Power Kite Forum

What is my lightest wind kite?

ssayre - 21-5-2014 at 06:25 AM

I've been using my viper as my light wind kite (my light wind days consist of winds varrying from 7 mph - 12 mph I'm guessing). I have to work the heck out of the viper to stay moving, but would I have anymore success with the venom on those days? I have been hesitant to hassle with setting it up on those days from fear it wouldn't work as well as the viper but maybe I should be? Keep in mind I'm on grass.

B-Roc - 21-5-2014 at 06:32 AM

I'm no arc flier but I know that your 13m venom is equivalent to my 10m Eskimo and those are not light wind kites. Arcs in general are not the best suited for light wind. My light wind kite is my 14m Eskimo. Before that it was my 6m Bego which was fantastic (much higher A/R than your 5.3 and possibly lighter too) and before that it was my 8.5 Blade III (which I sold after getting my Bego because even thought the Bego was smaller it was faster and lighter and just about equally powerful without being so quickly overwhelmed).

When I look at your quiver, I don’t see a light wind kite. If you want light wind flying you should be thinking about a 14m or larger open celled depower or a 6+m fixed bridle kite with high A/R. Another option would be a Frisbee ;-) if the winds are light and variable (meaning blowing 5-12 and then dropping to 0). Flying in that is not much fun. Light wind flying to me means the winds are constant but only in the 6-11 mph range. Below that its just too much work (for me) to bother.

ssayre - 21-5-2014 at 06:36 AM


Quote:

When I look at your quiver, I don’t see a light wind kite.


I know, I don't see one either. I've been dreading summer because my lack of a light wind kite and my reluctance to make another purchase right now. I'm in pretty good shape in the fall spring and winter.

Demoknight - 21-5-2014 at 06:47 AM

I know someone with an 8m Toxic that they might be willing to part with. You can buggy in 5-6mph of wind with that beast :)

ssayre - 21-5-2014 at 06:50 AM

I know, I know Errol. It's killing me that it's so close as well. That size would be killer and I could fit a case of beer in the bag it comes with.

Demoknight - 21-5-2014 at 07:28 AM

Yep, and the bag comes with the kite. I considered keeping the bag, but that is part of the awesomeness that is the Toxic. They just belong together.

sunset-Jim - 21-5-2014 at 07:32 AM

A 15.4 combat for those sub 5mph days

PHREERIDER - 21-5-2014 at 08:00 AM

on grass, you'll be wanting more. below 10 it'll be alot of working the unit just to get going

definitely FB range, like a big reactor 8-10m.

8m toxic definitely in the right direction , 15m combat would certainly deliver

sunset-Jim - 21-5-2014 at 08:37 AM

A 15.4 combat for those sub 5mph days

Bladerunner - 21-5-2014 at 09:09 AM

I have a feeling that my lightest wind kite is more than you are after. We have to deal with extremely low winds a lot.

For sub 7 winds I NEED my 19m SA and room to run.

For " low " winds . 7 - 12ish I am super happy with my 18m Phantom and think it fits your idea of low wind ?

The 10.8 Reactor was about the best FB I have owned for low winds. The new version seems as good or better ! We will see them running together at SOBB next week !

soliver - 21-5-2014 at 10:12 AM

I would say an 8m range kite would be best suited. I've heard the 8.6m Reactor can deliver more on light wind days as it is not quite as heavy as the 10.4m.

I certainly get a lot out of my 8.6m RII in similar conditions as what you're describing.... Even lighter than that sometimes.

ssayre - 21-5-2014 at 02:11 PM

Thanks guys. Yeah, I've known I needed an 8ish buggy kite for awhile and I had been geeting lucky having enough wind until now. I've got another weekend coming up with wind forecast around 9:(. I'll start saving my pennies.

John Holgate - 21-5-2014 at 04:19 PM

Don't discount a 7 - 12 meter Nasa wing or Nasa Star 2. My 10m pulls really well in 6 knots - and half the price of a big foil.

BigMikesKites - 21-5-2014 at 05:53 PM

I have a 8.5m Voltage for the light wind days. I've even flown it in no wind...but not on a buggy. That 8m Toxic is one heck of a deal.

csa_deadon - 21-5-2014 at 06:06 PM

11m U/L Frenzy for those sub 4mph days.

