Well my wife gave the ok to buy the Haka and now I have some questions....
First I'll give you some of my info. I have been flying stunt for years so I have the techniques down. The average yearly wind speed in Spokane is 8 -
12mph. The goal is to static fly, scud, maybe land board (just maybe) and after I get used to flying the beast jumping..... Oh, I am 6'1" and
185lbs....
Some people are saying this may be to much kite for a beginer. So my idea is to fly in really light winds at first and stay out of the power zone for
a while.
This is going to be my first and probably only power/traction kite. So if I buy a 3m Haka and it I grow out of it or the local winds won't keep it in
the air I am out of luck. Also it is only $100 less than the 5m which makes it hard to pass up...
I have chosen Ozone for the great build quality and craftsmanship and have my heart set on Ozone...
Any thoughts?
Thanks!Bladerunner - 14-5-2007 at 03:55 PM
I think you are on a good track. If you only have one kite a 5 is a good size. As you know you will want to give it HUGE respect as you get your
skills down. Seems like a 5 has just about the most usable wind range + is about the smallest you want to go jumping.
You are making good choices with a logical approach. :cool2:
Let us know how it comes along !Pablo - 14-5-2007 at 05:06 PM
If you're set on only getting one kite, the 5m may be the way to go, one bit of advice though, start in low winds, 8-12mph max, that kite will make a
huge amount of power for someone who's learning how to handle it. Take it slowly, baby steps and it's possible to start with a 5m with some thought
and self control. If you're the type of person to throw caution to the wind and give it a whirl, get the 3m.thercman - 15-5-2007 at 02:32 AM
Thanks for the info guys!
Well I am getting to old to throw caution to the wind. :P I would rather error on the side of caution. As long as you guys think that the 5m won't be
to much as long as I take it carefully then that will be they way I will go.
I must say I am getting excited. I have wanted one of these for a couple years and didn't have the money for one. (I have many expensive hobbies) I
had gotten excited about the Riot when it came out and now its replacement. Has anyone done a review on the Haka yet? So far I hear that it is fast
for its size, very smooth flying and has a ton of lift. Does anyone have one that can provide more feedback?
Thanks!awindofchange - 15-5-2007 at 02:03 PM
The Riot was one super sweet kite. My favorite kite for buggying. I was very concerned when they retired the Riot and brought out the Haka. I
didn't think they could really improve the Riot that much. The Haka is everything the Riot was. Very fast, very predictable, very powerful without
losing the stability that the higher performing full race kites seem to lose. This is an advanced kite but because it doesn't overfly nearly as bad
as the race kites, it can still work great for a beginner. Just be very respectful of the power that this kite can produce!!!
We have been flying our Haka's now for a couple weeks and comparing between the Riot and the Haka is a little difficult to do. They do fly very
similar with the Haka having a slight advantage in the power per size. The Haka does seem to be a little more stable on the edge where the Riot seems
to have a little more speed through the window. Both have excellent lift when you want it and can boost big if you get aggressive with them. Ozone
did make some slight changes to the Haka but they are hard to pinpoint when compared side by side with the Riot...it does feel a little smoother and
stronger in the power and does have more lift but I wouldn't say it is a major huge breakthrough (the Riot was already awesome to begin with), both
kites put huge smiles on our face and it was hard to get the Haka back from the other pilots when we first unveiled it to our group. I am very happy
that the Haka is every bit as good as the Riot in all areas with a boost in power output and lift. Very nicely done Ozone! I have my NEW favorite
kite and now in new color choices!
As said before, respect the power that the 5.0 Haka can produce and you will love it.thercman - 15-5-2007 at 02:34 PM
Thank you very much for the info! I am glad to hear that it does fair a little better than its predecessor. I had thought about seeing if I could find
Riot on a shelf somewhere but the the pprice hasn't dropped any so it is better to get the new version. I have been told that a good wind start off in
would be about 7mph. Does that sound like a good number? If so what would be the most a new guy would want to fly in even avoiding the power zone?
Thanks!Pablo - 15-5-2007 at 04:49 PM
I think 7mph is a good starting point, I'd say the usual 8-12mph would be tops until you come to grips with the kite, then anything up to 20mph or so
once you have it dialed in.thercman - 16-5-2007 at 07:04 AM
To further avoid getting injured I am also buying a Kestral wind meter. That way I am sure of the wind speed before launching. :-)
Thanks for all the advice everyone!awindofchange - 16-5-2007 at 10:28 AM
Depending on your weight, 7mph would be good to start out in. 5mph would be good as well. The kite will fly and provide light pull and if you fly
it aggressively it will tug you around. I would be very nervous putting up the 5 meter in 20mph winds. The Haka really does have a ton of power.
