I'm looking for a lightly used depowerable foil for a beginner; Ocone Access 8m, HQ Apex II 7.5, or something similar, for snowkiting.

I currenly fly a Flexifoil Sabre 11.5 but find it has too much pull for me in anything but very light winds (I weigh about 150 lbs). I'm in the Canadian prairies and winds get quite blustery.

How does HQ compare with Ozone? Any thoughts on a what a fair price be for a used Apex or Access in good condition?

Suggestions on other options would also be appreciated.

Many thanks,
NRC

I've owned a number of HQ kites and Ozone kites, and I'm always happier with Ozone. But they will cost you more.

I'm having the same problem - I don't know whether i want to spend the extra money on a frenzy or just get an Apex II.

I weigh the same as you by the way but would still get a 10m Apex or 9m Frenzy.

I don't want an access as I dont like the idea of all the depower being in the bar throw. I think I will probably wait until next season anyway now

Quote:

Originally posted by lives2fly I don't want an access as I dont like the idea of all the depower being in the bar throw. I think I will probably wait until next season anyway now

You could always keep your eye out for an 08 or 09 Access. They have the clamcleat trim strap.

I don't have any time under an Apex II but I think they are well regarded. My Access 8m has been a great kite for me to learn on. Where are you located NRC? If you are in the Northeast you should go up to Kitestorm in Burlington in a couple weeks. They'll have Apex's to demo and I'm sure you could find an Access to have a go on as well.

Used kite prices are going to be completely dependent on condition. Somewhere around $500 is probably about right for a used Apex or Access that has about one season on it and no repairs. Or keep your eye out for closeouts this spring.

I decided to go for the Neo2 8m. Might want to add one of those to yor watch list.

Like you, I've found my Neo2 11m has too much pull and lift for a noob, such as myself, in anything except light winds... and unfortunately the 11m requires more than light winds to power up and become usefull for ATBing on my lumpy flying fields.

The Neo (and Hydra 350), being closed cell, tend to hold shape in the local gusty/lufty/direction-shifting winds - compared to the open celled Scout 5m which often goes into jellyfish mode and falls out of the sky in those conditions.... especially when flying to the edge of the wind window.

I figure if I can learn to kite succesfuly here... I'll be ably to kite pretty much anywhere; Much the same reasoning regarding why the U.S. Airforce Academy is located nearby.

Bang for the buck you can't beat the Apex2.

The bar isn't as nice as the Ozone but the kite flies unbelievably well. Swallows gusts almost ass well as an ARC, turns pretty fast, pulls like a truck and has a ton of depow.

Goes upwind like you wouldn't believe in the right hands.

I know a few people that ride them in some pretty nasty conditions and the kites are bomb proof. Like I said the bar isn't as nice as the OZ but it works really well.

My wife flies the 7.5m constantly. She just got Maven's 10m and the thing rocks. Now she's thinking of dumping her 5m Frenzy and picking up a 5m Apex2.

The older access can be modified to the clam cleat, but I have heard that some say it flies better with it's original setup. $21 gets a PL trim adjuster- may be what I go with on mine (need to get time on it though.)

Yeah i'm liking the sound of the Apex more and more to be honest.

The bar does look a little crappy but i guess i can always swap it out with one of my old Naish bars or something.

Everyone with any experience flying them says they are great kites.

Its hard for me to get the opportunity to demo anything where i live unfortunately - the nearest decent kite store is 600miles away!!

From what I've heard, the apex is a great kite. The only reason I didn't end up with one is the screaming deal I got on my access, and that may eventually change.

old 9.5 ozone frenzys go for quite cheap :singing:

My Montana 5m will pull starting 12 and is pretty lit in 18, and is on fire >22. I've found that I haven't been flying my Montana as much lately as I've been mostly flying the LEI's on the board and the rages in the buggy; and when it gets about 20 I've been on water. The Montana is a great kite, stable and consistent. Love this kite, wish we had more wind in its range during the year. My Montana is in excellent condition, I'd consider parting with it as I don't give it the love it really deserves.

What wind range are you looking for?