So I’m in a rather enviable position. I’ve been flying 2-line stunt kites for years now and I finally got my wife to try it out on a Slingshot that we picked up at the beach this year. She has been out flying with me for about a month now and just last week she said that it would be fun to get a big foil kite, like we had seen on Jockey’s Ridge this summer, that could drag us around .

That led me to you guys and this really great forum. I’ve been reading as much as I can about power kites for the last week and I’ve come to the conclusion that we should get something in the 3m range but beyond that I’m really not sure what kite to get.

Some basic info: We live in the mountains of Virginia and only get to the beach a couple of times a year so we will be flying mostly inland. The winds around here range from 5-15 mph in the summer and 10-25 the rest of the year. We actually had 5 days last year where the wind was blowing 45 and gusting to 60 :o . I’m 6’2 270 and my wife is significantly smaller (don’t want to get in trouble by putting her weight on here if she reads this!). I think that we may end up buggying eventually but for now just scudding and having fun flying. We would also like a kite that we can get a lot of use out of and that would last for many years.

Given that, I’ve been looking at a Pansh Legend 3m, a Blaze 3m, and an HQ Beamer III 3m. Given our wind conditions and interests which would be a good a choice to get as a first kite? Where would be a good place to buy it from? Are there any other kites out there that I should be looking at?

Thanks for the help.

The Beamer will be the most stable and carefree of those 3 kites. Everything is included. The only fiddling you will have to do is adjusting the brakes as you develop preferences and/or adjust to conditions. The pansh kites notably require you to make adjustments and acquire kite killers and a stake from other sources. Also, the lines and handles are ok these days but are arguably of a lower quality than those included from HQ. You might like to add a Pansh to your quiver later as many of us have here, but most here would steer you away from there for your first kite. Kite particulars aside, no one ever comes back on here and says buying the beamer was a mistake and that they regretted it. Threads here on the forum commonly talk about things people do to their pansh kites to improve their performance. No one ever seems to need to do anything to their Beamers. They are great out of the bag and a nice bag at that. Granted, you don't fly the bag but the beamer bag is a nice canvas backpack style with storage pockets, and the pansh is a ripstop stuffsack with a drawstring. Hope this helps a little.

I agree with BeamerBob. My first kite was a 3m Beamer, and it really flies nicely. It has enough size that in heavier winds, 15+ mph, it will make you chase it a little, but stable enough you can move it to the edge of the wind window to lessen the power and not take the chance of it folding on you. It comes with everything you need for a first power kite. The handles have some padding and are well marked R and L for which hand they go in. The lines are also different on these. There are 2 gray brake lines (I can't remember if they're marked with a braided color in the sleeving at the end or not), and the power lines are different colors, one blue and one orange. This makes it super easy to identify lines, handles, and where everything connects to.

I have several Pansh kites, and everyone has needed a little tuning when pulled out of the bag, before it would lift off the ground. The lines provided with the Pansh can be a bit of a headache as the power lines are marked with green sleeving at both ends (identical to each other) and red sleeving on the brake lines (also identical). Their handles are also identical. This creates a problem if you don't have a way to identify which is left and which is right. Also, if you disconnect the lines for any reason, they become more difficult to reattach without any identification done by yourself. However, don't get me wrong on the Pansh kites, after the tuning and identifying markings, they are GREAT kites. Just wouldn't recommend them for a first kite.

Out of the 3 you listed, the Beamer would probably be the best choice. I ordered mine from cobrakites.com. However, If I would have found this forum before buying it, I would probably talk to DaKitez as he will probably have the best price you'll find on a new one. He offers 10% off to PKF members. Direct url to the Beamer 3 3m kite: http://www.dakitez.com/servlet/the-58/Beamer-III-3m/Detail. To get the 10% off, just put "PKF" into the promotion code box.

Not to cast any shadow on Dakitez, but we have another HQ dealer here that is in Brunswick GA. Angus Campbell or cryptically Acampbell here on the forum. His link to the Beamer is http://www.coastalwindsports.com/servlet/the-179/Beamer-III-...

Both would serve you well. I've bought from both, but Angus is more local to me, so I've made more purchases with him. You take a look and of course it's your choice.

Sorry about that. I probably should have just made the comment there were sellers on here that offered great deals on kites and left it at that.

Yes, anybody you buy from on this forum will treat you right. You can also feel free to buy from a storefront website if you wish. Just letting you know there are great people here and nobody I've seen on here yet will steer you wrong.

I couldnt agree more about the Beamer. I bought mine from kitty hawk kites about a week after I joined this site. I met up with a member on here at jockeys ridge, flew his 2 line for about 30 minutes then went and bought the Beamer.

The Beamer is a great first kite. Im still very new to this but have since bought a bigger kite but still use the Beamer. I have let a few other people fly it and it looks like they are getting the power kite bug now too

You will not regret getting a 3m Beamer

Yup,

While the Pansh kites are lower priced the HQ beamer is a complete no hassles package at a very competitive price. As mentioned with pansh you need to pick up all the little extras to get going proper + need to tune the kite a bit. All this with NO INSTRUCTION set.

