Power Kite Forum

peak 1 vs nasa star

ssayre - 26-12-2014 at 03:00 PM

I finally had a chance to do a back to back comparison between these kites in the buggy. The wind wasn't great. It was probably 10ish with 15 gusts. The field was pretty wet and soft as well. Probably was more like peak 9m conditions but I was itching to try it out.

First I used the Peak and then the 7m ns2. It took me a minute to figure out how to work it to get the most power out of it since I was using it at the bottom of it's wind range. It's comparable to around a 5 or 5.5m fixed bridle kite on the bottom end. I hadn't heard that comparison made and thought that might be helpful for fb guys that were looking at a peak. I won't go into great detail because it's flight characteristics have already been discussed. The depower is very effective and somewhat of an advantage over the nasa and I could tell the upwind was better. The nasa star can turn soooo much better and easier with much less effort. It took a lot of getting used to having to work so hard to turn the peak because I'm so used to the nasa star's. I'm sure it probably turns decent for a depower. To be fair, when the wind was up a bit I didn't notice the turning being as much of an issue. However, turning is never an issue with the nasa star no matter what the wind is doing.

My first impression after comparing the 2 kites would be that I like the nasa star quite a bit better for buggy for my local conditions and flying style. They are just so easy to use and place where you want them. To be fair, I was under powered with the peak where I could choose the proper size nasa star. The peaks depower will come in handy when the wind is gusting 10 over base speed though, which was my main objective for it anyway.

On a side note, I can't believe it, but I think I like my ozone sb harness better than my pl divine harness. I talked bad about the ozone harness on another thread but I feel much more comfortable in the buggy in the Ozone harness. I'll probably just tie some rope to the loops on the ozone harness to keep it from loosening. I think I like the divine better for landboard and the ozone better for buggy. Shouldn't that be opposite? :crazy:

soliver - 26-12-2014 at 03:15 PM

Thanks Sean, I really appreciate the comparison. With what I'm going through, I'm considering changing up my gear and am giving the NS3s serious consideration, but I've also thought about the Peak, ... its nice to see a side by side comparison.

ssayre - 26-12-2014 at 03:20 PM

Your welcome Spencer, I will add to this thread when I'm able to use the peak in some higher wind so I can compare what the top end of it is relative to an fb kite and so I can get a better idea of it's performance. I was only catching glimpses of it in the gusts.

3shot - 26-12-2014 at 09:58 PM

Thanks for the update Sean!!