Ok I need some advice. I am pretty new to the sport. I own a Prism Stylus p3 and I am looking at a more serious kite. Which kite do I want? I am looking at the flexifoil rage 4.7 or 6 and the flexifoil blade 4.9 or 6. I am inexperienced but I want a kite that will lift me if I want it to. I weigh about 140 lbs or 63 kgs and I want to be able to have fun in light winds.

Thanks

I'm not sure how the p3 does as far as pull and such. Would imagine it's just like any other foil though, so you're sizing for your next kite I would guess as being pretty close. If you go with a blade, I'd personally go with something smaller rather then larger. Every kite handles slightly different from the next. If you haven't already flown your p3 with the 4 line setup, I would definitely get use to that as well. The key is to be able to learn the kite you buy in lighter winds and then work your way up to stronger winds. A smaller blade like in the 4m range would probably do perfectly fine. A 6m you're talking about quite a lot of umph for someone that has little experience.

The other thing is, that these kites tend to lift you when you want them to and when you don't want them to. So keep that in mind when choosing anything with any size. They can all lift you and hurt you, but perhaps its better to start off smaller to reduce your chances of flying away unexpectedly.

Also, I assume you're in oregon and with your winter already getting on it's way you should have some nice days of winter winds ahead. Use to live in Idaho and I know there were days in late fall and during the winter that the winds could kick some butt.
~Joe

The prisms are fairly underpowered for their size, so if you compare a 3m Prism, expect it to pull more like a 2m kite. I'd keep the Prism and go with something in the 4-5m range but not as crazy as the blade, something with decent lift, nice pull but still somewhat stable.

Contact your local flyers and see what you can get your hands on to try out. Get a feel for what kite you like.

If you ever make it over to the Seaside area just let me know and we can meet up, fly and talk kites all ya want.

I keep going back and fourth on which kite I want. Even though I think I will end up with the rage. Its just that spending 600 dollars on a kite is a big investment for me. I guess I want to know how hard will it be for me to jump with a rage 4.7 and at what wind speed will it actually be usefull. I went to the only place in eugene that sells power kites and they where not all that helpfull. They didn't have much on hand to show me and I got the general impression that they really didn't know all that much about kites.

Would a blade or other kite designed forlift smaller than 4.9 still have the parachuting effect?

I'm not all that familiar with the rage but I can say that the blade is known for it's lifting characteristics but also known for not being for the timid or the inexperienced. So I would have to say a good idea to save that kite for another for another day. I am kind of curious though with so many different kites out there why you have your choices narrowed down to those 2?

As for wind speed with the 4.7 rage, I can only generalize since I am not familiar with the rage itself. But typically for somebody your size you should be able to get "some" lifting with as little as a 10 mph wind. It won't be much but a good starting point. With a 15 mph wind some decent jumps and once you feel you have it down pretty good, 20-25 will give ya some serious action. Anything above that is for the certifiably insane :P

Enough can't be said for protective gear. Helmet a minimum, especially if you are on hard surfaces, knee and elbow pads. And some hip/butt pads are always nice.

Good luck and enjoy

I believe the rage is supposed to replace the bullet which had minimal lift, and that was only at speed or in high winds.

Another point is any kite around the 5m or smaller with lots of lift is a good way to get hurt, Reason for this, the small kite is being flown in high winds so it makes lots of lift and can pick you up no problem. Once you're airbourn you have nothing holding you back and you and the kite will drift downwind. You lose all airspeed at the kite and end up being dropped. EG, you're in 20mph winds, you go airbourn and are getting blown downwind at 10mph, the kite's only got 10mph wind left going over the sail. a 5m kite won't lift someone at 10mph winds. Smaller only gets worst. If you want float and soft landings, you gotta go larger than 5m. Smaller riders are starting to get some good float out of my 5.5m Brooza, myself being a bit heavier, usually use the 9m Buster when I want to jump, but have gotten some decent lift and float out of the 13m Century.

Pablo is right- The Rage replaces the Bullet. From their site...

https://www.flexifoil.com/products/kites_range.php?rid=81

" It is an extremely versatile kite providing controllable, smooth, predictable power with reduced lift.

The Rage is suited for everything from teaching basic kite skills, learning how to snowkite, kite landboard or buggy, through to being a high performance kite for experienced buggiers. "

...notice the comment "reduced lift".

Quote:

Originally posted by sunset-Jim I am kind of curious though with so many different kites out there why you have your choices narrowed down to those 2?

Maybe I am going about this all wrong. How about suggestions for kites. What do you think of used kites? Also consider cost and availability of said kites.

Thanks

We've had good experience with used kites around here, one of our local fliers just picked up a mint,and I do mean mint 7m Bullet for $150 us off of E-bay. complete ready to fly. There's deals out there, you just have to be patient and know what you're looking for so that when you see it you can jump on it.

For knowing what to suggest though, how much do you weigh, what's the average winds where you fly, inland or on a beach(clean wind) and most important, what do you want to do with the kite, static, buggy, board. How much flying have you done up to this point as well. Then you can get some ideas that will suit your needs.

I weigh about 140 lbs and in town I want to fly in 10 mph winds at the beach I usually see 15 to 20. Have some experience flying 2.5 meter kite with 2 lines I plan on upgrading to 4 lines before I buy a new kite. I want to move into land boarding or buggying as soon as I can afford a board or buggy.

