Scoop,

What length power rings do you recommend for the Bego 200 and 400? Thanx!

Tridude (king of Begos) -

Here is Scoopy's old Bego setup page:

Bego Setup Tips

Here is the text:

Power Ring Length

Originally posted by mee (flexifoil screen name, not me )
10cm Power ring line lengths = loads of low wind power 2mph - the
canopy is a little more unstable than it would be without the
rings but not by much 20cm power ring line lengths = when the wind
gets stronger 6mph - 10mph this setting still gives loads of power
with more controability and stability

No rings = good power flying winthin manufacturers wind ranges.

Center line removed ( this is the line that links the bridles on the
power lines) The kite does not stall as much on spin turns or loose
pressure in the canopy as fast. Removing this line does not put any
stress on the bridle ( this is from the manufacturer).


Recommended Ring Length Per Kite

Bego 200 - 3-5cm or 1-1.5 inches between main and brake lines.
Bego/Neptune 400 - 7-8cm or 2-2.5 inches between main and brake lines.
Bego/Neptune 600 - 10-15cm or 3.5-4.5 inches between main and brake lines.

Power Ring Offset

Originally Posted by Blazingskibum (Flexifoil screen name)
Power ring offset length is important but also we have found that
high and low positions have some cool changes.
We have found that:

1) High ring connection(right at the top,bridle junction) and short
offsets( around 5 to 6 inches). This setting seems to have the most
lift. Above 10mph wind is where this setting has real good pop and
float. Seems to slow the kite down quite rapidly when brakes are
applied lightly(basically lighter than the lower power ring setting)
but still keeps good inflation and shape. And will easily reaccellerate
without a hiccup or stall. Handling is very nimble with possible
oversteers and unwanted spins(this comes under control very quickly
but will catch you off guard at first).
This setting is what I use for static flying, Jumping, kiteboarding, snowkiting.

2)Low ring connection(as low as you can go) and long offsets( 7 to 9
inches).
A bit speeder than the high ring setting. Handling is less radical, kite
tracks much better than higher/short setting. This setting, performance
wise is not much different than "no rings" but this setting has better
brake feel/control than "no rings". Still has good pop and lift but not
like the higher/short setting.
Most folks here like this setting for the lighter wind range. This
setting is what I use for light wind static flying, buggying and
long distance enduro snowkiting.

Brake Line Length

There really is not set length, it depends on how you hold your handles. With no brakes on at all, the rear of the kite should be kinda rounded looking and you should be able to make out the pleats where the cells come together. When you apply a very small, light amount of brake, the kite should look like it gets longer from side to side, and more narrow front to back, and you will lose the look of the cells connecting on the trailing edge. There will actually be a small crease along the rear of the kite. When you go from no brakes to slight brakes, this is what people have called the "turbo boost" You should experience 30-50% more power while like this, but with less speed.

Other Tweaks

This if for the Bego 600 ONLY.
Another tweak is that I have cut 4" out of the center of the "limit link
line" between the power bridle lines. Put knots every 2 inches and use a
loop of bridle line and larks heads to connect and adjust the link line.
This makes adjusting the line very fast and simple. This is a very
useable tweak that will extend the wind range of the Bego 600.

Does anyone know if the "High ring / low ring" setting lengths refer to the 400 or the 600?

My power rings are ~6.5" on the 400 (thanks DaVinch) and I have them set above the second power bridle knot and the kite is flying fine. I view that setting as a compromise setting / length between the high and low setting described but am debating changing mine down to the 2-3" recommendation.

I was going to do that by cutting and redoing the power ring lines so I can larkshead one loop to the bridle with knots every inch for 5-6" and then larkshead a loop to the pulley which I could larskhead to the power ring strand on the power bridle to allow for quick offsetting but so far I'm pretty content with the setting I have.

PS... got a chance to jump with it today (static). Gusts were to 20 but average winds were 7-12. Gusty jumping is a bit unnerving but I had to try it - a little unpredictable and unstable but one or two went higher than I expected.

Light snow is predicted tonight! Moderate snow is predicted for Friday!! More snow is predicted next week!!!