3shot - 21-5-2014 at 06:31 PM

Grab Errol's Toxic bro! You can fit the kite and two cases of beer in that bag!! :thumbup:

I mean.. sell a kidney on the black market if you have to :lol:

WELDNGOD - 22-5-2014 at 03:20 PM

10m PKD Century II Soulfly in 6.6 paraglider nylon. It will fly in NO wind. Here is me flying a 10m PKD Combat in NO wind,you can see the fog that rolled in this video. http://vimeo.com/38891773 :cool:

BeamerBob - 22-5-2014 at 04:07 PM

On the reactors, you can get by with the 8.6 if you have 4-5 constant. If you don't, the 10 will launch in a puff and you can fly it with your movement. Just keep it moving. The 10m is s l o w to turn but it beats sitting under an umbrella.

with the 10m make sure your lines are 25-30m length IMHO so you have room in the window to sweep it and keep it moving. Shorter and you will choke it while trying to make a tight turn.

I'll second Bladerunner with the 18m Phantom. It can take the place of the 10m Reactor.

That 8m Toxic would solve your problems as well.

ssayre - 22-5-2014 at 05:32 PM

I'll definitely be getting a large fb in the near future. A large arc would work as well if I had more room but I think I like the snappy direct power of fb for my confined areas. I like to crank the turns on the buggy and I like fb for static. I think the toxic might be more fun static where the reactor would have a slight edge in the buggy. But that's not first hand knowledge just what I've been able to gather. I would buy the toxic now if I was ready to buy but I have to take care of some stuff before I make another kite purchase. Thanks for the help.

kitemaker4 - 22-5-2014 at 05:51 PM

15 meter nasa wing.

Susan (npw goddess)

elnica - 22-5-2014 at 06:43 PM

Arcs aren't as good in light wind. A high aspect ratio flat foil (bridled) with more projected area per square meter is better. Flysufer speed 3 15m is my light wind kite.

sand flea - 22-5-2014 at 06:54 PM

My 11m Vapor is a great light wind kite.

I feel my 18m Phantom is just too heavy for light winds.

The new big Reactors are very good too


MeatÐriver - 22-5-2014 at 08:12 PM

10.8m R3 for me. It treats me right. Though I am looking to get a lineset that is a little longer than stock, give me a bit more window to play with and get an extra mile an hour or so on the bottom of the wind range.

kitemaker4 - 23-5-2014 at 08:35 AM

Nasa wings work great in low wind because they are a single skin kite.

Susan (npw goddess)

soliver - 23-5-2014 at 02:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
I'll definitely be getting a large fb in the near future. A large arc would work as well if I had more room but I think I like the snappy direct power of fb for my confined areas. I like to crank the turns on the buggy and I like fb for static. I think the toxic might be more fun static where the reactor would have a slight edge in the buggy. But that's not first hand knowledge just what I've been able to gather. I would buy the toxic now if I was ready to buy but I have to take care of some stuff before I make another kite purchase. Thanks for the help.


I'm pretty sure Reactor and Toxic are very similar and both are considered buggy kites. The main differences in the 2 is that Reactors don't like brake input as much as Toxics... Toxics are brake happy kites, but not as stable as Reactors. I find my RII's to be VERY stable in spite of my wind conditions, and you remember my experience with the Toxic. I've been told that Reactors are typically faster too.... I say hunt for an 8.6 RII.... Or a big ole NPW,... That's just my opinion, given your winds.

Plus ... Reactors are bigger :smilegrin:

canuck - 23-5-2014 at 09:50 PM

If you want a light wind FB try to find a Quadrifoil XXXL (9.66m) on 30m lines - flys in 3 mph and once you get going apparent wind lets you park and ride. Sweet spot is about 5-6 mph and it drags you downwind at 15mph.

jy1zoom - 13-3-2015 at 07:36 PM

Hey Bill
Good to meet you at today Garry Point Park today with Tristan. I do wish more of the local kiters like Bladeunner were out to meet you today at GP. It was light winds, my 16m Modified fly surfer Warrior is the kite for low winds and land boards. But I'm sure Bladeunner and Scudley would have an opinion on that.
We will try t come and meet you again at Spray Aprill 11 or Sobb September 2015😀
Safe drive back to Calgary with your daughter. Catch up soon!
Regards
jy1zoom

Bladerunner - 13-3-2015 at 11:17 PM

Sorry I missed you Bill. My car got towed due to a movie shoot so I spent my day getting it back. Kind of glad I didn't know what I was missing. Bummed out enough just chasing my car.

Glad you met JY he has been talking Spray Lakes a lot and I tell him to contact you if he goes.