Hey PKF Crew!
how yas all doin!?
Im a noobie Aussie SnowBrdkiter .. so far and been getting dragged about by a using a 2.5 cheapo trainer kite and wanting to get some real sail in the sky..

I do own a Advanace 10 mtr closed cell foil kite, but its a death wish..
I had it out last winter and ended up near some rocks and ripped it. but i was doing ok for a while.. It just doesn't have the stability or control I need at this stage. and the bar is so old school and neanderthal.

So I'm just about to make the leap into purchasing a new "proper" kite.

I had myself convinced that the 2012 Ozone Access was the go, thinking 6 mtr (as Aussie wind is fierce..) but an 8 would be more useful I guess, covering a greater wind range

Then, did some research on it all and found HQ montana7 as a possible alternative or the Apex 3. probably either of them in the 7.5 mtr range.

Added to that is the idea of just going with the 2012 Ozone Frenzy...????

So as you can tell im really psyched, the snow is good, wind is cranking, and i have the money to buy a brand new kite now.

but im sort of unsure which one to get that would see me through all phases of kiting in the future.
Ie Intermediate-Advanced...
(and im not sure when ill ever be able to afford to buy a new Kite again).
so any recommendations or advice from someone that has flown any of these or all would be epic!
much appreciated!
Cheers Crew!
Jaeebz

I've owned a HQ Montana 3 7m, HQ apex 2 and 3 5m, and a HQ Neo 11m, and currently own the 2012 Ozone Frenzy UL 7m and 11m.

If I had it to do all over again I would stay with the frenzy. More responsive, more user friendly.
The HQ products are fine kites. With regards to the apex you will out grow it rather fast. The Montana line has developed over the years into a rather nice kite. Not sold on the Neo (nugh said on that one).

I use the Frenzy's for buggy riding, so don't ask me about lift. What I can tell you is both the 7 and 11m go up in almost nothing! in 6-15mph they pull like a freight train with very little bar pressure. Turn on a dime, huge depower, and the 7m will cut a libre spirit out of the sky in nothing flat!

I have a access 6m 2012 + a frenzy 9m 2011 for buggy and skis.
Never try HQ.
I began with ozone.
On ozone the safety is different between 2011 (bell safety) & 2012 (flagout system). I got more hour with the 2011...

Do you have a local shop? If so and you are buying new it may be the way to go. Support your local shop and your shop will support you.

Ozone has long been considered a top company building to paraglider standards .

Hq came from the stunt kite angle. They have consistanly improved and make a quality kite that will serve you well. At a slightly lower cost.

I think you are correct that 6m is a bit small. Met a fellow this winter who has had an 8m Access as a one kite quiver for 3 seasons now and no regrets. Pretty good all round size?

I recently switched from flying Arcs and fixed bridles to a 2012 Ozone Access 10m. Awesome kite. super stable for learning new moves. My ATB riding has got way better in just 2 months with this kite.

I can't wait to try this thing on a snowboard! Thinking of getting a frenzy 7m for my higher wind kite (20kts +) and later replacing the Access with an 11m Frenzy. Just starting to jump on the board at the moment and the access can generate plenty of lift if flown properly.

HQ kites seem OK but the ozone control gear is in a class of its own. get quality if you can afford it. The 2012 flag out safety on the ozone kites is also very good. first it works! and secondly it doesnt mess up your lines etc just reconnect the bar, give a couple of shakes to the kite and it will usually be fine to relaunch right off.

What do you weigh and what wind speeds are you riding? people will be able to help you on kite size better with this info. I live 50 miles off the NW coast of Scotland and we don't use the word fierce until its gusting over 80kts... ;-)

Wow! Thanks heaps to you all!
I have the feeling that the Ozone Frenzy 8 is the pick!
Well yes livestofly, 80 knts is massive! That would be like the sky caving in!!!
I've been in 150 km/h wind with 200km gusts, not sure how fast that is in knots, No need for a kite then, just stick your arms out and off you go, that is if your not tumbling along the ground. I was on a skateboard doing about 45 ks along a footpath that day (going up a small hill!!)
But that was the strongest wind I've ever seen in Australia, except for one that nearly lifted our caravan into the sky with me holding onto the side of the annex in the middle of the night! ... long story, anyway that's at the snowy mountains in NSW. Fun stuff!!!