My first kite out of the bag for jumps is the Bego 600. Big airs and floaty landings. Ill have a Bego 400 in a few days to fly in higher winds but the 600 in 15 to 20 mph winds is amazing; tap the breaks, pop, accels, airborn, floatyyyyyyy landings! As usual......................stoaked

Quote:

Originally posted by DaVinch Tridude (king of Begos) - Here is Scoopy's old Bego setup page: Bego Setup Tips Here is the text: Power Ring Length Originally posted by mee (flexifoil screen name, not me ) 10cm Power ring line lengths = loads of low wind power 2mph - the canopy is a little more unstable than it would be without the rings but not by much 20cm power ring line lengths = when the wind gets stronger 6mph - 10mph this setting still gives loads of power with more controability and stability No rings = good power flying winthin manufacturers wind ranges. Center line removed ( this is the line that links the bridles on the power lines) The kite does not stall as much on spin turns or loose pressure in the canopy as fast. Removing this line does not put any stress on the bridle ( this is from the manufacturer). Recommended Ring Length Per Kite Bego 200 - 3-5cm or 1-1.5 inches between main and brake lines. Bego/Neptune 400 - 7-8cm or 2-2.5 inches between main and brake lines. Bego/Neptune 600 - 10-15cm or 3.5-4.5 inches between main and brake lines. Power Ring Offset Originally Posted by Blazingskibum (Flexifoil screen name) Power ring offset length is important but also we have found that high and low positions have some cool changes. We have found that: 1) High ring connection(right at the top,bridle junction) and short offsets( around 5 to 6 inches). This setting seems to have the most lift. Above 10mph wind is where this setting has real good pop and float. Seems to slow the kite down quite rapidly when brakes are applied lightly(basically lighter than the lower power ring setting) but still keeps good inflation and shape. And will easily reaccellerate without a hiccup or stall. Handling is very nimble with possible oversteers and unwanted spins(this comes under control very quickly but will catch you off guard at first). This setting is what I use for static flying, Jumping, kiteboarding, snowkiting. 2)Low ring connection(as low as you can go) and long offsets( 7 to 9 inches). A bit speeder than the high ring setting. Handling is less radical, kite tracks much better than higher/short setting. This setting, performance wise is not much different than "no rings" but this setting has better brake feel/control than "no rings". Still has good pop and lift but not like the higher/short setting. Most folks here like this setting for the lighter wind range. This setting is what I use for light wind static flying, buggying and long distance enduro snowkiting. Brake Line Length There really is not set length, it depends on how you hold your handles. With no brakes on at all, the rear of the kite should be kinda rounded looking and you should be able to make out the pleats where the cells come together. When you apply a very small, light amount of brake, the kite should look like it gets longer from side to side, and more narrow front to back, and you will lose the look of the cells connecting on the trailing edge. There will actually be a small crease along the rear of the kite. When you go from no brakes to slight brakes, this is what people have called the "turbo boost" You should experience 30-50% more power while like this, but with less speed. Other Tweaks This if for the Bego 600 ONLY. Another tweak is that I have cut 4" out of the center of the "limit link line" between the power bridle lines. Put knots every 2 inches and use a loop of bridle line and larks heads to connect and adjust the link line. This makes adjusting the line very fast and simple. This is a very useable tweak that will extend the wind range of the Bego 600.

Da V,

Thanx for the intel. I def have the 600 dialed in. King of the Begos hardly; how about Lord of the Rings? See B Roc has the 400 up and flying well. If my new 400 performs as well as the 600, its probably going to be "Hasta for the Rasta"! Talk at you soon

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude but the 600 in 15 to 20 mph winds is amazing; tap the breaks, pop, accels, airborn, floatyyyyyyy landings! As usual......................stoaked

You is a brave man :wink2:

I'm flying my 400 or 2.5m in winds you're taking the 600 out in :o

How much do you weigh??

BRoc,

Approx 180 lbs. I also purchased my Bego from Da Vinch, so hows it going on the 400? Sweet kites arent they? Honestly, if the 400 performs as well as the 600 (in the 400 wind range) it will be HASTA for my Blade IV 4.9 RASTA! Fly hard.........fly safe.........

I haven't been able to "really" fly the 400 yet. 1st outing was very short as I was untangling a new lineset and getting it on and the breaks and power rings adjusted.

Second outing was in variable winds.

I can say it pulls hard for its size and lifts well for its size and had decent float for its size. If you like the 600, I'm sure you'll like the 400. As to how it compares to the 4.9, I'll leave that to you ;-)

A bunch of riders are planning to get out this weekend and are coming to my town if we get the snow they are talking about. Winds are predicted to be too high for the 400 but hopefully I'll get a chance to ski with it if there are lulls.

I got to compare the Bego 400 to the 4.9 Blade III and IV.

Basically, the 4.9m generates more raw "grunt" and lift, but the bego is faster and creates a nice pop when directed to the zenith.

I was able to fly the Bego 400 in more wind than the 4.9. When static jumping, I tended to get higher with the Bego.

