Okay I've been flying for a bit now and recently picked up a landboard. Things have been going reasonably well. Now of course like everyone here I'm itching to buy another kite. I have a 3m beamer and a 5M beamer. I'm considering skipping the 6-8m crossfire i was originally looking at and going right for the 12M Montana. Am I asking for trouble moving to such a large kite even if it is a depower? I live in land and the wind conditions tend to be 8-15 mph most often. On windy days now and then it will get up to 25 ish. I've yet to see 30 mph winds here even on the lake shore (michigan). needless to say i would probably not even take the 3 M out in that kind of wind. So am i asking for trouble or will the depower range allow me to save some cash on buying another midrange kite and a low wind kite?
Thanks for your input,
Glitch.

good day Glitch,

you are set to go! you've done a 3m and 5m.

do it! start in light wind. conditions choice will be the limiting factor.

start at the low end 8-10mph maybe a little more

get some wings brother

Go FOR IT

I love you guys already. It's great to know others love to share their addictions!

I think that the 12m depower might be a good choice but will also leave you with a gap in your quiver between the 5m and 12m. The 8m CF would probably be more of a low wind machine than the 12 depower would be as depowers take more wind to fly.

The 12m might be a lot of kite if you're trying to learn depower and move up in size at the same time. I know that my 8m depower feels like a whole lotta kite compared to a fixed bridle kite and would have me absolutely ripping on the landboard in 15 mph. Something in the 9 or 10m depower might serve you better and you'd have better turning speed than a 12m.

What brands are you considering?

I've mainly been looking at HQ and Ozone due to local
availability ( shops within 2hrs drive carry them) they also seem to have a great rep. I was originally looking at the apex as a beginer depower and good price. I started looking at the montana and access because i would like more lift than my current kites. though i really have little idea how much a change of 3.3 to 4.4 aspect will effect lift.

Think about the 9.5 or even the 7.0 Montana III.
I have hade my Montana for a few weeks now, and am still having a few growing pains. The 7.0 is a whole lot more kite then the 4.9m in my quiver.

I agree with csa_deadon. Go with MontanIII 9.5M. It will be easy on you (compare to 12M) + you will probably get more out of it (being a medium depower size).

The Montana III 9.5m will launch it 6-8 mph. It will be pretty squishy in that light wind, but once you get it moving, you are good.

The 9.5 is worth thinking about. You will be able to turn it faster and create power.

thanks for such rapid and enlightening replies. i guess i'm going to chew this over a bit more before i pull the trigger.

The access you mentioned would not give you much lift compared to a higher aspect kite (the access is a low aspect boxy kite - awesome puller though) depending on the wind speed - I just recently purchased a PL venom I 13m and it is a lifting machine - unbelievable pop - but it is something to work up to, not to just jump in with. I flew screwwyfits 6.5m crossfire II the other day in 12mph winds and was able to get some really nice jumps with it - strong lifty kite. It would be cheaper most likely than the Montana and you would probably get more use out of it. Talk to Dlish he's a rep for HQ - he'll tell you what you need to know.

The Neo isn't far off by the way!

well after much deliberation (and a bit of walet searching) i pulled the trigger on a 5m and 6.8m crossfire. it will fill out the lineup a bit nicer as well as allow me to teach others how to fly with a bit more gradual progression. cause well what fun is kiting alone all the time.