The engine I currently have for my PL Comp xr+ is a Beamer V 3.0 for higher winds. My area provides variable winds. I'm in the market (don't tell my wife) for a low wind kite and need some advice or insight on my next purchase. I'm looking at:

PL voltage 4m
Or
PL reactor 4.4m

Maybe I should go with at least a 5m. Any thoughts?

Mainly ride on soccer/grass fields
My weight is 165lbs.
Buggy with standard wheels.

I would go with the 5m. You have a 3m Beamer. The 4m voltage or Reactor will be a big jump from the beamer however.

If you are strictly buggy, then Reactor. If you do other stuff too...jumping/landboard, then the voltage is a better choice.
I got all these sitting here when ready.

Big Reactor fan myself... I've no experience with Voltage, but I can tell you that Reactors are Mega stable with awesome upwind capability... All delivered with a very low lift,... So if you get yanked out of the buggy, it's sideways not up

Whatever you chose though, be aware that both of these options deliver WAY more power than your Beamer, so be prepared.

+1 for the 5m too,... You'll cover more windrange with a 3m and a 5m then with a 4m (Reactors come 5.5m)

^^^^ Agree with above....Reactor in the 5m range would be good.

I have the 6.5m Voltage and it is a very powerful and fast kite. I use it strictly for landboarding and jumping. One of these days, I'll try it in the buggy and see how it does....just have to be careful on the redirects...if it's windy and I send that kite accidently, I'm going for a little ride...and the buggy ain't coming with me :o

This should be an easy decision as these 2 kites are completely different.

If you want to jump and do buggy freestyle (I really would not recommend jumping with a pl buggy) then go with the voltage.

If you want a excellent buggy engine that is built for stability without sacrificing speed with great upwind then the reactor is for you.

I think I'm definetely leaning towards the reactor. Now my only concern is the size. My local winds are variable from 5mph to 15 (mainly soccer field riding). I have the 3m Beamer for higher wind but would like to have one for lower wind range. My budget is only going to allow me this one extra kite for some time so I would like to get the most use out of my equipment vs. letting it sit and collect dust. I envy you all with the big lists of your equipment at the bottom of your profiles

Just don't want the 5.5m to sit and not get used. Or maybe I just need to leave my purse in the car and bring my juevos to the dance.

I don't have reactors but I need 14+ wind to stay moving with my 4m twister. I'm heavier and the reactor is slightly larger so you might get away with using it less wind. I need 12+ mph to stay moving with my 5.3 viper. I also ride fields with inconsistent wind. I don't know if that helps but maybe someone will chime in that has flown those size of reactors. If I could only choose one I would get the 5.5. If I could start all over I would have gotten a 4.4 and a 6.9 reactor as a good 2 kite quiver. I've had a 3 meter and I currently have a 2.6 meter that rarely gets used due to my normal wind.

By the way, I'm sure you'll be blown away (pun intended)by the power of either one you choose compared to your 3 meter.

For buggying below 10, I use pretty much a 6.9m reactor. Voltage would work as well. But the reactor is better. But I'm a large guy and usually ride on Grass which needs more to get moving. The 5.5 might be a better starting point from where you are at for those winds. Not as big a leap and more useable over 10.

again +1 on the 5.5m. Mine is one generation past (Reactor II) and the grass I typically ride on is short. I have great days with that kite at right around 10mph and I'm just shy of 200 lb. If I'm on Jekyll Island where there is incredible hardback and low rolling resistance, 8mph wind would get me cooking. I think the newer Reactors have been said to have an even better low end.

I would say that if you typically do well with your 3m beamer in the upper end of that 5-15 mph, the 5.5m would serve you well for your lighter wind. I've had good days with the 5.5m in sub 10mph wind. I think it was blowing right around 8-9mph this day: http://vimeo.com/67521900

Thanks for the replies and the info. Cool video Soliver. Thinking the 5.5 is the right choice.

Aw 8.6 for 5-15mph in my opinion! Park and ride! Big kites are so much fun