I've been looking around for a kite to advance to. I am 160lbs (trying to get down to 155 or lower) and live in AZ (light winds).

From what I've read and see, 12m looks like the right size for me if not something slightly bigger. I am new so I dont want to spend a lot of money on a new setup to bust it up. So I've found:
<$200
'07? Naish Aero 12m.

C-style kite, bar, lines, bag included.
Everything in great condition, no repairs done to the kite.

http://www.kite-surf.com/userreviews/list_reviews.php?Produc...


And a:

Around $300
'08 Royal RYL ERA 12m
Full setup, bars, lines, bag, pump. Harness and board optional

http://www.kite-surf.com/userreviews/show_review.php?Ratings...


Anyone have any input of either of these two kites and setups? Which would be better? Both horrible/great kites?

What are you planning on doing with them? Kitesurfing?

2007 C-kite - not a lot of depower, I'd bet :o bad idea ... the Royal would be better. Learn to fly it, spank it, put holes in it, learn to fix it then spend good money on a 2011/12 kite

That Aero is from 2002 :o It's also going to be a c-kite and not have the stability/range/easy launch&relaunch of the Royal. If you're stuck between those two kites, definitely go for that Royal.

Also, what Kami said... What are you going for in buying one of these?

For right now I am wanting to only spend around $200 - $300 on my next kite/lines/bar. Probably should put this up in the wanted section, but looking for a used SLE/LEI to learn land/snow/water boarding. One kite to do it all. Or at least for now to learn. For now mainly land and water.

Out of these two kites I was leaning towards the Royal anyways because it is being sold with everything needed for water.
Im pretty fixed on the Royal but have to wait to hear back from the seller who is out of town until the 20th to resume the transaction. Until then tho, I am keeping my eye out for other potential kites.

Thanks for your input and appreciate if you hear anything in my range. (will post up a thread on wanted section)

Decent price for a '08, definitely wins over the other kite no question.

about your other thread though...5-10mph is not much wind at all. In those winds I fly my foil, and am not moving around much. I have a 9m LEI but that comes out only in stronger winds. Maybe Kami and BB can chime in regarding the winds a LEI will refuse to fly in, but I would think that's getting really close cause of the extra weight of a LEI compared to a foil. It may not even be worth it to landkite with a LEI in those winds, it might be nothing but frustration.

I just recently moved to AZ and Im not sure what the winds are like down here. From what I've heard, there is barely any wind. The last few weeks since I've actually been watching the wind, its averaging about 5-10mph if any at all. Looking at WindAlert.com it says January is the calmest month for wind out of the year but it only gets more frequent and stronger peaking in June. So thats encouraging. This thursday is predicted 15 gusting 20mph :roll:

But I am new to all this, so definitely will take your input and recommendations!

have you thought of maybe a fixed bridal to learn on .. you can get a 3 to 4m new ones in the 300+ dollar range.. plus as you get the hang of it you can have a nice high wind kite to buggy or atb with .. just a thought :eureka:

:embarrased: never mind lol just noticed you have the imp III

NO to the Aero !

The Aero II had a pump leash tab you can use as 5th line. I sold my Aero II years ago for $100.

Don't go C kite wthout 5th line if learning. Best to avoid C kites until skilled.

5-10mph isn't a whole lot of wind, if that's your normal condition then a 12m isn't going to cut it. I suggest going down to where ever they kite around you and take a look at what people are flying.

Just to put things in perspective, I can probably ride my 17m Zypher (LEI) with my big board in about 12mph worth of wind.

I think the 12m would be a great kite to practice on when we do have more wind here and to have so that when I travel to our cabin in Idaho (where the winds are every morning and evening, 12-20mph).

I am looking into bigger kites but dont want to go outside my skill level. I did come across another cheap kite. What do you think of 06 12m Liquid Force Assault compared to the '08 Royal RYL ERA 12m?

*New Topic*

'08 Royal RYL ERA 12m vs 06 12m Liquid Force Assault