Sometime in the next 6 months I plan on getting a depower kite once I get more experienced over that time span. So once again I depend on all of you to answer my questions!


1. Whats the best kite for a good price?

2. Would I have to buy a harness separately?

3. I weigh 170, whats a good kite size?

4. Im guessing I should test one out before i buy it?

5. Tough to catch on to?

6. Any kites that are good to learn on but not specifically a
"learner" type kite? i would like to learn on this kite, but at the same time not feel that I have grown out of it and want to get a bigger one.

Thanks everyone!

Chris

:evil: get the venom yes u will need a harness
Winds?

1. arcs are cheap
2. yes
3. for what wind?
4. if you can
5. uh? you mean learn? not usually
6. bow kites for LEI

1. Spend a couple of months to save up money for a round trip ticket to Shiga, Japan.
   
2. Try all of Kami's kites,
   
3. Figure out which one you like the best and buy it when you return to the States.
   

Note: Apparently PKF has requested Kami stop listing his kite in his sig because it was chewing through too much bandwidth every time someone read a thread he had posted in.

On a more serious note (Oh nooooooo), in your laundry list/queries/qualifications for a depower kite, you never really stated some of the more important deciding factors.

• For use on the land/water/snow or some combination of the three?
  
• Lifty or grunty?
  
• Pillow (Arc), LEI (Pump me up), Open or Closed Cell Foil?
  
• New or Used?
  
• Budget?
  

ATB,
Sam

I'd start on a trainer to learn the basics then consider moving to a depower. you don't have to be hooked into a trainer. you have to be attached to the depower. Live to kite another day I learned how to control kites on a stunt kite!

If you want to kite on water then you'll be sacrificing your first kite. Or maybe using it to teach your friends. You don't want a learner kite that will work for you later once you are up and running. Way too much power to learn on.

If you plan to fly it on land then the standard answer is a 3m fixed-bridal kite... not depower. you'll never outgrow it as it will start you off learning in light winds and eventually become a higher wind kite.

I highly discourage starting on depower. But if you're dead set on a depower then my first depower was a 5m... which is more or less as small as they come. But frankly you'll probably out grow it and want to sell it. It's rarely windy enough for me to want to fly it... and when it is windy enough I'm usually on another kite.

But, have I said this enough?, before you hook yourself into a depower make sure you have an excellent understanding on how to control and fly the kite. Also get yourself some good protective gear, helmet is a must.

Looks like you have a few fixed bridles in the bag already, so knowing the window and how your conditions work shouldn't be an issue. Like mentioned above its mostly relevant to what you are after in a kite. My first depower was my 6m access. Arcs are a real nice option as they tend to be tame in the lower end, and have a huge top end, plus they are easy enough to come by at a good price in good condition. One thing you'll notice is that you won't feel as connected to the kite, compared to a fixed bridle, but you'll come accustomed quick after a session or two. Generally speaking of course, for your weight, I'd think that a 10-12m would offer the widest range of use. You might go smaller in a buggy. A harness is essential to depower flight, once hooked in get real familiar with the safeties, so that you'll be prepared should anything happen. If you can get the chance to try out gear before buying jump on it. Just my 2 cents others will be able to paint a clearer picture I'm sure.

shaggs

I looked for a sig.. I swear! :embarrased:

I stopped having a sig cos I got sick of having to change it all the time :karate:

We still haven't heard what you want to use it for. Remember that de-power kites behave as advertised only when in motion, so you will need some means of conveyance and the proper space. Buggy, land board kitesurf board for water, snowboard, etc.

If you have a lot of time on your Twister 5.6 in a variety of winds, they you are OK to go up to a de-power if you start in moderate winds.

The HQ Montana is a high performance kite that is still easy enough to fly for a de-power novice. It is something you can grow in to and not tire of so soon.

PL venom

yes, you need a harness

13m

no test , DO!

you asked if needed a harness, oh what fun your gonna have!

out grow? ... give it your best shot.

For reasons I can't explain a # of Flysurfer Pulse kites have been coming up lately and at some shocking low prices.

The Pulse is a great kite for intro to depower. Very forgiving but also responsive. Not a kite you will grow out of in a hurry. Flysurfer quality can't be topped . I would NOT recommend Flysurfers any older than the Pulse though.

Older arcs ( Venom Phantom ) used to be the hidden gem but they are less easy to find these days.

I'd go for an Ozone Access XT. Low lift, stable, great for buggy or board.

