Description

The all new F-One Bandit III (3) is a totally new designed kite offering better performance and safety than ever before yet performs at all levels no matter what your skill level.

 

The new F-One Bandit 3 (III) now comes with a one-pump system and the bridles are cleaner and more comfortable to use.

The F-One Bandit 3 (III) kites has a higher aspect ratio giving you more lift and stability as well as an increased higher wind range.

 

This 2010 Bandit 3 (III) kite has less bar pressure when you are overpowered allowing for more of a comfortable ride and more confidence to unhook and try new manoeuvres even when overpowered.

 

The higher aspect ratio canopy profile allow for squarer wingtips making the overall performance of the kite more stable and more direct and precise during jumps.

 

Featuring the Life Line and the Auto re-launch, it brings superb comfort and safety to the rider.

 

An innovative C-shape kite with 4 line simplicity for no compromise performance, safety and control.

 

Developed and patented by F-One, it has proved reliable in all disciplines and for all levels of rider.

 

This single design is solution for all types of riders for one clear choice.

 

It combines strong features such as safety, performance, wind range, easy auto relaunch, simplicity of setup and unhooked riding without any compromises.

 

Beginner to Pro:
Speed, control and easy upwind tracking on a large wind range are eseential qualities for anyone. The front line orientated traction makes it easier to stay upwind and find the balance on your board whether you are just getting up and riding or landing your first kiteloop!

 

Freeriding:

The F-One Bandit III's large wind range lets you ride a whole session without feeling the strongest of wind gusts! Traction from the window edge makes the board lighter and eases tacking on choppy waters. The shortened power/depower bar travel and reduced traction on the rider's arms grant an optimal riding position. While jumping, sending the kite to the zenith will be easier with optimised lift maing for smoother landings.

Freestyle:
With easy power control , easy over power riding and simple adaptiong to the changing winds, you are all set to go big! Even when jumping in the high end its easy to fly the kite to the zenith thanks to depower and optimised window edge. With its aerodynamic improvements, the Bandit III launches you higher and glides longer than other kites on the market. The precise and inituitive control bar comforts you on the kites position and trajectory. Your attention will be free to focus on tricks and new figures. When kitelooping, the Bandit 3 (III) retains its speed as it flies back to the zenith and guarantees a soft landing. From the smallest to the biggest Bandit III, the flying characteristics and feeling on the bar are similar and you will be able to switch from one size to another without any adaptation time.

 

Wave Riding:
For a relaxed surfing session, the use of a smaller and more responsive kite is necessary. Bandit's have great power, its wide wind range and depower make it an outstanding wave riding kite. The wind window and front orientated orientated traction eases the board into the waves and sets it free for carving. Bandit III's quick and short depower and the upfront traction makes it perfect for offshore conditions and engaging in off the lip manoeuvres like never before. With 25 knots onshore you can use the 6m for responsiveness and comfort when entering the rollers! The auto relaunch will get you out of tricky situations and the force frame structre of the Bandit III will resist anything!

Unhooked:
Thanks to the F-One's entensive research on the bar feeling and the power / depower bar travel, they have controlled the influence of the backlines when riding unhooked, allowing you to unhook with no stress violent boosts. The gain on the window edge also helps you keep control with less side traction. It will ease the edging of the board and reduced any offside deportation during your jumps! The setup of the frontlines makes it easier and no longer needs continuous adjustments for a better ride. The Bandit III tracks when turning or kitelooping making a much smoother and more natural ride. The feedback returned from the control bar is extremely precise and you will always know where you are even with a one handed central grab. The chicken loop remains accessible and presented in front of you when you need to hook back in also. Thanks to the suicide loop which is built around the upper part of the chicken loop, you can directly attach the leash onto it. In addition the connector rotates around the loop keeping you leash clear and in perfect position.

 

Racing:
Racing competitions are often won or lost on the upwind tack. This is where the Bandit III is excellent with its efficient window edge riding and available depower on a wind range. The Bandit's flying position helps control wide racing boards as well as the foil effect of large fins. On downwind tracking, the acceleration and max speed will remind you that the Bandit III is the world speed record holder!

 

Long Distance:
The Bandit's wide wind range, its speed, constant and ideal traction properties makes it great for long downwind runs. Add to that a stable and responsive kiteboard and you will want to go for your own ocean crossing!

 

Speed:
Flying an 8m in over 50 knots can be a nightmare but with the Bandit III you can keep cool as the flying properties keep you in control and the kite control doesn't distort. The great control is what world speed record holders need to beat their own records! Your attention is no longer focused on the kite and those crazy wind gusts but on your trajectory and optimising board speed!

