Hmm, still not much luck.. All I've found out is it's going to get windier towards the start of next week... :dunno:

Maybe I'll sit squarely on the fence and start looking at 4m kites.. lol

Quote:

Originally posted by oOTomOo Maybe I'll sit squarely on the fence and start looking at 4m kites.. lol

This would be my suggestion. I know it is a 5M but it is a great deal on an excellent beginner kite that you'll wanna keep forever.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=10848

Hmm.. Bit of googleing and I think i'll have to give this a go when the wind dies on me...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkeVaTXmI-M

Ve'y cool :tumble:

Hmm, More googling and Pansh do a 3.0M and a 4.5M package for £144...

http://panshkite.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goo...

Views?

yep, that looks like 2 maybe 3 mph with the ace. very narrow window about 50 degrees to 60 degrees wind, doesn't ever even get a third of the way to zenith.

it's easier to fly in those winds than my 8m.

could do... you'll get less than half that on resale, closer to a third with only one set of lines.

the smaller aces are little killers when powered up, they are extremely fast, the 3m is solidly in the fast kite / high wind widowmaker bracket.

the 4.5 will approach the low wind performance in the last video above. be warned that they are tricky to launch in such slow winds. the trick is to inflate the kite by gently pumping on the handles to create multiple bouncy kinda semi - launches while walking back into the wind, as soon as it inflates enough to have turning control, get it high enough on a bounce to turn sideways across the window, as the kite picks up speed, it will inflate better, after a couple of figure eights you'll be able to stop moving upwind and fly static.

there's a certain roll-the-dice factor with pansh purchases, a significant number don't like them.

The good thing is that the newer you are to 4-line kites the more likely you are to like the aces...:evil:

Quote:

Originally posted by furbowski The good thing is that the newer you are to 4-line kites the more likely you are to like the aces...:evil:

Not sure if that's a good thing or not lol..

I don't want to get a cheaper kite just to be frustrated by the lack of quality once my experience grows..

I think i'm still floating towards the 3.3 Flexfoil to be honest.

Would that give a 'reasonable' pull in 5-8 mph winds?

by reasonable, I mean would I be leaning back..
and i'll just leave scudding until those windier days.. :wee:

don't get me wrong, sub 10 mph both of those kites are quite safe, unless you are scudding the 4.5 on wet grass in which case you'll likely get going pretty nice.

It's the bigger winds that make these aces angry killers. 15+ for the 4.5, 20+ for the 3 is very risky country at your skill level. add 5 mph for good skills at your weight, I'm 11 stone and I'd be pretty nervous flying those two in 20 and 25, let alone more wind that that.

gusty and wiggly winds are really frustrating on the aces. smooth winds with lulls like you describe above can be OK. You'll likely be able to keep your 4.5 moving through many of those lulls.

you'll be able to lean back against the sting in 8 mph, but you'll have to work it hard or go for a slick surface (wet grass) to get scuds.

i could probably pick up my feet on the 4.5 in 10 mph, but I'd have to run hard and push the set-up envelope a bit, and it wouldn't feel like a jump, you'll need 12-15 to begin jumping on the 4.5 at your weight.

i'm not trying to push you to jumping, i'm just trying to give you an idea of the different risk levels these kites have at different wind speeds.

i haven't mentioned kitekillers, they are sometimes good for folks starting out with 4-line kites.

have a look here, remember that you are not a racing buggier but a fellow just starting out wondering how kite killers can help you... (don't post on it, just let it die for now... )

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=10630&p...

have a look and decide for yourself...

(edit... but be aware the sting will be ready to fly with only a few minutes of set-up time involved, it will include swag and a manual and nice lines and decent kite killers, but I guess you know this already)

Unless you are flying a very small kite, you will be leaning back. Scudding will come with higher winds and larger kites.

I'd lean towards a 2.5 FlexiFoil Rage if you can get your hands on one for a decent price. They can be one of the more expensive kites, but you are getting what you pay for. Now, I havent flown a lot of fixed-bridle kites, but I love flying the smaller rages...
1.8m Rage in 30mph winds... That was an awesome day.

@ furbs - I'd definitely be getting kS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s i think I've had a quick skim of that thread before, and certainly the flexis come with them as standard.

What's the difference in flight characteristics between long thin foils and short fat ones? seems to be that the short fat ones are more stable and better in gustier winds, while the long narrow ones are better in smoother lighter winds?

Or have I completely mis-understood?

You'll also be pleased to know I'm firmly back on the fence between a ~5m and being careful about when i take it out (certainly until I've got a few hours on it) or ~3m and potentially being dissapointed about the power it generates in the less than awe inspiring winds we get here 90% of the time..

Ohhhh the choices..!

You nailed that one on the head in regards to aspect ratio of the kite (short fat vs long thin). Longer thinner kites are definitely less stable, but much faster. Shorter, fatter kites are much more stable, but dont generate nearly as much power. The other thing to take into consideration is that higher aspect ratio kites tend to be a little bit more twitchy. They respond quicker to what you tell them, but if you make a mistake, you will pay for it more. Lower aspect ratio kites give you a little more play and a bit more forgiving...

Hope that helps.

Yep, cheers.

Now all you need to do is decide if I buy the 3.3m Sting (with all it's nice handles and pre-stretched line goodness) but potentially be disappointed with the pull..

Or if i go for the budget 5.0m Pansh with it's gnarly looking handles and stretchy lines I've heard so much about (and do my best superman impression as soon as there is anything that resembles a bit of wind..)

I might just flip a coin :sniff:

you decide, mate.

let us all know how you get on.

of course I'll be happy to help you dither further if you like... :megan:

LOL

try www.xcweather.co.uk it will give you great wind information i work in the shipping industry and its what i use to check on how it will affect our vessels also great for checking what the winds like before i head out

XC is broken at the moment.. technical difficulties.. Cool animation when it works though!

I think I've plumped for the 3.3 Sting. I'd rather have a kite with good feel and learn to control it properly than a big powerful one that i cant learn to control properly.

I've also asked on Harrogate power kite club which is local to me for some more advice on what our normal winds are like. It's a less active forum though (last post about a month ago) so i'm not holding my breath!

Thanks again for all your help!

Tom

Ok, one last thing, I promise.. Would the 5m PKD Buster II be a better choice than the Pansh Ace 5m?

as your first kite or as your second after the sting?

5m pkd buster II in the first case, 5m ace in the second.

I don't know much about the busters, though, try the reviews on racekites, when you run out of your two free reviews just google for them individually by kite and author, they load fine that way.

I was meaning as a first kite.. still a toss up between the 3 and 5m kite.

Although I did watch a vid of a bloke flying a 2.4 Sting in 10-12mph winds and he was getting pulled around a treat.
Makes me think the 3.3 would be adequate.

As for race kites, I have AnEC cookie editor installed, so I just delete the racekites cookie :singing:

Again, thanks for the advice

happy dithering there...

you're going back and forth, you know that, eh?

just choose the level of risk you think you are comfy with and take it from there, your first kite will teach you all you want to know about your second kite.

Oh I know.. I'm a ditherer - it's in my nature

I'll sit it out a bit longer, see what the wind speeds are usually like around here.. if it's over 10 I'll get the Flexi, if not, i'll prob plump for the Buster.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Quote:

Originally posted by oOTomOo I'll let you know how it goes!

and i'll be looking out for it... good luck to ya.