Ok fellow kite junkies, I’ve become a regular at the local plasma center to pay for my next kite. Thing is, I’m not quite sure what the best next kite would be in my evolution. Remember, I’m still fairly new to this addiction so haven’t picked up any peripherals like buggies or boards yet, and plan to spend the rest of the year just doing static and some jumping. Just looking for some opinions: Get a 3-4m to fill the gap in my micro-quiver, or go for something bigger than my 5.6 to cover low wind days?
Also, I really like the control that handles provide, but should I consider a bar and/or depower as a next logical step just to experience it, ...or not, since I really have no immediate plans to do any ‘mobile’ kiting?

Thanks.

Speed3 deluxe 21m! Kidding kidding. I would go bigger for the low wind days. If it's blowing too much for your twister, you can still be having fun with your symphony. But if it's not enough for the twister, then you're just on the beach getting some rays at this point, eh?

BLADE 6.5!!!!!!!!!!!! Static FB? No other choice!

Orrr if you want to get into depower..... I'd buy a used foil. 9m?
you can get older (but still awesome) kites dirt cheap (300-600)

Don't go above 9 since you're gonna be flying static.
I'd venture into depower though,

With 9m you'll have a nice big window that'll link up with your twister very well...
And once you get the knack you can use it to buggy/landboard if you sooo choose

What kind of wind conditions are you looking at for your average flying area? How often are you able to fly with your current gear? Maybe I missed this from another post, but I would be curious what kind of winds you are missing out on... And what are your end goals? I know you are static flying right now, but for how much longer do you plan on doing that? Are you aiming towards the buggy in the long term? Or perhaps landboarding? Or maybe water/snow? Just curious...

What sort of wind do you typically see where you fly?

On the days you cannot fly the Twister is it usually because the winds are too high or too low?

I would recommend your next purchase be something that expands your quiver to provide the most flying days in combo with that twister.

I am new like you, only been flying traction kites a month, and fly all static for now. I have flown my buster 3.3 in 5-18mph. 5mph was a bit of work but ok, 8-12mph ish is my fav "zone" with that kite. When it was busting 18mph, being static was a real monster and becoming un-enjoyable as I was not in a situation where I could scudd safely to release the power being produced. My favorite place so far sees 3-5mph much more than 5-10 or 10+. For Me that meant going bigger. (8m pepper2, THANKS JEFF!)

Quote:

Originally posted by lamrith What sort of wind do you typically see where you fly? On the days you cannot fly the Twister is it usually because the winds are too high or too low? I would recommend your next purchase be something that expands your quiver to provide the most flying days in combo with that twister. I am new like you, only been flying traction kites a month, and fly all static for now. I have flown my buster 3.3 in 5-18mph. 5mph was a bit of work but ok, 8-12mph ish is my fav "zone" with that kite. When it was busting 18mph, being static was a real monster and becoming un-enjoyable as I was not in a situation where I could scudd safely to release the power being produced. My favorite place so far sees 3-5mph much more than 5-10 or 10+. For Me that meant going bigger. (8m pepper2, THANKS JEFF!)

I bought my friend a pepper 6.5 and he loves it. It's such a low aspect kite that he can manhandle it around the window in higher wind(10-15+), and I don't have to worry about him killing himself.

If it is gusty where you kite I recommend trying a Peter Lynn ARC.

Great suggestions.

Yearly average wind for my location is 11mph, but that really is just an average – the previous 2 days were blowing at 10-20 and gusting to 46!, but we’ve also had many days this summer maxing out at 5. It’s also hard to find clean wind here in the middle of the prairie, so always have some gusts present, which isn’t too big a deal if you’re off the ground with something larger than a 5m.

As I alluded to earlier, I don’t really plan to have anything between the ground and my shoes other than air, or nothing, for at least a year – that’s not in stone...

as much as I hate to say it, a used 15m arc might suit you very well

OT - are you REALLY funding the kite addiction at the Plasma Center? 'Cuz if you were that'd be wicked funny in a bravo, bravo, why didn't I think of that kinda way.

You'd be the first kiter suffering from railroad tracks as a result of this addiction (not the other addictions).

I don't think we're paid for our fluids in Canada like that. Prob best if I didn't know one way or the other actually

I have to wonder what is holding you back from getting in motion? It isn't THAT tough , honest!
You are missing out on what kiting is all about IMHO. You can pick up a decent used ATB for the price of a cheap kite?

Probably only a pint of blood! HUGE prop's on being the 1st tracked out kite junkie I have heard of! YOU R :cool2:

If the wind is truly as junkie as you describe an arc is worth strong consideration!

If you don't board, you really should consider blades. Coyotes fill the bill nicely.

Yeah, gives you an idea how deep this new hobby has it's hooks in me, and I hate needles! Actually, its not too bad, just relax for an hour with a needle in your arm, daydreaming about that next kite, and then ka-ching, another $70 in the piggy bank!

If I went with an arc, wouldn't I need to pick up a harness?, and are all arcs depower? I guess I'm going to have to have a Google/YouTube session to find out what a young jedi should know before going to the -arc side.

Quote:

Originally posted by pongnut If I went with an arc, wouldn't I need to pick up a harness?, and are all arcs depower? I guess I'm going to have to have a Google/YouTube session to find out what a young jedi should know before going to the -arc side.

Yes, you would need a harness. Arc = Depower.

Some threads & videos worth a gander (or a goose ):

• Synergy Arcumcision - Peter Lynn has done it again
  
  
• me and the 12m synergy: the process of arcumcision
  
  
• how to setup a peter lynn arc
  
  
  
• Pre-Filling an arc in low wind conditions:
  • Angus's Thread: Low Wind ARC Inflato-matic
    
    
  • Sofa King's Thread: the POWER prefiller project !
    
    
  • Herc's Thread: 4D Matress Air Pumps-Arc kite?
    
    HardrocS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s video from the 3rd thread
    
    
    
  
  

Hope that helps.

FWIW:

• Brian's 15M Synergy is still up for grabs as far as I know.
  
  
• There are several harnesses up for grabs still. If you provide a waist size, we can probably find a reasonably priced one for you.

ATB,
Sam

1st link didn't work Indigo....

Quote:

Originally posted by lamrith 1st link didn't work Indigo....

Fixed now.... editing flurry allowed a small window for a link gremlin to crawl in.

Luckily, manly men carry big hammers (and shop vacs to clean up the ensuing mess....eeewwww).

ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by thanson2001ok If you don't board, you really should consider blades. Coyotes fill the bill nicely.

QFT. Land skates are dope. I sawr a dood with land blades and some depower kites on the internets. This guy looked like he was having the time of his life.

HOOJ jumps.
If you go arc with land skates I think you will feel very rewarded.