flyhigh142 - 6-5-2007 at 11:21 AM
Well today was just howling in N. California, so I didn't even bring anything larger than a 3.5 along. Just trying to open the door of my van was
difficult in the wind, so I pulled out my flexi wide axle and a profoil 1.5. I really didn't expect to go anywhere with the little kite, but it WAS
really blowing, so... Staked it out, grabbed the handles, let off the brakes, and zingo! I'm zipping along scudding behind a wussy little kite! Glad I
didn't yank up a 2.5. It screamed around the sky for a few seconds until I got aquainted with it in the conditions, then I sat in the buggy and we all
shot off. All was good with the world for maybe ten minutes, then TWANG! Followed in quick succession by three more. I jumped out and beat feet
downwind, catching the kite maybe a block away, thanks to some weeds. Forensic evedence showed the end knot on one of the brake line bridles had
slipped, and the extra pull on the other three lines was just too much for them. I'd highly recommend everyone who has knottted bridle ends to tie a
second knot in each of them! Since all three lines broke in different spots, I'll have to junk the entire set. Live and learn. It was ten truly great
minutes, though! This was the second time one of these knots has blown on me, the other one was on my 3.5. On that occasion, I just had to re-tie it.
You'd think I would have learned the first time!
joecat - 7-5-2007 at 06:15 PM
That is cool. I just got a pro-foil 1.5 today and tried it out. I am new to kiting. I have been asking if you could buggy with a kite as small as a
1.5 and some said yes and some said no. Unless you had really really high winds. I am not experienced enough yet to hit real high winds but your
trip sounded really good. Well except for the TWANG. How fast do you think you were going when your lines broke?
khooke - 7-5-2007 at 10:31 PM
Re. buggying with a 1.5m - it's not too small if the wind is strong enough... I've been buggying a lot with my 2m (although it might be 1.5m) old
Quadrifoil Q2002 - I never thought I'd use this kite as much as I have recently, but we've had a number of days here where the wind has been 20mph+
gusting upto 30mph, and this kite has been awesome. Around 20mph I could probably do with something a bit larger, but it does the job.
If you're starting out then it's always better to be slightly underpowered than overpowered. If you're underpowered you can work with the kite and see
how it works best. If you're overpowered and you take you eyes off the kite the moment a gust hits then you might find out the meaning on an 'OBE'...
(search in the forums if you haven't heard this before :-)
flyhigh142 - those lines may not have to be junk if you're prepared to sort them out and dcut them to equal lengths again and then re-sleeve them...
depends on where they snapped though. You could rescue some equal lengths to put together a shorter line set for those high wind days (any kite will
have less pull if kept closer to the ground on shorter lines).
joecat - 8-5-2007 at 06:10 AM
Hey Khooke, good info, "OBE" have read alot about it, hopefully I wont be seeing it too much. I was thinking about getting a 2meter. I have a
beamer 3m. And now the Pro-Foil 1.5. Being new its alittle intimidating the power that the kites can generate. I agree I would rather be
underpowered until I have a real good hold on controlling the kite. Do you think a 2meter is a good move?
Taper123 - 8-5-2007 at 06:23 AM
I picked up two profoils not long ago. Both of them had a simple knot at the end of the bridles to attach to which could slip... first time one
dropped me on my tail :moon: I checked the knots and put a figure eight knot at the ends for attachment purposes... never have let me down since.
Great kites for the price though. Even if my wife gives me a hard time when I use them since they are Her kites 
joecat - 8-5-2007 at 07:37 AM
I guess that is something I should check,, wonder if they have fixed the problem since then... this one that I got yesterday only cost me $65.00 that
was with shipping... seemed good to me.
awindofchange - 8-5-2007 at 11:24 AM
We have been buggying with the Ozone LD Stunt 1.5 for a couple years now. Yes you do need high winds but it works awesome when those high winds come
in. Most of the people in our group have one of these for those conditions. Out here on the lake bed the 1.5 is awesome starting around 18-20 mph.
With heavier riders, grass, or sand you will probably need a little more wind but it is very possible and fun to buggy with a 1.5 meter kite. I need
to stress that all kites are not equal and one 1.5 from one company may not fly or have as much power as another 1.5.
flyhigh142 - 8-5-2007 at 04:49 PM
When my lines broke I was probably only going about 10, as I was just setting up for a turn, I've retiedalle the ends of this kite and the 3.5 I also
bought. I checked every kite I have for the same problem and adjusted a few knots I felt were too close to the end. I just picked up a 3.5 Rage and
one of the thick ropes coming off the handles was right at the end. Hey! It's finally Blowin! 'Later!
Pablo - 8-5-2007 at 08:52 PM
Little kites rock, to date my fastest speed hit was 45.6mph with a 2m kite
khooke - 8-5-2007 at 11:26 PM
joecat - re asking about the 2m - it would be a good move if in certain winds the 1.5 is not enough but the 3m is too much, then a 2m might be just
right. Different type kites all perform differently though, so unless you get another of what you already have but in a different size, ie the 2m, you
might find that a 2m Sami for example might be almost the same as the 3m Beamer, so don't expect them to be different just because one is
larger/smaller than the other, (especially when you're talking about these sizes which are all close together anyway).
Another option if the 3m is too much but the 1.5 is not enough is to fly the 3m on shorter lines like 40ft instead of 70ft (or whatever you normally
fly) - you'll find it has quiet a difference on the pull generated because the wind is typically not as strong closer to the ground, and with shorter
lines you have less of the wind window to move the kite through. Some ideas for you to think about anyway.
joecat - 9-5-2007 at 08:18 AM
hey kent, Khooke, Thanks for the good info. I never thought about the idea that two different brands of kites would make a difference. But that
sounds logical if they are so close in size they may just perform the same which would mean it would be a waste of money. I am going to experiment
with these options. I am pretty sure my lines on my 3meter are 100ft. Isn't that right Kent? I got the kite from your shop. It was the Beamer.
3m.
joecat - 9-5-2007 at 11:01 AM
hey, based on the info I have recieved I think I am going to go with a Beamer III 2 meter. I have seen advertised prices of $175.00 which includes
shipping. Anyone know of any better price deals I can get? looking for new... The adds that I have seen come like my other beamer 3meter with
handles,, kite killers,, nice bag, lines,, all ready to fly. Let me know..................... I figure once I get this I will be good for awhile
untill I get alot better at flying..
awindofchange - 9-5-2007 at 06:47 PM
Joe,
Give me a call at our shop and I can get you set up. We have the 2.0 in stock and will match any advertised price you find.
joecat - 9-5-2007 at 08:07 PM
thanks kent,,, I will give you a call