Finally had the opportunity to test the new Epsilon DLS. What an amazing wing! I was able to make four flights in different conditions and around 30min of ground handling. All in all I was unimpressed impressed about this Wing, more later. I have my license exactly one year now and could test several wings during this time (+- ten wings). My absolute favorite is the Flare Moustache. There is no way around this wing and a review is planed. An other highlight wing I could fly is the Nova Mentor 7 light, wich felt super solid, fast, reactive but is a little heavier and not easy to pack small. The Niviuk Hook 5 light was also super cool to fly and on the data sheet very similar to the Epsilon, but rolled more without input.
Most of the time I flew my Pi3 wich is super easy, super light but I always missed the performance on smaller xc flights. Then I heard thad Advance will bring a a new Epsilon wich is lighter than the older version and it was clear that I have to give it a try. I ordered the size 26m2 with the light raisers. The raisers are light! Even thinner than on my Pi3 and you really need a closer look before you clip in. The chance for twisted raisers is higher compared to standard risers.
On the first start I had some cross tailwind and was surprised how easy the Epsilon DLS comes up. For sure not the best conditions for the first start. With some headwind, launching is just a dream. No overshooting. The Epsilon rises slow and steady and is waiting over your head for the launch. On the ground, the Epsilon DLS wants to start flying and you need to have it s little on the breaks. You can easy launch the glider without holding on the A lines.
In the air the Epsilon felt unimpressed impressed. I felt home after I lifted the ground and could enjoy my flight. Compared to a Pi, the Epsilon DLS feels much more reactive, but you always have the control. It turns on a dime and it is pure pleasure to circle in the thermic and climb faster than other gliders. Most of the time I was the highest and could start exploring the world.
The break travel is long. To test the stall point I really had to push the handles down and even then it was hard to stall the glider. Break pressure is super high and you feel exactly when the Epsilon stalls. I really like that behavior. The Epsilon DLS also reacts great on weight shifts and on the bar, you can easy turn on the C lines.
Spirals are fun and compared to the Pi you really feel more Gs. I felt that I had to bee a little bit more active to stop the spiral compared to the Pi . I can‘t tell you if it stays in a spiral. Didn’t try it out. Wingovers are the most fun on the Epsilon! Due to the fact that it reacts great on turning inputs, you fly big wingovers after three turns and even barrel rolls are super easy. After a high wingover just stay on the break and you will spinn around.
Side collapses and big ears reopen by itself and don’t t need any inputs from the pilot. The light risers are super tight between the A and B and with big gloves you have to squeeze the hand in between to pull on the A lines. On the speed bar the Epsilon flys faster and the glide is still great. I don’t have exact datas, but flying side by side to my friend on his Pi2 (not on speed bar) I didn’t had more sink on the first stage of the bar, but was much faster compared to him.
Summary
Great and comfortable wing with outstanding built quality, precise steering, huge potential for your first XC flights, easy start and landing behavior and it really gives you the opportunity to explore your potential and rise with the glider!
Infos
Harness: Advance Weightless
Take off weight: 97kg
Pilot has 230+ Ffights
Conditions: 2x easy peasy fly down with maneuvers, 1x 59min soaring in light thermic, 1x 45min strong wind soaring in super turbulent conditions, 40min of ground handling
Kommentar schreiben
Raphael K. (Dienstag, 16 Mai 2023 11:27)
Cool, vielen Dank für dein Review.
Hätte noch eine Frage, bekommst du den Epsilon DLS 26 und das Weightless in den 60L Rucksack oder hast du den 70l Rucksack?
@Raphael K (Dienstag, 16 Mai 2023 12:05)
Ich habe den 70l Rucksack und bringe gut noch den Helm, Handschuhe, Brille, Snacks und Jacke mit rein. 60l sollte auch gehen, aber da bringst du sicher weniger hinein. Ich verwende den leichten Zellenpacksack von Gin (den grösseren).
Marcel (Mittwoch, 31 Mai 2023 15:05)
Cool beschrieben.
Ich habe den 9/26 seit Release.
Wie würdest Du den Unterschied beschreiben da Du offenbar beide kennst ?
Gruess Marcel
@Marcel (Mittwoch, 31 Mai 2023 22:38)
Hallo Marcel
Ich bin den alten Epsilon nur mal ganz kurz geflogen und ich kann dir die Unterschiede nicht mehr sagen zum aktuellen Modell. Dazumal fand ich ihn etwas träge im Vergleich zu meinem Pi, war aber glaube ich auch die Grösse 28.
Lg, Simon
Max (Dienstag, 06 Juni 2023 06:43)
Schönes Review. Habe ebenfalls den Epsilon DLS. Ein toller Schirm, sehr agil und wendig.
Einzig beim Start finde ich hat der Epsilon eine leichte Tendenz zum Vorschiessen, was mir auch von den Vorgängerepsilon 8/9 ebenfalls bekannt ist. Ansich aber ein qualitativ hochwertiges Segel "swissmade"
@Max (Dienstag, 06 Juni 2023 20:17)
Schön zu hören! Das Vorschiessen kann ich bislang nicht bestätigen. Auch in ruppigen Bedingungen hatte ich immer saubere Starts. Schirm kommt magisch hoch. Letzten Sonntag war ich am Üetliberg und viele hatten Mühe beim Start. Ich ging so smooth weg, habs gar nicht bemerkt bis ich flog :-) Evt. bin auch abgehärtet von vorschiessenden Flügel. Starte mal einen kleinen Speedflyer, dann weisst du was krass vorschiessen heisst!
Und wie es immer so schön heisst: Groundhandling ist einfach unerlässlich.
LG, Simon
Miro (Mittwoch, 07 Juni 2023 17:12)
Konnte auch eine Tendenz zum Vorschiessen feststellen (Vergleich Geo6), wie sich die Eindrücke doch unterscheiden :)