Kites from NOBILE - the 666 NHP series - designed by Shinn

[Mike B]

This 666 or NHP as it is also known is the other half of the Nobile kite range to the 4 line 555.

With the NHP project Mark went after the C kite feel, yet did not want to loose the bow range and depower, something he thought the market had not managed to achieve as of yet. The freestyle guys won’t leave the really good C kites (lets face it the handling of some of the industry leading c’s is excellent), yet the hybrid riders won’t leave their kites as life without hybrid range is too much, so the two sets of riders sit on either side of the fence. This was his goal; to build the best freestyle c kite, yet retain extra power and depower levels as close as possible to the 4 line kites.

The 5 line NHP was the first prototype I flew from Mark that instantly blew my socks off. I used it in some pretty hairy conditions, and it was so well behaved, even after I provoked it into things I knew it would not like, it just didn’t bite at all. Once fully powered and poked with a stick however it really did. To say that it had more performance than I expected would be a severe understatement. It was a kite that really got my attention and respect from the moment I first gave it some welly.

I’m not one of the worlds best unhooked freestyler, but Mark is and so is his team; they told me in exactling detail what makes a good freestyle kite and why this is better. From an oldschool perspective this kite had huge lift and really good handling. What is even more surprising is that Mark tells me he rates and even prefers the 555 4 line kite from time to time, and although I can’t confirm this as I have not tried it I’m looking forward to, for he says it jumps even higher.



The naming of the kite "666 NHP" refers to those riders who like the 666 boards. It's fair to say that if you use the full capability of a 666 on a regular basis the NHP will not dissapoint.

Please have alook on the Nobile website for more info, for it explains in far better detail and with a lot more graphical information;

http://www.nobilekiteboarding.com

I have also posted another entry about the kite development in general, for it is important to understand what Mark has been doing for the last 2 years, and that the Nobile kite program is not just a money making marketing exercise on the back of a successful board brand;

http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=22050

Here is some of the official NOBILE text;

Who is it for?
Unhooked riding, new or old school freestyle and riders that still like the classic C shape feeling but want real levels of de-power. If you still yearn for the feeling of a classic C, but value the benefits the flatter kites have to offer, you will feel instantly at home on the NHP kite.

Why did we make it?
We started with a concept, why can’t we have a kite that features all the good parts of a C shape ;fast, direct and axial turning with positive, but not hard bar pressure, great unhooked performance and fantastic lift, yet still exhibiting the benefits of a flatter kite with massive de-power, great ease of use and gust proof power delivery? With this goal in mind the NHP (Nobile High Performance) 666 was born.

How did we do it?
Even from a distance you can see this kite is different, 5 line performance is enhanced with multiple leading edge attachments and our Natural arc technology. The split lead line attachments allow the centre of effort of the kite to move forwards when de-powering offering near bow levels of de-power. However, by keeping the no pulley, direct rear line attachments the bar pressure is not only light, but incredibly responsive with constant feedback. If you still yearn for the feeling of a classic C, but value the benefits the flatter kites have to offer, you will feel instantly at home on the NHP. By designing every size individually, adjusting the attachment points and arc geometry for each size we created a constant feel across the range not often found in other brand ranges.

Key points
- Fast, direct bar feel
- Massive de-power range
- Axial turning for better kite looping and freestyle performance
- Hybrid levels of stability and ease of use
- 5th line security and re-launch assistance
- Natural Arc shaping with enhanced 5th line configuration
- FULCRUM Quick release
- SMART pump inflation
- 20m+5m line configuration

As a side note, check out the small v shaped mini bridle on the LE, and the other remarkable thing about these kites is how quick they turn (axial) for such small wingtips. Also have a good read of the text regarding Natural Arc shaping; it's something I had noticed but never realised the significance of until now... it makes total sense. Lastly the smart inflation system. Ever had a onepump system fail for any reason..? while on holiday?

The first sample kites are due in mid January, going to dealers and magazines for demo use, with the main stock arriving in mid Febuary we hope. Prices have not been set yet, but they are unlikely to be super cheap, yet they will not be ridiculously expensive either.

We will make our mind up after we have tried them, but with a reputation like Mark’s I strongly recommend you try one of these if you are after a high end freestyle kite with more practicality, or your hybrid kites are starting to bore you. The one I tried was quite something.

