Aaron p - 1-7-2009 at 06:25 AM
Well here's the story! I haven't been power kiting very long, and I'm a student so Don't want to fork out a huge amount of money, So I did the usual
ebay hunt! Bid on a few 3m radsails and 3.5m bullets but they always went for over my budget, some of the radsails going for about £20 off rrp!
So I see Brookite, A UK kite make th i have flown stuntkites/small foils when I was much younger. I do know however from this that they where good
quality, so I did the internet search for their powerkites.
On their website the rrp for there powerkites is around £200, much overpriced compared to the ozone flow etc I had been looking at, and the arent
exactly pretty, standard kite colours if you get me, like bright greens and oranges etc... but the catch is on ebay a new one with 2 lines can be had
for £45, or you could contact their shop for the four line setup ( can be flown either ), so I contacted and manage to get a 4 line setup with kite
killers for £59, for a 3.6m by o.8m kite. There is no reviews really of these power kites out there, and some of you guys recommended me against them
for this reason...
but someone must take the plunge! So when it arrives I will do my best to put photos of the kite, its bridles and handles to give you guys an idea of
quality, and will try to get a video of its flying, and let you know what it pulls like.
Basically, I know ive taken a risk, my guess is it hasnt sold because of its colour scheme and ridiculously high rrp when released, and so brookite
are selling them off cheap. I dont expect it to be the best kite out there, but if this thing can turn pretty well, flies well for its high aspect
ratio (im a beginner so will have to get used to it ) and can pull me along the ground well, then you must admit for its money, it would make an
excellent beginner kite!
Thoughts or comments welcome, want anything to do with it or know anything about it, just ask!
Aaron;-)
Aaron p - 1-7-2009 at 06:31 AM
Edit: I started with a 2.5m no brand ebay kite! Not bad really, havent had good wind to fly it properly yet but in the one day i had slightly stronger
but gusty winds it was starting to pull me. I do think however its quality is poor and it can develop a nasty kink when turning/could turn alot better
to be honest. This is all I can compare it to, hence the idea of putting photo's / vids up and letting you guys be the judge! Will keep you posted!
Aaron
Bladerunner - 1-7-2009 at 07:54 AM
Please DO give us as much 1st hand info on this kite as you can.
Taking a gamble on a low budget isn't the route I would have suggested. I bought my 5m Ace just to see what it was about but didn't need the kite like
you.
Did it come with kite killers ? A kite stake ?
I am willing to bet the kite will work O.K. as a cheap trainer.
I could write a novel on the reasons to support reputable companies and local shops !
kitejumper - 1-7-2009 at 02:29 PM
just remember fella,u get what u pay for,usually
BeamerBob - 1-7-2009 at 03:01 PM
Well maybe not, but you certainly don't get what you don't pay for. The dice are rolled, lets see how they add up.
It has arrived!
Aaron p - 2-7-2009 at 07:46 AM
Well, It arrived this morning.. very fast delivery! Part of my offer was kite killers, which did not come included, so one wuick call and they
refunded me the amount extra id offered them for a pair.. happy days! So I take the kite out, first impressions on the bag are this is absolutely
crap, as it comes in a small stuffsack, however this should not put you off. Open up the kite and find it to be made of relatively thick and sturdy
material, all seams are stitched well and have extra fabric to strengthen them (see photo's), bridle system seems very adjustable but is not that
simple ( in my opinion, you let me know what you guys think, colour scheme isnt pretty but the back is all orange so that is grand! Given upgraded
lines with 210kg breaking strain for main lines and 110kg for the brakes, all feels very nice! handles feel absolutely grand to me, sturdy and well
made! The proof will of course be in the pudding... Im going to TRY and fly it today but the wind here at the minute is little over a few mph at most
so my success is unlikely, but I will keep you posted and get a video and photos up when i get it in proper wind and get used to 4 line flying! Photos
coming now when I work out how exactly to do them! Clear easy instructions, everything but bag feels well made, we'll soon know how it flys! aARON
Aaron p - 3-7-2009 at 11:50 AM
Well I took out the air attack yesterday in extremely light winds, was difficult to get it up into the air and steering was very difficult and could
only turn with the brakes. I did notic the strop between the handles was very shprt in my opinion, but left it be till a more windy day....
Which was today! Widn speeds finally got up to where its recommended to fly (10 - 30mph) so I took it out again, and up it went, no bother atall =)!
However, I still couldnt steer as I iliked, so I removed the strop and that solved it, was easy to turn and handle! Not as quick to turn as a small
kite but if the brake are used it can turn on the spot! Its taking alot of getting used to. I always forget its four line and wonder why its hovering
in the one spot, but when I actually am flying it right it pulls like nothing =D The winds started at about 13mph according to met office and when I
ended where just going past 20mph, by which point i was happily being dragged along on my chest at a fair speed haha 
!
The bottom line for me as judging by today, it flys very well for the money! I doubt its as quick to turn as some of the more expense kites in the
almost four metre category, and im sure there are some that pull harder.. but four a third of the price brand new, you really can't go wrong! I still
have to fiddle a bit more with brake line settings etc to get the most out of it im sure, but I will keep you all posted and try and get a video and
photo's up very soon.
So, if anyone wants to buy this kite, here are the top tips from me so far..
Buy it off ebay, the sellers are quick, friendly and easy to work with.. make a best offer, I got mine for £55 with upgraded flying lines and set up
as a four line, they had it set as buy it now at £70 for those extras!
Buy kite killers seperately.. it pulls enough to need them for sure
Its bag is crap, I suggest using an old rucksack, The kites colours arent exactly very cool, so the rucksack wont matter atall
DO NOT GET IT AS A 2 LINE SETUP!! Yes, they offer it set up 2 line for £44 but going by todays winds, which really werent that strong to be honest,
you need the control of the brakes on this kite to actually feel in control.
DO NOT PAY OVER £70 FOR IT! It can be had cheap on ebay as I said, and if we are being realistic, its not worth its retail by a long shot!
If you have £150 to spend on a kite of this size, get a big name, well reviewed kite that is a little more pleasing to the eye!
HOWEVER, If you are wanting to spend the sort of money I did, you really can't go wrong atall I beleive! So far its shown me that once setup correctly
it flies pretty fast, pulls very hard and with practice turns well! Being my first four line kite its really hard to judge this so videos and photos
will follow, but for pulling power and good fun - its a good bang for your buck!
Aaron
Bladerunner - 3-7-2009 at 05:45 PM
Thanks,
So far it is sounding interesting. I think your opinion is about right. That it will introduce you to the basics of flying.
I look forward to seeing pic's.