Power Kite Forum

Closed Cell Foils vs Open cell wind ranges

martinipro - 22-8-2011 at 08:23 AM

Hi all:

I am looking to get a closed cell foil in the near future. Plan on using it to learn water based traction sports as well as a buggy engine. Also may get an atv board eventually.

How does the wind range of an arc (say synergy/charger) compare to the wind rage of a Pulse 2 and how would that compare to my Frenzy FYX.

What I'm looking for is a kite that will not overlap(wind range wise) with my Frenzy. So lets say I would want an Arc/FS that would be comparable to an 11-12M Frenzy what size Arc and what size FS would I be looking at?

Thanks everyone for your input,
Martin

chudalicious - 22-8-2011 at 10:46 AM

That is ONE SEXY FRENZY in the photo!
Glad you are enjoying it :)

Arcs are tricky so you have to go by Projected Area (PA) to see what they would equal in order to compare apples to apples - so to speak.

Flysurfers also have (on their site) the PA of their kites. Then you would just need to get the PA of the Frenzy.

Usually the rule is that you would go up 4m in depowers so the logical size would be an 11 Frenzy if you wanted to stay open foil and if you wanted to go closed, just compare the PA to what would equal an 11m Frenzy.

Of course, the aspect ratio plays a part in this as well but that is a whole different ball of wax!

Bladerunner - 22-8-2011 at 04:57 PM

My 15m arcs have a bit of overlap with my 7m Pulse . Depending on your size / skill a larger arc would also work with your 7 ?

I'm not so sure closed cell makes a difference in range ? I suppose comparing the range of the outlaw vs pulse II would answer that?

martinipro - 22-8-2011 at 05:25 PM

Thx for the replies.

A bit of overlap is fine. I just don't want to end with a couple kites that have the same wind range(at least not for now).
Anyone around that could answer that? Is there a range difference between an outlaw vs a pulse 2?
Then again? What would you recommend for a newbie? Arc/fs/hq?
As I said before, planning on doing a little bit of everything so nothing too lifty.

I am planning to stop by the cheeseball rally as well as wildwood. Shold be good to get to know a few of you as well as catch some tips from the pros!

kitedelight - 22-8-2011 at 07:33 PM

not really experienced with open cells, but from my experiences around guys flying them, the 11 frenzy fits roughly in and around my 12 closed cell for bottom end, can't say too much about top end. I don't think the open vs closed cell gives different ranges so much as ability to ride on water and ability to hold shape a bit better (closed cell).

Something like the pulse2 12 would probably fit the bill fine.

I've got an arc and a foil, like the foil better for jumping but the arc is a better ride in cruddy winds.

Tibi - 23-8-2011 at 04:45 AM

The Outlaw and the Pulse 2 are almost identical, but the Pulse 2 can be also used on water.

revpaul - 23-8-2011 at 09:14 AM

my brother has a 12m Frenzy and i have a 12m Puse 2.
from my experience with both (jumping(static),buggy, and snow skiing) i say the 12m Fenzy has way more brute power/grunt thorughout the wind range. the Pulse 2 is much more user friendly.

i'd "guess" a 10m Fenzy would be closer to a 12m Pulse 2 for raw power.
i'd '"guess" a 12m Pulse 2 raw power would be closer to a 14m Arc (maybe not so much the newest Charger)

ragden - 23-8-2011 at 09:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by revpaul
my brother has a 12m Frenzy and i have a 12m Puse 2.
from my experience with both (jumping(static),buggy, and snow skiing) i say the 12m Fenzy has way more brute power/grunt thorughout the wind range. the Pulse 2 is much more user friendly...


This is quite accurate. From my experience flying the outlaws next to people flying other kites, the outlaws have a lot more grunt power than you would expect from a similiar closed cell foil of the same size. However, they are prone to strange behaviour when the wind isnt steady... Takes a little more finesse to keep them going.
;)

martinipro - 23-8-2011 at 01:48 PM

Good info here, thanks

Now, How does a speed2 compare to a pulse2. Woul you recommend a speed2 for water, as well as for land?
I'm about to pull the trigger on a closed cell or arc. Now the question is what should I get.
Seems like I'll probably be looking for a 12m closed cell or 15m arc.
Any thoughts?

ragden - 24-8-2011 at 05:15 AM

The speed series of kites is very high aspect and high performance. Not for the faint of heart. ;)

A Pulse2 is a much easier to handle kite. Though, depending on the year of your frenzy, you might find the Pulse too tame by comparison. The Speed though, is going to be a handful. The Speed2 line is very very powerful. If you can test fly one before you buy it, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

Mostly Harmless - 25-8-2011 at 04:54 AM

I am an LEI guy so please bare with me but the idea of having an open cell kite in the water is a little scary, if it hits the water won't it just start flooding?

martinipro - 25-8-2011 at 05:26 AM

You are correct.
The question was geared not towards which kite to use on water.
The different kite types(arcs/closed cell foils/open cell foils/leis) of the same size have different wind ranges
from my understanding for example a 7m lei will need less wind than a open cell/closed cell which need less wind than an arc..
From what people say here, open and closed cell foils have about the same range.

I meant to create the thread in the general section. I guess I miss clicked :no:

Mostly Harmless - 25-8-2011 at 07:53 AM

gotcha, my apologies.