So I didn't listen to advice on my first kite and I bought a beast. All is going well with it but I've got the new kite itch. Still being new to the sport I think ill listen this time LOL. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my twister II 5.6 but I took it out yesterday in about 18 mph winds gusting to 25ish and needless to say I had my hands more than full so I figured its time to add something a bit smaller to the "collection".

The sting has captured my attention. What I am wondering is: 3.3 or 2.4? I am planning to use it for static flying and soon ATB. I have heard a lot of positive feedback about static flying the sting but not a lot about ATB or buggy.


Any input is appreciated

I already got one "I told you so"


I'm sure there are more to come LOL

We all told you so! lol - just had to throw that in.

As you already have the Twister II 5.6, why not just compliment it with another Twister II 3.0? Staying with the same make of kite makes it easier to move from one size to another as both kites will perform very similar. Another thing is that the Twister II 3.0 sells for $279.00 complete, ready to fly (handle version). I don't think you will get near that good of price for a new sting.

But you probably wont listen and just buy the sting anyways....Ok, sorry to bag on ya bout that. LOL Both will work great for you, fly and have fun...Oh, do you have a helmet yet? Reason I ask is because we all KNOW you are going to try that 5.6 in those strong winds again! lmao!!!

Actually, shopping for a brain bucket as we speak...and ur right, I'm looking outside and I see 17 mph winds and yeah...


Found a sting 3.3 for a hell of a price but I never considered just getting a smaller twister. Good call! Just not sure I want my second kite to be "lifty" which is why I was looking at the sting but I still don't know. That's why I'm here askin! Hehe

So many good choices out there for a smaller, low aspect foil. I know that if I was in your position I'd be looking at the Ozone Flow because I've read good things I'd like to try one out (depending on how the price compares). For size I'd go 3m for your next kite.

For some reason I've always thought of the Sting as being more of a trainer than an "engine", but I don't know why I have that impression.

You can make amends for blowing off the PKF advice by sharing your story on every newb "what kite" thread for a year.

Yea, the Flow?

Excellent kite.

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteNH For some reason I've always thought of the Sting as being more of a trainer than an "engine", but I don't know why I have that impression.

From the Sting press kit:

"High wind, ultra stable, safe traction

The Sting also has a place in the kit bag for advanced kite buggy pilots as an ultra stable, high-wind traction engine. During testing in North Wales the Sting was used in winds exceeding 50mph! As this kite is so unbelievably stable, non aggressive and super strong, kiting in conditions that would otherwise be classed as unsuitable is now possible due to the Sting's gust absorbing properties (Flexifoil does recommend that you upgrade the flying lines if you are planning to use this kite for this purpose)."

Most places that sell the Sting will do a line upgrade at the point of purchase for a modest surcharge.

I have always loved the custom Stings in the BBC ident spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6znM-2bWTo

ATB,
Sam

I U2U you.
Brad

So I did some more research and picked a couple brains and the sting is out. Looks like an awesome kite but doesn't look like its going to suit my needs. I have narrowed it down a little but I'm still pulling my hair out trying to decide. The lineup I'm looking at is:

PL Viper 2.6
HQ Crossfire II 3.0
PL Hornet 3.0
Ozone Flow 3.0


I need to win the lotto and just buy em all! LOL

Quote:

Originally posted by mougl PL Viper 2.6 HQ Crossfire II 3.0 PL Hornet 3.0 Ozone Flow 3.0 I need to win the lotto and just buy em all! LOL

Mostly very different kites...

Viper: Low-lift stable entry level buggy engine

Crossfire: Very lifty kite. Has ground-adjustable bridle to reduce AoA (angle of attack) and reduce lift and add speed but requires some skill in this setting. Very versatile kite in the right hands.

Hornet: Very much like the Sting; low- A/R (aspect ratio) around 3 makes it a stable kite in high/ gusty winds. Good all-arounder gives up a little bit at the low end of wind range.

Flow: I'm relatively new to this and the brand but the Flow is a nice smooth all-arounder also with moderate - low A/R

If you are considering an all-around kite then you might as well throw in the HQ Beamer IV. With an A/R of 3.5 it does well in light winds and will really come alive in higher winds in the right hands. Classic.

Tough choices; you are right- buy them all.

If you don't want your 3m to be lifty the crossfire is out.

Edit: Angus beat me to it But as usual he is spot on

My vote is still the Viper. IMHO this kite is extremely over looked ... Its blows the lines off the hornet and beamer. Never flown the flow so no comment there.

Viper it is


I really need to shut my brain off sometimes and just listen to you Dino LOL!!! Besides that analogy of "The Viper 2.6 is like a gnat on crack" still has me cracking up here....now the question is will I be able to support the gnats habit LOL

thats just my opinion. I think Screwy would go along with this also though. When he flew the 2.6 viper for the first time he just took it from me and it went in his bag when we packed up And now he has a 5m also.

So again my experience with the viper is great but there might be others out there that disagree, so give people time to give their thoughts before you 100% decide.

dude, you are going smaller? i want to go bigger!

Im eyeing a 11 or 14m Neo, or a 12m Montana... thats great, same start different paths lol!

Of course, im a pretty big guy, and i have yet to be overwhelmed by this kite (maybe the first couple of days... a little)

Drew...Drew....Drew....


Smaller is not a bad thing. If you havent been overwhelmed by that beast yet, give it time my friend :P I'd love a larger kite too, hell....I'd love to get my hands on a big Neo or Montana but I think at this point in the game I need to work more on technique than anything else. We are starting to get a lot of higher wind days here since it's summertime and I don't want to be sidelined because of that. Rest assured that after I get my flying technique and basic boarding skills sorted I'll be buying a big depower :D

Besides, I just GOTTA see what a gnat on crack looks like

I think my tek with the ole twister is pretty good... ive passed the handles over to guys that have 100 lbs on me and the kite still is too much for 'em (thats almost a 350 lb guy)

my best days with this thing are days when the recommended wind charts tell me to not to.... Ive spent countless hours on this thing, and man... the voice in my head says, bigger, faster, crazier.. and i really want to listen to it lol!

Well Drew ur doin better than I am LOL! This thing still tosses me on 16+ days :P I'm gettin there though :D

How do you overlook the Blurr from Flexifoil??? 2.5, 3.5...

It wasn't overlooked just a bit more coin than I was wanting to drop right now...nice kite tho :D