Both kites are great in 15+ winds!

The Skytex material of the Mac Paras is so light and it packs up really small

The new 4.9m has the adjustable bridle which works very well.

Tough decision - I say keep both Tridude

Agree with Scoop on the Bego 600--great lift and nice floaty landings as long as you redirect upwards in the window. However, the Begos do take some getting used to (requires break input to increase hp) but once you get it dialed in, SWEET! I also jump a Bego 400 and for its size it can be a monster in winds around 20 mph! Fast, grunty, big lift and surprising floaty landings, once again requires break input for maximum performance! Last but def not least, my BIV 4.9. In winds over 15 mph its amazing. Fast, powerful, stable, and nice landings. In 20 mph winds Ive been lifted at least 12 feet!
So there you have it! Right out of the bag and upward ho, go for the Blades. If you like to tinker and fly on the breaks, consider the Begos!
as usual.............................stoaked

hi wunnabe i fly a blade IV 4.9 and i would say that it is one of the best kites for jumpping because once your up the kite feels like it wants to go higher and higher wich i think is a good think iv only hade mine a few months but iv managed to hit a goo 15 to 20 ft with it so i strongly recomend that you go for a blade IV 4.9.

Any thoughts on the PL Scorpion for jumping?

Quote:

Originally posted by Scoopy Tons of kites to choose from with no lift. If you want something of good quality here are a few choices- Flexi's new Rage Ozone's Fury or Samurai Ozone's Riot is a great lifting kite thats very tame compared to the blade Peter Lynn's Pepper If your looking for lower quality (cheaper price) Hq's beamer 2, beamer tsr, or crossfire (crossfire will lift, but again, not like a blade) PKD Buster or Brooza HOpe this helps Scoop

Good thing PKD has improved their product greatly since last year. It's amazing that you had even flown a Brooza as they weren't ready for retail yet WOW.


I didn't know anything about stats I had a girlfriend hand me one of her Busters and I was hooked. I have since flown the Buster II's and must admit they aren't my favourite but wow do they look and feel better. The Broozas on the other hand are nice and lifty for me, and look beautiful in the sky. I love how PKD has developed their line to be able to ride over the gust in bumpy wind and to stay powered up. They are IMO wonderful kites..

Reviving an old one here I know! Newbee to the site, just really finding my feet in the kiting world so to speak. Ive done limited flying in the past but looking to take it up more seriously. Focusing on jumping and obviously looking to get a bit of air! Recently joined www.panshforum.com and they've been fierce helpful in directing me, reccommending a 3.5m Ace. After reading the above im now on the fence between the Ace or the 4.9m Blade. Any suggestions or advice for me? Im assuming a blade that size is way too much too soon. I just want to get something I can learn on, but still get some decent jumps and wont get bored of too fast! The Ace is very good value for money at the moment on ebay at around €140 incl. delivery. Looks a good option but would prefer to him what ye experienced folk reccommend! Thanks!

The decision between a blade IV and a ace is not really a decision. The blade IV hands down is the way to go. But still its not for you. A blade IV and a newbie = broken body parts. I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what you want to do, but I don't want you broken ... it makes bad press for the rest of us. I think we all remember the guy who pulled his kite out in a hurricane a few months ago and got slammed into a building.

Also a 3.5m Ace will not provide soft landings. Small kites tend to have a high snatch ability, meaning you'll go up without meaning to a LOT easier. I would probably get something closer to a 3m Pansh Legend or 3m HQ Beamer (both great kites) to learn on. Then get either a Blade or Ace (5m or 6m) once you get some time under your belt with power kites. Experience is a great virtue when dealing with wanting to kite jump. And the best experience is found with smaller, less lifty kites to learn on. It's also easier to practice things such as redirecting when you're on the ground.

Ok, i hear you. I appreciate where your both coming from and after all Im here to learn from your experience. I asked the father what type of kite he had that i used to fly and he said it was 3m. Didnt know make. I guess thats why im eager to go 'slighly' bigger so soon. Its such a hard desicion to make! I just want someone to tell me theres one definate answer and thats it! lol And did some fella really crash himself into a building?!?! Did he survive at all? Thats nuts...

Also, don't equate value with a low price. I've had a 6m ace and sold it to get a blade 6.5. If you can afford and don't mind paying for the blade, then don't even think about the ace. They are both lifty kites and the similarities stop about there. Oh, and another point would be: The guy who bought my ace broke his leg really bad that afternoon by not listening to all the advice I gave him. Neither of the kites you are looking at are at all appropriate for you to learn the ropes of power kiting with for the same reasons and some different ones as well. I didn't buy my ace till after 8 months of kiting every chance I got. My first kite was an HQ Beamer III. I just sold it in preparation to get another 3m Beamer IV. You won't get tired of one of these. It will become your "relaxed flying" kite, or your high wind kite.