[Mike B]

As an update to this, I rode the 10m NHP in 10-30kt at my local beach on Sunday.

It's becoming more obvious to me, especially after talking to Shinn about them, that these kites have fantastic performance in the upper windstrengths. Their sweet spot is definately shifted towards the higher windranges, maintaining a great deal of usability when you have significant depower engaged. They never feel slack on the back lines and unresponsive, youi don't really notice you are using depower to be honest.....
They are hugely stable and very trusting. Infact the windier it gets the happier they are.

The same was true of the guy on Kiteboarder who started the 555 thread.

As to their lightwind performance, I have not tried larger than a 10m so far, and the kites don't look massive, so at 80kg I will have to see. For windy performance these things are very, very good.

[www.airforce.uk.com]

Where do I start? I had on ainsdale beach today 25/30 mph wsw wind ,sunshine , a nobile 10m 555 sle, a nobile 10m 666 nhp,a 10m 08 airush vapor and a 10m 07 vapor. i flew them all back to back during the course of the day for about an hour and a half each......I’m f****n knackered!!! This is a nobile thread so I will stick with these two kites...two very different kites! Nobile 666 nhp believe the nobile hype.. This is the modern "c" shape kite , before every body jumps all over me and says it’s a bow /sle/ hybrid. I will say it again this is a modern "c" shape. Handling on this kite is precisice and direct, no vague steering. Pull the bar and it reacts rapidly no lag ,not fast, just instant and positive. Stop pulling and the kite stops where you put it no drifting about. Turning the 666,it develops power through the turn... ,you can feel it building and building as it picks up speed, almost explosive but it never explodes!!! Just pure power but in a very controlled manner. The canopy on the kite is so tight even when depowered... no ripples. The thing is solid, stable, it inspires confidence in the rider as it just holds its calm composer as it waits for it's next command. Unhooking it does nothing to break it’s stability. No tendency to fly backwards or stall ...even when I deliberately over sheeted it. Relaunch was good but nothing special (unlike the 555). Jumping it just rips you off the water nothing graceful .. just powerful and high... but the 555 seems to have more hang time.
The 666 will suit riders who like modern c shape kites but have come out of the dark ages and are looking for excellent manners and increased wind ranges for there kites also maybe for the new 15/16 year old rippers who are coming onto the competition scene. The 555 is a completely different animal… responsive handling with a real easy going attitude, the 555 just adapts to the input and conditions. Really versatile. It just sits back on the waves waiting for you to catch up, turn it towards the flat water and send it … good forward speed coupled with rapid acceleration effortlessly launches you upwards and upwards gliding back to the water miles down wind …Para glider style!!! Bar pressure is fairly light but still positive… bridle kites like the 555 sometime lose there feeling and either become heavy or vague!!! Wind range of the 555 is unbelievable as is the gust eating ability, this kite was designed for our weather systems!!!Drop it and by the time you get your act together it’s sat on it’s wing tip waiting to relaunch if it has not already!!! (This sounds like the mags now and I hate this statement….. This kite will suit a variety of riders in a variety of conditions .…….) Excellent all-round kite that anybody can use but with performance to match other manufacturers pro models!! If not exceeding them. I think these two kites will suit the traveller very well . Both kites come in almost” hand luggage” size bags. Depower rope is on long length of rope which can be changed easily bought from any chandlers .although one pump, the “one pump” is slightly different in that it’s ,it,s own little system and not a special bladder , the kite will accept other bladders from other manufacturers handy if you get a blow out when on holiday, ……..knackered going to bed now

[elgordo]

Used the 555 yesterday and agree with scotty's comments (although I am a nobile dealer) best thing,as always,is try one yourself.I have a 10m one for demo at Ainsdale.
Chris
http://www.westcoastkiteboarding.co.uk
email - info@westcoastkiteboarding.co.uk
mobile- 07913017925

[Alex@Hangtime]

Mike i know this is a kite thread but as Scotty nicked off with the kites i thought i'd chuck in my two penneth worth on the boards, although these have been heavily reviewed i thought it might be cool to put a bit in from a pretty average riders view point instead of a handle pass / mega loop hero's review so here goes.......

Just had a low wind ish session on the Nobile boards that Mike B left with me after the demo weekend (thanks Mike).

