NW Flyer - 6-6-2012 at 02:10 PM
Wondering what experiences or impressions people have of a 5m Ozone Flow vs. a Method for a buggy trainer kite. I have a 3m Flow that I've flown for
roughly a year and am ready to try buggying on NW beaches. Thanks from a newbie.
John Holgate - 6-6-2012 at 02:56 PM
On the beach, where the wind is smoother than inland, I'd go for the Method. More speed, better upwind, but you need a little room to get the kite up
to speed before it performs at it's best. May need a touch of brakes every now and then to stop it from overflying. Good from about 11-12 knots up
to around 18-20 knots.
I don't have a 5m Flow, but I've got the 3m - I would expect the 5m Flow would produce a little more power in the lighter wind ranges and have a
better bottom end but not have the top end speed or the higher wind ability of the Method. Both are dead easy to fly.
I have found that the Method always needs a few extra knots compared with similar size kites. ie: flying the 4m Method alongside a 2.8m Century, I
was getting left behind under 14 knots, even stevens at around 16 knots, and pulling ahead at 18 knots. It's all about the top end with the Methods.
Some video of the 5m here: One hundred bucks worth of fun
And a nice sunset run with the 5m here: Sandy Point sunset run
mougl - 6-6-2012 at 03:23 PM
Are you absolutely set on Ozone, or are you considering other brands as well?
martinipro - 6-6-2012 at 04:10 PM
Conditions, Buggy, terrain, pilots weight would help!:D
NW Flyer - 6-6-2012 at 09:48 PM
Thanks for the replies-
I am open to other kites but have only flown the 3m Flow so far.
As for details -that's where I'll complicate things. I-m over 6 ft. and weigh 240. My wife who now has the addiction worse than I is 5-6 and maybe
120. She loves speed and actually controls the 3m Flow as well or better than I. Both of us are brand new to buggying. We may run occasionally on a
sod farm inland from us if that alters your opinion but I think we'll mostly fly on the beach on firm sand.
Thanks
pyro22487 - 6-6-2012 at 11:29 PM
I'm a big supporter of the flow. 5m is good in about 10knots if you work at it. The method From what I hear has better upwind capabilities but not
quite as good power to size ratio.
martinipro - 7-6-2012 at 05:44 AM
Not an expert here but with the difference in weight, your wife may end up flying a kite 1-2 sizes smaller than what you will ride.
Also what is the wind range your are trying to cover with such kite?
NW Flyer - 7-6-2012 at 07:03 PM
We would typically fly in 5-15 mph winds I'm thinking. As relative newcomers to power kites and buggying, we're not looking for much more wind than
that.
Basically wondering if the added cost of a Method translates to a better long term choice and if it's peoples experience they outgrow the Flow kites.
We are open to other options - thanks.
mougl - 7-6-2012 at 07:17 PM
You might want to explore the possibility of a Peter Lynn Viper. The come in 2.6m 3.9m 5.3m and 6.8m
Excellent kites for beginner to advanced pilots alike. Great to static fly and excellent buggy engines. I still have my Vipers and highly doubt I'll
ever outgrow them. Still a blast to fly 