So as many have offered helpful feedback for me to decide on my guys XMAS present being a new Frenzy 9m, which is under wraps till Dec 25, I am wondering what would be the best kite to round out our joint quiver for those low wind days.

I'm 135 and he is 215 so quite the difference there but our quiver having the flows, 4m access and 7m and 9m frenzys seems great for our skill level right now and the things we hope to do - play around with static, work on ATB and a attempt some snowkiting this winter (maybe a buggy someday). BUT (big but), because i am always planning for future purchases and like to know where we are going, I cant help but wonder if a 12m S3 Deluxe would round it out nicely OR if we would be better off sticking with the Frenzys and look at an 11m down the road instead?

Just like hearing about the float and he has mentioned that he would like to try some kiteboarding (lessons obviously) so figured it may be a good investment with a little more float and a bit more depower. Also, want stability and something that won't zip around unless we want it to.

Any feedback on the depower range, skill level needed or if this just sounds stupid and a giant waste of money for us (ah hem, me as it is my addiction) would be greatly appreciated!

15m S3 - DLX in my books. you/he will enjoy it for the lighter winds.

you said planning for future (i see water!!!)

somehow we could figure out a demo for ya.

Rip is right, go for the 15. Or, you could save some money and buy a new PL Charger 15. But I'm not sure whether or not their on backorder.

Both are great kites.

Cheers,
Seanny

speeds have very good depower so much in fact you will be fine on a 15m......................I attached a vid of my sons 17m SA in 12/13 mph winds........the 15m S3 will have approximately the same amount of power but much faster turner...........you both can go low in the bug, snow, or water...........................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQMhNsl3fuw

Quote:

Originally posted by Seanny Rip is right, go for the 15. Or, you could save some money and buy a new PL Charger 15. But I'm not sure whether or not their on backorder. Both are great kites. Cheers, Seanny

CH 15m are fully stocked here!!!

@tridude, stop making me drool.

could you elaborate on the wind range you are trying to cover and the board size ?

this will help us narrow down the recommendation... 12m/15m/19m etc....

80lb differential is quite a bit to account for

From my recent amounted knowledge and understanding I don't think that the charger will even fly in winds that a speed will let alone get you up and riding. But if you went for a charger you could almost get two kites of different sizes for what a brand new speed3 dlx would cost. again though both are excellent choices

First off let me state that the quiver is more tuned towards my riding nd flying needs as he is not as into it as me but does want to "play" when we finally get out there so not necessarily going for a total quiver for him as the 80 pound difference would make his biggest kite unflyable for me. Really just something that we can use when the winds are around 6-9 and be slightly powered up as we static flew my Frenzy 7 (which i was afraid to fly at first) in 7-10mph at WWBB and I realized it would not be enough power to get going if my skill level improved. He really had to work it and keep it low to get enough to scud. I only had to dip it a bit but still had to keep it moving.

When he gets the 9m frenzy at Christmas I will be anxious to see how I can handle it in similar winds as again, I am a very cautious flyer as we still are still quite new and hardly have had any chance to fly recently (feel like I almost forgot how!)

Looking ahead, maybe we'll try water but I am not a big drowning/sail out to sea kind of gal (getting the overly safe message yet?! ) but I am hoping to get off the ground a bit should my atb skill get there and really want to try the snowkite thing as my board skills have already been honed on several years if snowboarding. Then there is the buggy i hope to purchase if the moons align right.

Don't want to get any larger FB kites as they just seem too dangerous - can't adjust AOA and the amount of canopy is smaller by nature so less gentle landings should you go higher than expected, which is why i got interested in the FS S3 to begin with.

But like i said, this is down the road and when we have ample time to see what the 9m frenzy will do. I was told for my weight I would prob not want to ever go out in anything larger than it anyway - at least for a couple years till my skills get there.

To be honet I don't ever see myself yearning to fly overpowered. You guessed it, just SCARY!!

:tumble:

the S3, have a huge depower range, and not to mention you have the trim too. 15m sounds big but its not. if you do get airborne i would rather be under a 15m for the softer lands.

when you snowkite, are you on flat? going up hills? ice/snow?

Rip-
Snowkite conditions will vary as we are in new England and get everything from icy crap to deep fresh pow should we go to Tug Hill this year (we are planning on it!). No backcountry around here though so just mainly flats. Wont be using the kite to climb.

