To start, thank you to all the members who regularly contribute. Your experience and opinions are very helpful!
I currently do not own a kite of any significance and am trying to find the best kite for my situation:
Weight: 180-195 lbs/13+stone
experience:none, limited to a 2-line kite that would head straight up and down
Weather: 2 very different locations: San Diego, Ca and later Edmonton, AB, Canada
The wind varies but the average according the internet is 6-8 mph in san diego (coastal) 6-8 mph and 7-9mph in Edmonton (inland)or 2-3 Beaufort scale
Use: Fun, traction kiting, skiing, some jumping (hopefully, even though it is dangerous)

So far the leading kites are:
Kite Innovations Profoil 1.0 to 5.5 ($40-335)
HQ Beamer III 2.0 to 7.0 ($180-370)
HQ Beamer TSR 2.5 to 5.0 ($257-369)
HQ Scout (replacing the Beamer TSR) 3.0 to 5.0 ($333-408)
PKD Buster II 2.0 to 7.0 ($155-366)
PKD Brooza 2.0 to 7.5 ($280-491)
Eolo Radsail in UK only


Please share your thoughts!

"Use: Fun traction kiting, snow, some jumping (hopefully, even though it is dangerous)"

when you mean snow, as in snowkiting on snowboard/skiis

i suggest buying an 4-line 3m first, one that will work on either handles or bar. That way you can figure what type of control system you perfer to use.
try everything you can before you buy.

also suggest that you get in contact with Macboy / PraireWind ... and a few others in the Edmonton area.

I'd add in Profoils into that list. Everyone here loves them, cheap to. http://www.kiteinnovations.com/home.htm

Here is the link for Profoil kites:

http://www.kiteinnovations.com/Profoil.htm

They are awesome kites for beginners.

You should remove Flexifoil Blade IV from your list. It's not a beginner kite and it could cause bodily harm to you or other people.

Likewise on the Crossfire. In my experience, it is maybe not as lifty, but is just as capable (if not more) of sliding you along on your belly before you can even think to dump it to the kite killers. Not to mention its tendency (smaller sizes) in gusty winds to bowtie at the edge. Not newbie friendly, but something to consider once you have experience.

Quote:

Originally posted by KiteProject Here is the link for Profoil kites: http://www.kiteinnovations.com/Profoil.htm They are awesome kites for beginners. You should remove Flexifoil Blade IV from your list. It's not a beginner kite and it could cause bodily harm to you or other people.

Thanks for the advice! The blade and crossfire have been removed (for now :smilegrin and the profoil added.

Does anyone happen to know if there were any major changes from the Beamer II to the Beamer III? Is the 2 series still a good beginner kite or would the profoil be a better choice?

Is it your intension to ride on land or water once you progress ? Do you plan to move to depower kites or stick with fixed bridles ?

If you plan to move on to the water and depower kites then I would suggest the TSR or Scout. Both come on a bar.

As mentioned you can move over to a bar if you prefer after buying a beamer II or III The Profoil and beamers come with handle. The prefered method of most fixed bridle buggiers.

I don't think you can go too wrong with a Beamer II or TSR. Both models aren't that old and had a good rep.. If there are improvements I doubt they are huge.

The Profoil is also a very good option with the sale price that's on.

I have both beamer II and III they are both good kites to learn on and use for land traction
buggy and kiteski. The III version has improved handling at the edge of the window and are a little more stable. They both work well however and see equal use. I would go for a 3.6m as my first kite as that will be a very usefull kite as you move on in the sport and not be too scary to start with. I was surprized how often I use it even though I have other larger kites.

I'm pretty sure I'll stick to kites only on land.....the idea of wiping out attached to kite in the ocean isn't too appealing to me :P

Snowbird: Depower vs. fixed bridal? Is depower only for water? I was under the impression from Scoops post that it would be used for skiing and buggies as well.... I was thinking I may eventually move to a depower bar for kiteskiing or buggying. Maybe I misinterpreted it though.

Ted: Thanks for the info!

Depower kites are great on land. There biggest drawback is that they need about 10mph of wind to start to give power. Larger fixed bridles will allow you to fly in much lower winds.
Both styles have there place on land. Depower is the style of choice for almost ( accept old school ) all water kiters.

The 3 or 3.5m is still the right choice to get started. There is no rule that says you need to learn on a bar or handles. If you can get a Beamer II or III or the Profoil in your price range they are good choices. You can always try a bar on it later.

Thanks for the info! I'm looking to see if I can pick up the Beamer 2.5 that stevep had in the for sale section. Is $80 a decent price?

You will be hard pressed to find a complete kite any cheaper !

bbrex's 4m PKD Buster is also an excellent choice !

depower is awesome if one can afford it. Otherwise, grab a 'long lasting' kite. Such as the pkd/ozone/jojo and so on. Avoid cheap

I ended up choosing a Beamer II 2.5 used from the PKF classifieds. Steve should be sending me the kite tomorrow! I'm looking forward to the first flight!

Thanks to all for your advice! I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

I Ment to put down HQ as a good recomendation....lots of my buddies like the beamers!