Another "Help Me Decide" Post

1st thing to know is that no single kite will do it all.

From what you describe I have a strong feeling that to you want to feel and use the Power from a power kite? Something that you use to get pulled down wind in the sand and such.

You should consider a kite that will allow you to progress from static flying to using the kite as an engine to pull you. You will likely want to move up to one if you buy the kites you suggest.

I suggest you look for a Quality made kite like John suggests. You can almost do it if you shop used.

The tried and true method of progressing is to start with a good 4 line low lift kite around 3m ( that is at 225lbs. ) .
3m is sort of a sweet size. Small, light and fast enough that you can force it to fly in some pretty low winds. Big enough to serve up some raw power as the wind picks up. At 3m kites act more like big kites and less like bumble bees. Small enough to become your high wind kite as you get to master it. Big enough to make you gulp when you 1st look at it!!!

Shop forums like this one for used gear 1st. Ebay and Craigs list etc. can be iffy. I suggest you run your choice through this forum before committing on those sites. AVOID IMPULSE BUYING !!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

1st thing to know is that no single kite will do it all. From what you describe I have a strong feeling that to you want to feel and use the Power from a power kite? Something that you use to get pulled down wind in the sand and such. You should consider a kite that will allow you to progress from static flying to using the kite as an engine to pull you. You will likely want to move up to one if you buy the kites you suggest. I suggest you look for a Quality made kite like John suggests. You can almost do it if you shop used. The tried and true method of progressing is to start with a good 4 line low lift kite around 3m ( that is at 225lbs. ) . 3m is sort of a sweet size. Small, light and fast enough that you can force it to fly in some pretty low winds. Big enough to serve up some raw power as the wind picks up. At 3m kites act more like big kites and less like bumble bees. Small enough to become your high wind kite as you get to master it. Big enough to make you gulp when you 1st look at it!!! Shop forums like this one for used gear 1st. Ebay and Craigs list etc. can be iffy. I suggest you run your choice through this forum before committing on those sites. AVOID IMPULSE BUYING !!!!!!!!!!

All fine points made by folks with years in the sport. You'd do well to listen to them. One suggestion would be to place a thread in PKF's WANTED section noting you are looking for a used four line power kite in the 3m-ish range and see if anybody wants to unload anything. These kites can be hard to come by on the used market here on this forum since a good kite (like the one you ought to be looking for) is seldom parted with for reasons already well stated.

Good luck! And welcome to the addiction. I have no idea by what is meant by "no one kite will do". :puzzled:

Skip buying the Prism Snapshot. It's called the 'Snapshot" because the lines `snap'... and then your fun is 'shot'

Symphony is bit better....but still not quality/durability. I'd skip this also.

Ditto on HQ Beamer, PL Hornet, PKD Buster, Flexifoil Sting/Rage. Buy used at you're price point.

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Oh crap, you are joking! Man my Ha Ha meter is off today! :duh:

:moon:

Oh, man. I was afraid this would happen. I am a member of a knife forum so I can pretty much already see my very expensive Kite future starting to unfold...

Thanks to everyone for their thoughful and welcoming responses. Let's say that I go straight to four line kites... it would dig into my knife budget but I could probably make it happen. My initial thought was that four line kits would be a bit less convenient to set up and take down. I have three small kids and I hate tangles, I thought two liners might be a bit convenient to fly, no?

I fully understand now that there is no one kite that will give you what you want in all conditions. But with that said, I am having a hard time imagining the tangible (in wind) differences between a 2 and 3m kite. I notice some use a 3m for buggying. Does this mean in higher winds it would be unmanageble to fly static. And same for the 2m; would it be fun in highish winds but leave me wanting when it wasn't really blowing?

Honestly, i don't see myself going any further than static flying due to location and time, but I am sure those were the famous last words of many here. That being said, I'd like to have moderate pull on lightish wind days and I'd like to get dragged a good bit when things cranked up.

Since yesterday, I have gotten fairly intriqued by the PL hornet but there is a significant jump in $ between the 2m and 3m... and I'm the impatient type so a used kite may or may not be in the cards.

Further input is much apprecaited. Sorry for being so newbish about this.

Quote: Originally posted by cjmeik

My initial thought was that four line kits would be a bit less convenient to set up and take down. I have three small kids and I hate tangles, I thought two liners might be a bit convenient to fly, no? But with that said, I am having a hard time imagining the tangible (in wind) differences between a 2 and 3m kite. I notice some use a 3m for buggying. Does this mean in higher winds it would be unmanageble to fly static. And same for the 2m; would it be fun in highish winds but leave me wanting when it wasn't really blowing? Further input is much apprecaited. Sorry for being so newbish about this.

