At the moment I have a HQ beamer 3.0 4m. I'm really enjoying using it and now I would like to invest in a big kite.
I have a budget of £400 ($800) but could possible stretch to £500 ($1000).
I have been recommended the Peter Lynn twister, but I would prefer to get a depowerable kite. Another kite I've been told about is Ozone Instinct but
I have heard it does not handle well in a park area (which is where I mostly fly).
I want to use the kite for recreational use as well as boarding. I would also like to be able to do some jumping (I weigh about 14st).
Basically, I want a good kite that I can use as a beginner at big kiting that will continue to be good fun as I become more skilled.
Thanks for any help and advice.Bladerunner - 13-9-2008 at 04:12 PM
Do you fly inland or on a beach ?
Check out HQ's new line of products ! They have some very interesting new depower kites and very competetive pricing !
What is the usual wind speed where you fly ?
Will you eventually be able to pay for 2 depower kites ?Scudley - 13-9-2008 at 06:34 PM
Sky Country Alasca fits the bill in terms of price. See BladeRunner's review in the review forum.
Ssunset-Jim - 13-9-2008 at 09:49 PM
Some great deals to be had on this thread. I've bought a couple myself. Like others have stated, just too good to pass up.
I fly inland- at my local park and a big field about 10 mins drive.
at local park wind about 18mph gusts of 25mph theres a little hill just before so winds alittle unclean. The big field has nothing but flat land for
miles so wind is clean but sometimes too strong wind and can reach 30+mph, usually fly about 20-25mph there.
Could afford another kite sometime next year(march), but am looking for a new laptop for uni aswell.
Thanks Scudley and sunset-Jim for the tips.Bladerunner - 14-9-2008 at 08:56 AM
There is a 15m Peter Lynn phantom on here at a very good price. This kite has an awsome wind range and handles inland winds very well. It covers the
winds you describe nicely. Arcs sound huge but do to their arc shape aren't as powerfull as a similar sized bridled kite.The arcs have the added
advantage of being water relaunchable. Peter Lynn's newer arcs are definately an option. Their only draw back is that they need about 9 or 10 knots of
wind to get flying. That doesn't sound like an issue for you ?
Jellis's JoJo session is another fantastic deal. Talk to Jon. He deals overseas so may be able to ship at a reasonable cost. It would serve you very
well !
Good questions and good info !
A problem for you is most of the used gear on here is in North America. There is another forum ( racekites ) we can't mention that has good info and
deals on your side of the pond. If you can't find it ( .com ) send me a U2U . Buying a good used model that has proven itself and is in good condition
will be your best bang for your buck. You will be very hard on your 1st kite. Better to invest new once you don't crash as much + know what you want
for sure ! Fly before you buy, whenever possible !!!!!
People will disagree with me but I feel that you will get the most from a good Depower model that covers the range you described. The depower will be
safer and better for jumping + allow you to ride in a wider wind range. It may be a bit spendy but if you see a 7 or 10 m Flysurfer Pulse you can
afford these are the kites I would suggest. With the huge range of the newer depower kites you can run a pretty funtional 2 kite quiver. With fixed
bridle you will need at least 3. My 7m Pulse is almost a 1 kite set up for me !NPWfever - 14-9-2008 at 09:09 PM
The Neo may be a choice, as it's depower, flyable on land and water, you may want to look into that if you are looking into a kite that you would like
to carry over to water, idk what the prices are though....DGturtle - 16-9-2008 at 02:36 PM
Bladerunner,
I was looking at the flysurfer you mentioned and came across the Flysurfer Psycho II on ebay, any ideas on that (or anyone else who knows of it)?Bladerunner - 16-9-2008 at 07:51 PM
Yes,
I had a 10m Psycho 2. It was my 1st Flysurfer and the build won me over more than the kites perfomance. In the right hands this is an amazing kite but
I never really felt completely comfortable under it. It was too advanced a kite for me at the time. It was twitchy and liked to be kept moving. It
built up lift fast ! I think as a first depower it is just a bit too much ?
My 7m Pulse on the other hand is the most forgiving and friendly depower kite I have ever flown , by far ! It can be left alone and gives great
feedback. I hardly ever have to look at it. I think that THIS is a terrific kite for someone getting in to depower. They are just now becoming a great
deal second hand. If you see one of these at a price you can afford I would URGE you to pick one up ! It is almost a 1 kite quiver for me ! I have
flown the 13 Pulse as well. It has all the same friendly qualities but is much slower and needs more of a park and ride style. I have to expect the 10
is a happy medium ?
That Jo Jo session is Jellis has up is a real good deal if you can swing shipping ?
We have been VERY impressed with Skycountries new Alasca. If you are looking at new, it is worth a look. They have a pretty competitive price and come
from Europe so may be even cheaper on your side of the pond ? The Canadian site is www.skycountry.ca They can probaly help you find a local source ?
Peter Lynn arcs tend to be one of the best deals on the second hand market. Like with most brands the 2005's and newer tend to have better
performance. Going second hand with your 1st depower makes pretty good sense. You will be hard on your 1st kite !
Ozone kites can often be found on the used market and are a very good choice as well !DGturtle - 17-10-2008 at 04:10 PM
Bladerunner,
I've been practicing on a friend Ozone access and learning to use the depower.
I have been offered a cheap price on a Flysurfer speed I, although i have been told it is a difficult kite, the price is really good.
Do you think I could get used to this kite if i went in low winds to start with?Bladerunner - 17-10-2008 at 09:30 PM
I bought a 7m Speed 1 with the 1.5 mod. ( $100) and FDS ($100) sort of on im"pulse". Powerzone sold it to me but was honest enough to stress HIGHLY
that the kite I really wanted was a 7m PULSE ! A great deal on a Pulse came up before I had a chance to fly the speed 1.5. The only day I flew it was
the day I sold it. Just to show the new owner the ropes.
From what I understand the smaller speeds are great kites for water. Not so much for land They take constant attention and don't like to just sit still. NOT a beginer friendly kite. They are quick and can get away from you .
The larger Speeds are the shining stars of the Speed family. Low wind machines !
Both the Speed and Psycho II are great kites but there is a reason they have dropped in and below the $500 range. The newer Flysurfers are just that
much better. Hold off and save up for a Pulse or Pulse II. They are coming down in price and will make your learning experience so much better. The
older Flysurfers are better in the hands of experienced fliers !
It was under Powerzones advice that I moved to the Pulse and it was some of the BEST advice I have received !
The Access is a nice kite to be learning with DGturtle - 18-10-2008 at 05:32 AM
I was just wondering what the price difference is between the UK and the US is.
In the UK, the cheapest I could find on the net for a Flysurfer Pulse II is £899.99 ($1,556).
I was just thought it would be interesting...DGturtle - 18-10-2008 at 05:40 AM
*For the 10m one.DenisLaMenace - 18-10-2008 at 08:42 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by DGturtle
I was just wondering what the price difference is between the UK and the US is.
In the UK, the cheapest I could find on the net for a Flysurfer Pulse II is £899.99 ($1,556).
I was just thought it would be interesting...
Cheaper in North America. May be worth to buy oversea.DenisLaMenace - 18-10-2008 at 08:48 AM
Tatahi (from france) is selling a Pulse2 10m 750euros (shipping included)
They take constant attention and don't like to just sit still. NOT a beginer friendly kite. They are quick and can get away from you . 