Power Kite Forum

Kite Size Suggestions

PhantomMs1 - 23-7-2009 at 10:02 AM

Hi,
I am looking at getting a Pansh Ace kite (low budget at the moment) and am wondering on some of your suggestions for a size. I am faily new to kitting but have been flying a small rush 200 and beamer III 3m for about 4 or so months now and am looking for something bigger. I live in northwest ohio and our average wind speed is only 3-10mph. the 3m beamer is really fun in higher winds but that doesnt happen to often so i am looking for something that will produce lift and be alot of fun in that 5-10 mph range.

I was eyeing the Ace 7m but they also have a deal for a ace 6m and legend 4.5 m for only 30$ more. I hope to hear some back from you soon.

I have been searching the website and have found lots of great information keep it up guys!

f0rgiv3n - 23-7-2009 at 10:08 AM

Keep this in mind: The smaller the kite, the larger the wind range. This roughly equals out to more flight time with the kite. the 5m ace is what i have and i have flown it in next to nothing up to (not recommended) 25mph. 10 to 20 is a lot of fun :D

PhantomMs1 - 23-7-2009 at 10:29 AM

This is why i am keeping my 3m beamer. I want a high wind kite but yet for most of the days where we only get 5mph winds i would love to have something to jump "loft" with. I dont buggy or surf, only recreational fun kitting.

I bet a 5m in 25mph winds would be a blast!

but in 5mph winds what would a 5m do? Would a 7m be able to pick me up I weigh about 180. Just looking for something fun in low wind situations.

thanks for the fast reply!

Bladerunner - 23-7-2009 at 10:30 AM

Yes the 5m Ace is a good choice. It is the original size . It will give you the best usable range + be big enough for jumps.

DAKITEZ - 23-7-2009 at 10:40 AM

5 mph is extremely low winds and to want to try and jump in those winds is even more difficult. In 5mph you may want to try the 12m. Not that I recommend this, but that is going to be your best bet to jump in 5mph

PhantomMs1 - 23-7-2009 at 11:09 AM

yeah i know 5mph is very low winds. Unfortunitly its what i get most of the time. And i dont necesarily want to jump in 5mph winds but I would like it to have some good pull and be alot of fun. With the beamer 5mph is about as low as it likes to go. It will fly very stable but wont have any pull and isn't as much fun.

this is why I was looking at the 7m ace. I read some reviews for a cheap kite it has good pull and lift. It will be a big step up from my 3m also. I just wanted to hear some opinions from people that have flown many more kites than myself.

dylanj423 - 23-7-2009 at 12:53 PM

i weigh 190.... 5mph is about impossible to jump in... even with my 17m psycho 3...

PhantomMs1 - 23-7-2009 at 12:58 PM

I guess my question should have asked how strong is the ace 7m? :)

I do realize that 5mph is very very little wind. And I am not trying to jump with that low of wind but i would like something that will give a good amount of pull at that speed.

revpaul - 23-7-2009 at 02:08 PM

we have 6, 7, and , 8 meter Aces. in 5mph they'd need significant amount of work just to stay in the air let alone pull/traction/jump. maybe scud a little on the down stroke. around 8mp/h the 8m will pull me well enough in a buggy but a buggy has super low rolling resitance. still have to be carefull (luff city) in the corners at 8mp/h.

Drewculous - 23-7-2009 at 03:26 PM

i have a 5.6 twister, and that gets pretty hairy after that 20 mph mark, any higher and it is too much work to just keep it at the zenith...

The pansh kites im not sure on, but i know your beamer would fly much easier... you might save up and try to snag a big twister or crossfire... from what i gather they fly much easier than pansh kites... esp in lower winds

revpaul - 23-7-2009 at 03:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Drewculous
i have a 5.6 twister, and that gets pretty hairy after that 20 mph mark, any higher and it is too much work to just keep it at the zenith...

The pansh kites im not sure on, but i know your beamer would fly much easier... you might save up and try to snag a big twister or crossfire... from what i gather they fly much easier than pansh kites... esp in lower winds

maybe but, on more than one occaision, i've had our 7m Flexifoil Blurr and 6m Ace set up at the same time and the 6m Ace would pull me (in a buggy) when the 7m Blurr wouldn't (on any bridle setting). the Blurr is marketed as a buggy kite.
we are compparing a high end, much newer technology, and larger kite to a measley old and smaller Panch Ace on cruddy old Pansh lines and handles.
go figure. AR might have something to do with it too.
Certainly can't go wrong with a Beamer as well in most cases.

