I just bought an HQ Alpha 3.5 and have flown it a couple times. I was wondering if anyone else has flown one and what the think of it? Like is this a keeper, is it going to be good for anything other than just getting used to the power?

The alpha is a nice entry level kite. It flies similar to the Beamer, Hornet, and Flow. Some say it is actually a ver 1 or ver 2 Beamer in a different package. The beamer is on ver 5 right now. Depending on what you are wanting to do kite-wise (buggy, landboard, jumping) I would recommend different kites for those activities.

This won't be your go to kite once you are established, but it will be nice to have handy in case a friend stops by.

The Alpha is a stable kite that works well in gusty winds. Always nice to have that in a quiver. It will work as a grunty engine for buggy or landboarding.

What size is recommended for entry into the kite? I do not intend buggy-kiting or land boarding, but only the fly the kite for fun

The 1.5m would be the safest for static flying and would give you the largest wind range for static flying. I haven't flown that particular kite, but the larger sizes might be a challenge to hold down(stand in place) in higher winds. They all claim to be able to fly in 6mph. With the two larger sizes; work your way up with them in wind speeds. E.G.: What's it fly like in 10mph? 15? 20? (gauging the pull and the power)

Things like: How much you weigh(how much kite you can hold down), what typical wind speeds you will be out in, and how much you want the kite to pull you around all factor into how much kite you might want. If your only ever going to be out in lighter winds; then maybe a larger size would fly easier and be more enjoyable in those light winds.

Wind ranges:

http://www.powerkites.de/index.php?option=com_content&vi...


Do you want to be able to stand in place and fly it around or get a full or upper body workout when flying it?

If I was static flying them; and it was a really windy day; I'd get out the 1.5m. If it was a very light day; I'd get out either of the two larger sizes that I had. Besides wind conditions, color of the kite, or price could sway ones purchase decision too. Do you want a kite that flys fast or not so fast?

Also which state do you live in? Then maybe you could try out some various size kites and get a better feel for what size to get.

Typically the 2m or 3m sizes are the way to start on any first kite. You can fly the 3m in lighter winds than the 2, but you can take the 2m into higher winds. If you winds are 5-15 normally, I would go with the 3m. If they are 10-20, then I would suggest the 2m.

Well I never thought I would personally end up owning this kite myself but I have just done that. I think it all started one day when I was out in some atrocious gusty winds and my 3.3 Sting just wasn't enough; and I didn't own anything bigger that was suitable for the sorry wind conditions that day. That started my search for something bigger.

I think the review on this page planted the seeds in my mind talking about how well it flew: http://www.powerkiteshop.com/hq_alpha.htm

And the pictures of it on the bottom of this page sealed the deal: http://store.kittyhawk.com/HQ-Alpha-35-Power-Kite-P4559.aspx

I just had to try it and experience it for myself.

First day out with it; the wind was blowing about 15mph:


Really though; it was lulling to 8 or 9mph and gusts to 20(on my handheld meter). The 14 gusting to 24 in the middle is where I was:


Kite was absolutely perfect. Buggied for a couple hours. Rode 12 miles back and forth on a 1/4 mile stretch. Top speed was 25 mph. Would have been able to break 30mph if the wind would have been from a different direction. Kite never went down for any reason. Never once buckled, luffed, collapsed, bow tied, twisted up, inverted; nothing. Stayed perfectly inflated no matter what. Looking forward to breaking 30 mph with this kite and also seeing what it will do in higher winds. Had really good grunt/low end power in the lighter stuff. Definitely recommend it for bad winds. Time will tell if I end up ever getting the 2.5m size.

One of my favorite reviews I ever wrote ^. I still like this kite and am looking forward to flying it some more!