Hello folks!

I'm stuck between two kites: Peter Lynn Twister IIR 4.1 and the Peter Lynn Hornet II 5m. Both are with handles. What would you recommend for a beginner/intermediate? I haven't flown power kites that much (only a few times). I'm finding myself slowly getting addicted to the sport :D This will be my 2nd kite. I do want something that will pull me around and give me a nice workout.

Thanks, Ari

They'll both have a strong pull. I think the smaller one will be a little more fun to fly since it'll be faster through the air.
However, like with my 5m Beamer, the 5m is sluggish through the air. It turns on a dime, but does it slow while pulling like a BEAST. The 5m kite must be 'flown.' Kite skills become more noticeable. Is way more stable. Can really lock into any position in the sky. Cannot be muscled out of head wind. You're moving til it's back in the sweetspot of the window.

I don't board or buggy. Just like flying different kites. The 5m can get me that moonwalk bounce in a light wind with a little gusts. With some steering it can get crazy. So I'm thinking it depends what you're wanting. Flying fun in the air, Twister 4.1. Kite skills mastered?? The 5m can give you all kinds of ground action. Dragging, launching, bouncing...

Here's a link to a side by side video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jBBC9PG8w4

Thanks, I'm leaning closer toward the Hornet! Thanks for the info and video.

Cheers, Ari

I had a demo Hornet 5m for a couple of weeks a few years ago and have to say it was pretty sluggish, not terribly lifty and was not a kite I would consider buying. I haven't flown the Twister 4.1, but it has a lot of fans here. I would definitely lean towards the twister. The Hornet 5m is just too slow and sluggish for static fun imho.

Just a quick thing here the twisters are known for jumping so lots of pull up top and can easily lift you off the ground when you east expect it. The hornet is much tamer and easier to learn to fly.

Quote: Originally posted by John Holgate

... sluggish, not terribly lifty...

I have to agree with John. They're a solid beginner kite, and have lots of grunt once they're in their wind range (even the smaller ones), but their upwind capability lacks (they're fairly low-aspect) and the larger they are, the less responsive they seem to become.
On the other hand, I had the chance to fly a Twister for the first time two weeks ago (thanks Dan). I have heard all the same things about lift (and was reluctant 'cause I like staying on the ground), but unless I held it at zenith, or sent it up, it wasn't acting as though it wanted to lift me or pull me from the buggy.
Long-term? I'd buy the Twister.

Twister for sure. Unless you hate having fun.

See I am on the side of caution I guess. What are looking for in a kite and what is your experience with power kites. If you have a good knowledge of powerkites and controlling them by all means get the twister but if you have just a little experience and still don't quite understand the basics get the hornet. The hornet can be used to teach friends and family on when you "outgrow" it. The twister is only for a more advanced person.