Well, the kite finally made it here, packaging seemed decent, comes with the same style carrying sack that the Century's come in, basic stuff sack with a shoulder strap. Lots of little goodies in the bag though, stickers, kS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s, ground stake, spare bits, a strap to keep the kite rolled nice and snug. Handles are upgraded, but seem fairly close to the old ones, nice and comfy, still have the same brake line adjusters on them as the old ones, flying lines are improved over the Buster I as well, The bridal has been upgraded to a fully sleeved bridal, way cleaner and less likely to tangle, General build quality is more than acceptable.

One thing that should be stated is that the wind was extremely ugly, swirly, gusting from 5-15mph with some fair size holes in it.

Knowing that the local park is known for this I decided to give it a go anyhoo, what better way to figure out the kites characteristics, besides that, new kites, don't wanna wait till tomorrow for the first flight.

So, got the kite set up and staked out, seems to sit pretty solid, launching even in light winds is straight forwards, kite tracks nicely through turns, seems to pull around the whole wind window. The kite seems to handle the gusts no problem and fly fairly smooth through the worst of them. I think it's more lifty than the Buster I's as well, but really need some cleaner/stronger winds. Hoping to get out tomorrow fro some proper buggying to see what it'll do when in motion.

I'd have no problem recommending this kite to anyone looking at getting into the sport or looking for those odd bookends like a huge low wind monster or high wind kite on a budget. It'll take you from the early learning stages to some pretty decent cruising on a board or bug.

If you're looking for something a little more advanced, you may get bored of this kite though, it seems to have a lot of the same traits as the Buster I, smoother and better, but still fitting into the beginner/intermediate catagory. If your looking for more, check out the brooza post.

Well, I got some wind, not enough to really give it a go, but enough to get cruising with the 3m, I'd really like to get a go on a bigger size with our summer winds though, because it just isn't enough for a 3m.

Flying the kite static, it seems really freindly, Quite a few of the local club members got a go on it as well and though about the same, It's a solid first kite, well suited to static and the early stages of buggy's/boards, If you've been flying for years you may be left wanting a bit more, but even then, for the cost they'd be well worth looking at for your high/low wind kite.

Hi Pablo,
You list a respectable quiver of PKD kites! I, being a novice to the world of buggying, am interested in what you think of the Buster II as a second low wind kite for a novice.
By novice I mean I have been enjoying my bug for about 5 months now, and I learn more with each outing. Have had a few scary moments, mostly just with the power of a friends demo kites and trashy wind when it's too gusty for my 3.6. I've survived a few bumps and bruises, and am learning a thing or two along the way. Kind of like skiing, if you don't fall down you're not learning anything...
I have been flying a Beamer 3.6 since the mid-summer of ’05. I started out kite skiing with it late last year (actually it was March of this year, now that I think about it!) and then found out how fun the buggies are! I feel I'm starting to understand the Beam enough to enjoy it, I feel okay now up to 15mph with it, as long as I pay attention!
I would like to find a suitable kite for low wind now, as the snow season is getting close, and also for the days when the breeze is light enough that I really have to work the Beamer 3.6, sineing it up and down to get any pull for the bug on a dry lake bed.
Am interested in your thoughts, and any one else who would have a tip or suggestion. I'm new to this forum thing, so please be patient with me.
Thanks.

Well, one problem is you have way too huge of a gap between what I'd suggest as a solid budget low wind kite and your 3.6m, Normal jump from a 3.6m would be something in the 5-6m range, when I think of low wind, I'm thinking 7-9m range. So your first decision comes from the question, do you want to try and do it all with one more kite, or are you willing to eventually pick up a couple kites, like a 5m/7m combo or a 5.6-6m and a 9m

If you're going for just one more kite, I'd push the range a bit and go with either a 6m or 7m, There will be times where it's tense with the 7m though and underpowered with the 3.6m, not too many and you can learn to deal with it. Down side to 2 more kites is cost, but you get a nice sealmess quiver.

Second question is what sort of wind are you stuck flying in. There's some conditions I just can't fly some of my kites in. Anything fairly gusty and the Cent's stay in the bag. I spend a lot of time on the 9m Buster 1 simply because it does ok in gusty wind, pulls good, stable, has some decent lift when set for lift and is cheap to buy for a large kite. Does what I want for the price I was willing to pay. The Buster II's are great in poor wind, still stable, rarely ever overfly, fairly luff proof. All in all, the Buster II's are good kites, do what they're supposed to and they've fixed the couple sore spots from the Buster I's as far as bridal tangles and such go. All in all a fairly well made kite for the cost. I do find though that the kite shape that makes the Busters that nice and freindly also limits it's speed. If you're cruising in the buggy at a fair clip, it's possible to start outrunning the kite. I'd be suprised if you can get over 30mph on a bigger buster. They're great for small feilds though, lots of bottom end power and no out of contol death runs.

