Short answer: the Navigator and the Navigator Pro share the same Connect V2 quick release, the same three toolless loops and the same three bar sizes. The Pro adds thinner SK99 Pro lines (1.55 mm front, 1.3 mm rear, against 1.8 mm on the standard bar) and front lines that unwind themselves as you ride. For bar size: S (38–43 cm) for kites under 8m, M (45–50 cm) under 11m, L (50–55 cm) over 8m.
Navigator vs Navigator Pro, side by side
| Navigator (current) | Navigator Pro (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Quick release | Connect V2 with security finger | Connect V2 with security finger |
| Flying lines | 22m (12m + 10m), SK75 Liros Dyneema, 1.8 mm | 22m (12m + 10m), SK99 Pro, 1.55 mm front / 1.3 mm rear |
| Front-line auto-unwind | Not listed | Yes |
| Loops (toolless InterLoop) | Freeride (included), Freestyle, Surf Slider | Freeride (included), Freestyle, Surf Slider |
| Bar sizes | S 38–43 / M 45–50 / L 50–55 cm | S 38–43 / M 45–50 / L 50–55 cm |
| Bar length adjustment | ±5 cm | ±5 cm |
| Kite compatibility | Any Low-V kite; High-V with the split kit | Any Low-V kite; High-V with the split kit |
Thinner lines mean less drag across 4 × 22m of line. North puts the SK99 line at about 460 kg break strength at 1.55 mm. Auto-unwind matters if you loop or rotate one way a lot. On older standard bars, riders had to untwist the center lines by hand, and a safety line left twisted wears out early.
Which bar size
North sizes the bar to the kite, not to the rider:
| Bar | Length | Kite sizes |
|---|---|---|
| S | 38–43 cm | under 8m |
| M | 45–50 cm | under 11m |
| M Short Throw | 45–50 cm | under 12m |
| L | 50–55 cm | over 8m |
The M and L ranges overlap from 8m to 11m. Pick the bar for the kite you fly most. A shorter bar turns the kite with less input, and a longer one gives more leverage on big kites. The Short Throw versions shorten the depower stroke, and North recommends them with 12m and smaller kites so you get full depower in strong wind. For 5-line kites there is a separate Navigator Freestyle bar in one size, 38–43 cm.
Every North kite is Low-V and ships without a bar, so any Navigator fits any North kite. The Low-V split and equal-length connectors also match most other brands. High-V kites need North's High-V Split Kit.
What riders say
Among the 28 sources we track for bars and harnesses, a few points repeat. The slightly oval offset grip lets you feel which way the bar is oriented after a crash. The quick release resets one-handed and is among the easiest reloads testers have used, which rope-slider riders like. The 2024 Navigator Pro got strong owner reviews for its wet grip and its clean front-line unwind. The Surf Slider loop paired with a Mystic Stealth surf bar is a known-good combination for surf and foil.
Honest limit: line life is disputed. Some riders praise the Dyneema lines, while riders out three or four times a week report center lines breaking within a season and fraying by year two. Rinse the bar and lines in fresh water after salt sessions, and run the lines through your fingers to feel for wear. If you fly a High-V kite, move the splitter a few millimetres every few weeks, because a splitter left in one spot wears the front line. Test the quick release before every session. The gear advisor will match a bar to your kite sizes, and the bar section of the kite sizing page has the same chart.
What to buy
For most riders, the current-year Navigator is the value bar and the Navigator Pro is the upgrade for lighter lines and auto-unwind. Both are in the control systems collection, where current-year prices are on each product page. As of this post, earlier stock is also available: the Navigator Pro 2024 at $689 in all three sizes, the Navigator Freestyle 2025 at $689, and the Navigator 2022 at $479 in S only.
FAQ
Does a North kite come with a bar?
No. North kites ship with a kite bag, a repair kit and, on the Reach, Orbit and Carve, a sand bag. The bar, lines and pump are separate. Any Navigator fits any North kite.
Can I use a Navigator bar with another brand's kite?
Yes, with any Low-V bridled kite, because the connectors are equal length and match most brands. High-V kites need the High-V Split Kit.
What size Navigator bar for a 9m or 10m kite?
Both M (45–50 cm, kites under 11m) and L (50–55 cm, over 8m) cover them. Choose M if you mostly fly 9m and smaller, and L if your quiver runs 10m to 12m and up.