Yes, a 15 does sound quite large and it also seems like there would be a gap in our quiver from the 9m frenzy to the 15 fs. No?

Also, what would the 15 get us over the 12? One mph? Also, does it offer much more low end than an 11 Frenzy?

Thanks again for everyone who is helping! As you can see, many questions!

Is it even worth getting the DLX over the standard? Does it get you much more? As this would be our light wind engine I am very interested in finding out!

As an owner of a S3 15m Deluxe, I might be able to shed a little light...
For your weight, the 15m will be a lot of kite. But, it will get you going in very light winds. If I had to guess, I'd say you would be able to ride, on water, in 6-8mph. The real sweet spot is going to be 12-15mph for you (on water). In the buggy, you are going to be able to ride if the kite can fly. Just moving it through the window will generate enough power to get you rolling. On the ATB, I'd say somewhere in the middle of the two.

If you are going for a lightwind engine, I would DEFINETLY say go deluxe. The weight of the material DOES make a difference when it comes to lightwind conditions. The reason people get the 12m non-deluxe is because they arent using it as a low wind kite, but the opposite.

The S3 15m has a huge wind range. I am able to ride on water from 10-25mph comfortably. Though over 20 does push the comfort barrier. I've held it down before in 30mph winds. A little crazy, but doable for my weight range. And bear in mind I weigh about 180lbs. At 135, its going to be a lot of kite for you, but that huge depower range will still work for you. I would venture to say it will be useable up to about 15-20mph comfortably. At the next event, you'll just have to give it a shot and see what you think...

Hope that helps.

Thanks ragden - was admiring yours all of WW!

Appreciate the feedback as well!

Well... next time you see it.. just walk up and ask if you can give it a whirl...

here is the best way i can describe STD vs DLX.

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2010/04/is-a-kites-weight-impo...

#@%$#!, im the lightest pilot next to a 10 year old, even than they are probably heavier than. time to go on the Daskirtz diet. last time i checked i was still drinking Regular Coke and Non-Sugar Free Redbull. WTF!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites here is the best way i can describe STD vs DLX. http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2010/04/is-a-kites-weight-impo... ...

Very interesting read. Thanks rip!

I'll second that! A great read indeed!

Thanks Rip!

once you fly a deluxe flysurfer..... you wonder why they even make the standard fabric anymore.

truly better in every way...... except price.

Quote:

Originally posted by powerzone once you fly a deluxe flysurfer..... you wonder why they even make the standard fabric anymore. truly better in every way...... except price.

Well, with the smaller models, the difference isnt as noticeable. I wouldnt get a deluxe 8m for instance. The 15+ definitely. But 12m.... not sure i want deluxe at that size... That might be right on the line... The price of it is certainly a big pushback though...

i have a flysurfer deluxe 12m ..... side by side you can really tell a difference.

the only advantage of deluxe for smaller than 12m would be for lighter riders and lighter winds

Just wondering what the lightest winds are that will make the kite flyable - meaning, it can stay up with a little work (not an insane amount) for the 15 and 12 size? Thinking I am going to go DLX either way.

:puzzled:

12m S2, reg fabric, 6 kts upwind on my PLBF, working the kite fairly hard but once apparent wind/speed kicked in maily park-n-ride..........Speed 2s are amazing kites..................can someine give me a Darwin award for selling them......................:eureka::eureka::duh:

Wow! thanks tridude - that helps a lot!

Betting on my weight and a DLX 12m S3 I could get rolling in 5 kts once I figure out the kite and get my skills up to par. Even less if on slick snow.

Starting to think the 12 may be enough for me but the man would need the 15 to do anything similar.

glad to help....you hear alot of hype on just about every kite out there but the Speed 2s are awesome...................take the plunge you'll be glad you did.........2 FS dealers here on PKF to help with your purchase..............they may even throw in a deal for a 12/15m combo purchase............:duh::duh:

i like helping everyone spend their money.

i find that you need a bit more power on a snowboard than skis. the reason i say this because you need the power at the start so you're not having to jump back to get launched, as you can with just stepping back on skiis. trying to fight with your kite in the air while strapping in sux. the S3 is very stable so you can turn an eye from it when at zenith and get yourself together.

skills grow as you fly more, so i wouldnt sell yourself short ... so if you truly needed two kites of fear because the 15m is too big. IMO, 12m STD, and 15 DLX.