Amen @jakekelsick ! I'll put it on my bucket list. We'd love to show you around some fresh water sometime as well. Maybe North can send you up "north" for KOGL Test Fest this year? -Tucker
small update after multiple sessions on 4.8. This is one of my favorite wings. I can get up on 4.8 in 14 knots with MA700v2 and Armstrong Midlength 75l, Definitely board is cheat code but it's under my weight 82 kilo. You can do about everything with this wing. Super stable in draft and amazing stability under high winds. You can ride it one handed! And it has amazing downwind and upwind. I need 3.5 :)
These look great. Nice review, thanks. How do you think this compares the PPC M1? Similar tight canopy, fwd pulling speedy wing. Interested to hear your thoughts.
Great question Scott! I find the M1 has more grunt and the frame is stiffer which makes it more physical to fly. The Mode Ultra is unquestionably faster, better upwind/VMG, and comfortable when powered. Depends what kind of wing you are looking for. Both wings are a lot of fun. -Tucker
Great review thanks. I’m 200lbs and have been considering either the mode pro or mode ultra for 25 knots up. Really torn on what will be the best choice. I’m just mowing the lawn but want to go faster. 😂
I'd go Mode Ultra as a heaver rider in high winds. The new canopy is a lot tighter, quieter, and will last longer. Price upgrade is pretty marginal for the upgrade in performance. -Tucker
Quiver question : my weight fluctuates yeary between 96kg at xmas down to 83 kg morning. Currently have 7m mode, 5m ensis and 4m cabrinha. Looking to build a North quiver. Love the mode currently as its very gusty here e.g. out in 12 gusting to 23 last week. I was thinking 5.5 & 4.2, but from the review need bigger than i was planning - any advice appreciated!
Yes, I would size up on this model. You'll want to fly these wings powered and they have a massive top end range. I was riding the 4.8m up to 30mph yesterday. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding so still knock off 0.5 like with the mode pro? Or more like 1m for original mode? I'm using the 7 mode as a 6 at the moment (feels like)
@@danielpugh2752 I'd say 0.5 but also depends on which wings you are comparing. For a really grunty wing I'd size up 1m just to be sure I have proper power for maximum performance.
@@MACkiteboardingmainly compared to my more generic ones (north nova, ensis score V2 are my main go-to wings. Aiming for a 3 wing quiver - mode 7 (like 6) mode pro 5.5, and then either mode pro 4.8 or 4.2. for the lower end ive felt overpowered on a mantis 4m, but only in winter storms
You didn't mention this from the North web site, . "...**HANDLE WITH CARE** N-Xi is a performance race wing material which requires more careful handling than a ripstop canopy. While North recommends storing all of our wing canopies by rolling and folding, the Mode Ultra has a specially designed bag to accommodate the rolled wing. No folding of the N-Xi canopy is required." Seeing you are advised to roll it and not fold it, it would have made sense to provide the track system and a boom. Cheaper and lighter and more versatile control options.
Good point Greg, I would have liked to see that on this wing as well. Yes, you'll want to roll this wing. People who leave the strut inflated will be excited to hear it fits into the storage sock while the strut is inflated. Less pumping and more shredding! -Tucker
Could you please suggest as a second wing. I have Ocean Rodeo AA 6m as my light wind wing with downwind board. I need to cover range from 15 knots and above. Should I get 4.2 ? I just lost my Ocean Rodeo AA 4m ... I was using OC AA 4m from 14-15 knots
Some good options would be the Mode Pro, Mode Ultra, and Reedin Supernatural/Hypernatural. The Reedin isn't quite as fast on the top end but has that super light, intuitive feeling like the AA glides. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Thank you Tucker! Now after your review and comments I'm not sure about 4.8 or 4.2 ... to cover the range from 15 and above. What is small foils for you ?
Great review as always. Agree on changing the valves. I find the Boston type valves don’t allow good flow of air or accurate readings when pumping my loft pro with my electric pump. First world problems I guess…
Definitely ! On Boston and direct-connect valves, your electric pump has to provide a bit of extra pressure to open up and push the flow past the 1-way valve in the plug. When air is pumped through the hose, there'll also be a slight pressure drop along the hose, proportional to the flow rate. At the start, with the pump blasting in high-flow blower mode, there's probably 2 or 3 psi pressure drop between the pump outlet and the air inside the wing's bladder. Running in higher-pressure displacement mode, the air pressure could be 8 psi at the pump outlet, 7.9 psi at the hose-valve connection, and 7.7 psi inside the bladder. If there's a tiny leak in your pump hose or its connections, once the pump hits the set point and stops, the 1-way valve should close ( at the set pressure ) and the pressure in the hose and pump ( and likely the pump's gauge ) will slowly decay. The advantage of an H-R type valve is the valve adapter's pronged end that depresses and opens the spring-loaded 1-way valve in the H-R valve nice and wide, so there's much less restriction and pressure drop at the valve, and after pump-shut-off the 1-way valve stays open until you remove the hose, so your pump gauge will decay much slower. Hope this helps understand what's happening and why.
