I've been flying for about 3yrs, and buggying for the last 18 months. I currently use a 4m Ozone method but I'm looking at moving up to an Ozone Access as I would like that little bit more power or flexibility when the winds are a bit lighter. But living in the UK I'm not sure to go for the 8m or the 10m to get the most flexibility out of the kite. So just looking for second opinion really.
I have got some de-power experience as been learning to kitesurf on a 10.5m Naish Bolt.
Weight 75-80kg.

10 is great (hooj window)
but the thing I learned from getting a 9.5m is that I wish I would have gone smaller.
Even moving slow I was "in" control but I wasn't IN control.

smaller depower kites let you feel more stable, and more confident in learning an aggressive correct style.
plus when you get ballsy you'd have a great high wind kite to go hard on.

both are great kites though!
gratz on the move

Sounds good.

I do love my method and plan to keep it in my quiver as I love it turning speed (particularly on the turbo bar) and wind range, so sounds like the 8m Access would compliment it nicely as I do want that 'in' control feel and confidence that the kite isn't going to bite back lol.

Many Thanks for the advice.

Depending on your most frequent wind conditions. If you are looking for a "light wind" kite, go larger. Like a 12m. Then for higher winds, get the 8m. I could be wrong, but I got the impression that the Access kites are much like other depower kites and their wind ranges are a bit different than what you would expect from a fixed-bridle kite the same size.

I also saw a guy flying a 4m Access in some pretty decent wind conditions. I was using an 8m Outlaw, and he was on a 4m Access. Granted, he couldn't get going as fast as I was going, but he was riding.

My only concern about the 10m Access is that it is really in the "middle" of the size range. Checked what your weight equals out to. You might be light enough to make use of the 10m Access as a light-wind engine. Hard to say really. My light wind engine is a 15m (I'm about 87 kg). Depends on your comfort range and what you are really looking for in a kite. The other thing to consider is what would your ultimate quiver would look like. Does this get you closer to that goal?

Quiver wise just want something of a sensible size really. The 8m wind range would sit in my comfort zone nicely and sounds like it would be more versatile.

Ozone Access 2012 Wind Range
4.0m 4-40 kts
6.0m 4-33 kts
8.0m 4-27 kts
10.0m 4-21 kts
12.0m 4-18 kts

I tend to go out for a buggy session with wind between 9-14knots using my 4m Method.

Sounds like a good choice then.
If money was no object, what would your quiver look like?

Looking at the Wind Range tables provided by Ozone.

Method 4m 4-21knts.
Access 8m 4-27knts.
Access 10m 4-21knts.

Realistically the kite will not provide enough pull at the bottom end.
On the top end depends a lot on skills/Surface/Weight/Type of Vehicle(atv/buggy) and the depower should have a higher top end than a fixed bridle.

However I do think both 8m and 10m access would overlap quite a bit with your 4m method.

Just my 2 cents.

Very true is some overlap.

Cost wise there £30 between ($45) between the 8m and 10m, my usual retailer is recommending the 8m as being the most suitable for the average UK winds.

Is a tough one.

Do you fly alone or are there others with depower kites that you can try out in various sizes (even if they are not Ozone Accesses).

Is the retailer a brick and mortar store or mail order?

Does he have any demo kites?

ATB,
Sam

He brick and mortar and about 2 1/2 hour drive don't think he has demo kites though but then never asked, doesn't mention on the web site.

The spot I frequent there normally 3 or 4 others and 3 of them all fly Access and are usually flying 10m (trouble is weather been pants for traction the last 2 weeks so not been able to get out, so frustrating.

Those wind range charts are useless. 4 knots for a 4m Access ??? Up to 40 ?? I doubt you'd even get a 4m Access or 4m Method to fly in 4 knots without a hell of a lot of running around. And a 4m Method is still quite capable in 20 knots. Mine starts to 'worS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K- in the buggy from about 13 knots up to 23 ish....that's when I'm starting to get pulled sideways. 15-18 is the sweet spot for me. Wouldn't pull the 4m Access out until 18 knots or so. Would not fly it 40 though.....

If your friends are flying 10m Access's - give one a whirl and see what you think. I've only flown the 4 & 6. An 8m should be somewhere in the range of 8 knots to 18 ish. Your friends will know the range for the 10m.

6.5m Method is nice from about 7 knots up to 14 too.....

True

About 14kts is def that sweet spot for the Method 4m when hits about 16/17kts when I start to go sideways. The main thing I'm looking for is being able to get going when maybe my method is struggling, or when have a nice breeze and just go that little bit quicker with out having to worry if it's going to splatter my across the field lol

......the 6.5m Method has caught my eye in the past.....

My 10m Access is my "let's see how the wind really is" kite and I weigh about the same as you I think. It's so stable and forgiving and non-lifty that it's a great confidence booster. Twice this winter I unrolled it to "check the winds" and then carried onto the 13m Psycho. A 8 I think would be underpowered except in a strong wind but then again Canuck was riding nice with is 8 during a 19 FSer day so I guess the 8 would be good come to think of it.

Sorry....no help here I guess

If you get the 8 now, you can always buy the 12 later. If you buy the 10 now, you could buy the 6 later. I live in England and fly at Camber sands or inland field. When inland, I always like the 6 more because it turns faster and is more responsive. At the Beach, I like the 10 because you can just throw it up there and forget about it. It just floats over your head like a big air mattress and you just give it suggestions every once in a while.

The 10 and 6 has always sounded the more likely quiver as I'm not sure about the 12m in the UK.

I do like that feeling when you can park the kite and not worry about it it just delivers that smooth power and stays put with no drama.

