You may have read any one of these:

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=26005
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=26195
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=26129
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=27366

Well I just got myself a 3m Toxic and wanted to add my 2 pennies to the pot.

First impression: it's been a minute since I've bought a new-new kite; like fresh out of the oven, never been flown, crispy like a bag of potato chips kite, ... And it seems to me like HQ makes them extra crispy. All of my past kites have been PL except for a Beamer V I started out with then eventually sold, and what I remember about that Beamer (and now this 3m Toxic) is that they were SUPER crunchy... Just trying to give you some sensory descriptors so you can feel where I'm coming from. ... Not to mention that new kite smell, right? (Drool)

Graphics: love 'em.... Combined with the brightly colored bridles, it's a great looking kite, Not much more to say there. -Bag: I was really impressed with the bag. I hadn't heard much mention of it, but it's really nicely made. -Line set: the top lines (or fly lines) seem really beefy. They seem like a really good quality. Typical stock of what I believe HQ offers with their product.

The kite didn't come with Kite killers, but that's not an issue for me. I'm not a fan of HQ KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s. I have a pair of PL KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s set up with carabiners which I clip into the stake loops of my handles so I can use the same killers for all of my kites and there's no hassle when I want to hook into my harness.

Flying characteristics: I'm not sure if my wind conditions today were conducive to putting the kite through its paces or a fair review, but I think I was able to get a good feeling for what it is capable of. It was blowing between 10 and 15 mph probably, but pretty gusty and REALLY shifty. Several times I flew out to the far left edge of the window and it would overfly or luff as the wind would shift. I found myself regularly having to stake the kite and undo a bow tie or twisted mess. But as I said, I'm chalking that up to the conditions.

It took a little tweaking to get the right brake setting on the bridle. I started out with the larks head on the third setting knot which turned out not to be enough. After trying a few others out, I ended on the fourth knot. With that I can say that this kite likes brake input. Like others who also do well with brake input, it'll turn over on a dime.

Other than my issues with cruddy, shifty wind, the kite flew great. In fact he's quite the little monster. I expected it to be a little more tame than a RII, and it may be for its size, but it's certainly a little powerhouse. I can only imagine what it's capable of with decent wind. Certainly a powerhouse and I can't wait to try it in the bug. Hopefully with improved wind conditions, I won't have the luffing and overflying issues, because they were starting to get frustrating.

The kite didn't come with Kite killers, but that's not an issue for me. I'm not a fan of HQ KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s. I have a pair of PL KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s set up with carabiners which I clip into the stake loops of my handles so I can use the same killers for all of my kites and there's no hassle when I want to hook into my harness.

I think that's a great idea that I will use.

Thanks, Dangerdan... Make sure you put a larks head on the end of your KK, feeding the carabiner through the larks head rather than just clip the carabiner through the loop on the KK end... I just feel like that's more secure.

Ok, so the second flight was WAY better than the first, it was definitely my conditions yesterday. The wind may have been a little lighter today, but the gusts were much more manageable than yesterday, not to mention a much more consistent direction.

It flew way better today than yesterday. So much so that I let a newbie fly it, and he did quite well. I think I officially REALLY like this kite.

Yes. Something about new HQ kites. They are about as crispy as a kite can be. Like when Grandma used to starch Grandpa's white t-shirts crispy lol.

Glad you like the Toxic. I might have to try me one of those bad boys.

I've had a lot of those 3m suitable kind of days this last week, where I go out to the baseball fields on my lunch break and the more and the more I fly this kite, the more I'm loving it.

It is really quick and responsive and exceptionally powerful. I'm starting to think I need to start saving my money to fill that 6.5m spot in the quiver :D

Great to hear Soliver. Seeing more and more raves over the Toxic. I enjoy flying riffclown's Crossfires (which the Toxic replaced). There is no end to kite buying in sight.....

I need a Toxic now

I think the Toxic kites came out in 2011, but it has taken a few years for people to realize how good they are for the money. I have noticed more and more people are trying Toxics and falling in love I basically fell in love with them as soon as I laid eyes on the big black beautiful 8m. I wanted one before I had even seen one fly. When I finally got it, man I have to say I have ZERO buyer's remorse with that big fella.

I have to agree with you on the 8M.. That's the one I want so badly...

The only reason I ended up with my 8.6m RII is cuz it just worked out that that's what I found and bought first... I was on tap to get an 8m Toxic.

