Power Kite Forum

New to kiting

slee - 16-9-2010 at 06:21 AM

Hi all, need some advice on kite set up. I am looking buy my first kite after playing with a mates 1.3m hq beach kite. I had lots of fun with it and it has mae me think about getting one for myself but want to go a bit bigger.

Then i came across all the different kites out there!

I am thinking of getting a kite around the 2m - 2.5m mark as I think that will be a good place to start.
What I am not sure about is if i should get one with a bar or if i should get a 4 line kite with quad handles or...

What are the benefits of the bar etc? If i get into it more i may look at getting a board but this may not be for some time and i may go for a larger kite by then any way. So this is for playing around at the beach / field and learning how to fly it properly.

I have had a look at a few kites and i am thinking of getting a Ozone IMP 3 (III) Quattro 2.5m is this a good kie to start off with?

Can you receommend a kite for to learn with?


Thanks

I have about £150 to spend max under £100 would be better.

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 06:30 AM

Recommended size for a first kite depends on a number of factors (weight, location, wind speed) but generally ~3m is a good start, congratulations on not wanting to start with something way too big (a common issue).

Handles will give more control over the kite than a bar, but a bar is generally considered a (little) easier (particularly with a board).

The Ozone Imp III Quattro is an excellent kite in any size and a good kite to learn on.

slee - 16-9-2010 at 07:12 AM

thanks for the info to help i am about 12 stone. Are there any other kites you think i should look at?

Ye i dont want to go for too big a kite and end up hurting myself. I was looking on ebay for kites and came across someone selling a 6m kite they stated reason for selling that on their first flight they broke their hip and had metal plate in their leg!

I think ill got for the handles to learn with and then i can always get a bar later. if i do got for the quatro i saw you can buy a bar later so that could be a good option

Masame - 16-9-2010 at 07:30 AM

Hey Slee,

Like you I'm new to kiting as well. I'm about 14 stone and just ordered the Prism Tensor 3.0 as my starter kite. It should arrive at my office today and, if the rain lets up, I be able to give it a go this weekend. I was torn between this one and an HQ Scout II. I went with the Tensor due to the convertable bar/handles, but may buy a Scout II when I want a slightly bigger kite (5m).

I'll let you know what I think once I get a chance to get it out :D

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 07:49 AM

At 12 stone a 3m kite should be a good start. Other kites that are often recommended for a beginner are the HQ Beamer, Peter Lynn Hornet, Flexifoil Rage, and Ozone Flow. My preference is for Ozone kites (their handles are comfy and the kites fly wonderfully), but the others are all good too. Ozone and Flexifoil run a little more expensive than Peter Lynn or HQ, but Ozone and Flexifoil (generally) get a little more attention to the details.

slee - 16-9-2010 at 08:06 AM

I think i am going to go for he quattro 2.5m but one thing i am not sure about is if i should got for handles or for a bar.
I like the ozone kites an what i have read they seem popular. So i could go for the quattro with handles or the Ozone - Imp KS Trainer & Chicken Loop

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 08:25 AM

My opinion is to go for the handles, it really allows more control over the kite.

bobalooie57 - 16-9-2010 at 08:49 AM

I'd have to agree with Maven, handles give far better control. My 1st kite was the 3.5M Imp Trainer 3-line / bar set-up, and I've flown the heck out of it on the bar, but I've recently switched it over to handles,and it rocks in the buggy! I've kept the bar option, though, and will probably switch back in winter for a trainer/nukin' wind kite. If you get the Quattro, you can always get a x-over or turbo bar later. Just my 2 cents.

slee - 16-9-2010 at 09:25 AM

As my first kite would it be a good idea to go for the 3.5 instead? I was kinda set on the 2.5 but then someone said to me that i would get bored of it very quickly so i should get the 3.5.

What do you think? I don't want to get a kite that i am not going to enjoy as it is dragging me everywhere while i learn but i also don't want to waste the money if i want a larger kite on my first outing.

I did see that the quattro has the option of the bar for an extra £65 so i could get that later on if i decided i wanted a bar.

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 09:36 AM

The 2.5 should be just fine. If you ever decide that you want a bar for it, I really have to recommend the Ozone Turbo bar as the best option. It's expensive, but far and away the best bar currently available for a fixed bridle kite.

bobalooie57 - 16-9-2010 at 09:41 AM

As you can see in most of our sigs, the money won't be wasted. haha I weigh 200 lbs, so I've only had to put the 3.5 away in really big winds, but then I have my 2M, and 1.4M, you get the pic...If you intend on doing any boarding/buggying the 3.5 will serve you better in the long run, just take it out in 10mph or so at first to learn how it flys,and be safe! Welcome to the forum btw!

slee - 16-9-2010 at 09:53 AM

Right I had a chat with a guy from The Power Kite Shop and he thinks going for the 3.5 should be fine. I must say im a but scared at the thought of going that big but he said with my weight as long as i dont go out in strong winds i should be fine. I am hopfully going to be flying a mates flexifoil 1.8m kite next weeks so i can see what is it like. Hopefully then ill get an idea if i should go for the 2.5 or the 3.5 but i think im leaning towards the 3.5 so it is more fun.

