Power Kite Forum

Ozone Access XT 8m or 6m?

AJsnowkiter - 21-12-2010 at 03:34 PM

I need help choosing which size of the Ozone Access XT to get...

I'm 140 pounds, and wind here can range from 5-15 mph. If you need more info, just ask me.

Maven454 - 21-12-2010 at 03:39 PM

Neither of those will be particularly useful at 5 mph. Even in 10-15 mph winds, I'd want the 10m Access.

thanson2001ok - 21-12-2010 at 04:06 PM

What he said.:D

I've got the 10m Access and a 7m Frenzy. In 10-12 the Frenzy just pissed me off. I'm 185 pounds but still, the 6m will leave you just watching all the reindeer games.

AJsnowkiter - 21-12-2010 at 04:06 PM

The thing is, is that I have an 11m Cabrinha so I was looking for a 6 to 8m kite, maybe for the stronger days. And the 10m is a little out of my price range.

Maven454 - 21-12-2010 at 05:33 PM

If you wanted if for the stronger days, then you shouldn't have specified wind speeds of 5-15... :puzzled:

AJsnowkiter - 21-12-2010 at 08:27 PM

I know sorry. I don't know what I mean. I can't explain it. Let me change that 5-15 to 7-18. Not that its much of a difference, but thats official. 5-15 was a prediction on my part, sorry. The thing is that I have a 3.5m, and that thing can almost pull me on a snowboard (Not quite there yet, I weigh a little to much). So do you guys think 6m? Or 8m?

Sorry if I confused you guys, I kinda feel bad.

B-Roc - 22-12-2010 at 06:40 AM

I weigh 145#s and my high wind kite is a 4m Access which I start using around 20+ mph and I doin't know its top end.

So if you're looking for something in the 7-18 mph range I would say it would have to be the 8m (if not the 10m) but if you want something that you can fly upto the 30mph range then go for the 6m as that's what several of the riders out my way use as there high wind kite (though it doesn't get them moving until the winds are in the upper teens).

On snow, with little friction, you can sometimes get by with a smaller kite (6m) then you would need on sand / grass but if the snow is deep or wet you'll appreciate something with enough grunt (8m) to get you through that.

kiteNH - 22-12-2010 at 06:42 AM

8m should do. I don't think there are any kites that you can have fun with in 5 mph except maybe those mystical SA's that I read about.

B-Roc - 22-12-2010 at 06:46 AM

My old 8.5 blade got me kite skiing on hard pack in measured 4 mph winds :wee: but now my Bego is my light wind weapon of choice and I've skied and boarded with that kite in measured 6 mph winds - :thumbup:

shaggs2riches - 22-12-2010 at 07:34 AM

If you can scrape the extra $$$ I'd definitely confirm about the 10m. Once you've grown into it you should be fine with its power. Remember that once you are moving the power will be different than when you are static. But, if those two are your ultimate choices go for the 8m. Not sure what your experience with kiting is but you will find that there is a real need to be powered up when riding or you'll find yourself falling over a ton.

Good Luck
Shaggs

bobalooie57 - 22-12-2010 at 07:45 AM

If you are used to flying the Cab, I'd stick with it on snow, if you don't mind the set-up. 11M doesn't seem too large if you are used to it. If you want the foil for ease of setup, at 140# I think the 8M would be fine for you. I have an 8M Access II, and it works for me at 200#, but there are some days I wish I had the 10M. Like Shaggs says, in less than 15, I'm up and down a lot, but my board skills are not that good.
EDIT: Oh lets face it, I'm up and down a lot no matter what the wind, not the kites fault though!

lives2fly - 22-12-2010 at 09:49 AM

The 10m doesn't cost much more than th2 8m does it? Only £25 more in the UK.

AJsnowkiter - 22-12-2010 at 03:02 PM

lives2fly it costs $85 more. But $955 is a lot of money for me to raise at my age (13). So I'm thinkin maybe the 8m then. Thanks guys!!!

