I have been collecting 3m fixed bridle kites for a while so I can compare, fly, and see the similarities, and differences. Now you have to understand that not every kite company has a 3m kite. Some are 2.9m, 3.2m and so on. I chose the one closest to 3m for this comparison.
Along with the well known names are a few that are not well known and some that you have yet to see.
Some are beginner/entry level kites, some are intermediate/purposed kites, and some are advanced/experienced/race kites.
It is a no brainer that the Z3 and the Checka are not in the same category, but the Z3 and the Spirit are. Apples and Oranges, Frogs and Whiskey. If you're not sure, I'll help you out.

ZEBRA,
Z2, 3.0m
Z3, 3.2m
Checka, 3.4m

LIBRE,
Vampir3, 3.0m
Spirit3, 3.3m

PKD,
Century, 2.8m
Buster, 3.3m
Buster Pro, 3.3m

PL,
Hornet II, 3.0m with handles
Twister II, 3.0m with handles
Reactor II, 3.5m
Hornet II, 3.0m with a bar
Twister II, 3.0m with a bar

Born-Kite,
Nasa Star 2, 2.5m

I have more of the older makes and models, but the ones listed above are new.

I have had them out and laying side by side to see the physical traits of each such as,
material,
bridle,
shape,
dirt outs,
number of cells,
double sewn,
fabric reinforcement,
material cutting techniques,
fabric finish.


So here is the neat part, I will have these kites available for demo for the next couple of months. If you are interested in these kites, find me and check them out.
I will be at XBAN, WWBB, JIBE, Quincy Kite Festival, SOBB.
Now that I have your attention and I got you interested in trying new kites, I will ask one small tiny request, that you give a brief report/description of the kites you tried. Let others know what you found and what you think.

As the events come and go, and I have time to fly them, along with you all, I will post the reviews and comparisons here for you to keep up with. I am interested to hear the comparisons from others as well.

wow.....my favorite flavor... i so look forward to giving a few a whirl.......will spelling count on the reviews??

What a cool project! Look forward to the comments/reviews on these little treasures.

BTW, when are you going to need a bigger trailer for all the bugs, toys and kites!

This is going to be a great thread. Thanks bigkid!!

3shot, if want to demo PKDs ,get up with me. I would be Bigkid's sponsored pilot on the east coast. so,just about anything I have is available to demo.

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD 3shot, if want to demo PKDs ,get up with me. I would be Bigkid's sponsored pilot on the east coast. so,just about anything I have is available to demo.

Oh, you know I will be doing that soon anyway neighbor!!
P-town is only about an hour and 1/2 from me.

I know a great fly spot in Hampton,but static only. It would be a great halfway meetup place. It's on the beach too!

Man, this is going to be cool :bigok:

Jeff .... You are definitely creating awesome opportunity for many kiters to try and see kites that perviously have been seen only on pictures .... specially Zebra kites that always get my attention with this unique look that cant be mistaken for any other kite brand .... So happy that you stopping by at WBB ... Will be good to finally meet you in person ....

Something about seeing a piano fly by with its tongue hanging out, it does get your attention. :eekdrull:

The Z2 has a bit of spunk and is a rather tame wild animal. The Z3 (Zebras race kite) is only available in Europe and not offered here in the US. HaHaHa At least officially its not here in the US. I hope to find out where it sits with the Combat/Vapor, as for laying them out on top of each other the Z3 is longer and not as tall at the Combat and Vapor.

As for the Hornet and the Twister, I have them set up with the bar and handles. For you all that are into the bar thing :P

SAAA-WEEEEET!!! I cant wait for JIBE now,... I'd love to give one of the Zebra's a go,... will you only be allowing static demos or can we give them a ride in our respective bug's?

This will be a great aspect of the public clinic at JIBE. I can add a Beamer 3.0 to the mix.

Soliver, you must have clean hands, the beach must be dry and clean, and you are not allowed to have fun.
Of course you can try it with the buggy, how else would you try it?
Only rule to remember, well 2 rules, have fun and if you destroy it, I take cash, CC's, and your funny bone.

10-4!!!!!!!

A few of you got to try out the buggies and the kites at XBAN, so this is my review of them.

I got to try out a few new kites and did some tuning on a couple of buggies and got to do some high speed riding with both of the Libre front tire suspensions. I will never ride with out this setup again. No more high speed bbbbbbbbbbbbbbouncing over the not so smooth playa. With the 17" wheels on the Libre Hardcore and the bigfoot suspension, you have no idea of what you are missing. The larger wheels are a great improvement in themselves, but add the suspension to that and it is a sweet ride.
I also used the smaller suspension setup from Libre with Carlisle smoothies on the 8" wheels. Not as smooth as the larger setup but tons better than the regular front ends.
Both of these buggies will be available for use at WW and Jibe if you are interested.
I also had the Apexx with the rumble seat out and was tuning that also. Got this ride dialed in and would have attempted the 1 buggy, 1 kite, 1 passenger thing but time didnt allow for it. Even with the bigfoot beach racers on the buggy, it was a very nice SAFE ride.

I did get to fly the Zebras, Z1, Z2, Z3 kites. The Z1 is by far the easiest and best beginner kite I have flown lately. The power is there and the ease of this kite is not just for beginners as it is able to eat gusts and still surprise you with the turbo feel.
The Z2 is more powerful and a lot more responsive, in simple terms, more of the good stuff from the Z1 and still enjoyable.
The Z3 is a definite race kite, with the need for a bit of brake and dont drop your guard...
You need to fly this kite with an attitude of "Woo-Hoo Baby". A bit uneasy for a bit while flying this kite untill I got back into the mode of "Race Kite", after that I was having a blast.
All 3 kites are very well positioned in the beginner, intermediate, and experienced areas. Not better or worse than other kites, just a bit different like all the others. If you have not tried them, give them a shot and be surprised.
I am beginning to like the piano with the tongue hanging out look.

Also tried out the New Buster Soulfly Pro. What a big improvement from the last model. Lighter material, longer bridle, lighter bridle, and better stuff sack. With the new brighter colors it is going to be a welcomed addition to my high wind quiver.

As stated before all of these are for demo, let me know if you are interested. If you are one of those clean people, most of this stuff is not clean and has a bunch of playa dust on them that will cling to anything it grabs onto.