Well I weigh about 70ks I think, and the average wind speed you get in our mountains is 25-50ks, or dead still which is fickle.. Not many medium days, and also the directions are difficult always from the west, and to climb you need easts.. When the wind does come through its usually howling gales and your struggling to walk straight. But I trek out back and find some ridgelines to tack across, and these are the super exposed places. Very much need depower in these conditions.
Thats why I was thinking of smaller kites.. More suited to gusty and fresh wind conditions..
But I guess from the sounds of it , seems more fun if you have lighter days with bigger kites = more control.
Even towing up a hill on a strong day with a 2mtr trainer is freaky sometimes here on a 50k plus day.. but oh such a thrill!!!
Well thanks again guys!
I Owe ya's one!!!
Will post some back country shots of Oz when I'm out there launching with the Frenzy!!
Cheers crew!
Jaeebz

Welcome to the forum, jaeebz. Back country pics/vids of snowkiting in Oz would be awesome! We hardly got any snow last winter, and I'm jonesin' for some! Looking forward to sharing your stoke!

I've not flown a modern Frenzy but their quality has never been questioned.

No offense intended to anyone but I must say that anyone still talking about HQ being "ok" or less than top drawer in any way must not have flown one in years. I thought the Montana VI was a perfect kite but with the M VII they added depower and refined the bridle to make the kite faster. Their control gear is impeccable IMHO.

Your best bet is to indeed support your local shop. If you don't have a local shop to support, then pick one you think you can work with because this is probably a long term relationship. Your shop choice might dictate which kite you can choose. You won't go wrong with either the Frenzy or Montana.

You gotta check out the HQ matrixx and montana. Here are a few photos of the 15m matrixx in 8-11mph winds

http://nowhereboyskiteboarding.blogspot.com/

Here's a video of boost and hangtime on the matrixx
http://vimeo.com/22886383

Actually, the HQ Matrix isn't a bad idea... HQ Apex are very stable, friendly kites - not lifty compared to Frenzy's and Montanas. Check out the ExtremeKites.com.au forum in Aus. Spartan (George) is selling his 2011 Frenzy's at reasonable prices (they are a little faster and have more lift than the Access range). Jason at Briskites handles the HQ stuff and Goshen & Steve run Kitepower in Geelong and Sydney - they handle the Ozone stuff.

There are also some snow trips organized on the ExtremeKites forum during winter too - keep an eye on them.

There are usually good deals to be had at Kitepower on last year's Ozone models too....but I'd steer clear of the 2010 Access XT's as they don't have the trim strap adjuster.

I like the idea of ozone putting mesh over the open foil of the frenzy's. It seems its somewhat of a hybrid between open/close foil kites. I think that's a very clever idea

Hi there if you scope the for sale section here you will see a couple of good buys Apex 7.5 plus a Montana 7.5.

Is a good time to buy in the US as the Aussie dollar is now worth 1.06 US.

Weigh up the pros and cons

I have been buying kites here for a few years now and have not had a dud buy.

Shipping is not out of control either.

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump I like the idea of ozone putting mesh over the open foil of the frenzy's. It seems its somewhat of a hybrid between open/close foil kites. I think that's a very clever idea

Clever, but not new. Flexi was doing it way back on the Blade III (maybe even sooner).

B-roc, I know what you mean. I meant as a comparison to HQ

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump B-roc, I know what you mean. I meant as a comparison to HQ

Ah, gotcha. It is a nice feature. Flexi started it as a mesh which stunk as it used to snag and snarl and deform the cell opening. The screening material they use nowadays is a great feature (until you get grass, etc. behind the screen... then its a bit of a pain for the anal retentive, OCD, clean freaks. :ticking:

I also like how the leading edge isn't completely open. There are those few cells every so many spaces that are closed. Now I havn't used one myself but I would guess that it would help them speed up and fly smoother. What do you think?