Well, this years new purchase is going to be a HQ Beamer. The only new toy my wife said I could buy, Yes, I'm whipped.... but not a lot. Good cooks are hard to find!

Anyway, I read all the hype and this and that so I'm pumped about getting one. Used is my first choice but will buy new if I can't get the one I need on the used market.

Here's the issue. Beamer 3, 4, or 5? 3m, 4m or 5m?

I'm 5'11", 275 (fat) and only buggy. What's the right thing to do?

For my size is a Beamer the FB what I need or something different that has all the great qualities I've read that the Beamer has like easy to control, constant power, very predictable flying behavior and etc..

Need help.

Personally, One of my previous go to kites was the 5m BeamerIV. I used that kite more than anything till I switched to De-power. I could use it in winds from 8mph or so up to 20mph. I weigh 225 respectively. Mostly rode on grass fields and of course got to the beach when ever I could. Also look at the Toxic in the HQ lineup. It will sit out a little more to the edge of the window and give you more up wind power than the Beamer.

If you are looking at flying in around 15mph winds then the 5m will work great for you either way.

Good stuff, Thanks. Back to the research.

I have a Beamer in 2 and 3 m and Toxic in 4-5m. For the winds the 2-3m would be flown in I want the control and predictability the Beamers offer. If you are looking at 3-5m then I'd consider the Toxic. If you have lumpy winds edge to the Beamer in the 3 m size.

The Toxic will have a faster turning speed, fly further forward in the window and have a higher top speed than the Beamer. In some winds you don't want those things though.

I had a Beamer V 3m, and loved it. It is really a great and predictable kite. My only issue with it was that it didn't go upwind so well. The only reason I sold it was to help me pay for something else (2.6m Viper S). If I could have afforded the Viper without selling the Beamer I would not have sold it.

They are great all around kites, but their upwind capability is a little lacking as I said earlier. I've never flown one but if your concerned about upwind, check out Toxic like BB was referring to, they have a higher AR and likely have better upwind movement.

I think you and I have similar wind conditions, and my favorite size is 4m,... A lot of people think its a weird size, but with my conditions, it seems to suite them best. Though, I'm also closer to 200lbs, so a little lighter than you.

Also, I like the color scheme and design of the Beamer V over the older models IMHO.

If you have a Scout II 5m use some handles on that kite.

I have a Scout I 3m that flys just fine on handles (better than the bar I think).

Add a stroop line on the handles and practice...

Try longer lines if you have the room, I like 100' = 30m lines on the fixed bridle kites. A little more window is nice to work with.

Oops that won't work...awindofchange - 9-16-2010 at 04:40 PM
Yup, the Scout II is listed as a 3 line kite. What they basically did is join the two brake lines at the kite section and only ran one line down instead of two. More of a technical point than anything, it would still behave like a 4 line kite as long as it was on a bar but would be quite difficult to convert over to handles.

PistolPete,
I've got a new Scout ll 5M with the crossover at the bar. It just kicks my butt every time I've ever tried to fly it! 6 times. I got it thinking it was similar to a Beamer.
It has been a hand full. I was told that it won't turn without the bar and the first time I flew it, it wouldn't turn WITH the bar. I moved up a couple of knots on the breaks at the bridle and it started to turn a little better but now it's really fast! And when you drop it into the window it powers up so fast it jerks me out of the buggy flying within it's wind range.

Any way with all that said, can I really fly the Scout on handles??? Do you think it will be a little more forgiving? Do you think 30m lines will help?

You all are great, thanks for the info, more is appreciated. Looking into the Toxic for "Lumpy winds" that we have at "OOBE FIELD USA". Lumpy winds at OOBE, right Soliver?

Ahh, Oobe field. Used to be my home flying spot. I frequently used a 5m there or whatever my biggest kite was. Winds can be lumpy there. Trees in all directions. You fly often with Pokitetrash? He should be able to guide you as to what works there.

Quote:

Originally posted by MyAikenCheeks You all are great, thanks for the info, more is appreciated. Looking into the Toxic for "Lumpy winds" that we have at "OOBE FIELD USA". Lumpy winds at OOBE, right Soliver?

