Having had a taste of power kiting in Australia, I well-and-truly caught the bug and I am desperate to buy myself a kite now that I have landed back
in the UK. A friend of mine who has done a bit of power kiting recommended a Peter Lynn Hornet 4m as a good starter kite - what do people think to
this recommendation?
I have used handles and a bar and found handles much better-suited. I have no intention of using it on water or with a buggy, nor do I particularly
have aspirations of using it to jump. But I want something which gives me a bit of a battle to keep it in control. I loved the feeling of getting the
kite with some real power behind it and scudding (thank you Scoop for the helpful tutorial!). I'll be mainly in 10-20 mph winds.
Any thoughts and/or recommendations? I am in the UK and don't want to spend much more than £200 if it can be helped.
Thanks. BigMikesKites - 22-1-2012 at 11:39 AM
I'm not sure what size y ou have flown thus far, but the hornet is a very nice kite to start with. Especially with what you are looking to do.
10-15 is a more comfortable range for the 4m, but 20 isn't too much of a stretch. i would look smaller if too many days are above the 20 mph mark.Astraeus - 22-1-2012 at 11:45 AM
How big is that? I felt pretty comfortable flying that kite and certainly liked the pull it gave me in weak winds - something like that would be fine
for me.
Oddly enough, I just this second clicked onto a YouTube video of you, BigMike, reviewing the Hornet II.
EDIT: Not sure if it has a bearing but I am 90kg and 6'3" - does that affect the size of kite I'd need?Soma - 22-1-2012 at 01:22 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by AstraeusI am in the UK and don't want to spend much more than £200 if it can be helped.
Thanks.
There's the powerkiteshop.com there and they sell everything, including PL Hornet's.
The 4M goes for £194 RTF (Ready To Fly) free shipping.
Call them with your questions and doubts. They're excelent and their service is impecable (bought 2 kites from them).
About the kite, it's very similar to my Beamer 4M and in the 10-20MPH can give you a thrill.
But take in consideration that a little experience is required. Just start on lower wind days and progress from there. Once you have the Know-How,
you'll be able to take much more from it.
And if you feel overpowered, remember that the kite-killers are there to do their job.
There's also the forum.kitecrowd.com where you can find someone near you to hook up and give you some pointers/help and maybe try different wings.
Wlecome to the addiction, RedSky - 22-1-2012 at 01:29 PM
Try racekites.com before kitecrowd.com :D We are a friendlier bunch. The 4m Hornet was my friends first kite and it was a good choice.Clunthoo - 23-1-2012 at 02:59 PM
I have had my PL Hornet 2m for 3-4 years now. Has never let me down, very predictable. Could almost fly it blindfolded
I did have a go of a hornet II 3m and I don't know if was because I was so used to a 2m but turning seemed ALOT slower. But I think it might be
because it was improved to make it more stable in the air either way it still flew beautifully.pyro22487 - 23-1-2012 at 04:38 PM
the 3m is what my friend started with. so i recommend it for beginners. but you are larger than my friend so maybe a 4 would suite you better.Bladerunner - 23-1-2012 at 07:11 PM
+1 for a 3m unless your winds are typically very low.
The 3m is plenty big enough to give you that power you crave but will allow you to fly in higher / more fun winds without being overpowered by the
kite.
A 4m may make more sense if you wanted to use it as an engine ?
Clunthoo, In my experience kites about 3m DO slow down and act like they are real power kites. Where you have to think about your next action and
initiate it early.pyro22487 - 23-1-2012 at 11:19 PM
In addition to my previous statement, I neglected to mention that my friend was able to buggy with the 3m hornet in about 15 gusting to 20 mph winds.
He was in a PeterLynn XR and he only weighs about 130 to 140.
