The gov gave us a little money back and the wifey needs a depower kite, more to her size. She can fly the 11m Neo fine in lighter winds, but its a little too much kite for the winds I can join her in. So, we're looking for something more "her" size. I'm thinking a 13m arc, or a 6m Peak 1, or an 7.5m Apex. The 6m Peak 1 seems to possess all of the characteristics (ease of use and gust-ability) we're looking for. Looks like a person can still get some lightly used 6m Peak 1 kites from Flysurfer, for about $570 shipped. But, those recent 13m Venoms and 7.5m Apex's, for hundreds of dollars less, are also looking attractive. I guess, other than just thinking out loud, I'm looking for a little feedback to reinforce my thought process... should we plink down $570 for a Peak, or would those other kites (I know the arc will) work just fine in gusty? Thanks.

having time on the neo is indication maybe the peak or apex.

the arc is gonna be great unit but might be a bit much esp. considering the bar pressure, which pretty high to begin with, maybe lean more toward peak 6, though prolly more usable power with 7.5 may be a bit more sensitive to gusty stuff.

i would eliminate the arc for bar pressure alone for a women. favoring the 6 peak for gust tolerance.

Hey there Mr Nut. I've got a 13m Venom 1 and a 6m Peak 1, I weigh 165lbs. I'm a relative beginner so not sure how much my experience counts

I've had the venom for 10 years but hardly flown it as my wife had kids! Now I'm back, and I got the Peak because as a noob the size of the arc just scares me a bit...I wanted something physically smaller to try landboarding and buggying.

The Peak is awesome. Easy to self launch/land, nice pack size, lots of depower, gust handling. The only thing I've found is that even though it's a fairly small kite, being single skin and quite flat it pulls like something a fair bit bigger. I think Flysurfer say it is comparable to a 8-9m foil.

I've now had my arc out a couple of times in a buggy. I was flying the venom in 15mph with gusts, then I lost it in a lull so got the Peak out. I was surprised to find that the Peak was pulling as much as **if not more than** the Venom. In the gusts (probably around 20mph) it was REALLY pulling, and though the depower was enough that I didn't get too overpowered, it started worrying me a bit and I quit to be on the safe side. I think Flysurfer quote a max of 20mph for the Peak, though it'll probably easily handle more in the right hands.

I don't know if I'd feel more comfortable with the Venom in 20mph. I haven't really tried it yet as I've injured myself again. But in my limited experience it did feel like the Venom was handling the gusts with hardly any input from me, whereas the Peak needed me to push the bar out to handle the gusts. And I could have trimmed the Venom in at the depower strap if the wind picked up more. You probably know already there is no trim on the Peak 1. Other than landing it and setting it to "freestyle" which does shorten the power line, but you can't do this on the fly (you probably could, but wouldn't fancy trying it in high winds!). And it's not adjustable, it's only got one trimmed in setting unless you mod it.

The Venom is a ballache to setup and launch compared with the Peak.

If I could only keep ONE of these kites it would definitely be the Peak for ease of use, wind range, and ability to stay flying in sub 8mph which is quite common with my inland winds. But I still want to see what the arc has to offer as I've heard great things not only about the newer kites but also the now quite old Venom! I'm keeping both :D

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=30129

8m neo II seems a good fit. check it

Thanks for the insight robinsonpr - I think we'll keep the arcs on our radar because she will never have to setup and launch alone and they are "legendary" for gust-ability. Though, it sounds like the peaks handle gust just as well, just differently.

Thanks phree, I missed that one.

Here's what we have on our radar right now (though, I don't think I'll be able to sell her on anything over 500):
6m Peak 1 ~ $570
8m Neo II ~ $450
4m Viron ~ $490
7.5m Apex II ~ $300
6m Ikon Kook ~ $500
8m Ikon Lazy ~ $600

12m Crispy new Phantom II . 1030 shipped complete. closeout.

The bar all the way out on the peak deforms the wing along with changing angle of attack which makes it's depower so effective. Plus, it is so fast and easy to launch and land. I had my son flying it in minutes and it was his first try on a depower. They pack a punch when you want as well. How soon will you want one? I'm on the fence on selling mine to help fund a light wind kite (I have the 6). It has the same or better low end than my old 13 meter venom.

neo II 8m bang for the buck

PEAK 6 if wind fits it best

Yeah, I like that one Mike, but car repairs come before kites (according to my wife), sorry.

ssayre: on the fence... you big tease!

Isn't "depower for wife" an oxymoron?

Quote: Originally posted by acampbell

Isn't "depower for wife" an oxymoron?

Nah...you've just read it wrong. Try to pronounce "depower" like "denise and denephew" - that makes much more sense in the sport.