Hey guys im completley new to this sport, brought the PL Vibe II, took it out in gusting 15mph, its just not powerful enough, think i was being a little too careful when buying my first power kite. However payday is fast approaching and im looking @ the PL Twister II 7.7 next, i realy love the idea of the kite lifting and ragging you about (My kinda thing). I love being trown in @the deep end, iv done about every crazy thing you can think off iv recently just threw myself outa plane @ 15,000ft. (Needles to say im still sensible about these things im 31 so i gotta be lol)

So i just need to know a few ins and outs would it be a good idea to buy this kite with handles/bars will i need harness ect ect. The reason im going for the PL Twister II 7.7m is im planning on getting my Paragliding licence in October so id like to get to grips with a larger kite as im already saving for my Independence Merlin.

Thanks for your advice and ill try to keep this thread updated once iv brought it

Danny.

put the twister II 7.7 on short lines and you have got a twitchy beast of a small, high-wind groundhandling mini-paraglider:



put the 7.7 sqm twister on long lines - and it will rip your arms out at > 10 knots windspeed. the twister is a lift monster - so be careful. i saw a kiting-dude getting lofted 3 meters easily.. quite dangerous. so judge your windspeed right before venting this kite.
definitely a thrilling kite you will love.
but another strength of the twister is its low end i was able to snowkite on almost no wind. on long lines you can make use of the windgradient. no wind on the ground, maybe 5-7 knots up there and you are going on ski or board.



long story short answer: you cant do wrong with the PL twister.

Ok cheers mate, what would you reccomend, bars, or handles? i was thinking bar with a harness??

It's a fixed-bridle kite, not a depower kite; use handles. You only need a bar and harness with a depowerable kite, or on a fixed bridle kite with and Ozone Turbo bar. But don't worry about that last bit. :P

Dude, get a Twister 5.6m, unless you have really light, really steady wind all the time. like less than 10-15 mph. Otherwise you're going to put yourself in the hospital.

Quote:

Originally posted by Seanny It's a fixed-bridle kite, not a depower kite; use handles. You only need a bar and harness with a depowerable kite, or on a fixed bridle kite with and Ozone Turbo bar. But don't worry about that last bit. :P Dude, get a Twister 5.6m, unless you have really light, really steady wind all the time. like less than 10-15 mph. Otherwise you're going to put yourself in the hospital.

Yeah the winds are quite light, there are hills where there is a castle on top with lots of open space, tends to gust to 15/25mph sometimes,However tyhe park also only 5 mins work has light winds 5-10mph, however i was over there last night and the winds was hitting 20pmh, But i do know to be sensible and NOT take the kite out in that weather. Its all about using the thing saftly.

I owned a 7.7 . Without any doubt, HANDLES over bar.

It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. This kite is a lifting machine, and if you come across a gust, you'll be at the complete mercy of the wind. Just know what you're up against. Learn to fly your Vibe until you can do it blindfolded. The 7.7 is not for the inexperienced.

Quote:

Originally posted by Seanny It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. This kite is a lifting machine, and if you come across a gust, you'll be at the complete mercy of the wind. Just know what you're up against. Learn to fly your Vibe until you can do it blindfolded. The 7.7 is not for the inexperienced.

Blindfolded? How does that help you gain experience? Im willing to try anything and it sounds like a challange as well.

@ wizz- seanny was referring to the ability to fly your kite without looking at it. You should be able to fly the kite by almost feel alone. If you are constantly watching the kite you are not trusting your muscles/feel as to where it is or where it is going- not good. You want to be able to look where you are going to land when you get lofted and know how to redirect because of muscle memory. Also if your are looking to paraglide where looking at the sail means you dont see the trees fast approaching not good
scott

Quote:

Originally posted by flyguy0101 @ wizz- seanny was referring to the ability to fly your kite without looking at it. You should be able to fly the kite by almost feel alone. If you are constantly watching the kite you are not trusting your muscles/feel as to where it is or where it is going- not good. You want to be able to look where you are going to land when you get lofted and know how to redirect because of muscle memory. Also if your are looking to paraglide where looking at the sail means you dont see the trees fast approaching not good scott

Hey scott thanks for responding to my post, but i can see where your coming from, the winds right now are 10-15mph so ill go over the park and give it ago.

Twister 7.7, no 4-line experience and 15 mph winds? ... sounds like an express lane ticket to the hospital to me...

:evil: omg i'd love a 7.7 in that range! my 5.6 gets interesting at about 25 lol... but ive also got 2 years under my belt with the 5.6!!

be careful with that beast!!

At 205lbs I can assure you that the 7.7 lifts me with very little help. If you even THINK the wind MIGHT go to 20mph I would put it away.

In steady 12mph I get airborne with very little effort. There is nothing like getting to far off the ground and realizing "I might be about to die" b/c you don't know how to land yourself. Be careful out there. Gusts are a #@%$#!. As my wife says......Don't fly away...:Ange09:

We don't mean to sound like we're telling you you're wrong and it can't be done and you're stupid and blah blah blah. It really isn't like that. :| It's just... this kind of thing can't be underestimated... It's not like, Oh, I jumped out of an airplane and I'm going to be paragliding, surely I can handle any kite. These kites are DANGEROUS. Going from a Vibe to a 7.7m Twister? That's nuts dude, and you will hurt yourself. Why? Because you'll have a tiny kite and a huge kite. There's no middle range. Sure maybe you can fly the Vibe alright, and sure, maybe you'll start to figure out the Twister in some light wind... but what happens when you get a bit confident and take it out in more wind then you can actually handle? We all get that urge to fly, especially after several windless days. The 7.7 is a lifting machine, and when you're dangling 15-20 feet in the air thinking to yourself "I really @$%#&! up bad", it's far too late to do anything about that. And when I say 15-20 feet... I'm not joking.