Hardrock - 23-7-2009 at 04:37 PM

The 7m Ace will have some pull in any low wind you can fly in. If it goes up, it will pull. When your flying and the wind drops below 5mph and you have to dive it, it still pulls.

It also turns slow. Theres quite a big difference in the turning speed of an Ace 5m and the 7m Ace. They both like slack break lines or at least mine do.

The 7m wouldn't leave the ground without a lots of running back and pulling the handles until I gave it plenty of slack in the break lines. Then in low wind it would just rise up to the z. Still you have to work both of them to keep them going.

I've had both in low wind and the 5m seemed a bit more fun. I credit that to faster turns.

I hate to say this here, but jumping around here means you try and catch the gust. Probably the worst time to think of it with an Ace but if thats the best the wind can do, you try and get what you can. I know nothing about going big so low wind gust jumping is just trying to get timing right and the redirect.

I put power rings on the 7m. Kind of seemed wrong as it took slack from the breaks but for some reason it didn't affect the launch. It increased the turn speed by half IMO. but still fell short of the 5m turn speed.

After playing with the 5m, then trying the same thing with the 7m, it was all different for me. The 7m seemed a big slow kite in low wind, I'm still a bit scared to fly it in any real wind.

If I had to choose one, the 5m would be it. The 6m might be a nice split but I'm not sure about the turns. With the rings, it may get you close to the 5.


It is more about skills and you can get more time in with the 5m on the same day. The 7m will wear you out while trying to learn. It just always seems heavy on the arms. Trying to run back with it? gesh, I'm not that fit. But for some reason, I still love it.

Go for the 5m. If you decide to try jumps, the 5m will be better to learn on.

PhantomMs1 - 24-7-2009 at 06:40 AM

thanks again for all of the replies its great to hear a bunch of different opinions.

With the 5m how much lift do you get? I am not used to a lifty kite. I mean I take my beamer out in 15-20 mph winds and can get some very quick lofts but it brings you down just as fast. I am looking for a kite that will be able to loft me down slowly for a softer landing. bigger jumps would be nice also :) i can only get 3 - 4 feet jumps with my beamer 3m. makes for some very kool pictures though :roll:

this is why i was looking at the 7m because I keep hearing 5m is about the smallest you want to go when jumping because it still drops you fairly fast.

I know it is a hard comparison but how does the beamer series compair to the ace series of kites? I am assuming (from reviews) the ace has much more lift than the beamer. is this correct?

Drewculous - 24-7-2009 at 06:46 AM

im 225 and if the jump is done correctly with a good redirect, i land soft as can be, with the 5.6

My avg jump in decent winds (around 15-18mph) is in the 5-8 ft range, ive gone higher, in higher winds, but its not near as fun... most of those carry the all famous "holy Cr@p!!!" thought process...:shocked2:

Bladerunner - 24-7-2009 at 07:02 AM

My vote is still with the 5m.

I haven't flown a bigger Ace but HardrocS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s experiencce is exactly what I expected. Being able to fly + turn the 5m fast is key in having low wind fun. When the winds do pick up you will have a kite designed to jump with. The Beamer isn't designed as a jumper.

I fly my 9m Blade in 5mph wind but it isn't all that much fun. The 5m ace is a fun kite to fly in most winds.

PhantomMs1 - 24-7-2009 at 07:02 AM

haha that thought process is half of the fun though, as long as your wearing a lid.

Drewculous - 24-7-2009 at 08:30 AM

i got one really nasty gust that grabbed me once, my biggest jump to date... i dont know how high, but it seemed like miles lol! and it wasnt my head that got wrecked... it was my heel.. much suckiness ensued... I dont think my heel will ever be the same...

Point being; if everything is done correctly (^^Which that time it wasnt) a 5 meter kite, designed for lift, will give you plenty of jaw dropping jumps

rdavis - 24-7-2009 at 09:43 AM

The 4.5m Legend and 6m Ace Combo was my first 4 line kite purchase, also due to budget at the time. As far as budget goes, i'd say it was a pretty good deal at the time. I got some good use out of them. The 6m Ace does pull hard in lower winds and turning is pretty good, especially with a little brake input. The 4.5m Legend was a good starter buggy engine for me too.

