I am contemplating getting an HQ Neo III 11 meter as my next power kite and my first depower kite--something that would work in both the gusty backcountry of southeast Texas and on the waters of Galveston.

I am particularly looking for the appropriate wind range of the 11 meter version for landboarding and kitesurfing and how the Neo III compares with the older models. I am curious how it would compare with a 5-meter fixed bridle power kite like my current Octane.

I find the octane pretty tame as a fixed bridle kite which is a good thing starting out. Of course the Neo you are looking at is much much larger and now you have entered the DePower area which is much different than the fixed bridle kites. It all depends how big you are and your wind conditions. The 11m Neo will absorb gusts much better than a similarly powered fixed bridle because it is closed cell and DePowered. Its great at what it does, has a pretty large wind range. Its just a nice kite. I've buggied with one and didn't feel uneasy with it at all. I've seen others use it on the water and they were doing quite well. I suspect the landboard will be the same as the water.