 

F-One Bandit 3 (III) Main Features:

• Increased wind window for a constant forward pull
• Legendary low end Bandit wind range
• New oustanding high end control
• Excellent stability over the entire range
• Shorter bar clearance for full power / depower
• Smooth bar traction while unhooked
• Increased Upwind and Speed Performance
• Maximum Depower with a shorter depower rope
• Lighter bar feeling and direct confident feeling
• Better control of the profile and shape in high wind range for impressed performance and control

Delta C-Shape Techology:
Delta C-Shape technology is a new F-One patented design offering unmatched stability and steering response when fully de-powered, with a proven C-shape design that maintains the highest standards in performance.

The Delta C-Shape features front line attachment points positioned higher up the leading edge, offering un-matched stability and steering response when fully de-powered, with a proven C-shape design that maintains the highest standards in performance.

 

EVO De-power & Life Line Combo:
The EVO De-power concept is a simple 4 line system with a 4m long Life Line featuring a V shaped bridle with a pulley system on each of the front lines. This simple system offers complete safety and allows for increased de-power by finely tuning the angle of attack of the kite.

 

When the quick release is activated the EVO system becomes the Life Line and the kite lands safely on its back with immediate and total power kill.

 

EVO De-power offers complete control with direct and responsive steering in all riding conditions.

 

Sheeting the bar in and out is very progressive even with the kite fully de-powered.

 

Unhooked the kite remains light and very predictable, inspiring confidence so you can progress faster.

 

Auto Re-launch:
Once the kite is sitting with the leading edge flat on the water, the well balanced Delta C-Shape allows the kite to automatically turn over onto one wing tip.

 

The kite will then "glide" towards the edge of the window, ready for quick and easy water re-launch.

 

Force Frame:
Kites with extended de-power ranges sustain more pressure across the canopy as they experience an increased frequency of use over a wider wind range.

 

Consequently F-One has developed a completely new structure for the Bandit, offering optimized durability with no additional weight gain.

 

The Force Frame is a solid Dacron structure consisting of the leading edge, the trailing edge and the struts.

 

This high strength skeleton structure is then covered with lightweight Spy material in the least vulnerable areas.

 

Fusion Struts:
The struts are integrated into the leading edge of the kite. This increases the rigidity of the Force Frame and reduces drag by creating a clean and well balanced structure.

 

F-One Bandit 3 (III) - FAQ's:

Design:
The Delta C shape is not a SLE or Bow or Hybrid - it's a C-shape because F-One trust it's the best shape for a kite.

 

It’s not a SLE because F-One have only two connectors for each side like F-One used to have with the F-One Tribal: front line connectors and fifth lines connectors. They are just connected on the same V bridle with a pulley on it.

 

It’s not a bow because the bow design is just made to gain tension on the leading edge of a flat SLE kite, so the F-One Bandit doesn't need it. The F-One has some concave trailing edge but not much and it’s because the tips move back a lot.

 

The F-One Bandit 3 (III) is not a flat kite either because the front line connectors are way higher than they were on any kite designs before and this is the secret of the Delta!

 

If you take away the front connectors on the tip of any kite and place them like on the Delta the tips will go up....and everywhere.

 

High End Wind Range:
When using a Bandit during testing, F-One used smaller kites then anything else even bow's and SLE's!

 

So be aware that you need to take one size smaller than a F-One Tribal.

F-One used the Bandit 3 (III) in more wind than a same size Tribal.

 

Lets say you should be out with your 11 m² Tribal, you should use a Bandit 9m² and you will hold it better than a Tribal 9m².

BUT when you get to un-hooked you don't take advantage of the full de-power so you consider your style of riding.

 

Control Bars:
All bars will fit all sizes kites - only the smaller sized 7.0m ones are 45 cm and the 14m-16m's are 55 cm. All flying lines are 24 m.

 

You can use 22 m - 20 m or 18 m if you like to have the SL feeling if you're use to it.

 

Why the Delta C-Shape is the only choice:

• Get a fifth line effect with only 4 lines
• Its powerful and get the best depower around
• Get the auto relaunch effect. the Bandit Has a big projected area for a c-shape because most of the m² are in the centre of the kite. The tips are quite small and therefore allows easier relaunch
• The Delta C-Shape is so efficient that F-One has taken away some AR compare to the Tribal
• Get a lot of hang time
• Its incredible for unhooked riding with a better bar feeling than the F-One Tribal
• Get a new Force Frame construction
• Get a swivel on front lines so you never have twists
• Accept any lines length
• Can be use by any rider from school to pro level
• Has only 54cm of de power rope.
• Can also used with a short Tribal depower rope. You only lose a little bit of auto relaunch if you shorten the depower rope
• Lose and gain power really smoothly.
• Keep the control of the kite even fully de powered because the back lines always keep some tension.
• Get a perfect stop and go.
• Get an incredible stability on the wind window above you.
• Get a smooth handling because naturally the Delta shape likes to go straight and you have to make it turn.
• Works well and feels good even in the 13 or 15 m² sizes.
• Doesnt feel like a mosquito in sizes 7 m² or smaller.
• You dont need much time to get used to it. You don't have to change your way of riding.