'.... was an HQ Beamer III. I just sold it in preparation to get another 3m Beamer IV. You won't get tired of one of these. It will become your "relaxed flying" kite, or your high wind kite.'

Wont get tired of which one? HQ Beamer III or 3m Beamer IV? What size was the HQ Beamer III you had?

Quote:

Originally posted by fatboyfat7 '.... was an HQ Beamer III. I just sold it in preparation to get another 3m Beamer IV. You won't get tired of one of these. It will become your "relaxed flying" kite, or your high wind kite.' Wont get tired of which one? HQ Beamer III or 3m Beamer IV? What size was the HQ Beamer III you had?

You won't get tired of either one. The Beamer IV reportedly has some features to enhance performance in the buggy among other things. A good deal on a Beamer III shouldn't be passed up though. Mine was a 3m. I'll replace with that size.

A Beamer III 3m was my first power kite as well. I still have it and pull it out time to time for some smooth flying. I haven't seen or heard anything much about the new Beamer IV's, so I can't comment on them. However, with a new series of the Beamer preparing for release, there might be some used ones come up for sale soon.

Beamer 3 was my first kite too!! lots of us learned on it and as you can tell, we all loved it

HQ KITE ARE NOT GOOD JUMPING KITES...FN PERIOD. THE ARE GOOD ENTRY LEVEL KITES. THEN YOU MOVE UP TO BETTER KITES like "Best" after you waist all that money...YOU'LL GET A REAL KITE

Eli is right about the money. Buy something you can afford around 3m that is a good kite, maybe used. Learn to fly it well and look around for the next kite. Make that a good kite that that you can jump with if you want. By then you will know more about what you want and you won't get something you regret as easily. Just my 2 cents. My next kite will probably be like that, and expensive. I keep looking at kites over a grand but I don't know enough about which one yet. Can't let my wife know yet she will freak:megan:

Quote:

Originally posted by USA_Eli_A HQ KITE ARE NOT GOOD JUMPING KITES...FN PERIOD. THE ARE GOOD ENTRY LEVEL KITES. THEN YOU MOVE UP TO BETTER KITES like "Best" after you waist all that money...YOU'LL GET A REAL KITE

You are joking. Right?

Quote:

Originally posted by USA_Eli_A HQ KITE ARE NOT GOOD JUMPING KITES...FN PERIOD. THE ARE GOOD ENTRY LEVEL KITES. THEN YOU MOVE UP TO BETTER KITES like "Best" after you waist all that money...YOU'LL GET A REAL KITE

I've used to own a Crossfire (now Sandman owns), Montana IV (currently own), and flown a 8m Neo (at a meetup) that all beg to differ with that statement.:puzzled:

Blade IV $275 from secondwind on the forum... you'll need lines and handles, too, but thats a great price.

Check on the possible need for repairs, though.

Quote:

Originally posted by USA_Eli_A HQ KITE ARE NOT GOOD JUMPING KITES...FN PERIOD. THE ARE GOOD ENTRY LEVEL KITES. THEN YOU MOVE UP TO BETTER KITES like "Best" after you waist all that money...YOU'LL GET A REAL KITE

Have you tried the Neo Eli ?

I can agree that HQ is a great choice for entry level. I think that was there strong point starting out.

We haven't had a lot of chances to try HQ out here but from what I have been seeing this is a company that just keeps on improving. The Montana comes out with improvements each year and from a desk top perspective sounds like it is getting better and better.


Your statement may have made sense a few years ago but I feel HQ has stepped up a notch every year they have been on my radar. The Neo will jump and float with the rest / best of them. The Montana sounds like it can take you for a lift as well ?

I don't have any experience with the Crossfire but understand it is a decent fixed bridle ??

NOT just a great beginner package anymore

Yes, very strong language if he hasn't flown one in years, or anything other than the Beamer. The Crossfire I had that would be over 3 years old now had lifted me 10 feet in the air and I'm over 225 right now. HQ does have good offerings and packages good for beginners but that isn't where it stops.

Maybe we are being too harsh on Eli and he just needs a clinic on kite jumping. :P Surely someone up in the NW can give him a lesson! An 8m Crossfire or a 12.5 Montana should be good to get his feet off the ground. They have a little lift to offer.