Msyelf I went with the Brooza's over the busters, I have the busters because they're great for the club learn to fly events, But the speed and lift I get out of the brooza is way better, The kite has way more forward speed, faster response, better turning and brake control and my favorite part is they do amazing in poor winds without luffing, overflying, or just trying to rip your arms off in general. I've had my 5.5m Brooza cruising at 35-40mph no problem and no sign of outrunning the kite, not as fast as the cents, but more than enough for poor winds. They've done a few things different with the Brooza, No problem hot launching the 5.5m in 20mph winds at the middle of the window without getting pulled around, It takes a couple seconds for the power to really come on, but once it's on the kite is lit. Somehow they've also designed it so that you can pretty much stop the kite, hover it by using the brakes and flying it like a rev. It'll fly with no air in the sail. So you can hover it in the middle of the power zone, then release the brakes and power through it. Of course though the Brooza costs a bit more than the Busters.

Personally, I'd consider 2 kites to add, something like a 5.5m Brooza. You'll use it lots, then something for the low wind last hope, like the 9m Buster.

Decide which way you're thinking of going before you buy anything else. If you're thinking of 2 more kites. You may be better to add one in the right size, then later on when the wallet recovers add a second.


Last bit of info, try before you buy if possible, There will be PKD kites down at the DBBB, as well as NAXB if your local flyers don't have anything.

Hey Paul,

Given your comments about being able to outrun the buster in a buggy because of how its shape limits its speed... what are your thoughts on its upwind ability on a board?

I fly on small, inland fields subject to crap wind which is why I've been attracted to the BII since it seems like it is built to absorb gusts but you had recommended the Brooza to me on the flexi forum.

I'm looking at a 4m kite but my funds were just tapped by some unexpected home repairs. I believe Fun with the Wind was trying to get a 7m BII for demo from you but I never had a chance to follow up with Jim to see if he got it as that was around the time my house problems popped up.

I'd been looking at the CF, Radsail and Buster II and I know the BII is the most tame of the bunch but I'm not sure how lifty a 4m I want given the unpredictable inland winds I fly in.

If you are planning on using your kites for snowkiting your best choice will be a depowerable foil. They can be a bit more expensive but a lot safer in the mountians and gusty winter winds.
Another option is to move to Peter Lynn's arc style of kites. It looks to me like Peter Lynn kites go second hand on ebay at some extremely good prices. They are a completely different foil. Very simple. 4 lines , no bridle, auto zenith and very depowerable. A bit better suited to the snow than the bug but usable for both ( + on water ) . Even though these kites give you a huge range one more won't complete the quiver this route either. Something around a 13 would be the best choice if you could only buy 1. A 13 arc has only the projected area of around an 8 or 9 m foil due to it's shape.
I'm not saying that P.L. is best. Just an option worth some serious thought. Arcs take a bit of a different style to fly but if you are just learning anyway might want to go with them 1st.
Either way depowerable is the an important consideration. I.M.H.O.

Down side though to anything depowerable is they hurt in the low wind. I'm still looking for a good depower that'll fly somewhat proper in sub 10mph winds. The 13m Venom I had really needed 15-20mph to fly great. The 9m Buster will fly in 4mph, be pulling and stable by 7-8mph.

The 6m Buster II would probably go good with your 3.6m as well, a little bit less crazy than some of the other kites out there, but that'll make it easier to hold onto as a beginner. The buster's also have an adjustable bridal, so if the wind's strong enough to get some air, you can tune up the kite to become more lifty. I know on the buster I's this worked awesome.


As for the upwind ability of the Busters, it's more than enough, they're just not fast, too thick of a profile makes it hard to penetrate the wind once you get hauling. I've also had the same issues with getting the 3m Buster to the zenith in 30+mph winds, seems they start dropping back a little in the window. The price most kites pay for being that stable. The thick deep profile is what makes the difference and most entry level kites will have similar issues. Found the same thing with the PL Rebbel and the Radsail. With a properly powered up buster II you should be able to head close to 45deg upwind with some working of the kite and decent flying skills.

Paul

Hey thanks for the replys! Gives me lots more to think about.
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I flew a demo 4m Brooza a week ago, I would really like to try fly a BusterII demo also. Can't make the DBBB as family is here for turkey day. Don't know what NAXB is, will search that out.
I probably should post the next round of questions over in the general column...
Thanks guys!