My winds are usually around 8-15 mph depending on where i fly. near my home they are in the singles. if i go to another place they are teens and twentys. Budget is around 1000 dollars. i would like to use it for snow and land. mostly on grass and will most likely be boarding. i would prefer a lifty kite over a grunty one. Doesnt really matter new or used. i just want a good deal. No idea about the Arc, LEI, open or closed cell. Havent had that much experience to know any differences between them. if i missed anything else, please let me know. thanks

9.5m Montana or a 9 or 11m Frenzy. On grass, Spartan has a HOOT with his 2011 Frenzy's:

Freestyler (video)

If I had a $1000 budget and I was out to fit up with depower kites I would go with 2 used kites over 1 new one.
It sounds like you need 2 sizes. 1 for the local low winds and one for the high winds when away?

Quote:

Originally posted by John Holgate 9.5m Montana or a 9 or 11m Frenzy. On grass, Spartan has a HOOT with his 2011 Frenzy's: Freestyler (video)

This.

Well, if you are ever going to consider riding on the water, you will want to save money by getting something that is useable on both land and water. If you NEVER plan on hitting the water, then get an open cell foil. Probably your cheapest option.

For winds in the single digits, you would need something rather large. Even on land. The real wind range you are looking at is from 8 - 25mph (8-10 local, 15-25 little down the road)? That is really a huge range to try to cover. You are probably going to need two kites to cover that much range. I've covered that much with my 15m Speed 3 Deluxe, but it gets scary at the upper limit. For 10-25, my double Outlaw set (8 & 12m) worked very well. But under 10, it was really pushing it to keep going. In the buggy, the lower limit of the 12m was really right around 10mph. However, the upper limit of the 8m was over 30mph... Things to think on...

I'd consider selling both my outlaws in a package deal, but I did pay 2500 for them both together (which was a good deal). I don't know that I would want to sell both for under 1,000.

Thats a good suggestion. No rush on anyone making offers yet, and im in no rush to buy one. if you want to offer me that, let me know because i would be interested. If not thats fine. Im going to try and learn on my twister II 5.6 alot and try to get the feel for the bigger kites. once i feel comfortable i will start considering buying one. for now its just the twister.

Quote:

Originally posted by thrasher Thats a good suggestion. No rush on anyone making offers yet, and im in no rush to buy one. if you want to offer me that, let me know because i would be interested. If not thats fine. Im going to try and learn on my twister II 5.6 alot and try to get the feel for the bigger kites. once i feel comfortable i will start considering buying one. for now its just the twister.

End-state goals? Buggy, landboard, kiteboard, snow? What are you working up towards?

landboard and snow definately. someday probably buggy but im leaning more towards landboard and snow. Maybe water wayyy in the future but not anytime soon thats for sure. Definately going to hit the snow in the winter. got all my boards and gear ready. i want to try landboarding first before anything else tho.

Quote:

Originally posted by thrasher landboard and snow definately. someday probably buggy but im leaning more towards landboard and snow. Maybe water wayyy in the future but not anytime soon thats for sure. Definately going to hit the snow in the winter. got all my boards and gear ready. i want to try landboarding first before anything else tho.

Now the question is, do you want to get kites NOW that you can use on the water LATER? Or, is that so far in the future that you don't mind spending "less" now and then have to buy new kites later to get you out on the water?

ya you said it right. less now and buy anothe later. the water part is most likely way in the future

Get a harness and start getting used to flying hooked in.

Fly your Twister with the tops of the handles facing each other like a bar. When doing this try turning using only brake action. Slow the kite by applying brakes on both side evenly. Feel how flying off the harness ( front lines ) speeds the kite up and applying even brake slows it . Flying like this will help you better understand what flying depower is about.

Think about how Pulling in the brakes is a lot like pulling in the bar on a depower. Pointing the brakes toward the kite is like letting the bar out. Holding the handle bar fashion helps to make it all make sense. Learning to fly like this will make you a better pilot in general.

Thrasher, are you planning on coming down to the Buggy Bash in Wildwood this October? That may be longer than you want to wait, but I would be happy to let you fly my Outlaws at the bash (if you are interested).

In terms of cheaper depower kites to get you started, you could go with the HQ Montanas. Ozone has some decent options, though they are going to be more expensive (unless you buy used). The arcs will work nicely and are great for gust-munching. Flysurfer makes some great depower foils, but they are expensive (unless you go used again). You could look into the LEI market, you would definitely save some money on a used one, but you would take a hit if you ever tried to sell it again...

There are, of course, other options, but these are the first that come to mind.

Yes i plan on being there. And i will take you up on your offer. Id like to try some out before i buy one so that would be a great opportunity. Thanks

Quote:

Originally posted by thrasher Yes i plan on being there. And i will take you up on your offer. Id like to try some out before i buy one so that would be a great opportunity. Thanks

No worries bud. What... about 60 days away? Looking forward to seeing you there...

I have a Pulse 10M for sale......:D

Thanks guys. and yes 60 days and counting. cant wait to get there and fly with others. thatll be a first for me lol!