@@GreKno63 …Thanks for your response. I understand the reason why it happens. I find the backflow pressure on the boston type valve that North uses is around 1psi, which is the point at which the puffer pro switches between low pressure high flow and high pressure low flow. To overcome this I just select the pump modes manually. First world problems.
At first I thought, that a medium weight rider /80 kg/ should be feeling comfortable winging with 4.8 from 16-17 knots and above...but from this video I conclude, that may be from 17-18 kn, or 18-19 kn, or even more..
Depends heavily on the wing design, foil size/shape, and rider experience. As an experienced rider who enjoys small boards and foils I'm not pickup up the 4.8m until about 20kn. I can ride it in as little as 14kn with a large board and foil but I prefer to have more power and speed. -Tucker
I must agree on the valves. Those on my Mode Pro drive me insane ! I hate them so so bad, they leak if not ultra tight, when tight impossible to open with cold hands. They grab the leash sometimes. I love the wing other than that. But I wont buy again North for as long as the valve stays like that.
Thanks for your thoughts Ben. I've communicated the feedback to the North design team so hopefully we'll see some change on that in a year or two. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Great review, but don't agree with your recommendation for wide adoption of Halkey Roberts valves. It's too heavy, and requires the additional weight of a LE access zipper. IMO Ocean Rodeo/Slingshot/Cabrinha valve and OR's elimination of the access zipper are best.
@@mm74forums7 - Agree H-R quarter-turn plug is faster and easier, but have a look inside the LE or strut at how much plastic ( and metal spring ) is inside on an H-R style valve, a ton more bulk, just hidden inside the LE & strut. OR have shown no need for an EVA or neoprene "top-hat" that many brands put over their Boston and simpler direct-connect valves [ OR / Cab Airlock 2 / Slingshot ( before they went to H-R's ). Skip the tophat and Velcro that secures it and most of the bulk and snaggy Velcro hook goes away.
Sweet Review Tucker! Gotta get down to Antigua for a race around the island on this bad boy!
Amen @jakekelsick ! I'll put it on my bucket list. We'd love to show you around some fresh water sometime as well. Maybe North can send you up "north" for KOGL Test Fest this year? -Tucker
small update after multiple sessions on 4.8. This is one of my favorite wings. I can get up on 4.8 in 14 knots with MA700v2 and Armstrong Midlength 75l, Definitely board is cheat code but it's under my weight 82 kilo. You can do about everything with this wing. Super stable in draft and amazing stability under high winds. You can ride it one handed! And it has amazing downwind and upwind. I need 3.5 :)
What is the weight difference between the ultra and the pro?
I haven't put them on a scale but physically they feel about the same. I find the Ultra is more balanced and feels lighter in the wind. -Tucker
How's the overall weight compared to a Nova Pro?
Similar weight.
These look great. Nice review, thanks. How do you think this compares the PPC M1? Similar tight canopy, fwd pulling speedy wing. Interested to hear your thoughts.
Great question Scott! I find the M1 has more grunt and the frame is stiffer which makes it more physical to fly. The Mode Ultra is unquestionably faster, better upwind/VMG, and comfortable when powered. Depends what kind of wing you are looking for. Both wings are a lot of fun. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Thanks, great insight right there!
Great review thanks. I’m 200lbs and have been considering either the mode pro or mode ultra for 25 knots up. Really torn on what will be the best choice. I’m just mowing the lawn but want to go faster. 😂
I'd go Mode Ultra as a heaver rider in high winds. The new canopy is a lot tighter, quieter, and will last longer. Price upgrade is pretty marginal for the upgrade in performance. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding thanks for the recommendation would you say go for the 4.8m?
@@funkymonk8952 Yeah
Quiver question : my weight fluctuates yeary between 96kg at xmas down to 83 kg morning. Currently have 7m mode, 5m ensis and 4m cabrinha. Looking to build a North quiver. Love the mode currently as its very gusty here e.g. out in 12 gusting to 23 last week. I was thinking 5.5 & 4.2, but from the review need bigger than i was planning - any advice appreciated!
Yes, I would size up on this model. You'll want to fly these wings powered and they have a massive top end range. I was riding the 4.8m up to 30mph yesterday. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding so still knock off 0.5 like with the mode pro? Or more like 1m for original mode? I'm using the 7 mode as a 6 at the moment (feels like)
@@danielpugh2752 I'd say 0.5 but also depends on which wings you are comparing. For a really grunty wing I'd size up 1m just to be sure I have proper power for maximum performance.
@@MACkiteboardingmainly compared to my more generic ones (north nova, ensis score V2 are my main go-to wings. Aiming for a 3 wing quiver - mode 7 (like 6) mode pro 5.5, and then either mode pro 4.8 or 4.2. for the lower end ive felt overpowered on a mantis 4m, but only in winter storms
You didn't mention this from the North web site, . "...**HANDLE WITH CARE** N-Xi is a performance race wing material which requires more careful handling than a ripstop canopy. While North recommends storing all of our wing canopies by rolling and folding, the Mode Ultra has a specially designed bag to accommodate the rolled wing. No folding of the N-Xi canopy is required."
