Prism Snapshot

Hi,
I this is a cheap and good way to start out with power kites.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/power-kite-4-dual-lines-control-Spor...

13 yrs old? Good age to start power/traction kiting. The smartest thing you've done so far is to come here for advice.

Forget about the Prism SNAPSHOT. Not durable. As I have joked about before... it's called a Snapshot because the line(s) often will SNAP, and your fun is SHOT!

A prism Tensor 3.1m is fine,durable, however....you are safer and better to start with a 2m which they don't make.

Pick a brand from pongnut's list, and then get a model that is LOW ASPECT...ask for this or come back here and ask.

You posted in 'kite jumping' section by accident..or because you are thinking about jumping?

Well forget all about jumping. Put it way in back of your mind like that drivers license you won't be getting for a while!

The excitement being pulled eventually just along the ground, dragging your heels, perhaps later on a board, buggy or skates-if you choose- will provide plenty of excitement.

Stay in school and no jumping!

Quote: Originally posted by sadsack

Hi, I this is a cheap and good way to start out with power kites. http://www.ebay.com/itm/power-kite-4-dual-lines-control-Spor...

Sorry sadsack, but those nasty Chinese knockoffs mostly are a waste of money. There are way better alternatives that won't bust the bank(and won't bust the first time it hits the deck). We generally tell people to avoid them so they don't get disillusioned that kiting sucks when it does not fly right.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

vaultingbassist, I know prism says they are measured by sq area but I have owned a 2.5 snapshot and a 3 meter beamer and the snapshot is half the size of a 3m beamer. Here's a thread that shows them laying side by side. http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=29336

I think it means 2.5 sq.ft not 2.5 sq.m

Quote: Originally posted by sadsack

It pull me on my skateboard and skates. It is no $500 dollars kite but you don't pay $500, for it. If you are 13 and want to try out something new why pay big bucks when you can buy one for quarter of the big names kite and see in six months you still want to kite or date girls. When you are 13 you don't know what you want. :frog:

Well that's sounds legit... NOT ! Mark, you might want to look at everyones profiles and choose for yourself who knows what they are talking about. Here is a place to get a kite ,and it DOESN'T cost $500!

http://www.pkdkitesusa.com/


I have been a member of PKF since 2006 and bought my first Traction kite in 2004. I'm pretty sure I know a wee bit more than any newbie on here. And I'm sure the other members will attest to that.

Quote:

I think it means 2.5 sq.ft not sq.m

Snapshot 2.5 was my first foil. I flew it on vacation a couple years ago and a guy came up to me that said he kites as well and that I should get a good 3 meter kite to learn on. I couldn't figure out why he thought I needed a kite that was just .5 meter larger to learn on. When I ordered my first true power kite I finally understood what he was talking about.

Yea. I went from an HQ Symphony 1.8 to an Ozone 3m. I said to myself "that's not much larger"......Boy was that a shock!!

You can say that again...

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

13 year olds progress at a real fast rate. The China kite that Sadsack shows is not a true power kite and will leave you wanting more power too quickly + you won't ever have any resale value in a kite like that. It doesn't cost $500 to buy a quality kite. Check out the PKD Busters if you are buying new. You can get one ready to fly with real handles and quality lines at $200 ( 3.3m PKD ) or less ( Smaller ). Second hand is a good way to go if money is tight. Avoid Ebay until you know more about kites or clear your choice on here. It is full of sub par and very old kites.

BR, the 3.3 Buster Soulfly costs $141 and some change.