The Beamer has everything you need in a good quality back pack. Kite stake , kite killers, even an instructional DVD. Also as mentioned, I have never heard of a person buying a Beamer and having regrets. They are a popular kite that doesn't re-sell often so passing it on , in the off chance you want to, would be easy !

GOOD JOB on the homework ! You gave GREAT info to help you get started !

And congtas on not looking for a kite you can start jumping with I know alot of people make that mistake. Me included...lol.

I was trying to find a starter kite that I could also jump with. There is no such combination

+1 vote for the HQ Beamer III 3.0m

Thumbs up from me..Have a Beamer 4m and love it! My first power kite.

Wow.

You've done research!:D And you hit the forum on a monday morning!!!!!!

The beamer and shop locally. Be nice to the owner, mention the forum, say that you might get more kites soon, and let us all know how much the discount was!

The forum awaits: do ask more questions when you want to get power kite number two!

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!

welcome to the forum
Man the east coast VA/NC region is blowing up with new kiters

Welcome to the forum

My first kite was a HQ symphony that my son flies now. Seems to be well made which makes me think a beamer would be good. My second kite was an Ozone IMP trainer 3.5m and it was awesome. Unfortunately I ruined it. I have a Pansh kite but it does not compare the quality of the Ozone kite. Somebody here could probably tell you the difference from the IMP trainers and Beamers, but I really liked the IMP.


Just so you know, I don't think any kites like this.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. From what i have read I was kind of leaning toward the beamer and from the overwhelming response it seems like a great first kite.

Lets not talk about that second kite to fast. I don't want to scare the wife too much :D

_____ , I've seen the videos of people jumping on you-tube and to be honest I've hurt myself doing enough dumb stuff to know that I'm a long way from doing that!

Silvereagle, so Franklin. I grew up and went to high school in Emporia. How long have you been in the area?

All my life I actually live in Capron. Are you Norther Va or southwestern Va? I go through Stanton/Harrisonburg 2 or 3 Times a year on my way to WVA

Quote:

Originally posted by silvereaglekiter All my life I actually live in Capron. Are you Norther Va or southwestern Va? I go through Stanton/Harrisonburg 2 or 3 Times a year on my way to WVA

We live just outside Staunton in Waynesboro. The wife and i are also into a lot of hiking and backpacking so we love this area. Now if we could just get a bit more snow in the winter it would be perfect.

I jest spent a week in WVa I got 1 day of buggying in but i neeeeeded a bigger kite. My preferred stop is the sheets off of 64at exit 91.

Ill be back up their the last week in Aug

I know that sheets well. I used to go by it everyday on the way to work before we bought our house.

You have a great attitude for this sport. It can be fun and somewhat safe if you go about it right. You'll do well !!!

Quote:

Originally posted by MountainFlyer Thanks for the warm welcome guys. From what i have read I was kind of leaning toward the beamer and from the overwhelming response it seems like a great first kite. Lets not talk about that second kite to fast. I don't want to scare the wife too much :D _____ , I've seen the videos of people jumping on you-tube and to be honest I've hurt myself doing enough dumb stuff to know that I'm a long way from doing that! Silvereagle, so Franklin. I grew up and went to high school in Emporia. How long have you been in the area?

Quote:

Originally posted by MountainFlyer Lets not talk about that second kite to fast. I don't want to scare the wife too much :D

haha. It only took me a month before I bought my second kite.

yep...

financial meltdown awaits... bring on the kitelust!

Welcome to the forum MountainFlyer. I am still a newbie myself and trying to learn everything I can before I hurt myself to bad. I have a Beamer 3.6m and love it. The only thing I would trade or seel this kite for would be a Beamer III 3m. IMHO this is the best kite to learn on. Just take your time and learn all of the ins and outs.


P.S. Dont do like me and try skimming through the info on this site and say " Ok, im ready to do some kite jumping." and wind up getting hurt. If I had finished the reading I would have seen that I should have practiced redirecting the kite while in the air. Instead I tried it once and said I was ready. Man I am still sore.



But from reading your posts you sound more level headed than me. I'm just glad I have harddrive8 to keep me in line.



Shannon

Just a quick update. After talking to the wife I think we are going to go with the Beamer III 3m. Probably going to be ordering it in a few days.

Thanks everyone for the help with choosing a kite. So I understand after it arrives I'll get 2 weeks at a minimum of no wind? Bah, I guess that will be ok since August is a crappy month up here anyways unless you can fly these things in thunderstorms :o

grate timing that should put the end of your lul befor I get back up thare

You'll be very happy with your choice in your first kite. It should provide a good base to build your skills on. You'll also find it as your trusty kite that you will turn to even after you get bigger more advanced kites. Be safe, have fun, and keep us posted on your progress!