DaveH - 2-5-2005 at 10:18 AM
My new version 2 five meter Beamer showed up on friday and I got to spend a good bit of time with it over the weekend. I've been flying the old
version 3.6 for awhile and really enjoy it. However, the new version is a real improvement in many ways. To start with, the bag is much nicer. It
has better zippers and is sewn in 3 colors, grey yellow and black. Inside I found a steel ground stake with a bright orange knob on one end. It was
in a sheath with a beltt strap. the line set is the same but it is on a plastic double figure 8 winder which includes retaining straps instead of the
plywood one included in the old version. the handles are longer which makes the brake lines more effective. they also seem to have a bit more
"padding" or bit more of whatever that stuff is.....
The kite comes with kite killers which work really well. the wrist straps are nicely padded and have a velcro tightening strap which passes through an
"o" ring. The lines from the wrist straps to the handles are attached to the break lines. If you get into trouble you simply let go of the handles
and the top lines are released, while your wrists are attached to the break lines. But the top lines don't go anywhere 'cause they're still attached
to the handles so there is no mess. The kite immidiately falls into the belly up nose away position, which we trick kiters call a backflip or turtle,
and falls softly to the ground. I tried it and it works great. All pull is instantly gone and all you do to relaunch is pick up your handles and go.
What's great about this system is it works so well people will actually use it, because their kite isn't going to be set set free and tangled up in
who knows what.
The kite itself is so much better looking than the earlier version. Its something you'll be proud to take to the field.
IN THE AIR
This thing doesn't fly as well as the 3.6 It doesn't inflate as easily and is less forgiving at the edge. If you have some foil or quad experience,
however, its fine. While the 3.6 is fast and tight turning this thing is a lumbering beast. What's more, when fully powered it pulls like a truck.
You would expect these things when going from a smaller kit to a larger one. what you would also expect is that it is smoother, and the power seems
to come on more predictably. Even though the pull was much greater, I was comfortable flying the 5m in the 15 MPH I as in yesterday. Still, I could
never imagine a beginner flying this kite. Its simply too much sail.
I really enjoy the new 5m. Its an even better value than the original. It is very stable under way and the pull is even and predictable. the
new graphics make it seem so much more than an entry level beginner foil. I would recommend the new beamers to all value conscience kiters.
Dave
THEFIFTHELEMENT - 21-3-2006 at 03:26 PM
nice review
Fireball - 22-3-2006 at 08:51 PM
I agree with you on that 5M It's a good kite. I have the whole set of Beamer II's. For a lower aspect kite which is what I wanted they work GREAT. In
the buggy or on a board Im fine with the performance of the new Beamers. For the amount of kite you get for the buck it' s a super deal, Out tonight
in 14-16mph winds and I was doing 25mph in the buggy with no problem with the 3.6M Beamer II.
THEFIFTHELEMENT - 23-3-2006 at 03:52 PM
wish I had a buggy to go with my 3.6 Beamer II