Where would you suggest i buy the kite from? I have had a search online and found that the power kite shop have a good price on the kites and free delivery (im in the UK) anywhere else i should consider?

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 10:08 AM

The amount of fun based on size is debatable. I'm about your weight and if I'm just standing there flying a kite, I prefer one of my smaller kites, like the 1m Imp or the 2m Flow, it's only if I'm going to be riding something that I want something bigger. But there's a lot of preference in such things. If possible, trying before you buy is always a good thing!

bobalooie57 - 16-9-2010 at 10:17 AM

Agreed, the 3.5 can be a handful in gusty winds and anything over 15, unless I'm in the buggy, then it's right at home up 'til about 25, then lookout! :wee:

slee - 16-9-2010 at 10:30 AM

So confusing to know what to go for. Fingers crossed i get to have a go on the 1.8m kite next week. Just a shame i dont live near a kite shop the nearest one to me is almost an hour away for to go and try one out.

flyguy0101 - 16-9-2010 at 11:36 AM

If i only had to drive an hour one way to try out a couple of kites, I would already have been in the car. i think it would be time well spent to drive the hour to try out both sizes if they have demos (i would assume they do)

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 12:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by flyguy0101
If i only had to drive an hour one way to try out a couple of kites, I would already have been in the car.


You and me both.

slee - 16-9-2010 at 12:15 PM

sadly the shop i was referring to does not sell ozone kites. Normally driving an hour would not be a problem but i am training to do the 3 peaks challenge and most weekends are taken up with me hiking

slee - 16-9-2010 at 01:12 PM

just seen a flexi sting 2.4m for £90 is that a better kite should i by that?

Midgaar - 16-9-2010 at 01:21 PM

I think you will be much happier with a 3 or 3.5 meter kite. I started on the 3m Beamer and after only a few outings I was looking for more power, in LIGHT (6-10 mph) winds mind you. The 3m is pretty gentle to fly in anything under 10 mph, my 12-year-old even flies it in all conditions with no trouble. It will pull you around when you want it too in low winds, and when you don't want it too in high winds.

Maven454 - 16-9-2010 at 01:30 PM

slee, the Flexi Sting and the Ozone Imp are similar kites designed for a similar purpose, training. An important item of note is that the some Stings have handles and some have a bar, so make sure that you know which one this is.

Midgaar, I'm pretty sure that the UK generally has more/better wind than the mid-western US (I grew up in Ohio) and 6-10 mph is very light winds for anything that is small enough to learn on.

abstract808 - 16-9-2010 at 01:41 PM

hello slee I own a flexi sting 2.4 and i really LOVE it it was my second kite and i dont think i will ever give that one up. it is a good begginer kite and flys Extremly well will genreally never get you off the ground and is very fun to fly static. i board with it in 25 mph winds i keep it around for my high wind kite because of the low lift and very predictable flying. the sting is more of a static kite with that said If you want to have fun on the beach and only want to get good pull only in strong winds its a good kite. but like midgaar said i think you might be a little happier with a 3 or 3.5 kite because they are still easy to learn on and will pull you around in lighter winds but most importantly still safe. As for the bar handles debate go with handles!!!! handles help you to learn how to fly the kite effectivley and genreally ANY kite on handles can be converted to a bar later.

John Holgate - 16-9-2010 at 02:23 PM

As a first kite I think a 2-2.5m would be just right. Handles for a start. If you get into a buggy or a landboard later on you can try out a bar. The 2.5 Quattro was my first kite and I was always overawed by how much power it had - it wasn't till I got into the buggy that I needed a bigger kite. Even a 2m Beamer will pull you around all over the place in some reasonable wind. All of the kites mentioned would be good - Imp, Flow, Beamer, Hornet - you'll have a blast with either. Here's a vid of static flying the 2.5m Quattro:

kiteline - 16-9-2010 at 03:53 PM

FWIW, I am a HQ fan. That being said, I use to have an Ozone Imp 3.5 and I loved it. It was a little smaller than the HQ Rush III Pro 350, but it could turn like nobody's business and it generated plenty of power. I weigh 210 pounds and I used it to ride my ATB on an abandoned housing project (no cars, clean asphalt).

I flew the Imp 3.5 in winds from 10 - 20 mph, but it wasn't easy to handle at the upper end of those speeds. For someone your size, the 3.5 might be a little big, espically in the high winds, but I tend to take the safe route when I make recommendations. If you go with the larger kite, just be careful.

I know you are looking that the IMP Quatro, but unless you are looking mostly at the buggy, I would suggest going with a kite on the bar. It is a lot easier to deal with your board or whatever else when you can control the kite with one hand.

I have to echo the opinion that the handles make the kite more responsive to control. Also, it is much easier to go from a 4 line kite that comes with handles to a bar than it is to go with from a 3 line kite (such as the IMP Trainer) on a bar to handles.

Good luck and welcome.