Quote:

Originally posted by Seanny We don't mean to sound like we're telling you you're wrong and it can't be done and you're stupid and blah blah blah. It really isn't like that. :| It's just... this kind of thing can't be underestimated... It's not like, Oh, I jumped out of an airplane and I'm going to be paragliding, surely I can handle any kite. These kites are DANGEROUS. Going from a Vibe to a 7.7m Twister? That's nuts dude, and you will hurt yourself. Why? Because you'll have a tiny kite and a huge kite. There's no middle range. Sure maybe you can fly the Vibe alright, and sure, maybe you'll start to figure out the Twister in some light wind... but what happens when you get a bit confident and take it out in more wind then you can actually handle? We all get that urge to fly, especially after several windless days. The 7.7 is a lifting machine, and when you're dangling 15-20 feet in the air thinking to yourself "I really @$%#&! up bad", it's far too late to do anything about that. And when I say 15-20 feet... I'm not joking.

Hey Seanny, im realy greatful for everyones input so far, i havnt yet got the twister just waiting for my payday. The reason for joining this forum was for advice however harsh, but also so good pointers!
And so far this site is proving to be very helpful! I understand and seen from You Tube vids that this kite is very powerful, however i will not be taking it out in winds over 6-7mph, i invested in a anemometer just to be on the safe side.

You guys are right the vibe is very easy to handle and jumping from a 1.9, to a 7.7 is a big jump.

Also the reason i asked if to get harnesses was just if i got taken by a gust of wind would i maybe safer attached to a harness rather than not? Also i didnt think the lines would be strong enough to hold you in the air for that long???

Thanks again for your input,

Danny

Oh btw my weight is 154 pounds

If you still need to buy one, for 10-15 mph winds, grab a 4.1, or maybe the 5.6 as very max. The 4.1 will drag the average person across a field or over the beach in those winds, a 5.6 would already be more of a quest for survival then having powered-up fun. A 7.7 shouldn't be flown over 9-10mph max, especially not by a beginner.

Danny... how much do you weigh??

Depending on your weight I would probably urge you towards the 5.6. Plenty big enough that when you are ready you can see some airtime. I really think the 7.7 would be overkill for you to start with. I think you would find more flying days where the wind is right with the 5.6 or 4.1.

He weights 154 and says he won't take it out in more than 6-7 mph. He sounds like a reasonable guy. Still, +1 on the 5.6 as it would have a much larger wind range, and at 154 pounds you could jump on it easily after you figure everything out. It's a big kite man. Just to give you an idea, my 4.1m Twister is 13 feet across. A 5.6 is over 15 and a half. You would be in for a wild ride. But not so wild that mistakes are unforgivable. At your weight, the 5.6 will have an effective wind range from about 4 mph to 25. That's huge! My 4.1 drags me all over the place in anything more than 15.

Ok guys thanks for all your helpfull input!! The 5.6 is deffantly a possibilty. I live close to this shop http://www.powerkiteshop.com/ so i suppose i could always go for a test flight with both kites.

+1 for the 5.6

Im 225, and I can go 10' up really easy with that kite... Ive put over two years in on that beast, and I'm just now looking at the bigger version... A buddy of mine is your size, and he has trouble finding light enough winds to fly his 4.1 in....

Any route u go, take some baby steps when you go out, they hurt way less when everything goes wrong!

At least you picked a great kite, now we just gotta get you in the right size!

I sold my 7.7 because it was just a bit small to perform as my near no wind kite . It didn't have a huge range and I'm not sure if I flew it in 15mph but I think that is about when I was putting it way.

The 5.6 will fly just about as early and will allow you to fly into 15mph + as you get skilled. I found the 7.7 wasn't the fastest turning kite even on handles so redirecting was iffy. I think you would get the redirect down faster with the smaller , faster turning kite.

You should listen to the folks on here and go for the 5.6 you will be in for a far more rewarding experience !

Without a doubt if possible always " Try Before You Buy " !

definitely go try the 7.7 first. You will realize very quickly the 5.6 is a better choice for all the reasons everyone stated above. Not to mention you will have a huge hole in your quiver. A small vibe to the 7.7 will leave you with the wrong kite in winds from 9 - 20mph. Which those winds should be good for the 5.6. If its a good payday buy the 5.6 and 7.7 then problem solved

Just whatever you do, don't try to go buy a Blade instead that's an entirely different issue :P

Yep....if I had a complaint about the 7.7 it is for SURE the turning speed.....very slow on the redirect.

Your timing with the send on the 7.7 is completely different from anything else.

for the folks saying chill on the 7.7 for now...

for what it's worth, I've taught about a dozen folks to jump. I have far better and quicker success if I start the guys off small and go large after the skills are in place. It takes quite a bit longer if we start off on the 5m instead of the 2m, folks get yarded about and so on but the skills don't build as well. Flying and redirecting blind is the big one.

Good luck there.