going wider across the wind window. Adding some brake into the turns, and keeping it in the power-zone.

This kites power delivery is smooth, I could predict where/when the power was going to kick in – and it is quick but doesn’t snatch; it just accelerates quickly through the zone and pulls hard. With the brake I could turn it practically in its own length and it held its shape and control at the edge of the window and it was a big window. Pump it across and then up and it does develop some lift, again no nasty surprises, so started to do some small jumps.

Started to get a sweat on and beginning to hurt, so applied the brakes and put it down where I wanted and again it just sat there primed, gently bobbing wanting to go again – it is a nice looking kite. I remember the Samurai whistling more as it flew, the Flow is quieter – but I know Ozone have reduced the bridle size and have put in internal cross bracing to help maintain the shape.

The more I have flown this kite the more I love it and push it; I have taken it out in increasingly strong winds and enjoyed every minute. That smooth (but quick) acceleration and power delivery never fails to thrill and increases the grin factor and that degree of predictability enhances the experience, rather than scares like some kites can.

But it can bite – last time I was out, having a great session, getting pulled around, trying some jumps and continuing to push it harder. I got hit by a couple of stronger gusts and it did snatch the kite from me – thankfully I have stuck with the kite killers, so the kite landed safely. Great opportunity to attempt my reverse launch though, and it is easily turned over and re-launched.

The control is impressive, I can place the kite exactly where I want it, maybe centimetres off the ground, turning hard and fast or powering up through the window and you have that sense of where it is and what it is doing without having to watch it all the time – kite proprioception! Would love to try it with a buggy, but that will have to wait!

I would definitely recommend this kite, smooth and predictable doesn’t mean boring, it means you don’t have to change your undies after flying it! It is quick, powerful and controllable and allows you to keep pushing the kite and your limits. Ozone’s exceptional build quality and value make the 5m Flow a great kite. I wanted a kite that would keep pushing me, my limits and I could continue to have fun with, not something that was going to scare the crap out of me then beat me to a pulp – the Flow ticks all those boxes.

Have had a Flow 3m for 18months now - I fly it weekly, and agree with above review completely.
Doesn't create a lot of lift, but then its billed as a low lift kite. Power is v predictable and evenly distributed through the window, and the kite is superstable at the edges. In a steady breeze it will sit happily 1m from the ground at almost 90degrees, a quick tug on the brakes and its headed back into the window.
I've only bowtied it once, in a park with heaps of rotor on a very gusty day.
It has some limitations, as a traction kite the 3 start to work about 20kn, which is likely due to its AR that gives it all the other characteristics. So its not high power. It also tends to overfly the zenith, then luff into the power window, so you need to keep an eye on it up top.
Otherwise, the feel of the kite is very very direct, no surprises, turns easily and quickly on a wingtip such that you can ladder it up the window.
Build quality is exceptional. I got this kite ex-demo (pretty scruffed up...), and its had a bunch of abuse since then at my hands and every other first time flyer I've ever convinced to have a go. Stitching is still solid, internal baffles still good, and apart from scuff marks its doing great.
Very nice colours as well, its not a new kite but still looks sweet in the air.
Size wise - as a rec kite the 3m is fun for a guy without getting scary, but my gf is 50kg and finds it a bit intimidating. If you want an excellent, stable low lift beginner's kite, get a Flow. I'd recommend a 2m for the kitbag if you want to introduce friends to flying.

I have now been using the 5m Flow for just over three months as a buggy engine. 

I have gone from a complete newb in the buggy to pretty competent and all with 1 kite, the flow. I have taken it out in all variety of conditions from practically no wind to flying completely over-powered - it has taken me to nearly 60kph.

Flying the flow is completely instinctive now, I know where the kite is and when and how it is going to handle the wind and power. The kite absorbs gusts and accelerates smoothly always leaving me with a big grin on my face! 

The Ozone build quality is brilliant, the kite has really been tested as I have learnt to buggy, it has had its fair share of stacks and scrapes. The handles have been great and the kite killers essential.

And yes it is 5m and it is red!

Good to hear you have had so much success from just one kite I am guessing you will crack the 60Kmh soon.

I have the 3m Flow on the turbo bar and a 4m on handles and have been especially impressed with the 4metres stability for inland gusty wind and predictability. The build quality is definitely better than other brands i have owned.