Happy Kiting and Merry Christmas,
AJ

lives2fly - 23-12-2010 at 03:46 AM

Hell yeah! I remember tring to save up for my first mountain bike at about your age - took me about 2 years!!

Sorry didn't realise! at least you will have time to go kiting once you get the cash togethor instaed of being chained to a job!

Good luck with the saving and happy kite flying

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 05:36 AM

Thanks live2fly!

Seanny - 23-12-2010 at 08:59 AM

Go for the 8m. With any kite, you just have to accept that the wind can't be perfect, and some days there will just be too much or too little. 8 meters of kite above you should get you moving in a decent breeze no problem. It's astounding what we pay for a strip of nylon, some string, and a composite bar. :)

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 09:06 AM

This seems to have a good price range. Right? But is this the newest version of the Access?

http://www.kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ozone_2010_a...

Seanny - 23-12-2010 at 09:08 AM

Yep, that's an XT. Not sure if they have the 2011 model out yet or not. If so, don't buy it. Get the 2010 XT or an XC. The extra money you'll be paying for a 2011 kite probably isn't worth it anyway.

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 09:19 AM

Does the 2010 version come with the Snow Contact Control system?

Seanny - 23-12-2010 at 09:31 AM

Yep! I think the 2010 and 2011 are the same, but I'm not positive. I haven't been keeping up with Ozone:sniff:

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 09:38 AM

Ok cool! One quick question: How do you list the kites you fly? Like underneath your post?

Seanny - 23-12-2010 at 09:50 AM

Go to User Control Panel, edit profile, signature. :)

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 09:57 AM

Thanks! Thats been bugging me. I said I have the cabrinha 19.5 and 11.5, but those are for my dad, unfortunately. He doesnt ever get time to fly them though, so I think I should just take them out for a spin, but thats dangerous. I'm really urging to go out and kite sometime but there just isnt any windy days.

Seanny - 23-12-2010 at 10:07 AM

Do you know what Cabrinha kites they are? Like what model? You probably shouldn't take them out without someone there to help you... self launching may be difficult, and those kites can be very dangerous, especially the 19.5. Plus, you don't want to dive bomb it into the ground and pop the LE or something.

EDIT: Is the 19.5m kite a Contra? DEFINITELY do NOT take that kite out by yourself!!!! Old, HUGE C-kite = BAD NEWS!

AJsnowkiter - 23-12-2010 at 10:12 AM

I'm not sure right now, but i'll make sure to get the model on there too later.

EDIT: I think it is actually. I wasn't planning on taking that one out until I was about 50 pounds more than I am right now. (140 pounds)

lives2fly - 24-12-2010 at 03:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by AJsnowkiter
Does the 2010 version come with the Snow Contact Control system?


Snow Contact Control System is 2011 only. This is a bigger deal for the Access than the other kites because the Access used to have it's own bar and now uses the same as the other Ozone kites (manta and frenzy)

I would recommend getting the new bar so you can upgrade to a frenzy or a manta later if you want.

All the depower in the 2009/10 Access is in the bar throw - there is no trim strap so you can set a range to suit conditions.

The kite itself seems almost identical so you could save some cash getting a an older model kite and a new style bar maybe...

krumly - 24-12-2010 at 12:03 PM

AJ -

Didn't realize you were 13 and on a tight budget. My advice is to look for used kites, and not get hung up on deciding between a 6 and 8m new Access. Not that it isn't a good kite.

Get the scoop on the Cabrinha's for us. If those sizes are for old C kites, that's not a good learning thing for anyone. If they are bows or SLE, like an older Crossbow or Switchblade, the 11 m could be a go-to kite for you. Depower range on those is huge, and even the 2006 (intro year) models work fine.

And take a lesson or two - you might start on a small depower in the lesson, but by the time you're done you'll probably be riding a bigger kite and won't be thinking 6m depower for your first purchase.