Not 100% certain of the technical definition of "lumpy" but like Atlanta, OOBE is gusty, pretty sure that's why Chris named it OOBE,... It's wind has the propensity to get you out of the buggy!

Still no OBE's for me tho

Toxic sounds good to me! What size did you decide to get?

The Beamer is a fantastic kite. As mentioned above, for a bit more performance and a little better buggy engine, the Toxic is a little nicer. Both kites will work great for starting out but as you improve your riding skills, you may find that you will outgrow the Beamer and want something with a little bit more.

Looking at your quiver, even if your kites aren't great, why don't you get something that isn't in the same wind range as everything else... I'm a beach kiter, but it seems to me you need a low wind engine.... my $0.02

Slingshot 1.2
Pro 3m
Pro 4m
Zebra Z2 3m
PKD Brooza 4m
HQ Scout ll 5m

Seems like a Beamer would be overlap with the scout or the zebra regardless of 3,4 or 5m (unless you are REALLY picky about kite selection). But the Beamer is incredibly versatile, so I think you could replace both of those with one 4m Beamer and be perfectly happy. Tight little figure 8's will keep you zipping along and big wide sine will keep constant smooth power.

Of course, you already HAVE stuff in that range. I'm inclined to agree with Ikemeister. If you ever have winds from 0-15, why not consider a 7m. I really like my 8.5 blade IV IN 5-10 mph and only paid $300 used locally.

There is a viper, a few arcs, some depower foils and an NPW that would round out your quiver quite nicely in the for sale section.

Congrats on your new kite, regardless. I think the 4.0 Beamer V turns plenty fast and would give a guy your size a decent blend of pull and versatility / wind range, if you go that direction.

OK, my bad, just read...

awindofchange - 9-16-2010 at 04:40 PM
Yup, the Scout II is listed as a 3 line kite. What they basically did is join the two brake lines at the kite section and only ran one line down instead of two. More of a technical point than anything, it would still behave like a 4 line kite as long as it was on a bar but would be quite difficult to convert over to handles.

Scout I had the cross-over at the bar end so it was easy to remove and add handles.

Toxic, Reactor, Viper are far better kites for the buggy. Toxic and Viper are easier to fly, but less power overall. I'm roughly your size and a hornet/Beamer just won't get the big boy going very well. Especially upwind.

By the way, Mike, I can't remember if I emailed you but I did end up going with a Core, but we decided on a 3.0m instead of the 4m. Thank you so much for the help!!!

Sorry for the hijack, Aiken. Mike has a bunch of fantastic video reviews on his site if you haven't seen them yet. He's a great resource for reviewing kites, and he knows those Peter Lynn's inside and out.

Thanks all for the great info to make my purchase decision. Starting to do my home work. Thanks to Big Mike. What a wealth of information he has!

I need to do it soon before Betty Jo cools off and keeps the check book in her purse.

Beef Stroganoff tonight. This my be her best dish ever! A big compliment to the cook might get me some more $$$'s to spend.

I am not 100% clear but if I understand it right . The 2013 Beamer V is a very different kite from it's earlier models ? It is more high performance now. How it fits with he toxic now is what I find confusing? If I am correct the " trainer " title and qualities that belonged to the Beamer now belong to the Rush 4 ?

Can somebody from HQ confirm what I am thinking please?

Putting in my 2 cents worth, the PKD Brooza 4m is a great kite - maybe the best in your quiver for decent perfomance in gusty winds. I wouldn't be looking for a Beamer 4m to replace that.

krumly

Quote:

Originally posted by krumly Putting in my 2 cents worth, the PKD Brooza 4m is a great kite - maybe the best in your for decent perfomance in gusty winds. I wouldn't be looking for a Beamer 4m to replace that. krumly

I was thinking that as well. The 4m Brooza's speed should give it a lot of power. It should perform better in similar winds than a 5m Beamer ( pre 3013? ) .

Brooza is real lifty so keep it low when going fast or in big winds .