-Mike

Bladerunner - 16-9-2010 at 04:22 PM

I would suggest you start with the 2.5 and accept the fact that you will soon be buying something larger. It is that second kite that will be your go to engine once you have learned the ropes. A 2.5 will always remain useful though.

I keep a low lift stable 2.5 meter in my bag and use it a LOT! Both for teaching others and as a super high wind engine. A 3.5 is actually a LOT more power when the wind picks up. It is too big to serve as a super high wind kite yet too small to use in medium winds as an engine. It has greater potential to hurt you or people you teach.

+1 for handles. I spent a LOT of time and cash trying bars on Fixed Bridles. They work but you lose a LOT of control. I would suggest the money for a bar is better spent getting a good second kite.

Midgaar - 16-9-2010 at 06:34 PM

Quote:

Midgaar, I'm pretty sure that the UK generally has more/better wind than the mid-western US (I grew up in Ohio) and 6-10 mph is very light winds for anything that is small enough to learn on.


Maybe, but I'm in Milwaukee and we get nice winds off the lake. On average we have 12mph winds, according to NOAA.gov, but even when they get above 20 I don't feel to overwhelmed by my Beamer. I think I'd get bored with anything less than a 3m, except the handful of times the winds get in the high 20s low 30s. Just my 2 cents.

Bladerunner - 17-9-2010 at 06:42 AM

I partly agree.
1/2 meter makes a big difference in small kites. A 2.5 will produce less power than a 3 or 3.5. If you want your 1st kite to become your high wind kite then some sacrifice is needed. The largest I would suggest is a 3m . I started on a 3m but found that the 2.5 serves far better now that I use it to teach others + sometimes want to keep flying in insane winds.

lives2fly - 17-9-2010 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
The 2.5 should be just fine. If you ever decide that you want a bar for it, I really have to recommend the Ozone Turbo bar as the best option. It's expensive, but far and away the best bar currently available for a fixed bridle kite.


I think the flexifoil Traction Extreme Bar is just as good to be honest and has the advantage that it comes in longer sizes than the ozone's 54cm's. You will need a long bar for higher aspect FB's (Blades, Twisters) or you will get folding wing tips. normally longer bars make the kite more responsive too but the pulley system on the turbo takes care of that.

Long bars make flying one handed while riding toeside LOTS easier too.

Not an issue really when you start out but if you will move on to bigger and higher performance kites then longer is generally better.

Maven454 - 17-9-2010 at 08:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lives2fly
Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
The 2.5 should be just fine. If you ever decide that you want a bar for it, I really have to recommend the Ozone Turbo bar as the best option. It's expensive, but far and away the best bar currently available for a fixed bridle kite.


I think the flexifoil Traction Extreme Bar is just as good to be honest and has the advantage that it comes in longer sizes than the ozone's 54cm's. You will need a long bar for higher aspect FB's (Blades, Twisters) or you will get folding wing tips. normally longer bars make the kite more responsive too but the pulley system on the turbo takes care of that.

Long bars make flying one handed while riding toeside LOTS easier too.

Not an issue really when you start out but if you will move on to bigger and higher performance kites then longer is generally better.


Have you used an Ozone Turbo bar? I'll admit to not having used a Flexifoil Traction Extreme bar, but from a Google search, it appears to be a standard fixed bridle bar, basically turning your fixed bridle into a three line kite. The Turbo bar give you the ability to sheet the bar in and out to adjust the amount of brakes that you have applied and steers with the brakes. The Flexifoil bar appears to steer with the power lines, which should be slow, even with a longer bar.

slee - 29-4-2011 at 08:19 AM

It took me a while but I have now bought a Ozone Imp Quatro 3.5m which I have taken out once so far and loved it!

There were quite strong winds for my first got (3-4 bft) but I was happy enough controlling it.
What I would like to know is some tips on how to move it around more, using the break lines etc

bobalooie57 - 29-4-2011 at 08:32 AM

Have you been able to check out the very useful tutorials at coastalwindsports? http://www.coastalwindsports.com/101FirstFlight4LineHandles....

slee - 1-5-2011 at 02:25 PM

Took the Kite out this weekend I am getting better with it already. I've been using the brakes to make sharper turns and it was a lot of fun. Not that I want to ye but will I be able to jump with this kite?

Any good tips on flying it? I've been bringing the kite down lower to get the pull which was making it much kore fun as it pulls lots

spork - 2-5-2011 at 05:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by slee
Not that I want to ye but will I be able to jump with this kite?


you can jump with any kite, assuming the wind and lines are strong enough.
but in some cases its downright dangerous or irresponsible, so always be careful and sensible.
for a 3.5m you should be good to jump in higher winds (unless you're on the heavier side)
some tips i'd suggest:
-soft ground ;) as smaller kites drop you harder
-dont overdo it. take a small slice out of the window first, see how that feels before taking bigger slices.

Quote:
Originally posted by slee
Any good tips on flying it?


I found this site really really helpful for learning the lingo and basic moves
http://www.kiteboardingevolution.com/trainer-kite-exercises-...

*note i fly bar (not sure how different things will be for handles)

hope this helps