Seeing you are advised to roll it and not fold it, it would have made sense to provide the track system and a boom. Cheaper and lighter and more versatile control options.
Good point Greg, I would have liked to see that on this wing as well. Yes, you'll want to roll this wing. People who leave the strut inflated will be excited to hear it fits into the storage sock while the strut is inflated. Less pumping and more shredding! -Tucker
Could you please suggest as a second wing. I have Ocean Rodeo AA 6m as my light wind wing with downwind board. I need to cover range from 15 knots and above. Should I get 4.2 ? I just lost my Ocean Rodeo AA 4m ... I was using OC AA 4m from 14-15 knots
Some good options would be the Mode Pro, Mode Ultra, and Reedin Supernatural/Hypernatural. The Reedin isn't quite as fast on the top end but has that super light, intuitive feeling like the AA glides.
-Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Thank you Tucker! Now after your review and comments I'm not sure about 4.8 or 4.2 ... to cover the range from 15 and above. What is small foils for you ?
i hope they integrate the handle rail system into all their wings
I think there is a good chance they will. It's been well received. -Tucker
Great review as always.
Agree on changing the valves. I find the Boston type valves don’t allow good flow of air or accurate readings when pumping my loft pro with my electric pump. First world problems I guess…
Definitely ! On Boston and direct-connect valves, your electric pump has to provide a bit of extra pressure to open up and push the flow past the 1-way valve in the plug. When air is pumped through the hose, there'll also be a slight pressure drop along the hose, proportional to the flow rate. At the start, with the pump blasting in high-flow blower mode, there's probably 2 or 3 psi pressure drop between the pump outlet and the air inside the wing's bladder. Running in higher-pressure displacement mode, the air pressure could be 8 psi at the pump outlet, 7.9 psi at the hose-valve connection, and 7.7 psi inside the bladder.
If there's a tiny leak in your pump hose or its connections, once the pump hits the set point and stops, the 1-way valve should close ( at the set pressure ) and the pressure in the hose and pump ( and likely the pump's gauge ) will slowly decay.
The advantage of an H-R type valve is the valve adapter's pronged end that depresses and opens the spring-loaded 1-way valve in the H-R valve nice and wide, so there's much less restriction and pressure drop at the valve, and after pump-shut-off the 1-way valve stays open until you remove the hose, so your pump gauge will decay much slower.
Hope this helps understand what's happening and why.
@@GreKno63 …Thanks for your response. I understand the reason why it happens.
I find the backflow pressure on the boston type valve that North uses is around 1psi, which is the point at which the puffer pro switches between low pressure high flow and high pressure low flow. To overcome this I just select the pump modes manually.
First world problems.
Any idea if this new material is going to be more robust/last longer?
Sorry and other thought. What’s it like for transitions, tacks etc?
Its a loooot more robust and will last a lot more… saw the ultra last week and it’s a beast, pick it if you can even for just freeridin
Really nice. Very clean into the wind with no downward pressure or nose dip. -Tucker
At first I thought, that a medium weight rider /80 kg/ should be feeling comfortable winging with 4.8 from 16-17 knots and above...but from this video I conclude, that may be from 17-18 kn, or 18-19 kn, or even more..
Depends heavily on the wing design, foil size/shape, and rider experience. As an experienced rider who enjoys small boards and foils I'm not pickup up the 4.8m until about 20kn. I can ride it in as little as 14kn with a large board and foil but I prefer to have more power and speed. -Tucker
@@MACkiteboarding Got it, that sounds great, thanks Tucker
I must agree on the valves. Those on my Mode Pro drive me insane !
I hate them so so bad, they leak if not ultra tight, when tight impossible to open with cold hands. They grab the leash sometimes.
I love the wing other than that. But I wont buy again North for as long as the valve stays like that.
Thanks for your thoughts Ben. I've communicated the feedback to the North design team so hopefully we'll see some change on that in a year or two. -Tucker
💯
@@MACkiteboarding Great review, but don't agree with your recommendation for wide adoption of Halkey Roberts valves. It's too heavy, and requires the additional weight of a LE access zipper. IMO Ocean Rodeo/Slingshot/Cabrinha valve and OR's elimination of the access zipper are best.
@@GreKno63 Cabrinha wing valves are same bulky. And hard to unscrew. Naish has something like Halkey Roberts.
@@mm74forums7 - Agree H-R quarter-turn plug is faster and easier, but have a look inside the LE or strut at how much plastic ( and metal spring ) is inside on an H-R style valve, a ton more bulk, just hidden inside the LE & strut.
OR have shown no need for an EVA or neoprene "top-hat" that many brands put over their Boston and simpler direct-connect valves [ OR / Cab Airlock 2 / Slingshot ( before they went to H-R's ). Skip the tophat and Velcro that secures it and most of the bulk and snaggy Velcro hook goes away.