Used by the Pros:
The F-One Bandit 3 (III) will be used by the F-One team in the KPWT- PKRA - SPEED- Long distance events from today and not because we force them - but because they like it!

 

**Prices shown for kite only - includes bag, pump and repair kit**

 

	* A Harness is required to fly this kite - click for harnesses >>
	* You can learn how-to setup and fly water relaunchable kites using the Kiteboarding Progression DVD - click for info >>

Wind Range

Wind Range - Based on 65kg / 165lb rider
Model	Knots	Mph	Beaufort (Force)
5.5	30+	34+	7+
6.0	26+	29+	6+
7.0	24+	27+	6+
8.0	18-38	20-43	5-8
9.0	15-30	17-34	4-8
10.0	12-28	13-32	4-7
11.0	11-24	12-30	4-6
13.0	9-22	10-25	3-5
15.0	8-18	9-20	3-4

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

You can purchase spares for this item here >>

Depower Control Bar

F-One Bandit 3 (III) Control Bar and Lines:

Functional pulley free control bar, using multiple safety attachments, on the fly stopper ball, for easy bar adjustments and safe “push away” depower.

F-One have spend a lot of time making sure the entire set can be personalized: The chicken loop release is mounted on the UPS and can be place on either the left or the right side.

Featured include:

1. Releasable chicken loop
2. Back leader lines
3. Front leader lines with adjustment knots
5. Power adjustment strap
6. Life line
7. Kite leash

 

Download Product / Instruction Manual (PDF) >>

You can purchase spares for this item here >>

Reviews

Ultimate in Performance! Dan Eaton

I have flown, tested and owned numerous of kites but this one I am keeping!

Its a C-Shape kite but at the same time has SLE qualities in terms of safety but its wind range is huge.

This kite is really good in the gusty conditions, it turns really quick, has a very direct feeling and the kiteloops are just simply unreal.

The F-One Bandit currently holds the speed record for kiteboarding and is no surprise. It is the quickest kite I have ever flown and allows you to take out a smaller kite in reasonable light winds. I only use the 11m and I have used this from 8 knots to about 30 knots. It nearly is a one-kite quiver!

As for jumping - I've never jumped so high and you float there without too much carry downwind. You can work and redirect the kite 4 or 5 times before you land and ride away at speed.

 

Build quality is excellent and setup is so easy! Inflation and deflation is also very quick!

 

Relaunch of the kite is excellent - the best I have found! Pull on the side of the bar and up it comes out of the water. It really has no problems whatsoever.

Handling of the F-One reminds me of the C-shape and Peter Lynn ARC style kites with a very direct feel with some but not too much bar pressure allowing you to feel how the kite is flying even when you are not looking at the kite allowing you to concentrate on your trick. Unhooked riding is a dream!

 

Overall, this is a confidence inspiring kite for everyone! Whether you are just starting out or after a high performance kite with the safety of a SLE this kite does it all!

 

Ideal for all seasons! Victor McMahon

Went to visit Powerkiteshop which was a great pleasure and got great advice - bought the F-One Bandit 9m for kite buggying.

 

This is ideal for all seasons and great in all winds! The shorter bar when in the buggy makes it easy to manoeuvre and with its huge wind range it is so enjoyable!

 

Thanks for the recommendation - best wishes to all the staff!

 

Victor McMahon

 

2-Kite Quiver! Derek Gallacher

Well Worth Waiting For! After the hype surrounding the F-One Bandit 3 (III), I wanted to see what all the fuss was about... I took the plunge and ordered an 11m in Full Black on the Thursday and on the Sunday got out at Brancaster in great testing conditions. Base wind was 18mph, gusting to 30mph and dropping to 12-13mph with some cloud fronts coming through, so the full range for top and bottom end.

 

Setup was quick and easy, great pump and easy to inflate. Full Black with Silver graphics looks simply awesome on the beach and in the air. Never flown a Delta before but have to say it was very easy to acclimatise.

 

Excellent low end grunt and unbelievable turning ability for a bigger kite. In fact this 11m was way quicker to turn that my 8m kites! The upwind performance was incredible and my friend could get nowhere near me on his kite. Excellent jumping performance, so quick to send up and great pop off the water. Easy to control in the air and redirect.

 

Depower system very easy and reliable. I weigh 90kg and the wind gusted 30mph but it never felt like I needed to head to the beach for a smaller kite. Equally, when it dropped to 12mph, I still managed to keep going and remain pretty well upwind too.

 

The kite itself in great design, graphics, huge wind range, excellent in the air and really drives upwind. In short....loved it, and have ordered another one today (8m). After testing the 11m this weekend, I am confident that just a 2-kite quiver is plenty enough with this great kite.

 

Derek Gallacher

 

Submit a Product Review for this product >>