I haven’t sold any Nobile boards yet, not because I can’t or won't just because we’re a small shop and we can’t afford to stock loads of brands. Also I don’t like advising my customers if I haven’t tried something myself and until today I hadn’t had the chance.

Please bear in mind the following as you read this;

1. I’m an average rider weighing in at a rather too hefty 13 & ½ stone
2. I don’t boost big and do mega loop’s (I’m soooo not good enough)
3. I sell kites & boards (including Airush and Nobile) so this might be construed as biased

So here, (for what it’s worth) is what I thought about the Nobile 555 board and Nobile skimboard

Wind was gusting 16 – 20mph and I was riding the 10.5 Naish Cult so was fairly low on power. I started riding on the Naish Door / HUGE Haze just to see if there was enough to get up and going. This thread ain’t about that though but I guess it’s a good bench mark to start with.

First up the Skim! What a giggle, I’m sure loads of people have reviewed or even tried this but if you haven’t you’ve got to!

I know Hoggy has written some lovely stuff on the art of skimboarding and I always thought it was for advanced riders BUT not so, if I can do it anyone can.

Strapless seems daunting at first especially if you haven’t tried it before but it’s easy. The Nobile’s small size is perfect for balancing against the pull of the kite for those first starts. The board tracks really well in a straight line and edges hard once the power comes in (even on a light wind day). With ample planeing surface it’s a great way to stay upwind of the crowd.

I chucked the board at 12 year old Luke who ripped on it immediately, so this is a great introduction to strapless riding! Build quality is excellent and the deck pads are Uber Comfy AND offer superb grip.

Next onto the 555, this board is lovely, fast and tracks up wind real nice. For me slightly over finned as I really like very skatey boards BUT this is a really good all rounder, if you can only afford one board you could do no wrong with this.

The board rides really nicely and has enough flex to soak up the chop and keep you’re face fairly dry. This board was the 135 and was great even in the underpowered conditions, Footsraps / pads were lovely and comfy and I could have ridden the board for hours but unfortunately had to go to work again. I’d love to try the board in loads of wind so that I can try out the load / pop aspects but Allah didn’t oblige today so boosting was out the window unfortunately, (maybe I just need to lose some weight).

Mike hasn’t asked for the boards back yet so if you want to try give me a bell on 01253 870 000 or drop into the shop.

Mike also left the Shinn Pro and the 666 but unfortunately I haven’t had the pleasure yet! Perhaps Mike will leave them with me for another week?

Alex

[Mike B]

indeed sir,

I need to move them on after next weekend, but they are yours for now.

The 555 is the UK's best selling board.. it is a real benchmark; there are few who can pick holes in it; conditions, standards and styles, it has an uncanny nack of suiting everything with such and easy and capable feel.

The skim is a real giggle no?
Easy to ride, but hard to master. You learn a great deal and can really advance your riding skills in conditions that would normally have you wondering what's for tea that night... They go super early and are a challenge.. something new to learn, and the progression curve is very steep. Lightwind riding has to be fun, and that's the skim all over!

A much better idea for the summer; 269 quid of fun instead of 1000 quid's worth of 16m slow turning monster kite.

Glad you are out and having Fun Alex.. I wish I worked next to the beach..!

[NME]

hi mike anynews on the delivery date i recall u saying they were due
on tuesday just gone,let me guess still will will those lovely people
at customs and excise i ordered mine through james at s2as in kent. thanks mate.

[ELVIS]

there all available now.

most shops have them now

[www.airforce.uk.com]

Out on the 10m 666 again today. low winds 16/20mph. I weigh in at 66kgs dripping wet (about 10 stone in old money).Bottom end is okay at about 16mph ,some people had fears that this would be a high wind kite.16mph 10m is good! This seems to give a working wind range (although i am not keen on quoting figures like these) of 16/30ish mph....not bad eh? Getting to grips with this kite now, defo a wake style /load and pop type kite. I think it would possibly be good as a wave kite also due to it's handling characteristics....but haven't done much on waves so i will leave somebody else to comment on that .Still cannot get over how well it handles!!!

[Mike B]

hi mike anynews on the delivery date i recall u saying they were due
on tuesday just gone,let me guess still will will those lovely people
at customs and excise i ordered mine through james at s2as in kent. thanks mate.

