kullas - 23-12-2007 at 09:11 AM
As for a first kite and learning to buggy which would be a better kite. Im 5'11" 195lbs normaly flying in sub 10mph wind. I was wanting to get some
other opinions. What do ya think? :puzzled:
B-Roc - 23-12-2007 at 10:56 AM
Are those your only options or simply your preferences?
For a starter kite, at your weight, I'd recommend a mid aspect 4m.
However, if you want to use it in sub 10mph winds, I'd be thinking something in the 8-9 meter range (but that's not a good kite to learn on) and you
may need something even bigger once you add the weight of a buggy.
BeamerBob - 23-12-2007 at 10:56 AM
It is routinely discouraged for anyone to start out with a kite greater than 3m. That size still has the power to get you in trouble if the wind
picks up, but can be really fun and educational to prep you for the larger kites. Several sessions in varying winds with a 3 will have you ready to
take on a 5+ later. The Blaze is ok for a beginner kite if you have someone with experience to help you set it up. My Beamer stressed me a little
even with instructions. You don't get any info at all with the Pansh, and directions don't type well. You need to hold the stuff in your hands while
it is being explained or shown to you. And the Pansh's are notorious to be finicky about how much tension you put on the brakes. Not having prior 4
line experience will make diagnosis and corrections frustrating.
kullas - 23-12-2007 at 01:51 PM
Its that these 2 was offered used at a price i can swing. After taxes :tumble: I will have a little to spend. I also ran across the Pansh Legend 4.5
would this be any better?
Bladerunner - 23-12-2007 at 05:49 PM
If you have no previous experience then the 3 meter would be the best choice. If you already have your kite control down the 5.5 will be a lot more
valuable in such low winds.
If these are used kites then hopefully they will arrive properly set up ? Pansh's lack of intructions and poor line matching can be a problem.
kullas - 23-12-2007 at 06:52 PM
Does Revs and other quads count as control. for these power kites or they fly different?
B-Roc - 23-12-2007 at 09:00 PM
Revs definately count as far as learning control. In fact, if you can fly a rev and stall it, pinwheel it on a wingtip and fly it backwards, foils
will be a cake walk for you. The power may take you by surprise but you'll control them easily if you fly revs.
macboy - 23-12-2007 at 10:50 PM
Even a 3m can take you by surprise and you know what? It's an impressive looking size if there's even a hint of "bigger is better" thought going
through you. I had those thoughts and the end result was a rapidly swelled quiver (below) with only the 3's being flown for the longest time. I got
picked up off my arse from a good scud with my 3m Blaze and it slapped down on my frontside. Scared the daylights out of me - moreso because I didn't
have killers and didn't want to let go.
You will have more fun with the 3 than you could imagine and will wish your bigger kites (because you WILL have more and bigger kites) could turn as
fast as your 3's.
My 2 cents. Whatever you do, do it! You will never regret it.
BeamerBob - 24-12-2007 at 06:29 AM
Yesterday I got about an hour to fly and took out the 6m Ace. My son went with me as well. I got the ace out and he unloaded the Beamer. When I was
waiting for Wexler to get tired on the ace, I went over and flew the Beamer. I commented that this is a really fun kite and instead of being hard
work to control the kite, hold my ground, etc. it is fun and relaxing. The ace would drag me 20-40 feet at times, and I never had to take a step with
the Beamer. This wind was topping out at about 10 mph and dropping to about 6. If I had to again pick one kite, it would have to be my Beamer. It
offers the most opportunity to have fun flying every time in the most varying wind conditions. I think without it, I would get discouraged with the
sport. A varying quiver of kites is a good thing but you will always enjoy flying that first 3m that you should buy. A 4.5m or higher will hardly
ever give you that relaxed feeling if the wind is blowing much at all. You need that relaxed feeling while you are learning control because the
surprises will just make you widen your eyes instead of pick yourself up off the ground. Good luck in your decision.
kiteNH - 24-12-2007 at 07:22 AM
I'll throw in an endorsement of the 3m Beamer as well as a great kite to learn on. I have no experience flying the Blaze so I'm not going to
discourage that choice, but I have flown my 4m Ace quite a bit and I think that would be a lousy kite to start out with. Again, totally different
kite I'm sure but my point is that these kites are very similarly sized but fly completely differently. While the Beamer is forgiving, smooth and
turns on a dime, the Ace is a snatchy little demon that is curls up if you fly to close to the edge of the window and is pretty difficult to recover
once it starts to go down.
I agree that the lack of directions with Pansh kites makes them less good for a beginner, but I honestly haven't found my kite manuals to be that
helpful. Setting up the lines is pretty straightforward and there are so many resources on the web that you could probably find enough info to get
you going. I found that the Flexifoil site had a nice section with beginner information.
Good luck with the decision and enjoy the new kite (whatever it turns out to be).
kullas - 24-12-2007 at 08:11 PM
Thanks for the Info. Im learning quite a bit from reading these forums. and info like this is great. Thanks