Buggying with the 3.0 in 15+ is more than enough power. Try the kite in the lighter winds first and slowly work up as your skill improves. Your
approach on this sounds very good and I am sure you will be fine as long as you don't over fly your abilities.B-Roc - 16-5-2007 at 01:28 PM
If you've been flying stunt kite for years you don't really need a wind meter. Yes, they are nice and I have one but it was given to me as a gift as
I flew stunt kites for 10 years before picking up a foil and I've only every used the windmeter to note gusts as opposed to figure wind speeds. I can
guess pretty close to the actual measured speed based simply on feel and observation. If you have been kiting for years you should be able to do that
to. If you want to be safe, just go out when you'd normally fly a UL or a light standard dual liner and if the foil inflates, work it and fly it.
That will really teach you control by forcing you to balance the kite between the power and brake lines and it will begin to give you a feel of the
power you can expect but if things get out of control, drop the kite on the killers.
My first foil was a 8.5m Blade III on a bar and I bought it in the middle of the winter so I could ski. Probably not the best move but I relied
heavily on my dual line skills and ability to read the lines and feel the conditions and I flew it safely throughout the learning curve (and I weigh
145#s). That's not to say I never got caught out - I did in 18mph winds when I could no longer stay upwind and took off downwind at over 40mph and
was spared a massive walk of shame to my launch site by a snowmobiler who hoped I'd let him try it out after he brought me back upwind.
I'm not saying do what I did or that I was even smart but I had limited funds and fly mostly ULs and SULs so I got the foil to match my typical kite
conditions. Now my collection has expanded and I fly my 5.5 the most and rarely fly the blade (much like dual line kites, the better you get the more
you learn to work the kite to get the most out of it).
A 5m is good for a one kite quiver but my guess is you won't stop there especially if you get into boarding - but you've got to start somewhere so go
with it if that's what you really want and be careful and ere on the side of caution. Winds change faster than bones heal so use your head and build
up slow and enjoy!thercman - 16-5-2007 at 03:06 PM
Great info!
My stunt kites are fairly higher wind kites. An old Black Rainbow Jam (which I am looking to upgrade to a Jumping Jack Flash) A Prism Micron and a
Revolution SE. So unfortunately no light wind stuff. I do need one though because where I live they winds don't seem to keep them in the air all that
often.
Well the order should be placed within the next couple of days or so. It will get its first flight in the desert of UAE were I am currently deployed.
I hope I don't eat it the first day cause I will never live it down. :PBladerunner - 16-5-2007 at 05:34 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by thercman
To further avoid getting injured I am also buying a Kestral wind meter. That way I am sure of the wind speed before launching. :-)
Thanks for all the advice everyone!
This is after you have bought a helmet , shin and elbow pads of course !
I find I get a lot more valuable info from my GPS than a wind meter. A few have them and it seems I can guess pretty well.Pablo - 16-5-2007 at 09:33 PM
Even with the wind meter, there's value in looking at the surroundings. Often you'll get low wind at ground level and higher winds up 20ft, if you
look at a tall tree or a flag you get a pretty good idea.
Today, around 8-10max at ground level, put up the 13m Cent, Well, the jumps were floaty to say the least, got home and checked the wind report, 14
gusting to 18.thercman - 17-5-2007 at 04:03 AM
Does anyone have any pics of a Haka in the black/orange/grey color scheme? :pB-Roc - 17-5-2007 at 05:50 AM
you might want to go to the flexifoil forum. Sand Yeti is the user name of a flier who I also believe is in the UAE. I could be wrong but I know
he's over in that section of the world kite buggying.thercman - 17-5-2007 at 02:10 PM
Thanks I will do that. However its not like I can just go out when ever I want. I need to get permission and then go with other people. Kind of sucks.
Its almost like being in jail. I work 12 hours days 6 days a week and there isn't anything to do for fun and we are forced to were a uniform all the
time..... At least it is only for 4 months.... *Shrugs* thercman - 19-5-2007 at 03:48 PM
Hey Everyone!
I just wanted to say thank you very much for all of the great advice!
I finally placed my order to www.bestkites.com for the 5m Haka in the black/orange/grey color scheme. :D I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I am guessing two weeks or
so....... It will seem like months I am sure....