Mark ,the 2.2 is actually $154 ,the 1.5 and 3.3 are the same. I believe this is due to desirability of the 2.2. There is also PRO versions that are made with race kite bridles and lighter material . Which makes them faster through the window. My personal recommendation is that you get the 2.2 as you will be able to hold it down in higher winds. I weigh twice what you do and I can scud with the2.2 in high winds. When you get more skills and a little more weight, the 3.3 will be in order. Also ,where are you located and what kind of winds do you have there? That has everything to do with it. Oh, welcome to the family. If you have any questions we are all willing to help. That is why we are here. Love of the sport:saint:

Quote: Originally posted by Mark_kitetraction

This is mark. I live in Red Bluff California we have pretty weak winds but occasionally they will pick up. The other place I fly is in Marin at my Grandmas but winds are't strong there either

In my experience, newer fliers always under estimate actual wind speed and go out in bigger winds than they should. What are you basing your assessment on? Are you flying ULs, SULs, standard framed kites when you are flying sport kites? Are you basing your assessment on actual metered readings, feel, observation? I've heard newer fliers say things like, "I think it was blowing 10-12" and the pine trees are bent over and I've heard them say "It was blowing 30+" when the flag is waving but not straight out or fluttering.

A proper 2.5m power kite is going to generate way more power than whatever framed sport kite you are flying so make sure you have an accurate assessment of the wind before you launch.

Its easier for newer pilots to learn when the kite is easier to launch and more responsive which means its easier to learn on a smaller kite in bigger winds than a big kite in small winds. Size accordingly and start underpowered.

My 12 year old has been flying since he was 6. He is totally fine most days on a 1.5m. A 2.5 can be very intimidating. He weights around 75#s I think and goes out powered but not overpowered.

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Hey Donnie. Any word on the pros availability in the US?

I got one don't I? Contact Jeff @ BKK . Matter of fact , I need to get the 1.5 ,2.2 and 3.3 in pro as well, to go with my 4.4 . I will get hold of Jeff and see what he can do for the Kokopelli Kiting Crew. It would look awesome if we all were flying soulflys on Virginia Beach.

I knew you had the 4.4 pro, but that was before they were even released I think.

Sorry to drift here...

Quote: Originally posted by sadsack

Hi, I this is a cheap and good way to start out with power kites. http://www.ebay.com/itm/power-kite-4-dual-lines-control-Spor...

Just to go back to address this particular kite (sorry changing topic and i know sadsack did okay with it). I spent several hours with a girl that brought one of these to a kite fest trying to help her out. The kite itself doesn't change at all in shape of profiles from middle to wingtips so it's identical cells just chopped down. The bridle was a nightmare and the line total crap stretchy twisted nylon. Making all kinds of adjustments to the bridle the best I could do was get it to fly about the same as holding a bedsheet out and hanging on to all corners and getting pull. The line had so much stretch it was kind of crazy fun trying to control it waiting for the 1-2 second delay in response. I put a good set of line on it just to get it to take off and have some sort of response but between the shape of the kite and bridle you couldn't do that much with it. She had spent the 40.00 to buy it and then if she wanted to get it to fly at all (as crap as it was) she would need to spend almost the same price to buy better line to still hold onto a bag - I saw it as 40.00 totally wasted with the frustration it gave her trying to get it to fly. So some deals aren't that good of a deal in the long run. Also there are usually many good used kites out there and quite a few trainers sold to kite surfers go for very cheap often with little use so don't overlook a a good deal on a good used kite especially if a PKF member gives you the straight up info on it.

Quote: Originally posted by Mark_kitetraction

What are your thoughts on the Ozone Imp Quattro 2.5 for me

Can't go wrong with an Ozone.... you will likely see bargains as retailer's try to clear out older stock as a result of Ozone discontinuing almost all of their fixed bridle kites.

ATB,
Sam

I should mention I have the 3m Quattro and it's a pretty nice kite. I fly it a lot when the wind is gusty. I haven't yet had the chance to fly a PKD Buster.




http://ozonekitesusa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ozone2012_quattro_size

Quote: Originally posted by Mark_kitetraction

I am new to quad line kiting. The handles seem to be connected to each other with another line. Are they supposed to be? I am wondering what this is.

It's called a strop. It allows you to use the handles with a harness with a hook or pulley.

If you are starting out, you should probably not worry about a harness for a bit yet.

The strop won't impede you from using the handles for normal static flying. If anything, they will minimize a common tendency among new fliers which is referred to as flailing or using waaaay more hand/arm movenment than is necessary to control the kite.

ATB,
Sam