I am curious about the way this kite flies in lighter winds. Can one expect a good tug on the arms in lighter winds?

I was flying one today in about 6-8MPH. I was making headway across the lake, but hardly enough pull to really carve against the kite and had to work it most of the time. Ironically, the 8.5 isn't much better in those light winds. At that point, I think the weight of the kite is starting to work against you.

Should also add that at the higher end of your range (10-12MPH) both the 6.6 and 8.5 are good perfomers. I think the 6.6 is a bit faster both in turning and in speed.

Still waiting for someone to make a No-Wind kite.....

In todays light winds, the 11.5 Sabre was actually the best performer. Good solid pull and very stable. The occational gust didn't bother it a bit. The only problem I have with the Sabre on skis is the length of the depower leader. Difficult to reach the bar with both hands with the kite off to one side, as it usually is....and diificult to control the kite and depower one handed, especially in gusty conditions.

rrc, your nuts. The 11.5 sabre comes nowhere close to an 8.5 on low end, and thats not to even mention the 10.5. If you have enough wind to get the 10.5 to the top of the window, and drive it down through the power zone, you cant stand in one place. De-power kites (even the 11.5 sabre and yes I have flown one) do not make light wind power.

Scoop

The 11.5 Sabre can have just as much low end as the Blade if it's flown right, but it's big advantage is it's smoothness is gusty winds. The day I was talking about was variable from 3-4 to around 15. The Blade was great when the wind was 10+, but when it dropped below 5 or so, it wants to fall out of the sky, unless you start working it.

The Sabre on the other hand, would still produce enough power to keep moving in 5 or so and not exibit any tendency to collapse...then when the wind picked up to 15 or so, the power is there if you want it. If you don't, just keep the kite high and depowered. The power is more controllable.

What the original post didn't mention is what he wants to do with the kite. I wouldn't waste money on a Sabre for static/jumping. For that, the Blade is the way to go.

And your still comparing to the 6.6 There is a huge difference in the low end of the 6.6 and the 8.5,10.5. Not the wind that you can fly in, but the power of the kite when in these winds. The Sabre will fly in winds that low Im sure, but you cant produce much power in these winds, considering you would have to set the kite to full de-power just to keep it moving enough to not fall out of the sky. I can imagine if you tried to pull the bar in at all it would stall and fall out of the sky. This brings another thing into play. You said

"it wants to fall out of the sky, unless you start working it."

Thats the beauty of the Blade, if you know what your doing, you can work the crap out of this kite. This is where the blade will leave the sabre in terms of power in low winds. If you just want to lock and ride, then I can see why you think the blades aren't a good low wind engine, But they really are far superior to any de-power on the market... (maybe except for a speed 17m)

Scoop

I flew my Blade III 6.6 yesterday in 10 mph winds. I weigh 165 pounds and I was getting some good scuds across the sandy baseball fields when flying through the middle of the window.

This kite gets really fun for me in around 15 – 19 mph winds.

Quote:

Originally posted by DaVinch I flew my Blade III 6.6 yesterday in 10 mph winds. I weigh 165 pounds and I was getting some good scuds across the sandy baseball fields when flying through the middle of the window. This kite gets really fun for me in around 15 – 19 mph winds.

Do you use a harness with this kite? If not, how long can you fly before your forearms pump and end the flight?

Funny questions... How long you fly really depends on the person. I find its great to fly with someone, that way you can trade off and each take turns. You also get the enjoyment of watching someone else fly. I can only fly on handles without a harness about 15-20 minutes by myself. With someone, we can take turns and both fly for over an hour. You add a harness, and you can double or triple your flying time easily. If your really flying overpowered, or very aggressively, you can expect that time to decrease greatly as well. All in all, the 6.6 is a fantastic kite. Its my favorite static jumping kite I own. In the right wind, it gets you off the ground with little effort... oh yea, I weigh 280.

If you find one, grab it. (unless its your first kite, then start smaller)

Scoop

I fly everything on a harness now. We had a 5 hour session today swapping off between an 8.5 Blade, an 11.5 Sabre, a 7m Concept Air in winds of 10-12MPH. I'm also only good for about 15 or 20 minutes unhooked. If you plan on staying out for a while a harness is a must.

You never really said what you intend to do with this kite. Are you looking for traction power or static/jumping? For solid traction power, a kite that you can park in the power zone and not have to worry about is best. When you're trying to carve a hard edge going for max speed it's sort of a pain to have to work the kite as well.

I agree with DaVinch. The 6.6 rocks in 15+.

So Ross, after going back to back with the 11.5 Sabre and the 8.5 Blade what is your take on power difference?

Scoop

We've been flying both all winter. Of course the 8.5 makes more raw power, but the Sabre will stay in the air and make some usable power when the Blade won't.

But then it depends on what you're doing with the kite. The only time I static fly a kite is the time that it takes to step into my bindings...or I'm testing something new. If I have to work a kite to get power out of it, I'll put up another kite.

Back to the original question though...Wouldn't you agree that a Blade 8.5 is a better choice for a wind range of 5-12 for solid traction power? The 8.5 is usable at 5 and makes excellent power at 12 where the 6.6 just starts to get usable at about 10 or so.

Again, I'm talking about traction power, not just static flying. I think maybe we're talking about two different styes of flying.

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Do you use a harness with this kite? If not, how long can you fly before your forearms pump and end the flight?
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I don't have a harness yet and I'm flying static now, but Scoopy is sending me a MBS Comp 16 and harness soon. :singing:

I can fly until my grip gets weak (about 20 mins in 10 - 15 winds), then I just land it and take a break. I'm using handles, however I would like to try a bar to see how it flys.

Ross, I assume you are flying on a bar?? This may be why you cant get the 8.5 working like you think it should.

Scoop

It's on a bar with crossover now. I flew it on handles for a while but I don't like handles with a harness and can't go all day long without a harness. You can get almost the same performance with the crossover. It will turn on it's wingtip. The 8.5 works great. No complaints. It just needs 8+. Anything less just doesn't do it for me.

My point was that if I have to work the kite, it's time to put up a bigger kite. I don't fly static, scud, jump or any of that. Stricktly traction and speed. Skis in the winter and buggys, Trailskates, Mountainboards and kiteboards in the summer. You'll get more speed from an 11m or 13m Century or 10.5 Blade that you can park in the power zone than from an 8.5 that you have to work. Depending on wind, I'll probably fly either a 6.6 or 8.5 Blade at WISSA next week.

I should also mention that it depends on what I'm riding at to which control system I prefer. I started kiting on water years ago with LEI's and got comfortable right off with a bar. I still do quite a bit of kiteboarding in the summer, so I'm more comfortable on a bar.

However, I do prefer handles when riding the buggy, trailskates and sometimes the mountainboard.