Hi Bud,
the original small delivery are the ones in the UK at the moment. Yours and the rest of the years stock is somewhere between China and the UK right now, via airfreight. It always takes longer than you think.. this time it was our payment that took the time. Worrying when it goes missing. I could not get a hold of the nobile shipping agent today, but toorrow I wil have more news.

It's imminant!

[Mike B]

Out on the 10m 666 again today. low winds 16/20mph. I weigh in at 66kgs dripping wet (about 10 stone in old money).Bottom end is okay at about 16mph ,some people had fears that this would be a high wind kite. Still cannot get over how well it handles!!!

They do go well when powered, the 10 seems focused further up the windscale than the 10 Vapor II which produces much more grunt lower down, yet the handling of the NHP is superb. I just got a test report back from i-kitesurf that is a pleasure to read, It will be online very soon, will link to it as soon as I have the address.

[Mike B]

I had this from a Nobile customer recently. The kites are starting to hit customers hands and the results are encouraging. Like many this chap was sceptical of getting an "unknown brand" from the off, but a top recommendation from freinds at a trusted kite school he travels to abroad, and talking through the handling with me he bought two of the first few in the country. This was the first mail I got back, published with his permission. I don't think he would mind me saying that he's the kind of chap that will call a spade a spade, and when somethings not right he's not afraid to tell me!

Managed to get out on my new 14 metre 666 a few days ago so thought I would give you some feedback. As you know I am a windsurf convert and have only been kiting for a year. I started with North rebels so dont really have a lot of experience as far as comparing the various types and brands. I have to say that I was really impressed the Nobile. For a large kite it was really responsive, felt really stable and the wind range is immense compared to the rebel. The bar is really easy to use and comfortable and the lack of bar pressure is a real joy and doesnt compromise feedback
The slider is easy to use, locks in place, but releases in an instant. The overall finish and attention to detail is excellent and being able to convert from a 25 to 20 metre line length by disconnecting the end of the lines is so much quicker(and cheaper) than reaching for another bar. All in all a great bit of kit so thanks for the recommendation. Cant wait to get out on the 10 metre.

I hear encouraging things from the kiteworld test too, but will say no more lest I curse it!

[CharlieR]

Got the 10m and the 14m NHP out on the water this weekend for the first time and I have to say that I'm really impressed with them. I've flown a lot of this and last years kites and was riding the Rhino 07 before the swap. I'm 70kgs and ride a 132 666

First had a session on the 10m, to begin with it wasn't really lit up but still performed brilliantly, the bar pressure is just right and gives good feedback with out being heavy. The wind picked up and as has been mentioned here, it showed the kites true colours, its awesome - solid, predictable and insane lift ! These are such simple kites but deliver everything that you would expect from them, I really think they are going to really help my riding progression.

The interesting thing was that I gave a guy on the beach a go on the 10m, he was a really good rider and also an instructor, he'd been out on a warroo 11m that session. On the NHP, he went straight out and pulled some great tricks. when he finally came back, his words were 'it performed ideally in everyway, it does exacly what you want it to when you want it to'. I think he went straight to the shop to get one too! It was great to hear someone else comfirm my opinion.

Then got to use the 14m too for an evening session, great again, much lighter winds but I was out with a friend who was on a 14m Rhino 07, and I was heading upwind faster than he was (we were on the same board). For a 14 the NHP turns quickly, bar pressure again was good. I didn't look at the wind speed unfortunately but I'll try to post some more info soon.

The bar: at first i was a bit surprised by the bar, one friend said that the safety looked like lego, never seen anything like it before. The first thing I noticed was the weight of the bar and lines, it was a lot less than the North set up I has been used to, that will be good for travelling. Again the whole thing is simple and uncomplicated. The safety release was used when some massive winds came through with a weather front and it worked a treat, it's refreshing to see simple innovation.

Overall a big tick in the box, the kite is simple, tough and performs exceptionally well. I'm waiting for a 7m, can't wait to get on that! I'll leave some feedback when I do. Glad I made the change to Nobile kites, they have lived up to the reputation of their boards :-)

[GSter]

Mike, is there any more information on when the 14m NHPs will be in the Uk and available at Walk on Water (N Merrony) in Wales? I can't wait to get mine!!!
When I last spoke to Nick they were still in transit. Do you have a due date?

[VARTO]

666 self launch? sanded tip or bow stylee?