Today I used my wife's new/used 2016 8M Access. The conditions were east wind at 14 - 16. The same conditions I had last time with my 8M Summit. This gave me a great way to compare the kites. The Access had very little bar pressure much like the Summit. With the Access I could rip around large dunes and not pay much attention to the kite, speed or any thing else. Very dependable and stable but acceleration and buggy speed were slower than the Summit. The Access did well going upwind but not close to the Summit's ability. The Access is much easier to fly down wind as the rider will not easily over fly the kite as can happen with the Summit. With the Summit I had to pay attention and be deliberate or things could get too fast or powerful. For me the Access was fun but not at all exciting or challenging for an experienced buggy pilot. The new Access will be perfect for my wife as it will not produce any surprises and is very easy and comfortable to fly. They have made a very enjoyable kite that is an excellent choice for safety, training and a relaxed buggy experience. Being an 8M kite the Access was considerably more responsive than the 10M Access. The depower range was considerable. It did show me why you don't put an inexperienced pilot out with a higher aspect kite.

I agree with u the ozone access is one of the most user friendly kites ive flown. I own the 2015 8m version and it used to be my go to kite on the landboard. very stable with alot of depower and not very lifty. i would say its actually an easier kite than the HQ apex but had a tad less power for its size than the HQ. Only issue is its just a darn expensive kite compared to other brands .

I for one really value the Access (particularly the newer V6 & V7 kites with Re-Ride) in their 4, 6, and 8m sizes. Depending on your size and friction particulars (soft sand, deep grass, deep snow, etc) these become wonderful high wind tools. I've yet to use my 4m but have used my 6m in some really high winds and was very pleased with how predictable and tame it was. I'm sort of scared of the conditions when the 4m is the right call, but I wanted it for just "those days" when I was at Ivanpah for example and didn't want to get sidelined due to winds being too strong. I loved but sold my 8m recently to Burt because it overlapped too much with my 6m Peak-2. For me the 8m Access would not have really been a "high wind" kite but more just a brisk wind kite and for that my 6m P2 really works well.

Don't be scared of conditions that warrant the 4m. Once you fly it in those conditions and get a feel for it and how well that kite can handle it, you'll see those conditions in a different light.
:D

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

Don't be scared of conditions that warrant the 4m. Once you fly it in those conditions and get a feel for it and how well that kite can handle it, you'll see those conditions in a different light. :D

Thanks buddy, I know. It's just the subdural hematoma talkin.....

I found the access to be a very stable yet boring kite to fly. I had a 4 and spent time on a 6. The 4 was a phenomenal high wind kite which I kind of regret selling. If you sent the 6 hard enough you could get air with it just not the float of a higher A/R kite.

If you require stability and no surprises this is a great kite. Almost makes traction kiting hum-drum which is why I sold mine. I thought I liked that on-the-edge feeling but, as I said, I do miss the 4m and the 6m had its place but I don't think I'd like anything bigger than that. If I need a kite larger than 6m than I definitely want to be jumping with it. I dumped my access for my Yeti's which are kind of a cross between an Access and a Frenzy.

Yea...i see a future sale...and lay in wait
Imo...Windstruck sales are the best sales

hey burt
you have seen me fly and buggy
do you think I should get a summit,frenzy, or access? for the soft sand
in the 10-12M sizes???
bob

Quote: Originally posted by bobsalinas

hey burt you have seen me fly and buggy do you think I should get a summit,frenzy, or access? for the soft sand in the 10-12M sizes??? bob

Just my opinion, but I think the Access kites are most satisfying in the 4, 6, and 8m sizes, but not so much in the 10 and 12m sizes. Those bigger kites are sort of dead in bed, while their smaller brothers are rock solid high wind tools. On the flip side I think that Frenzy and Summit just get better and better the bigger they get. Both have decent upwind capability (particularly the Summit).

Bob, u2u sent

thanks guys,
now I have a much better idea of what I need and want
summit or frenzy????
will be waiting like a vulture for a deal to show up.