I have been considering a 6.5m as my next purchase... We'll see in a year or so

The 3 m toxic should be a real quick kite, I ran 45 mph in the 4 m in about 25 mph of wind, in the right winds the 3m should produce well over 50.

I would like the 3 m but unfortunately our AUS dollar has Fallen and as a result kite price is UP

I prefer to ride my toxics at the beach in clean wind, they aren't really fond of gusty winds, but that's a price you pay, the better a kite performs the less it likes gusty wind.

I have noticed it is not fond of the gusts.

I have heard the toxic handles a lot like a twister with a similar profile. Does anyone with experience with each find that to be true?

Not so sure about that, I had a Twister at one point, and I think it has a lower AR than Toxic.

I have also heard that Twister doesn't move upwind as well.

The Toxic has really good upwind. Sometimes you have to fight it a bit to keep it from overflying. Once it parks on the edge of the window, because it is a relatively low lift wing. You can park it at zenith or either side on the edge of the window and it barely pulls until you get to the top of its wind range. I flew static the other night in the snow and it was a steady 15mph gusting to 18mph. I could hold it down in the same wind on the buggy without ever feeling an OBE come on. In fact, I have only ever had two tiny OBE's with the Toxic. Both of which I was gently lifted up out of the seat and set down two yards or so downwind on my feet. My 5m Tensor has spanked me harder than the 8m Toxic.

The Toxic (at least the 2M) flies a lot like the CrossfireII. I flew the 2M's side by side and the Crossfire was slightly faster through the air but the Toxic had a marginally larger flight window. If I hadn't been flying them side by side to compare, I don't think I's have noticed the difference.

I'm told the PL Voltage has similar flight characteristics but I don't have firsthand knowledge on that front. If someone would like to send me a Voltage, I'll let you know

I'm so glad this thread got pulled back up,... I'm enjoying the discussion on a new fav of mine

I love my Toxic

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I'm so glad this thread got pulled back up,... I'm enjoying the discussion on a new fav of mine

My Toxic is my favorite foil I have ever flown, depowers included.

Are you guys on hq's payroll? You at least deserve a discount on your next toxic.

Ha! I wish! I would LOVE a full set of them. I think my next high wind kite will be a 3m Toxic if it isn't a 6.5m or 8m Charger/Phantom.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Are you guys on hq's payroll? You at least deserve a discount on your next toxic.

OK I'll bite. How much of a discount can I get for the 5M and 8M??

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Are you guys on hq's payroll? You at least deserve a discount on your next toxic.

that's awesome,... I'd love that... You hear that Chris? You out there? Come in HQ, ARE YOU THERE????

I'll take a Montana 8, too while we're at it!!!

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre   Are you guys on hq's payroll? You at least deserve a discount on your next toxic. that's awesome,... I'd love that... You hear that Chris? You out there? Come in HQ, ARE YOU THERE???? I'll take a Montana 8, too while we're at it!!!

I'd take a full set of Toxics. But I'd settle for the 8M..

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

Quote: Originally posted by soliver   Quote: Originally posted by ssayre   Are you guys on hq's payroll? You at least deserve a discount on your next toxic. that's awesome,... I'd love that... You hear that Chris? You out there? Come in HQ, ARE YOU THERE???? I'll take a Montana 8, too while we're at it!!! I'd take a full set of Toxics.

Make that two sets Chris!

Or at least a great package deal for a whole set..

Think I'm gonna try one my friends. I want to get one that will cover my most used wind range (2,3,4m). If It plays out, I very well may build a Toxic quiver.
Dang that red one sure would look good with my VTT. LOL

The 6.5m is a bit too close to my 8m, but I will probably be wanting to pick up at least the 3m and possibly the 2m to go under my 5m Tensor. I really only pull out the Tensor in 18+ though, which is the point that the 8m Toxic is a bit too much to hold down. Since I bought my Charger, I didn't touch any of my fixed bridles for a few months. I put the Toxic up the other day and fell in love with it all over again. That thing is such a dream to fly. It is like a locomotive covered in pillows.

awwwww Now I want one even more!!!!

I've got permission from fighter command :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Now just need to decide which one :puzzled:

It's Rock, Paper, Scissors time!!! I'm jealous.. Kind Of...I just want the package deal..the WHOLE package. All of'em. i've been waiting for one to pop up in the For Sale section for a while but they don't seem to be the type of kite people let go of..