I recently got an HQ Matrixx2 15m as a light wind kite, and have not been disappointed. It doubled my riding time on water during a recent vacation at Outer Banks, NC. So far I used the kite for 4 sessions on water, and flew it on the beach once. I am approaching the intermediate stage and this was the first time when I rode with a closed cell on water (rather than an inflatable). I used to have a Matrixx1 12m, so I make some comparisons between Matrixx 1 and 2. Below are a few impressions, in no particular order.

In my opinion, the new bag is useless. Large mesh pannels on the bottom and the sides mean that: in the summer, any sand and water from the kite will leave the bag and mess up my car; in the winter, drifting snow will enter the bag, making it unusable for storing gear and clothes, then any snow left will fall out or melt in the car. The first thing I did, I moved the kite to a duffel bag, where I can just leave the zipper open WHEN needed.

I like the new magnetic safety release. It's much better than the old one. Very easy to release, and then assemble back. Not much else to say about the bar and lines, they are ok and work well. The lines are colored, as they need to be for snow. A swivel that keeps the front lines straight if looping is a welcome addition.

The front line safety is far better than the former 5th line safety, which failed on me 2-3 times. (When my Mxx1 did not taco cleanly and completely and kept pulling after activating the safety.) By comparison, when released to a front line, the Mxx2 stops pulling, becomes straight and may fly like a snake for a while, but will eventually get on the ground / water. No surprises there.

The kite itself is nice and made of a much lighter cloth compared to Matrixx1. This has a few very nice consequences, and one potentially large drawback: the kite may be easier to damage in a crash. Don't know for sure, never crashed it and hope never to.

I found the Matrixx2 to be very easy to launch, even in 4-5 mph. Far easier than Mxx1, where a few times I had some issues, such as the kite folding on the ground and needing to be rearranged for launch (some of that was likely due to user error too). My 5 launches so far went perfectly, I put the kite directly downwind and pulled the front lines. That was it. No bowties, inversions etc. Easier than launching my LEIs, and no help needed (which I like a lot). The pull is much reduced while the kite is inflating, thus I was comfortable with launching from directly downwind in 10-14 mph, rather than at a 45 degree angle.

Once launched, Mxx2 15m stays up there even in the lighest breeze. In lower winds the kite dives at a very leisurely pace compared to my LEIs, and delivers a gradual rather than explosive pull. Several times it took me two dives to start riding - one dive to get out of the water, the other to start riding. However once you start going and the apparent wind increases, you'll keep going.

Another thing that surprised me was one particular occasion when I couldn't start riding (7-8 mph I guess), but was eventually successful after pulling my board (a Liquid Force Kite Fish) directly under me, to make it as horizontal as possible and reduce the force needed to get moving. Diving the kite then allowed me to increase the apparent wind and start riding. Longer story short, if you can get out of the water, once you are moving the kite will start pulling and will maintain your speed. You may be unable to stay upwind, but you'll be riding.

The bridle lines are very thin and hard to see when flying. The Mxx2 15m packs down quite small for its size, which is great for travel or if trunk space is limited.

Overall, I think the Matrixx2 is a significant improvement over Matrixx1, with the exception of the bag, and with the caveat that the lighter cloth may make the kite more prone to damage if crashed, while also making it far easier to launch and fly in lower winds.