Power Kite Forum

Crossfire questions

kitetim - 23-1-2009 at 04:12 PM

I see adds for various sized Crossfire kites. 2.4m, 3.0m and 3.2m sizes. Are these different year models? Is there much difference in the older kites?

Is a 3.2m kite too much for playing on the beach in maybe 10-15 mph winds. I'm about 150 lbs. and familiar with larger kiteboarding kites but it sounds like the crossfire develops more power per meter than those kites.

Sounds like the Crossfire is similar to the Beamer but a bit more responsive.

f0rgiv3n - 23-1-2009 at 04:21 PM

duuuude the 3.2m IMO would be PERFECT in those winds. YOu would have a blast ;)

My friend's got the crossfire 4m and flies it up towards 25mph. If you have past experience I don't see any issues.

furbowski - 23-1-2009 at 04:26 PM

my 3.2 is just beginning to fly a full wind window in 8 mph, and starts to pull me into easy long scuds about 12 - 15 mph. in gusts more than twenty I start to get nervous. I reckon lofting would kick in around 25 mph.

it doesn't like wiggly winds, and responds to gusts with a bit of a yank, about like half way between the medium and high angles of attack on my blade, in other words you can't adjust the AoA on the CF, and it's set fairly high for good power, so it needs a fair bit more wind to fly a full window well powered than the beamer would.

it likes the brakes for turns and a little extra bit of power. stable at the edges if the wind is steady onshore.

edit: I weigh about 150 as well.
hope that helps...

dylanj423 - 23-1-2009 at 04:26 PM

I think, if its a crossfire 3m, that it is a recent model (Crossfire II)... I used to own a 3.2m, and I'm pretty sure there was no 3.0 size for the first generation. There was a 2.4.

The main difference between the Crossfire and the beamer is lift/stability. The crossfire is a little lifty, but not as lifty as any surf kites Ive flown. The beamer is more stable with less lift.

Fixed bridles produce more power than depower, the Crossfire is a fixed bridle kite. In 10mph winds, the kite will fly and be a little fun, at 15mph it gets a lot better for you. I weigh 190, and that little 3.2 picked me up plenty of times.

If it is an older model with little bitty kite killers, replace them before they snap on you.

dgkid78 - 23-1-2009 at 06:56 PM

I had the 2.4 (First Gen) as my first kite. I weigh 145lbs.. I had a lot of firsts with that kite. my first broken bone my first set of stitches. nothing like getting dragged over some seashells and into the SALT water LOL....I also was a complete Noob never flown a 4 line kite and didn't realize the power of that tiny thing. I sometimes regret getting rid of it. :dunno: What a great kite though. even though she was made for high winds. You could just feel the power at 8mph winds. she awoke (for me) at 15mph+ . Some crazy people will say 20+ Pffftttt not static for me LOL. Many many Supermans (mostly cause of inexperience of the power zone) :singing: maybe if i was on a board

furbowski - 23-1-2009 at 08:01 PM

crossfire II's have an adjustable bridle, the originals have a single AoA setting. CF I's come in 1.7, 2.4, 3.2, 4 and 5 meter sizes, maybe larger sizes as well. CF II's are in 2 (without adjustable AoA) 3 4 and 5 meter sizes. The CF I's have an asymetrical design with something like a swoosh going from one side of the trailing edge and then curving across the kite, but the CF II's have a symetrical design.

and yes, the (non stretchy!) bungee part on the kite killers with the CF I's are lousy, very flimsy and prone to breakage, but the velcro wrist strap bit is fine and the bungee part could easily be replaced. Handles are quite good, lines are decent.

kitemaker4 - 23-1-2009 at 09:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitetim
I see adds for various sized Crossfire kites. 2.4m, 3.0m and 3.2m sizes. Are these different year models? Is there much difference in the older kites?

2.4, 3.0 and 3.2m is the size of the kite. The 2.4m is 2.4 square meters surface area and 3.0 is 3.0 meters surface area for example.

Susan (npw goddess)