My mates looking at getting a first power kite after having a fair few go's on mine and picking it up pretty fast
He's wanting something that'll keep him on his toes and be able to jump with ( i know you dont recommend it but thats that )
I were just wondering if anybody could name me some kites that are good for jumping but not too crazy for someone fairly new to this like a blade for example
any help would be much apprieciated
cheers

one kite won't be enough... but he'll start with one and go from there...

folks get hurt by flying in unfamiliar winds or by going with balls instead of brains... may be the case here... :puzzled:

is he close to jumping with your 4m? if so then look at blade, crossfire, twister, bego, & ace.

if he is not close to jumping with your 4m and your winds, then you'll need to change up a size, same kites as above.

some of those kites work best in smooth winds -- ace for example. others are better in gustier winds -- twister for example. The size & general nature of kite (lifty vs. traction) is of more importance than the brand, so a 6m ace will over power a blade 4.9.

well i did suggest to get a beamer at first ( probably a larger size though like you say ) but he seemed to be able to handle mine a little too easily. Hes definatly wanting something with a little more lift,
would a blade not be too much? from what ive read they seem to be considered as a kite for the more advanced flyer?

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexwilson ( i know you dont recommend it but thats that )

you said it right there brother

Quote:

Originally posted by DAKITEZ Quote: Originally posted by Alexwilson ( i know you dont recommend it but thats that ) you said it right there brother

there's a few photos of broken legs on this forum!

edit... If I were you, I'd tell him to do his own posting, you don't want to share responsibility for your friend's unwise purchases... just my 2 cents...

Alright then, ill change the approach
...say they put in a few more hours on my beamer and get fully to grips with it, what kites can you recommend as good to progress on to jumping? more of a second kite than a first

Go 50 - 50 on the kite with that friend. Then it will be yours when he breaks his neck !

You may be looking for a Twister II?

Once he is able to manage your Beamer in a variety of wind conditions, consider the Twister II for sure. Much smoother than the Blade. Very stable and easy yet has some good lift.

Cheers acampbell
One last question.... are the HQ crossfires anygood?
i was looking at getting myself one of them as there abit cheaper than the twister

I like my old 3.2... nice angry kite when it gets powered up! built tough as well... But it definitely fits in the small fast lifty "widowmaker" category, will spank me in a split second when flown in 20+ winds. It and the blade came with me to canada for a couple months, I left everything else in HK, except for a couple little foils for kids.

Angus will have better info on the CF II's... They have adjustable bridles like the blade, which is a real plus, but I seem to remember it doesn't quite work the same... Stand by for Angus mate, he'll tell ya straight.

And if ya don't mind me sayin'... speaking for yourself is much better...

Asking for something potentially lethal for a newbie friend just gets everybody worried.

When people get hurt it can make the sport look really bad, we all want to avoid that.

edit... twisters are really nice tho... be careful thinking with your wallet...

Hi Alex. Thanks Furbs
Crossfire II is a contender for sure with a couple of asterisks hanging over its head. I did not mention it before because it commands a bit more attention and skill than others and is pricier. Very versatile kite with the ground adjustable bridle that includes a low-lift "buggy setting", however with that setting you really have to stay on the brakes at the right time to keep it from overflying the window, luffing and snapping shut line a mousetrap. That is not so much a flaw but a characteristic that you have to be aware of like some race kites. In the default high lift setting the kite is pretty stable but others have reported stability and tip-tuck issues that I really have not seen so much. Maybe because I know it as a snatchy kite that you have to stay on top of. It is lifty and grunty but still not as violent as a Blade in gusty wind, but a little more aggressive than a Twister. Others may take issue with this and it has been a while since I have flown them back-to-back, so lets hear what others say.

yeah I like my crossfire I but the twister has a fantastic reputation for stability, the one PL fixed bridle I've flown was a PL hornet and it was perfect as a beginner kite, if the twister does as good a job (I've not flown it so no direct feedback from me) at being a stable jumper as the hornet is as a super easy beginner kite, well... It's a strong contender.

I know the 4.1 (twister) was too much for a beginner this time last year in gusty inland texas winds, and he was 20 stone! I reckon this year he'd be right on top of the thing.

with better info on your winds / body weight you'll get more specific recommendations.

a lot of stability / tip-tuck depends on the skill of the flyer, many folks starting out are not too good at keeping kites just inside the edges of the wind window, after a few more hours the bad behavior disappears as the skills start to come on line...

Check out the Ozone kites, super safe, easy to fly,start with a 6 meter Access in light winds and work up to a 8 and then a 10, there not cheap but they are some of the most durable and best flying kites out there.

twister would be ok--stay away from the blade for awhile--they can snatch you up QUICKLY

I've flown both the Twister II and Crossfire II and I would go with the Twister long before the Crossfire. No matter what setting I put the crossfire on, the thing just gave me fits. I've flown alot of kites and that was the only one I was frustrated with. Never a problem with a Twister II. Or a Twister I for that matter.