I'm eying up the 10m Charger in the for sale section but it's going to stretch my budget or I would have to give up my Montana. If you had to chose between a Montana V 9.5 and a PL Charger 10m for primarily snow/buggy/ATB and hoping to learn on the water which would you pick? Obviously water would be out of the question keeping the Montana but I would continue saving for a water kite being only a couple months away atm.

150lb, gusty inland winds. Lucky to get 15mph in the summer, decent wind in the winters.

For the summer u will need something bigger the charger turns super fast

Charger is a great kite but you won't be on the water with it in 15mph winds. You could look for a bigger charger or other large arc. That 15m synergy might do at 150 lbs but probably just. I bet you would be fine on land with it. I have never flown a synergy though.

If you really want water time you need to probably get away from open cell kites or never crash them. I flew a montana this summer and it was really nice but I still like the Neo better. In general a closed cell kite seems to hold it's shape better and in my opinion will probably do better in low winds. My theory is that it holds its shape and generates power sooner. An open cell kite loses it's shape quickly when sitting still or when the wind isn't enough to keep it inflated. The trouble is that a closed cell will take longer to inflate initially.

The arcs would definatly be nice in the gusty winds. I don't think you need to go as new as a charger though. If you have enough money the charger would be great but you might get better auto zenith with an older kite. I have only flown a venom II and a charger though. On water I loved the auto zenith when I crashed. It was very user friendly.

Well the asking price is $500 on the charger with nav bar. I already own the Montana but they would overlap, I assume, so I would sell the Montana and in a couple of months, pick up a 12-16m arc or 12 pulse. I'm debating giving up the Montana with winter coming soon. How would the 10m charger compare with the Montana, on snow?

I know I need some thing bigger but I'm still a noobie and have been in a couple dry scary situations so my 9m Montana still scares me. I need something gentle to help build confidence and skills. I'm used to flying a 3m Beamer and they are super snappy, is that how fast we are talking about here, for the charger?

someone correct me if my comparison is off a little but I think I might be close on this. I would say the 10m charger would compare more to a 7m montana as far as size comparison.

If you feel that the charger is to fast, one possibility is to modify the navigator bar to a smaller size. Todd has a vid up on how to do that. It is called the baby navigator. He cut it to about 40-45cm ? to slow down the 8M he had. just an option if you find it to fast..

:dunno:

That's... not a fun situation to be in. Personally, I have two snow kites (outlaws) that I love to fly, but have found my flying techniques tending more towards the closed cell kites because of how much time I spend on the water, that and the way they collapse when the wind luffs. Even in the buggy, its a huge difference between slightly gusty winds and steady stuff. (Anyone want an Outlaw, or two?).

I don't know if a 10m Charger will turn as fast as a 3m Beamer. The 3m beamer is pretty darn snappy. At 150 lbs on water, I'm not sure how low you will go with a 10m Charger. Its a fast kite, but you would still need to build apparent wind to get going. Not necessarily easy with that kite (it really does turn fast as all get out).

Personally, I would tend away from open-cell kites. Sell your Montana if you can (especially if you are looking at riding on the water). The PL kites will be nice for riding on water, once you get used to the relaunch on them. If I were you, in that situation, I would save my funds, then try to sell the Montana and get something larger with a big range and the power to get you going in your wind conditions.

I traded my 10m Charger for a 10m Syn.

The Charger is just s bit too punchy and fast for my less aggresive style. I prefer the stronger auto zenith + forgiving nature of the Syn. The 10m Charger will deliver if you are a skilled whipper looper but is less good a choice for a beginer.

The 10m doesn't start to be in it's zone until closer to the 20's.

You missed out ! The kite that would have been an amazing fit was that 7m Pulse ! If your wind it sub 15 that 10m Pulse may still be worth a thought ? That 8m Pulse II seems the job and an unbeatable price ?

You might want to look at Roland's 10m FS Speed 1.5. He only wants $375 Canadian RTF, http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=18866. It is good shape. He and his family are well known in the Vancouver kiting community. Everyone who knows him would tell you he is one of the nicest kids you will ever meet, absolutely trustworthy.
good wind
S

I was thinking like Dakitez , power comparable to approx 7m foil. At 150lbs in snow ,with that kite ,your going to need conciderable wind to pull you arround. You might shy away from an expert kite while you are learning three skills at the same time. ( new kite flyer,new kite , new kiteboarder) Several reviews indicate the Chargers are extreemly fast turning kites and in higher winds are best left in the hands of advanced/expert flyers. If the Montana is a bit much , pick up a less powerful lei to get you thru the winter and maybe get you started on water.