Hello everyone, just wondering which kite you think would perform better in higher wind conditions (10-20mph). I'm still a newbie but I do have the basics down. I have a kite that I use for lower wind conditions (Peter Lynn Twister 5.6m) What do you think, PL Viper S 2.6m or PL Hornet II 3m?

Cheers, Ari

The 3m Hornet is a great kite to progress with, and it's still enough sail to haul you off the ground in a 20mph wind if you send it up. The 2.6m Viper will develop as much power as the Hornet, but it'll do it a little faster. Personally, I'd go with the Viper to use in a buggy.
Either way, watch for gusts, even with smaller kites, they'll make you glad you have kite-killers.

Fly safe.

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy

The 3m Hornet is a great kite to progress with, and it's still enough sail to haul you off the ground in a 20mph wind if you send it up. The 2.6m Viper will develop as much power as the Hornet, but it'll do it a little faster. Personally, I'd go with the Viper to use in a buggy. Either way, watch for gusts, even with smaller kites, they'll make you glad you have kite-killers. Fly safe.

Thanks for the reply. Would you still get the viper even if I will be flying static? I don't own a buggy at the moment, grr difficult decision..

These days, more than two-thirds of my flying time is static. As much as I love being in my buggy, simply throwing a kite into the air for a few minutes on my way home from work is the best relaxation of all. (The buggy usually only comes out to play on weekends.)

I haven't flown the Viper, but it's a higher aspect ratio than the Hornet, and all the old reviews put it in as a slightly faster model than the Hornet at similar (but smaller) size. I have a few Hornets and Cores and almost always prefer flying the Cores. Again, judging from the reviews, the Viper is more like the Cores, faster through the window and further out to the edge, so I'd sick with the Viper.

The other consideration would be the age and condition of the kite. Hornets are still part of the PL lineup, but the Viper has been discontinued. In good condition - I'd still stick with the Viper.

Bottom line: both of them will provide lots of fun. The Hornet will have a little more low-end grunt; the Viper will be a little more nimble. Either way - enjoy!

(There's lots of guys with WAY more experience around here than me - why am I doing all the talking?)

I prefer a kite that will turn as quickly as I want it to. (Granted the Hornet IIs I owned were 4m and 5m. But my Viper S 3.9m turns MUCH better than my Hornet II 4m did.)

I just bought a second Viper S 2.6m so now I have one for static flying in the park. It stays clean. My other Viper S 2 6m I use on the playa in my buggy. I just set my PB of 49.5mph with that kite.

I would choose the Viper!

I also like the Viper. Very responsive, but fairly easy to maintain control. In the buggy it delivers solid power, not to say the Hornet doesn't, but I like a little quicker kite. In lower winds my son, 11 years old flies the Viper 2.6 and really enjoys it. When the winds are high, I like to fly it myself at home on the grass fields. Can't go wrong either way, both great kites. It becomes a decision based on your comfort and skill.

I know you love that kite Utah!

I generally use the Viper when I go to the schools and do shows. I fly it like a stunt kite and the kids love it.

The 2.6 viper is my favorite kite for static flying and would probably be my favorite for buggy if the wind would give me the opportunity.

Mega Dittos on the Viper S... Here's mine in action
http://vimeo.com/85508225