Cant really find any info on these kites in the review section. All I have been flying is my 3m and would like to get into something bigger and
de-power to cruise around in the snow, I have read that they are a good beginner kite and just a good all round good kite for cruising which is what I
will be doing. Anybody got any pros or cons about this kite? Any info would be awesome, THX.power - 6-12-2009 at 06:32 PM
It was written by someone using it as their first depower.
ATB,
SamBrian - 6-12-2009 at 08:01 PM
I have heard that the Apex is a bit unstable in gusty conditions does anyone know if HQ rectified this when they came out with the Apex II?redtailin - 6-12-2009 at 09:11 PM
I had an apex I 5m as my first kite, and I loved it....still wish I hadnt sold it. Ive only heard good things about the apex II.Maven454 - 7-12-2009 at 04:28 AM
I've never noticed any instability on mine, but most of it's use was at Wildwood where the winds were nice and steady. I think the only con I can
come up with is that due to the shape that makes it easy to fly, it doesn't manage to go up wind as well as something that's a bit more... performance
oriented is the best term I can come up with. As I stated before it's a good kite and excellent to start out with. If it weren't for the fact that I
could use the money, I'd be really tempted to keep both the Apex and the Synergy that I'm selling. Together they cover about the same wind range as
the Frenzies that I've got coming in, but would be easier on the days when I just want to cruise.Brian - 7-12-2009 at 07:56 AM
Is the montana to "lifty" of a kite to learn de-power on?ragden - 7-12-2009 at 08:12 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Brian
Is the montana to "lifty" of a kite to learn de-power on?
In my opinion, no. Some may disagree though. If you are careful with it, you wont have an issue...acampbell - 7-12-2009 at 08:20 AM
I have never hears of the Apex being unstable. I had an Apex I and flew the II at a demo. It's a great first de-power, as it is a simple rig and is
less intimidating. Easy to rig fly and will munch gusts well. For that you give up a bit of upwind ability. Great kite though and affordable.
The Montana is just a little more aggressive and is better upwind. I would not say it is too lifty to learn on if you understand how the rig works
and keep it "turned down" (strap in for less grunt). That is the beauty of de-power. I know a few folks that have had a Montana as a first de-power.
It has a more sophisticated compound 2- pulley mixer system and refined sailplan that can produce more lift than an Apex, be faster and go up wind
better. Procedures are no different than an Apex (or any other open cell de-power); the key is just fly it in moderate winds until you are used to
it.redtailin - 7-12-2009 at 09:08 AM
in my experience is that the Montana is much more unstable than the Apex in gusty conditions. Others may disagree, I dont know about the larger
Montanas, but the 5m I flew was terrible in the gustsacampbell - 7-12-2009 at 11:40 AM
Do you recall which Montana (2,3, or 4) ? they keep tweaking them. The 4 is very stable in a variety of conditions; much less tip-tuck. The 5's are
sitting in customs, last I heard.redtailin - 7-12-2009 at 12:24 PM
Must have been a 3....i think
If they differentiate colors, it was yellow and white, the 5m.acampbell - 7-12-2009 at 02:08 PM
yep, 3; that was the last version with the 5m size. The smallest version 4 is the 7.0. The 4's got better and I can't wait to try the 5'sBrian - 8-12-2009 at 09:20 AM
Well mabie it would be wise to stick with the simplicity and forgiveness of the ApexII as it will be my first de-power kite. Where I live the winds
are always gusty, however in the prairies there is ample open space just to go cruising so this kite sounds like it would work for what I would use it
for. Once I get used to de-power and decide to get another either bigger or smaller kite then it would be a good time to go for more upwind ability
and lift ect. Is it possible to learn to go upwind at all with this kite?Maven454 - 8-12-2009 at 09:30 AM
Yes. The kite will go upwind. It just doesn't go as far upwind as some of the more performance oriented kites.acampbell - 8-12-2009 at 09:36 AM
To be fair, when I said "give up a bit of up-wind performance..." for I meant relative to some others. The Apex will navigate just fine for you. I
ride on a long beach and it is rare to have a perfect off-shore breeze, so there is almost always an upwind and downwind tack, and the Apex did fine.
It will be great in gusts, like an Access.lynx69 - 8-12-2009 at 10:21 AM
Bump for ApexII. You won't be sorry. Mine will be staying in my quiver. :bigok:Maven454 - 8-12-2009 at 10:30 AM
And if you're okay with a lightly used kite, I'm perfectly willing to ship to Canada :D.
