flyhappy21 - 8-3-2012 at 07:39 PM
Hi I'm just getting into the sport I'm not sure what to start with I'm about 5'6" n 130lbs I flown a 11.6ft one 3 lines with a control bar in 20-30mph
winds n it threw me around so I want a lil bit smaller one so its not bad I like the whole control bar setup better than the handles so id like one
with that too any tips on what one might fit me well
macboy - 8-3-2012 at 08:25 PM
Hey there - and welcome! You're off to the right start asking here. Prepare for an influx of everything!
The general rule of thumb is to find a small trainer and go out in light winds to start with. Even my 3m kite was enough to launch me when I took it
out in brisk winds I wasn't ready for.
Handles vs control bar......
Most fixed bridle foils fly best on handles (they give you the best degree of control). You can get control bar setups for fixed bridles but you may
likely be sacrificing control.
Depower kites however fly on a control bar and also require the use of a harness to fix the centerlines to your body so that you can modulate the
power in the kite by sheeting in and out on the bar.
A small depower like a 4m Access might be a good place to start (130lbs is pretty light I think). If you want to save some $$ and are OK with handles
or the lesser control of a fixed bridle on a bar then you could look to a 2-3m Beamer, Hornet or similar.
Let us know where you are - chances are there's one of "us" near you. If not, let us know what your normal winds are like and we can try to keep you
safe through the forum. Welcome to the addiction!
BigMikesKites - 8-3-2012 at 09:34 PM
2-3m Hornet or Beamer. Handles give you better control, but doable and available with a bar.
Impulse or Rush Pro for bar flying...same sizes. 2m or 3m
flyhappy21 - 8-3-2012 at 09:50 PM
Ok thanks that helps. I'm in michigan so everyday is different I've also flown a 6ft one n it didn't give me the rush or pull I was lookin for n the
11ft one was way to much for me I've been lookin all ovr just for a store around here
macboy - 8-3-2012 at 11:29 PM
FYI - kites these days are measured in square meters of surface area. My 3m kite is about 7 feet? (Don't quote me on that one.) You have to be careful
with measuring spans (if that's how you're getting your measurements). a 5m Reactor span is probably about 10 feet where a 5m race kite span will be
about 18 feet but a handful to fly and a powerhouse to deal with (again don't quote me on those numbers but you get my drift).
flyhappy21 - 9-3-2012 at 04:35 AM
I know they are measured on meters but a lot of ppl get confused if I say 3m. But thank you I've been reading up on a lot of kites jist to find out
about them. N by the sound of it I should start out with a 2m or 3 m.
indigo_wolf - 9-3-2012 at 08:18 AM
FWIW...From the HQ site:
Scout 3m:
Flat Span (cm/ft) 324 cm /10.63 ft
Height (cm/ft) 110 cm /3.6 ft
Flat Aspect Ratio 3.5
Flat Area 3 m2
Rush 350 PRO:
Flat Span (cm/ft) 350 cm / 11.5 ft
Height (cm/ft) 120 cm /3.94 ft
Flat Aspect Ratio 3.6
Flat Area 3.5 m2
@FlyHappy21: If you want to split the difference you could always look at a Sting 2.4. Brad has new one one for $180. It comes on Handles, but you could always snag a control bar from Angus. That way you can try both control methods.
If you are absotively set on only flying on a bar, a Flexifoil Quark is essentially a 3 line Sting 2.4 on a control bar.
ATB,
Sam
burritobandit - 9-3-2012 at 08:30 AM
If you're going for a trainer on a bar, try to get one with a 3-line setup. That 3rd line will allow you you self-launch, self-land, and relaunch
wayyy easier than a 2-line. The HQ Rush Pro mentioned above is 3-line, and also look into the HQ Hydra 300 or 350. The HQ Hydra can be used on land
and water.
flyhappy21 - 9-3-2012 at 09:58 AM
http://www.prismkites.com/products-sf-snapshot19.php What do you guys think about the snapshot 1.9 is it a decent kite I noticed it was pretty
cheap didn't know if its a garbage kite.... also the 11ft one I flew the other day dragged me around so I think those ones mentioned would be to big
to
Soma - 9-3-2012 at 10:57 AM
The 3m (11ft) kite you flown the first time pulled like a train because of the winds. Those aren't the best winds to start with.
I'm your weight and I started with a 2.5m low aspect kite (like the ones mentioned above---^^^^^^) in winds 10mph and below.
It wasn't a train but I could feel the pull of it. After knowing how to control it, I started taking it out to higher winds (mid teens to 20mph). The
kite became alive pulling reaaly nice but mainly also because of the "know-how" to control it.
That kite is now, the "lend-me-a-learning-kite" to others and a really high wind toy.
Start low, either kite and winds.
As mentioned, try to get hooked with someone near you who might lend you a kite, give tips, etc...
BTW: as mentioned, the Hydra besides beeing a good trainer and coming with a bar, can be used both in land and water, in case you decide to go that
route, :D
Regards and be prepared for "build-a-quiver-faster-then-your-wallet-gets-money", 
Joćo
flyhappy21 - 9-3-2012 at 11:40 AM
Ok thank you. I'm thinking about getting the hydro. Also I've got one guy I know whoss into it n he has the 3m one i fly that one it just pulls me
around a lil more than I want. Thanks to every one for the advice.
macboy - 9-3-2012 at 02:44 PM
Ah! Forgot about the Hydra! If you can afford it - DEFINITELY go for it. Flying in waist deep water is a blast!