Cant really find any info on these kites in the review section. All I have been flying is my 3m and would like to get into something bigger and de-power to cruise around in the snow, I have read that they are a good beginner kite and just a good all round good kite for cruising which is what I will be doing. Anybody got any pros or cons about this kite? Any info would be awesome, THX.

Don't know much about them, but here's one for sale-
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=11718

Review of the 10m Apex (last gen) can be found here:
http://www.racekites.com/reviews/getReview.asp?reviewID=2372

It was written by someone using it as their first depower.

ATB,
Sam

I have heard that the Apex is a bit unstable in gusty conditions does anyone know if HQ rectified this when they came out with the Apex II?

I had an apex I 5m as my first kite, and I loved it....still wish I hadnt sold it. Ive only heard good things about the apex II.

I've never noticed any instability on mine, but most of it's use was at Wildwood where the winds were nice and steady. I think the only con I can come up with is that due to the shape that makes it easy to fly, it doesn't manage to go up wind as well as something that's a bit more... performance oriented is the best term I can come up with. As I stated before it's a good kite and excellent to start out with. If it weren't for the fact that I could use the money, I'd be really tempted to keep both the Apex and the Synergy that I'm selling. Together they cover about the same wind range as the Frenzies that I've got coming in, but would be easier on the days when I just want to cruise.

Is the montana to "lifty" of a kite to learn de-power on?

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Is the montana to "lifty" of a kite to learn de-power on?

In my opinion, no. Some may disagree though. If you are careful with it, you wont have an issue...

I have never hears of the Apex being unstable. I had an Apex I and flew the II at a demo. It's a great first de-power, as it is a simple rig and is less intimidating. Easy to rig fly and will munch gusts well. For that you give up a bit of upwind ability. Great kite though and affordable.

The Montana is just a little more aggressive and is better upwind. I would not say it is too lifty to learn on if you understand how the rig works and keep it "turned down" (strap in for less grunt). That is the beauty of de-power. I know a few folks that have had a Montana as a first de-power. It has a more sophisticated compound 2- pulley mixer system and refined sailplan that can produce more lift than an Apex, be faster and go up wind better. Procedures are no different than an Apex (or any other open cell de-power); the key is just fly it in moderate winds until you are used to it.

in my experience is that the Montana is much more unstable than the Apex in gusty conditions. Others may disagree, I dont know about the larger Montanas, but the 5m I flew was terrible in the gusts

Do you recall which Montana (2,3, or 4) ? they keep tweaking them. The 4 is very stable in a variety of conditions; much less tip-tuck. The 5's are sitting in customs, last I heard.

Must have been a 3....i think
If they differentiate colors, it was yellow and white, the 5m.

yep, 3; that was the last version with the 5m size. The smallest version 4 is the 7.0. The 4's got better and I can't wait to try the 5's

Well mabie it would be wise to stick with the simplicity and forgiveness of the ApexII as it will be my first de-power kite. Where I live the winds are always gusty, however in the prairies there is ample open space just to go cruising so this kite sounds like it would work for what I would use it for. Once I get used to de-power and decide to get another either bigger or smaller kite then it would be a good time to go for more upwind ability and lift ect. Is it possible to learn to go upwind at all with this kite?

Yes. The kite will go upwind. It just doesn't go as far upwind as some of the more performance oriented kites.

To be fair, when I said "give up a bit of up-wind performance..." for I meant relative to some others. The Apex will navigate just fine for you. I ride on a long beach and it is rare to have a perfect off-shore breeze, so there is almost always an upwind and downwind tack, and the Apex did fine. It will be great in gusts, like an Access.

Bump for ApexII. You won't be sorry. Mine will be staying in my quiver. :bigok:

And if you're okay with a lightly used kite, I'm perfectly willing to ship to Canada :D.