The trick to reduce tangles with any multiple line kite is line storage control. Everyone has their own technique and we have all spent hours working out tangles which could be a thread in and of its own. I like to use a standard winder and figure 8 the lines for both two and four line kites. If the quad lines are thick, not a concern of yours yet, I will use two winders [either port and starboard or drive and brake] and I detach the lines from the kite every time. Some people do a dedicated lineset with each kite which will help to keep track of the line ends where the tangles start. Some people like to figure eight the lines to the handles. Some people, particularly with larger foils, flake the lines into the kitebag on top of the kite. It all comes down to what you like to do. Another hazard is that when unwinding lines you need to unwind in reverse of how you wound which can cause problems if someone else wound up your lines.

If I understand correctly the power of a wing goes up exponentially with size. So for the sake of argument if we say that the 2m has a "power rating" of 4 the 3m would have a "power rating" of 9, not exact math but you can see the idea.
Any kite that can be flown in a buggy can be flown static, it just comes down to how much power you can [or feel like] hold down.
Yes any kite that you get will have winds that it will not fly in at the low end and should not fly in at the high end which is where the quiver concept comes in to enlarge the range of winds that you feel comfortable flying in.

If you are looking for something to fool around on with some pull then get the 2.5 Snapshot. However, from personal experience, you might get bored with a 2 line kite and will be ready for a 4 line after a few flights. Specifically out of your choices, the 2.5m Snapshot would probably be the better pick considering it's convertible to a 4 line. It won't be enough to make you scud in low winds but you'll feel some pull compared to the 1.8 you flew before. When the winds pick up, you might get the odd scud in. You will want more pull after though, so 3-4m range might be the ideal range.

Definitely do not use tangles as a deterrent from getting a 4-line kite. Once you learn how to set-up/pack-up, tangles won't often form, (there are a few videos showing different methods of wrapping lines around your handles, etc).

There is quite a difference between a 2 and 3m. In short, the 2m will have a broader wind range. While the 3m will have a narrower range. I would only get a 2m if you plan on flying it in stronger winds. That's when 2m's are most alive! If you're going 4-line route, look at a 3-4m. Flexifoil rage 3.5m or PKD Buster Soulfly come to mind. The PKD is an affordable/quality kite that will fit your budget. There is no doubt the 3-4m size will pull you around when winds pick up, even in light winds.

My opinion? Get a 3-4m 4-line kite and you won't look back!

IT's up to you.. I traded my Snapshot 2.5 in for a 4M Crossfire which is also a pretty drastic difference. Here are a True 2M Kite Crossfire and a Symphony 2.2 Sport Kite laid on top of a 4M Crossfire.. That difference is much bigger than just what you see.. I also first stated I'd be doing just static.. After a few year of that, Stunt flying and a bit of buggying I've gotten a lot of kites. The one's you see in this picture (my first 3 after trading the Snapshot) still get the most airtime of my powerkites..


Bottom line is you have to do what's best for you.. Also in the classifieds is
Fb kites for sale
2m lynn hornet 2014 version. -new, sealed, complete $200

Abkayak knows what time it is and what I'm going to post. :D

You do deserve a real 3m. here is my 2.5 snapshot next to my 3 meter beamer.

Ok, ok. I'm in. Four lines, 3-4m... but now which one?

@riffclown: Thanks for that perspective. Very helpful.

@abkayak: Truth. Nothing but truth.

@ John Holgate: Thanks for the link. I thought I had watched every kiting video on youtube in the past 48hrs but I missed that one

@ssayre: What's going on with that red chair? J/k. That Prism makes a 3m kite look HUUUGE!

@Bladerunner: Thanks so much for the thorough, thoughtful response and really addressing each of my questions, specifically product related. One thing you said that stuck out to me was that a 4m kite was "sort of an in between size." Can you expand on what you mean by this?

I am leaning towards 4m as I don't get to high wind areas very frequently and the very moderate winds here in inland GA might keep me excited with a slightly larger kite. Of course, the downside is potentially getting overwhelmed or at least more of a workout that I might want when I do happen to go to a high wind area [enter 2nd smaller kite :D]

Kinda liking me some Twister right now. Is this misguided? What are everyone's recommendations for a 3-4m 4-line for an ambitious, low-wind newb?

Quote: Originally posted by cjmeik

Right now I'm a little tossed up btw a used PL Core 3m, PL Twister 3m, and HQ Beamer 3m. I understand the Twisters are more lifty but don't know much more about how the three compare. Any thoughts?

Easy decision: buy the Core. (Yes, I'm biased :smile grin: )

+1 on the Flexi Rage 3.5m! Flexi quality is top notch

Perfect for static flying and enough kite to get you moving if you ever plan on progressing onto a buggy/landboard in the future.

I bought a 3.5m Rage not too long ago, and with our low winds it is the ideal kite! With the 3.5 you get that perfect range between the 2.5 and 4.7 Rage's. Not too slow, not too quick through the window! With enough pull to get you scudding at ≈ 6 mph+

Good decision! I doubt you'll regret it. Flexifoils are well made kites, and the size seems ideal for your circumstances. Let us know how it goes once you've had it in the air a few times.

Frank