Here's a couple vids from around when I first got them. The one at the beach is in very low winds, flags weren't even moving.

Very light wind Bear in mind, this is at the beach, where what little wind there was, was coming slightly off the water and was consistent. The Ace is not fond of lumpy inland winds and can be a bit of a pain in those conditions. Also be sure to get some kite killers if you go with them. I was scared to use my Ace in certain conditions/areas until I got them.

Higher winds

f0rgiv3n - 24-7-2009 at 10:00 AM

My vote as well for the 5m/6m still remains. To give you an idea that you WON'T be disappointed with the 5m ace here's a pic of my on the 5m ace doing some jumping:



as you can see, you WON'T be disappointed!!!!!!

PhantomMs1 - 24-7-2009 at 01:12 PM

so lots of people say go with the 5m. I know this is not the right thinking but right now the 6m is cheeper than the 5m
and the 7m is the same price as the 5m


with those prices being like that what are your opinions. Should i just stay with the 5m even though its more expensive? Or like someone else said should i just save up and get someting more like a PL Twister?

I want something that is going to hold up over the years.

Quote:
Originally posted by f0rgiv3n

as you can see, you WON'T be disappointed!!!!!!


and that pic of the 5m jump is awesome that is exactly what i want :)

f0rgiv3n - 24-7-2009 at 01:22 PM

My personal opinion is that the 5/6 won't be a huge difference. if one is cheaper maybe go for that one?

Be sure you have a good brainbucket too m8. Also: Get your bones laced with adamantium while you're at it :D

PhantomMs1 - 24-7-2009 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by f0rgiv3n
Also: Get your bones laced with adamantium while you're at it :D


man wish I could, but if I did I wouldn't need a brain bucket now would I?

what speeds do you fly your 5m ace in?

and yes the 6m ace is 189 and the 5m ace is 199.

as i've been told bigger is better but with a price cheeper it makes me think thats not true in this case? idk

kitejumper - 24-7-2009 at 01:32 PM

where are u at in ohio?im in toledo/maumee bay right on the water--always good winds....i can let you try some of my kites if you want to hook up.....there's another guy from cleveland area we could fly with also.....don

f0rgiv3n - 24-7-2009 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PhantomMs1
Quote:
Originally posted by f0rgiv3n
Also: Get your bones laced with adamantium while you're at it :D


what speeds do you fly your 5m ace in?

and yes the 6m ace is 189 and the 5m ace is 199.

as i've been told bigger is better but with a price cheeper it makes me think thats not true in this case? idk


Bigger is necessarily better ALWAYS :D . one meter isn't going to be make a huge difference.... especially at the beginning.

The 5m flew (before i filled it with sand and haven't cleaned it out yet) from 5mph to 25mph (25mph is the tip top of gusts in that condition, NOTHING more). After awhile I only wanted to fly when i could get good jumps 15mph+ gets fun :).

I think that pansh has weird pricing... they probably price the cheaper ones that they have a lot of, or don't sell as much of. The more popular ones seem to have the higher prices.

PhantomMs1 - 24-7-2009 at 01:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitejumper
where are u at in ohio?im in toledo/maumee bay right on the water--always good winds....i can let you try some of my kites if you want to hook up.....there's another guy from cleveland area we could fly with also.....don


yeah i am in archbold, ohio about 45 min west of toledo, i would love to try and fly one before i buy are you going to be around toledo this weekend? or do you live there whre i could come any time its windy out? I am pretty busy this weekend unfortunitly.

let me know!

thanks a bunch guys!

kitejumper - 24-7-2009 at 05:48 PM

yeah,im around all the time.......whenever there's wind.......send me a u2u and i'll shoot u my phone #....... i have pansh legends 4.5 and 5.5......ace 5,6 and 8..........npw11m,4.1 and 2.2 --blade 4m,6.6,and 10.5........xxxl9.6m......and lots more,so come on over and i'll have you jumping in no time at all.........:thumbup::wee:

PhantomMs1 - 25-7-2009 at 07:33 AM

that sounds great! i would love to try a bunch of different kites. this weekend is packed but possibly midweek or next weekend depending on what is going on.

kitejumper since you have some of everything what are your suggestions and comparisons between the 6-8m range of kites?