Has anyone flown one of these?

My friend is thinking of getting one because they are a good price and he is a bit short of cash but wants a depower.

Looks very similar to the Access but the cell construction doesn't look quite as good - or the control bar. ??

I've flown one. For the price they are a good kite. For the higher price of the Access, you get a bit better kite, but the new Access XT does not have a trim strap. The only depower the Access has now is the bar throw vs the trim strap plus bar throw on the Apex II.

Didn't realise that about the Access!! That must make it really hard to hold depower in higher winds with the larger models.

Is this the same on the frenzy/manta control bars aswell? That would really put me off buying one myself.

Apex 2 is a solid kite. It is my main go to kite. The kite is solid. You will have to try very hard to get it to fold a wing tip even in gusty conditions. It does not have much lift, which I like for the buggy, just like the access. I have many hours on my kite and it is still in excellent condition, so the build quality is good.

How is the A2 upwind, Dino?

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Originally posted by acampbell How is the A2 upwind, Dino?

Are we talking being able to go upwind or racing?

I have no problem going back up wind. There are some times that I may be getting a little extra side pull than something higher aspect, but it still not enough that I can't fly with one hand and talk on the phone with the other ;-)

Our conditions can really be gusty at times so I happily sacrifice some speed for stability. But honestly this kite can get me going as fast as I want to go (you all know I wear a skirt)

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Originally posted by lives2fly Didn't realise that about the Access!! That must make it really hard to hold depower in higher winds with the larger models. Is this the same on the frenzy/manta control bars aswell? That would really put me off buying one myself.

The Frenzy and the Manta both have a clam cleat trimmer on their bar. It is only the latest model of Access (the XT) that they removed it from.

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Originally posted by acampbell How is the A2 upwind, Dino?

Even as a newbie to buggies and depower, I was able to go upwind with the Apex II.

I have been flying a new Access XT 8m for about 2 weeks now, and will say that even though the clam cleat has been removed it still has depower adjustment straps on both outside leader lines, giving it plenty of depower adjustment including what is in the throw of the bar. The new access also has the Y line set up and 2 pulley speed system of the frenzy and manta. The Access XT is another example of Ozones ability to create an awesome kite. It is definitely worth the extra money, you will not be disappointed.

Thanks to Dino's advise I went with an Apex 2, 7.5m for landboarding and will be picking up a buggy in the future. We have gusty, lumpy winds that shift 20 degrees or more at times here in Missouri . I have had the Apex in 30 plus mph winds with no problems other than wet pants. After having fixed bridle and lei kites, I enjoy the Apex 2. You can fly it in 8mph winds but it doesn't come into it's own until 15 plus mph. As stated above there is not a lot of lift or side pull. I mainly ride on grass fields. Good luck on your decision!

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Originally posted by powerkiter82 I have been flying a new Access XT 8m for about 2 weeks now, and will say that even though the clam cleat has been removed it still has depower adjustment straps on both outside leader lines, giving it plenty of depower adjustment including what is in the throw of the bar.

Those aren't intended as depower adjustment (thus the reason the frenzy and manta have both the cleat and the back line adjusters) those are simply intended to adjust bar pressure/turning. I'm not knocking Ozone, I love their kites. It's just an observation.

So is this a better buggying kite? We ride landboards.

I know nothing about depower foils unfortunately though I have flown a couple (Sabre7m & frenzy 10m)

I just fly fixed bridles and find the liftier ones better for boarding - though I step down to my less lifty ones in winds over 25mph.

I think we are looking for an all-rounder here - a one kite quiver!

What about wind range for the diff sizes? rider weight 70kgs/155lbs

The ozone access will work for both, but in my opinion makes a better landboarding kite, due to it being depower and the fact that it does not create a lot of lift (for getting air) as compared to the frenzy or manta(both create large amounts of lift), which makes it great for a lighter weight landboarder or someone that is learning to landboard, the same goes for the HQ Apex from what I've been told. I weigh around 275 lbs and the Access XT 8m does an awesome job for me.

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Originally posted by powerkiter82 The ozone access will work for both, but in my opinion makes a better landboarding kite, due to it being depower and the fact that it does not create a lot of lift (for getting air) as compared to the frenzy or manta(both create large amounts of lift), which makes it great for a lighter weight landboarder or someone that is learning to landboard, the same goes for the HQ Apex from what I've been told. I weigh around 275 lbs and the Access XT 8m does an awesome job for me.

an easy way to look at it.

Ozone access = HQ Apex ... depower non-lifty
Frenzy = Montana .... depower lifty

This comparison is related to kite flying characteristic type. I'm not going to try and get into comparing the companies because I am definitely bias.