Does anyone have enough fly time on these 2 kites to compare low end and windrange? (and also possibly make any comparisons to a Speed3 15 Deluxe?) I know that's asking alot, but figured this was the place to do it!
Cheers

Feyd and 4w7s would be in the know on this

Second.

sorry vtliter, I have not flown the 12m Peak2 but I can imagine it's an amazing lightwind machine.

I have been flying the 4/6/9m Peak2, and last winter I was on the 6 & 9m Peak1. The Peak 2 and Peak 1 are quite different in many ways...each kite having their plusses and minuses, but the Peak2 deinitely has more performance potential, but a little more finicky than the Peak1 from my experience.

A friend of mine in Utah, who iis a very experienced and kiter whom I consider very credible when reviewing a kite, has told e that he flew the 12m and was very impressed. He said he began a (high altitude) session in 10ish kts and then it picked up to over 25 kts and he was still able to hold it down. He also commented that the lift and glide characteristics were much better than was expected. This guy does some serious hangtime with the FS Speeds and knows what he is talking about. That said it should still be understood that a Peak2 is not a Speed4 and vice versa. Each of these kites has their specific advantages and disadvantages.

To give you an idea of the 9m PEak2 performance...today we kites on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. It started out with barely a bugs fart of wind....I was able to launch the 9m PEak2 in about 3 kts of wind but not enough power to ride. At about 5-7 kts an 18m Cabrinha Velocity with 3m extensions was actually towing a rider. I was also able to get moving in those conditions. When the wind built to 10 I was comfortably powered. The wind picked up to about 18 kts with gusts to 20 and I was able to handle it no problem. There was also a Flysurfer SPeed3 15m flying with about the same power I had, but he clearly had more lfiting/gliding capabiltiy. There was also a vintage 2006 20m BEST Waroo flying and doing as well as anyone else (don't laugh...but that Waroo is a great kite and I have seen it out when nobody else can ride, even many experienced riders here)

I don't know if all that helps you.

FYI/ I am a medium weight rider (165#) and I had decided to pass on the 12m kite for my needs...but now I actually think iit would be useful to have because I believe it has more versatility than originally expected...and I say that based on the depower range with the 4/6/9m Peak2. This is one of the significant differences/improvements from the Peak1.

There is substantial overlap in the 9 and 12m Peak 2. The 9m Peak 1 gave us a hint of the light wind potential of these single skin designs. We thought that a 12m variant would be an awesome light wind kite. When the 12m came out it proved to be every bit the light wind rig we thought it would be.

As with all the Peaks there is some substantial overlap between sizes. The new 9 and 6 are no different. Depending on your winds and your tastes, either kite may fit as a light wind rig. Especially if you add line extensions on the lighter wind days. At 210 lbs I've found the 12m to be as close to a single kite quiver as I've ever seen. And it works wonders as a light wind rig. For our school it has saved many of our lesson days that in years passed we would have canceled or cut short do to lack of wind. Especially with the deep snow this season.

We can't put beginners on 18m Matrixx 2 or Chronos. The Peak on the other hand is perfect for light wind first time flyers.

For versatility, the 9m is my choice for most people. If you want a dedicated light wind performance or a good performer for heavier riders, the 12 is the one to go for.

Bar pressure on the Peaks gets higher with increase in size. In case that is a consideration.

Killer. Thanks guys!

Chris - looking forward to that P2 speeding its way to a mailbox (very) near me! I weigh about the same as you so now I'm doubly stoked that I got the 12M from you.