Looking at purchasing a 2008 HQ APEX 7.5m. My question is how does it compare to later versions and what is a reasonable price?

If its an apex II then go for it, not as quick turning as the newer ones but still my favorite in the apex line as for cost i would think around 300-350 would be a fair price if it was in good shape
scott

Ditto Scott, traded and sold at that price. I have not flown the newer models but I've said before I dont know how they could improve such a great kite.

Thanks for your responses so far, I Googled a 2008-09 Invento catalogue, it describes this kite as an all new depower-kite. Looks like it is a version 1.

Its always all new. What color is it? BW changes the color for yr and size. I don't know as much about the first ones.

The kite is mainly blue with smaller rectangular black and grey panels within it.

That does sound like an apex 1- I cant help you with that one as far as characteristics but i would say in that case the resell value is probably less closer to the 225-250 range or maybe less. I would do a search on reviews of the apex 1 on here and on kitecrowd to get an idea of users thought- good luck
Scott

Apex one was a good kite. We just sold the Apex 3 for the $350 range. Ape one is a good but fairly dated kite at this point. If it's in really good shape then Fly's $225-250 is a good range.

We had every version since the one and each version is better than the last. But the one was a good kite and if you can get a 7.5m RTF for $225-250 it's a pretty damn good deal.

I'd hold out for an Apex II, had the Apex I (slower kite, needed good deal of wind to depower) had the III (more bottom end than its predecessors, but lots of bridle). The Apex II was(is) my fav, good balance and faster through the turns, have not flown the Apex IV

If you want to buy current model the Apex 4 is the best yet IMO. Very similar to the Apex 3 but better in the gusts, especially in regard to tip curl. On the 3 sometimes in heavy wind shift the wingtips could curl and wrap a bridle. Not terrible but annoying sometimes. The winglets the A4 has don't do this nearly as much tip curl in shifty gusts and they seem to improve the over all stability.

The Apex 4 is a little more lifty than the earlier models. Still a great touring and teaching kite but an advanced rider can have a good time with it too. Fast turners when you want them to be. :D

Henk, if you are in the New England area we have them for demo if you want to try one out.

http://www.hardwaterkiter.com/demo-snowkite-program.html

I have an Apex 4 and I've had that thing tangled up every way you can imagine. Even had it bow-tied once where one half of it completely flipped and the other half stayed, leaving a twist right down the center.

This is with the 11m size, and in highly variable wind so you can imagine it would be much better with a smaller kite or in better wind.

As far as the tips wrapping the bridles go - I did learn to avoid that after a couple days of flying. Seemed to only happen if you hit a hole in the wind, but with a little finessing of the steering lines by reaching above the bar - you can keep it clean. If I did wrap up the ends it still flew well enough that I could shake it loose in the air. Depending on how bad it is the other option was to just power up and move fast enough to force-inflate the kite back to normal.

So yeah they have their quirks, but if you are willing to be patient I would imagine you'll eventually find one at the right price, and it would probably be best to take these guys' advice and get a II or newer.

Henk, sent you an u2u concerning the Apex 7.5 III.