Pablo is right. Buy used. You may not get brand new kite, but you'll get a helluva lot more "pretty darn good" kite for the money. Examples.

Check out Ebay: #130033908011 A 5.3m Libre Speedy II Currently at only $119. One day left to go.

or Ebay item # 250035938934 A 10m Advance Offroad, currently at only $68. Four days left to go.

Both these kites are high quality kites that will go cheap, and would make excellent 2nd and 3rd kites in someone's quiver.

These are just examples, but just think of how much more kite you can get for the $$$$ Maybe enough extra to go get a harness ( #8819249715 $40 buy-it-now) and a board ( #200034956070 MBS COMP 26x. $90)

Not to sound redundant but buying used is definitely the best way to go for your first 4-line kite. You don't want to start dumping money into kites til you know what exactly it is you're looking for. And since you don't seem to sure about whether you want to buggy, board or both, nor what style of boarding or buggying..you're far better off just trying things the inexpensive route.

Ebay is definitely an option along with looking in the for sale sections of this forum, amongst others. People are constantly buying and selling. Plus the new line of kites are coming out, so a lot of people will be getting rid of their '06 kites to buy the newer kites.

I'd still recommend something on the smaller side of the spectrum til you get a better understanding and feel more comfortable controlling a 4 line kite. There are always a lot of flexi Bullets on ebay and you can find the HQ Beamers and Beamer TSR's on ebay as well for relatively cheap. Both of which aren't exactly lifty kites, but both are excellent build and will be able to get you a bit further along into boarding or buggying.

Also, more then likely you'll end up keeping a kite of 3-5m's for a good while, even if you do eventually get something larger and liftier. The smaller kites are great for higher winds. So don't think of your first 4 line kite purchase as a waste or that you'll outgrow using it after a year. Everyone here that has been kiting for any amount of time have a variety of sizes and styles for different uses. For instance look at Bucky's list..he's got 2 3m kites (but different characteristics in both I'm sure).

Take the steps..you'll be jumping before you know it, but it's always better to be safe the sorry and get the basics down first.
Just my .02
~Joe

Go to Ted Dougherty's Kite Innovations page and check out the demo catalog...

http://www.kiteinnovations.com/demo%20catalog.htm

He sells demo kites that have been used sometimes only once or twice for near whloesale prices. On the larger kites, >2.5m you may have to supply lines but they are still a good deal.

The ProFoils are good predictable kites for newbies and provide steady pull and are still a bit lifty. The only time they have been flaky was in light and flaky winds, where it is easy to over-steer. This is normal for any kite, I think. Beyond that they are steady and pull like trucks.

They are affordable enough that I could get several and be able to safely learn in any wind condition.

The 3.5 would be a good place to start. I started with a 4.5m (after flying small 2-line kites) in light conditions and was immediately disciplined with a shoulder roll and belly slide. It is now my favorite buggy kite; even with 10 mph winds I can park it off my shoulder without working it and let if pull as the lines start to sing to me. Up-wind performance is suprisingly good.

They are tough as well. I have smacked them head on into the ground without blowing a cell or seam. They are bridled every cell, except for the center two closed cells, with un-sleeved spectra and loops are formed with knots, not sewn. So they are not fancy but they get the job done well. They come with a backpack with mesh bottoms and side pockets.

Ted is nice to deal with, too.

Hey Brother,
I see YOUR around Eugene...?
I am out in Florence ,on the Beach ..
If You are coming over drop me a note so we might meet up.

Its been just beautiful here this week.I been going out every day after work. Been 12-15 mph in the afternoons..

I got my first kite in Eugene at outdoorsportz.. Rick,I think it was, He was the guy that Flew.. He was helpful.
That little 3m Kicked my Butt many times while I was teaching myself, and Im running around 230 lbs.. I fly it still when its windy.
Peace.
*******************
Samurai 3m
Blade IV 4.9m

MBS 26
Ground Industries Patro 106

hello new to forum
could some of you guys give me some info
on the HQ croosfire 6.3 if anyone has got one thanks
martin

I love the blade kite but be careful on the size you buy if you only weight 140. I would not get a 4.9 unless you live in a very very light wind area.
Blade do tend to have lift. If you have winds in the 10-15 a 3.3 will produce all the power you would want.
My favorite kite i have is my Blade 2.6 (series i) and im 205lb.. but the wind blows here. I fly my 2.6 or 3.3 most the time. I rarely get to use my 4.9 DO NOT let the 4.9 size fool you it is a hand full in very low wind.
anyway thats my 2cents worth. but blades do rock so big time.
Good bless. bob
4 years of flying and karting.

martinmorley... Send me a u2u with your questions. I've got a 6.3 Crossfire as well. Great kite, but not something for a beginner and don't wanna hijack the thread.
~Joe

I Think you should be ALL OVER Sirby's package !! ( so to speak ) The guy is almost GIVING away EVERYTHING YOU NEED! And for less than the price of the smallest kite you mentioned. DO IT !!!!!!!!! Here's the post . Get on it man!

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=2300

:bird:

Yeah that would be great. Except I just bought Code's 4.5 little devil.