Almost all of my flying is done in land as finding a beach within a sensible driving distance that allows traction other then surfing is challenging (hence why I've started kite surfing as well).

What kind of surface are you riding. We have a guy here that rides and 8m on snow and he rides it in a pretty broad range of wind conditions. It's got a suprisingly good low range (he's been out pokin around on 15m FS SA days) if you are willing to work it and a pretty good top end if you're willing to commit.(20mph + days)

He weighs about 210 lbs.

I ride rough grass pretty much all the time as it's a trek to a buggy friendly beach.

210lb is 95kg

It's clear both sizes have decent potential and certainly a close run thing.

i would go with the bigger unit at 210

I'm 165lbs

@ 210, the 10m for sure. @ 165, hmmm you're kinda on the fence IMO. Sort of the max weight I'd consider for a 8m and the min for a 10m if you know what I mean.

I'm a proponent of being overpowed than under. Assuming you have the flying skills to deal with being overpowed. In general you can always take power away from the wing, it's harder to get more power into a wing. And flying underpowed is a lot more work than flying overpowed.

The Access is a great kite. It does what it's supposed to and it does it well. As a touring kite the lift is minimal and lift (when you don't want it) is always a concern with flying overpowered. My feeling is this, if you can fly confidently in a slightly overpowered state go with a 10m. If you happen to be out and the wind gets beyond your ability to handle it and you've maxed out your depow range on the trim strap you can alway double back the lines so they're half as long and kill a bunch more power.

Definitely in between things weight wise certainly doesn't make it easy. That is a point that it's easier to de-power then to be under powered.

Well here is the blurb for the 2 sizes

Ozone Access 2012 - 8m:

The 8m is the perfect kite for learning in moderate wind speeds for a light weight rider.

Rider weight range from 65+kg, Wind range depends on rider ability.
 
Ozone Access 2012 - 10m:

The 10m is the perfect kite for beginner to intermediate riders in Light to moderate wind speeds.

Rider weight range from 75+kg, Wind range depends on the rider ability.
 

you know feyd is one of the fastest kiters in the world right?
take his advice on power with a grain of salt.

God bless, but I'm telling you you can always trade up later.
access kites have a high resale value, and learning solid agressive technique is important.

either choice you're going to be fine, but we're the same weight and my 9.5 has a lot of power for me.

depower is much different than FB while you're learning

Guess the other Aspect is would an 8m be better then a quiver of a 6m and 10m for low wind days.

thats conjecture at this point.
the stuff of imagination. Don't think about other kites, think about the kite you're buying in terms of what your needs are now.

you never know when you're gonna see a sweet deal, or tweak your riding style.
seriously my 9.5 is all the kite I need for atleast a year or two. but I wish I would have gotten a 7.5 and learned the ropes in a more practical way.

If your winds are typically low, under 12mph, get the 10m. but if it averages 7-20 then the 8m is probably a better choice. Big kites are slower, and the access kites are low aspect as it is.

I'm just sharing the mistakes I made to help you make an informed decision. buy whatever it is you want the most.

like I said, both kites are awesome.
10/6 is a great combo, but so is 8/12 for low aspect foils.

Dandre has a point, I don't think I saw much discussion about wind here. Beyond that you wanted something for lightish winds.

Dandre's right tho, if you are in a wind range where it's gusty as (7-20) hell 8m would be the safer pick. And like I said the guy in town here rides his 8m in all kinds of stuff from pretty damn light to around 20+.

But in my defense, my opinion, inspite of what I do with kites, comes from a lot of hours on the wing and literally 1000's of miles of riding. I'm very safety conscious, I can't afford not to be. Yes I'm a Peter Lynn sponsored speed freak :duh: but I'm also an IKO snowkite instructor and I tend to err on the side of safety. I've no problem with taking my opinion with a grain of salt, I'd be concerned if you didn't, but unless you have first hand expirience either riding or seeing the kite ridden you should take anyone's opinion with a grain of salt.

I don't know that I would disregard my opinion because of what I do.

That does sound like a plan, being my first land based de-power the 8 is more what I probably need now and what the shop is recommending. I've flown 10 & 12m Naish bolts but know ILEs can be a different beast. Think make go for the 8 now and trade up when feel confident with de-power. Can't see myself at my weight going for a 12. At the mo I'm between 165-176lbs and the ave wind is 12-15mph

in my defense feyd I never said he should disregard your opinion. I think you were being very practical, but you do have those 1000s of hours experience and an adrenaline style. emotional needs are very different is my point, even in recommendations.

Mb enjoy your access!! I'm really jealous you're getting such a sweet new kite, everyone on here speaks VOLUMES about how much they love the access

An 8m is a good starting point to learn the ropes. It will have you through a wide range and then some. However for myself at 185-190lbs a 12m/8m(or 9m)/6m quiver. If I dropped to 160-165 I might like a 10/6/4 quiver. The access is such an easy kite, that beginners can learn on a bigger than usual kite and still feel safe if they take it easy. But I would be surprised if you completely outgrew the 8m for a long time. The clearest advice I can honestly give is to go with what the local who has flown the area is telling you. Sadly it's a real tough call on those two. Sorry I can't be much more help.

Edit just noticed the 10.5m bolt in your quiver. There is nothing stopping you from using a tube with a buggy. Lots of people do it. In 12mph you should be okay as long as you aren't planning on slamming it into the groud over and over and over. Just a thought.

I've considered using my bolt but new more practice with it water b4 I trust myself on land, it is a really sweet kite lovely an smooth. Anyways I digress.
Think the real factor that making things awkward is most of the time because I fly inland the winds are gusty and turbulent plus the 8 is clearly right in the middle of the Access range.