Help me pick between a few kites please

Hi. I'm a new member and new to power kiting in general. I'm on vacation in Ocean City New Jersey, and I want to buy a kite right away. I'm not sure what to get. I've flown small delta sharped stunt kites before with no problem. I weight about 145 lbs, and I'd like to find something that will give me a good strong pull (drag my in decent winds), but also be fun to fly around. I was considering the symphony pro 2.2, the pro 2.5, the symphony speed 2.5, the slingshot B2, and the Prism Snapshot 2.5.

I found the thread about converting the symphony 2.2 to a 4 line kite, and that just about had me sold, but I have a few questions. (I've private messaged these questions to the conversion inventor as well):

I have access to the new symphony pro 2.2 and 2.5, but I think someone has an older (aqua, grey, white) 2.2 available for sale. I like the look of the newer design and apparently there have been some improvements, but do you know if the new design will work with the conversion?

Do you know anyone who has flown the symphony 2.5 pro? How does it compare to the 2.2? Would it work well with the conversion?

Without considering the conversion, how do the symphony pro 2.2, 2.5, snapshot 2.5 and slingshot b2 compare?

Thanks so much. I can't wait to get out and start kiting!

Riffclown,

Thanks for both replies. I read the link your referenced, and I think stunt kites and the fixed bridle power kites are the categories that best suit me, as you suggested. Cost is definitely a factor, though. I would rather spend in the 100's range than go up to and over $200, unless the difference in performance for someone who never plans on using a board or buggy is large. From a couple of quick checks, it appears that the Toxic and Beamer are over $200 and the powerfoil is around $200. Does that sound right to you?

I figured the HQ pros would be a good option since upgrading them to 4 line kites appeared to be a pretty low cost upgrade, and because you said they were so much fun once modified. I was also focusing on the HQ pros and the slingshot B2 because they are available locally, and I can have the snapshot 2.5 overnighted through amazon for $3.99 extra.

Of those options, it sounds like the new symphonies might be the best option? How do you think the 2.5 might perform compared to the 2.2? They are only $10 difference in price. One site listed the dimensions as 87" x 29" for the 2.2 and 98" x 29" for the 2.5, so thev 2.5 is larger but has a higher aspect ratio. There were some reports of the 2.5 lifting guys who weighed 200lbs off their feet in 20+ mph winds, so that had me a little concerned, but I'd hate to get something that was "almost" powerful enough. I really don't plan on getting addicted and buying kite after kite

Quote:

I really don't plan on getting addicted and buying kite after kite

Chuckle chuckle!!

My first foil was a 1.4m Snapshot. Great, but difficult to re-launch. Sometime later I bought an Ozone Imp Quattro 1.5m....and I'm not sure that I've flown the Snapshot since. If your budget can stretch to a four line power kite on handles, do it. It's a kite that you won't grow out of - always useful as a traction kite in higher winds later on. Maybe a 2m. Ozone Imp quattro, HQ Beamer, Flexifoil Sting, Zebra Z1, PKD Buster, PL Hornet - all excellent four line kites that should last you for years.

Quote:

I really don't plan on getting addicted and buying kite after kite

I said the same thing. Lo and behold I'm sitting on 25 kites at the moment.. The 2.2 Symphony has enough pull after being modified to pull a buggy. -- PROOF --But you do have to work it.. Even with the Symphony and making the modifications, by the time you add handles ($20-ish) and the second set of lines ($30-ish), there is an investment there as well. Kite line isn't cheap and you don't want to skimp on quality when it comes to flying line.. The symphony 2.5 (I'm assuming) will be about the same speed through the air as the 2.2 but a bit more grunt to it. Just looking at it, it's probably faster than the Snapshot 2.5. If this is truly going to be your first kite and you like the HQ Symphony. Get one and fly the heck out of it on 2 lines.. You can always convert it to 4 line later if you'd like..

If you want to jump into 4 lines right away, The Skydog 1.8 is a great little kites with great speed & stuntability. If you decide to convert a Symphony, get with me offline and I'd be glad to help you out..

Quote: Originally posted by viche

Think the symphony 2.2.4 is as maneuverable as this? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8TAVoOccsXo Still contemplating 2.2 vs 2.5...

Yes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWP7exBR_NA&t=56
Yes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWP7exBR_NA&t=160
& Yes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWP7exBR_NA&t=240


And I've flown both of them side by side..


The only foil I've seen that's more maneuverable is the Spyderkite's Smithi..

Sold...haha.
This review has me leaning toward the 2.2 (your video proves it's not slow), but his description of the 2.5 as being slow as molasses has me concerned:
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28819

Also sending you a Private message about another opportunity I have.

For the sake of closure for anyone following this thread, I got a great deal on a 4 line SkyDogs SDT 2.8, and placed the order today. Should be arriving in a couple of days. I'll post a first flight report afterwards.

Also, despite saying that I don't plan on buying another kite, I can already envision buying a smaller symphony and doing the 4 line conversion in order to have something zippier to fly in lower winds. And since the skydog opens the door for beginner buggying, I've contemplated getting into that as well :D. Now where can I find instructions for a cheap DIY buggy?

Thanks to all of you for your input, and especially to riffclown for your patience and great guidance/reviews!