Power Kite Forum

Increased performance(fun) vs cost

southpadreburt - 15-10-2015 at 10:37 AM

Ok buggy pilots I have a question. Have been using Ozone Access kites to buggy on beach and dunes. Great kites but I can't help but think a higher AR kite would be more fun. I would like to replace my Access with a 2015 9M Frenzy or a 2015 10m Summit. Not looking for more speed just more of a smaller kite feel. Will a higher AR kite fall out of the sky in the lulls when the Access waits for the wind? Has anyone on the forum used the 2015 Summit with a buggy? Any drawbacks to using the Summit for beach and dunes in a buggy? Do you think the cost of the upgrade is worth performance increase? I love my 2014 Frenzy Ultralight but I don't think it is a very high AR kite compared to the Summit.

MeatÐriver - 15-10-2015 at 04:06 PM

Upgrading that 10 access to a frenzy/summit is a no brainer. Which to upgrade to between those two... now that's a tough one. The frenzy is still going to be nearly as stupidly stable, yet better in every other way. I can't speak to the summit as I haven't flow it....I hope to though! It's been a while(pre 2015 models)but I recall the summit being 0.2-0.25 higher AR of wing relative to the frenzy, while also having a thinner profile(less grunt, power is developed more from the speed of the wing.)

I have been finding myself in a similar boat from time to time.
My desire is to have the big Summit, if not even a Chrono for bombing down Sunset Beach lit up in a nice west wind.

My reality is that I don't get to make it out there as often as I like. I spend most of my flying time on a semi soft to almost hardback beach or soft, steep dunes looping my way to the top. Then when I am able to make it out to a nice hard beach with good wind I am always running a tandem setup....2ppl+2solid Libres...looking at at a 5-600 pounds getting dragged around by that kite. I just don't know that I can afford to give up that raw grunt that I get from the frenzy.

For me, with my surfaces and setups(not to mention the wallet), the ease of backstall turning on is axis, "sheet-n-go" style of the Frenzy just fits.

How are your surfaces that you ride on down there? To extract what the Summit is all about you are going to need to keep that wing speed up. It's kind of a "go big" kite and it would do quite well on the beach and dunes as long as you're cruising well enough.

You also mention your interest in a "smaller kite feel" I hate to say it but a FB comes to mind... :o

Ps YouTube "Wind Warrior Summit" Some beach and dune riding. Just wish my dunes were hard pack like that!

BeamerBob - 15-10-2015 at 04:21 PM

Meatdriver you speak the same way I feel about the Montana/Apex relationship. The Montana doesn't give up any stability and isn't any more "scary" to fly. It's been discussed that the differences might be more related to price point.

ssayre - 15-10-2015 at 04:29 PM

What about a charger 2? grunt and turn speed perhaps?? Haven't flown one but I've seen one in person and they look fun. Especially in decent wind that I assume you have.

Demoknight - 16-10-2015 at 03:16 PM

Charger 2 is my favorite kite to fly in general because of how zippy it is, while also being crazy stable. The only hump about the Charger is that the first two or three times you set it up may be a headache unless you have an ARC flying buddy with you, or you follow Carltb's launch and land guide to the T. I taught myself the hard way how to do ground handling on my Charger, and happened to find Carl's video later on and realized that there is pretty much only one and a half ways to launch an ARC.

I have flown the 2013 Summit, but not the 2015 yet. It was 8m. I have flown it in up to 25mph, which is a bit on the high end of what that kite is best used for. The summit doesn't turn terribly fast, and the bar pressure is way too light for my taste. Besides the non-existent bar pressure, the kite is fast and smooth through the window and offers decent lift if you want. The depower is pretty good, so it has a great range. It will start pulling a buggy in 9-11mph winds for the 8m size I flew. Mid teens are the sweet spot for the 8m. Low 20s are well lit and will give you some huge jumps if you throw it around over your head.

Personally, I favor my 12m Charger 2 over the 8m Summit, but the Summit is a great kite and I would consider it if I were you since you are already familiar with Ozone foils. I plan to get myself an Access in either 4m or 6m for high winds because of their stability and wind range.

southpadreburt - 17-10-2015 at 07:06 AM

It is great to be able to get so much help from so many experienced kiters. Thanks for taking time to share.