Happy holidays,

krumly

John Holgate - 25-12-2010 at 03:13 PM

The newer 'XT's' are a lot faster turning than the old XC's - which means you can work 'em up and down faster in lighter winds to generate more power. A couple of friends were trying out a demo 6m XT vs a 6m XC and the XT literally ran rings around the old XC model. I have a 4m XT which I got cheap 'cos it was a 2010 model (no trim strap) - on a smaller kite it's not too bad, but if I was buying a 6/8/10m, I would want the trim strap (2011) which would allow me to put the bar in a comfortable position for cruising. What about a 7.5m Apex III ?? I have the Apex II which does much better in lighter winds than the Access XC although it's not as forgiving a kite - doesn't have as much depower but it's amazingly stable. Here's my last vid with the Apex II 7.5m (they're a fair bit cheaper than the Access too - well, they are in Aus) http://www.vimeo.com/16496186

AJsnowkiter - 26-12-2010 at 04:51 PM

I actually just got the HQ scout II 5m for Christmas!!!!!! Yes!!! Very :puzzled: at first, but when I got the bar layed out and got the lines layed out to the correct numbers (the lines are numbered), it was great! Thanks HQ!

B-Roc - 26-12-2010 at 07:16 PM

That kite should have you rockin in the snow. Keep us posted on your progress.

Be safe and enjoy!

AJsnowkiter - 27-12-2010 at 11:34 AM

I took it out today. Winds were 12 mph. I didn't put my snowboard on at first, instead I learned to get a hang of it. I probably had my snowboard on for about 3 seconds before I launched it and it flipped me over on my face. :lol: But man that's a super strong kite!!! Nice and sturdy too!

Seanny - 27-12-2010 at 06:26 PM

Hmmm, have you ever thought about step-in bindings and boots? That way, you don't have to hot launch the kite with the snowboard attached to you. You can get it into the air, they hop onto the board and you're good to go :bigok:

AJsnowkiter - 28-12-2010 at 09:02 AM

For some reason when I click page 3, it sends me back to one. Why is that? In other words I can't see page 3. :puzzled:

bobalooie57 - 28-12-2010 at 09:10 AM

Go to edit profile and change your posts per page to a large (100+) number, and you won't have that problem(until of course, the posts per page get to that number)

AJsnowkiter - 28-12-2010 at 09:21 AM

Got it. So the step in bindings... I'll consider it because my other bindings are getting way to small. Thanks for that suggestion! I think I'll go for the step-in-bindings next. :thumbup:

Do you need special boots got them though?

shaggs2riches - 28-12-2010 at 10:10 AM

I had a pair of burton clickers (I believe that is what they were called) The boots were matched with the bases. They worked really well till my buddy thought that you really could just jump into them and broke one of the bases :lol: I currently use a set of K2 cinch bindings, that work well, many others use a set of flows. Both easy to use with one free hand while you pilot the kite with the other. Usually I will get my kite flying and then jump into the board, to keep things simple.


AJsnowkiter - 28-12-2010 at 11:01 AM

THOSE ARE SOME NICE SNOWBOARD BINDINGS!!!!!! I WANT THOSE SO BAD :lol:!! I'll have to see how much they are.

Out of stock! Everywhere! I'll have to keep looking. Anybody know where I can get some cheap and in stock? Also those K2 Cinch CTC bindings, Are those special boots?

shaggs2riches - 28-12-2010 at 11:34 AM

You can use any pair of boots with either of those bindings. Just like standard bindings you need to get the appropriate size of binding to your boot size.

AJsnowkiter - 28-12-2010 at 11:40 AM

Ok. Thanks.

a11an - 30-12-2010 at 07:02 AM

My girlfriend has SP bindings. Way better then FLOWs.
http://www.sp-united.com/bindings/

I have regural FORUM bindings. I can't say that she is any faster with her step in bindings then me. Maybe a litle :smilegrin: