Power Kite Forum

4m Access...help?

robinsonpr - 24-11-2015 at 02:07 PM

I think I already know the answer to this but posting on here for opinions!

In the recent high winds here in the UK I found my 6m Access was too much for the 30mph gusting to well into the mid 40s. I think I'm going to get a 4m Access to cover these high winds as it did look like a lot of fun in a buggy!

Thing is the 4m Access complete is quite pricey, and it is available as kite only at around half the price. But...I'm guessing I may regret buying it kite only. If I'm out in winds that warrant flying a 4m/6m kite and I do find I need to change up/down I'm guessing it will be a bit of a ballache to swap the sails in high wind.

Should I just save up and get a 4m complete? Anyone else fly Accesses on shared bar and lines?

ssayre - 24-11-2015 at 02:20 PM

Yes you know the answer. You will be infinitely more happy with complete.

ssayre - 24-11-2015 at 02:22 PM

Especially since the kites are close in size

Windstruck - 24-11-2015 at 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
Yes you know the answer. You will be infinitely more happy with complete.


Got to agree. To date my biggest frustrations have been fiddling with kites on the ground in high wind conditions, untangling lines, keeping the kite in my (general) vicinity while I fiddle, etc. If these were two large, low wind kites we were talking about I would likely take a different position.

Remember too that these are 5-line set ups we are talking about leading to all the more festivities.

It's almost Christmas. Still time to get on that good list. :karate:

rectifier - 24-11-2015 at 02:37 PM

I hate changing lines in the field. Hate it. Wastes flying time, makes me super mad.

hiaguy - 24-11-2015 at 02:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rectifier  
I hate changing lines in the field. Hate it. Wastes flying time, makes me super mad.

Yup. Absolutely. Spent enough time doing this with 2-line kites to decide not to do it with 4-lines (tried - hated it - WAY too much time wasted when it's blowing).
Listen to that little voice:evil:

robinsonpr - 24-11-2015 at 02:59 PM

Anyone got a good deal on a 4m complete? :cool: (In Europe!)

Feyd - 24-11-2015 at 05:30 PM

I know it's hard to pony up the extra for a RTF set up but it does pay off in terms convenience. Locally we usually are able to land in the wind shadow of some cove or point so sometimes wing swaps are a simple affair. But when shelter from the wind isn't an option swapping wings is a pain and then some.

At least you have the option. In the UK to purchase KO. We've been considering offering Ozone as a KO option here, save some folks some cash but as we saw in this thread its hard to say if there would be enough demand.

Personally I wish manufacturers would offer KO without a pack or bar. A few bucks less here and there can make buying multiple kites more affordable. Especially as most kites seem to come with packs large enough to manage at least 2 wings. Logistically it would be a PITA as opposed to selling complete units.

early bird2 - 24-11-2015 at 09:21 PM

How about a Frenzy 5 meters ? would fit in between the Access 4 and 6 and save a kite ?

Oups ! I just saw you already have the Access 6 , unless you'd like to sell it and get one kite in between....You'd save a bar .

robinsonpr - 25-11-2015 at 01:21 AM

It's for the really nuking winds, and if it's too much for the 6m Access I wouldnt fancy my chances with a 5m Frenzy.

Feyd - 25-11-2015 at 05:02 AM

The Frenzy is NOT going to handle high winds like the Access. Size isn't the only consideration when selecting a kite for a giuven wind condition. The Frenzy is higher performance with a lot more lift and faster turn rate kite will handle winds beyond its recommended range a lot differently than a low lift tour kite like the Access. It will be less likely to forgive your mistakes . :evil:

early bird2 - 25-11-2015 at 05:25 AM

Feyd , Thanks for your comment.

According to the Ozone's Wind chart , the top end of the Access 4 and Frenzy 5 are identical . So I thought that since the Frenzy's leading edge is a little more rigid with the integrated plastic mold , it could be more stable in gusty condition . This is why I brought the Frenzy here . But like you said , the size and how a kite behaves can make a huge difference .

I only had Frenzys back in 2005 I think . So it must be a huge change now .

indigo_wolf - 25-11-2015 at 09:14 AM

There's always Cheezy's 3m Apex. Shipping will burn a little, but might still be worth your while.

ATB,
Sam

nate76 - 25-11-2015 at 12:22 PM

So depending on how important saving money is, you could probably get a pretty good deal on an 3.5m Apex IV right now. Not sure if anyone has them in stock in GB - I know I have one.

The new Apex V will be available here in the US in a couple of weeks - I imagine it should be hitting Europe shelves any time now. I don't know anyone who's had a chance to compare them to the Access v6 yet, but they are moving to a front line flag-out system and a little nicer bar/line setup. They will be retailing for $750 complete.

Feyd - 25-11-2015 at 02:39 PM

Early Bird, if you flew the 05 Frenzies you could totally handle about anything on the current version :D. I love the '05's. Tons of raw power, food depow and safety for the time. Tough as hell kites that could take a beating.

The 7m was my go to for a while. These days to get the same Ummmph its the 9m I go to.

Its easy to over overlap kites based on wind range. But the key is what the kite is designed to do in that wind range. I think performance kites like the Summit or Frenzy have small sizes to accomadate smaller riders as much as deal with high winds. Most of the people I know riding Ozone go from Summits to Accesses when it gets wrathy. When you fly both side by side, at least where I live, its easy to see why.

I miss those days of flying 05 Frenzies.

Bladerunner - 25-11-2015 at 06:42 PM

Windstruck.

A tip I got from Canuck : He takes a ski pole without basket and with red streamer. He sticks it in his ice screw. Just like the pool noodle and rebar on the dry lake you can use it as a back stop to catch your kite. It also helps keep your ice screw visible when it gets drifted in. Streamer is a great windicator.


Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck  
Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
Yes you know the answer. You will be infinitely more happy with complete.


Got to agree. To date my biggest frustrations have been fiddling with kites on the ground in high wind conditions, untangling lines, keeping the kite in my (general) vicinity while I fiddle, etc. If these were two large, low wind kites we were talking about I would likely take a different position.

Remember too that these are 5-line set ups we are talking about leading to all the more festivities.

It's almost Christmas. Still time to get on that good list. :karate:

Windstruck - 25-11-2015 at 07:08 PM

Great tip! Thanks a million.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner  
Windstruck.

A tip I got from Canuck : He takes a ski pole without basket and with red streamer. He sticks it in his ice screw. Just like the pool noodle and rebar on the dry lake you can use it as a back stop to catch your kite. It also helps keep your ice screw visible when it gets drifted in. Streamer is a great windicator.


Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck  
Quote: Originally posted by ssayre  
Yes you know the answer. You will be infinitely more happy with complete.


Got to agree. To date my biggest frustrations have been fiddling with kites on the ground in high wind conditions, untangling lines, keeping the kite in my (general) vicinity while I fiddle, etc. If these were two large, low wind kites we were talking about I would likely take a different position.

Remember too that these are 5-line set ups we are talking about leading to all the more festivities.

It's almost Christmas. Still time to get on that good list. :karate:

fodendeyo - 13-12-2015 at 12:03 PM

I have a 4 and a 6 Access each complete. Prefer this to a kite only. Due to replace the 4 in the next year or so and will still go complete but if touring weight wise kite only is good. You have the option to leave the bar.