Any comments on this one? Not many reviews on this size. Could this be good or bad? Compare to maybe the 10m. Thanks.

Have heard that it produces incredible float but turns like the titanic.

I have one and weight 145#s. I can get going with it in snow around 5mph and on grass, just above that. Its sweet spot for me is 7-9mph and it is put away by 11.

I've never flown the 10.5 but I do know that turns like a tank. The 8.5 is slow but its not a tank. Because of its high A/R it doesn't like gusts and it will collapse in lulls. If not powered, the wingtips can tuck. When flown on a bar, if it collapses, it almost always collapses leading edge down - but it does relaunch easy. I prefer it on handles but ski with it on the bar occassionally.

It is a superb kite and a true low wind weapon. It is super floaty and lifty as well and because it is slower, the redirects allow you to get the canopy over heard and just soar with it.

Its not for the timid. If you hot launch it, you can expect to wind up on your face about 20 yards down wind. I launch it to an immediate turn so it inflates and moves more slowly to the zenith - where it has quite a bit of static lift.

I've skied it over 45mph in 18mph winds - but I was holding on with all I had. While I won't do that again, I post it so you know its a very reliable kite. If you want one and can get one, get it - you won't be disappointed if you are looking for a kite you can jump with under 8mph and get going in 5.

Thanks B-Roc. Very informational answers.

I'd just go for a new Blade IV 8.5. I've flown some of the earlier Blades and I wasn't impressed. Nor am I super impressed with my 10.5 Blade III. While it does turn slow it's nothing to sneeze at either.

After flying the Blade IV 4.9 meter I think the Blade IV 8.5 will be a killer in the right hands.

Scott

BIV 8.5 is a nice kite, so much smoother than the older blades, at first you think that it's lost it's mojo, but soon you realize that you're going pretty high, it's just not as snatchy as the older models. Turns at an acceptable rate for a larger kite as well.