Power Kite Forum

So this just happened to me...

zer0know - 5-8-2014 at 04:52 PM

Hi everybody,

First post here. Quite excited to be a new member of this community!

I've been kiting with my acrobatics kites for some years now and bought a Prism Snapshot 1.9 a while back. Recently, I've been tempted to try power kiting so after some research I've narrowed my first acquisition: a Peter Lynn Hornet 4.0 as I heard it was a good first all-around kite. Ordered it last week online (no distributor in my area) and got it today, but I also got a little surprise when I opened the box. It wasn't a Hornet but a Twister 4.0. I contacted the vendor and he told me I could keep it if I wanted too as the cost for shipping would nullify the difference between the two kites. I told him I'll think about it because as I understand this kite is not necessarily for beginners.

So here's my question. Should I keep the Twister or return it for the Hornet?

I'm a 6 ft/185 lbs guy who would like in the short term get some some exercise "static flying" and learn to properly control a kite and in the mid term get into landboarding. I know that if I keep it, I'll surely need to fly it in lower winds as it is a big step to start.

Thanks a lot for the inputs!

ssayre - 5-8-2014 at 05:04 PM

I started on a snapshot and went to the twister. You should be fine. Welcome.

Bladerunner - 5-8-2014 at 06:12 PM

Welcome.

I think you need to ask yourself if you want a higher performance kite for down the road.

With proper respect you will get control of the Twister. Once you have mastered it static you need to consider if you want a high lift kite to learn on the mountain board. It will be more likely to spank you if you make mistakes. If you are timid then maybe the hornet will make learning easier.

Don't feel bad for the dealer if you choose to insist on the hornet. It is his problem, not yours if you want to stick with your original purchase. He sounds like a decent dealer in so much as he is communicating with you at least.

riffclown - 5-8-2014 at 06:26 PM

Take it easy and enjoy that kite...

Get some SAFETY GEAR!!!

soliver - 5-8-2014 at 07:10 PM

Welcome aboard the good ship lolly pop!

As long as you go easy your first several times out and be selective with your conditions, you will be just fine. If it were a 5 or 7m, I'd be more concerned for you, but I think at your size you should be fine if you are attentive.

PHREERIDER - 5-8-2014 at 07:44 PM

greetings ,

OK where you at now?

quincydog - 6-8-2014 at 02:15 PM

I bought my first power kite about 7 weeks ago, and it was a Twister 4.0. I am a couple of inches sorter than you and 15lbs lighter, and as long you initially fly in winds of about 10 mph or less, you should be fine. Once you get comfortable with piloting the kite, you can progressively move up to higher winds. I think you should keep it. It's a great kite and I find it very easy to fly. It has quick steering and if you should get into a situation where you feel uncomfortable with the pull, the breaks work very well to quell the power quickly. Always have your kite killers on, just in case!

abkayak - 6-8-2014 at 02:35 PM

aaaahhhh...big fan of kite killers here but dont depend on them too much...i have them on all my fb's but if you haven't experienced the death spiral thing you got another good lesson coming up...99.5% they work as you have planned but you gotta be ready to rip them off as well once you start twisting the lines up...heads up,jusayin

zer0know - 6-8-2014 at 04:30 PM

Thanks guys for all the responses! I've decided to keep it. Can't wait to try it.

Aaeolien - 6-9-2014 at 06:39 PM

Have you had a chance to go out and fly it yet? The twister is on my short list. Been flying a snapshot 1.2 and a hq symphony 2.2 and doing some shopping for something a bit bigger. Have it narrowed down to the hornet 4.0, the twister 4.0 the Beamer V 4.0 and the ozone octane 4.0.

Let us know on the twister.