Hey guys, I was given a HQ Crossfire II 3m and i haven't flown it yet. I have a 2m symphony which i have a blast with, but the wife knew i wanted a bit more of a kite and she got me a crossfire II 3m. I was thinking of getting the beamer IV 4m, but she was a sweet heart and surprised me with the crossfire. Anyways, I am 5'7" and 190 lbs. and reading what you all say about this kite is that is great but not for beginners. Which i would probably put myself in. I know you all have no idea on my skill but i wanted to know if you thought i would kill myself trying to fly it. and what safety precautions besides body armor one could take. Thanks for all you guys do for all of us beginners. Just trying to stay alive long enough to enjoy it for a long time.

Helmet, 10-12 mph wind, and be careful 'till you get a feel for it (don't just rip straight up in to the window.) Welcome to the forum!

What a great kite!!!!!! true it's not aimed for the newbie. my first power kite was also a Crossfire but the 2.4m 1st gen. it's very fast and very strong. even in 8mph winds my little 2.4 had a nice tug. just take your time and fly it in nice light winds. I wouldn't go out in anything over 12mph just to test her out and see exactly whats your dealing with until you get comfortable. I got comfortable too quick and got some stitches, and then a week later broke my foot. Don't mean to scare you, but it was my fault. winds were too high LOL. I know that the 2nd gen got some adjustments to make it less lifty, but i think thats more for the buggy, not sure how that works for static. Have fun. I'm always scared everytime i throw up my 9.5m...it's fun to have butterflies. Without them it would just be boring.


GET READY FOR A WORKOUT!!!!! even at it's zenith it's pulling really hard. I use to fly it in 15min increments hehe I'm a wimp
PS I had my first superman's with this kite :eekdrull:

I would look for days that have 7-10 mph winds. I flew a 3.2m CF I right after getting my first 4 line kite (a 3m Beamer III). I was shocked at the additional power and how snatchy it was even in light winds. I remember deciding that there was no way I could trade my Beamer for the CF thinking my son Wexler wouldn't be able to fly it. Perspectives change and 2 years later I would hand him any kite made, in proper conditions. The 9.5 Montana IV in my sig is HIS kite and dgkids 9.5 used to be his. He flew a 12m Montana back in the winter.

Just go out for your first flight under 10 mph and see what its all about. A helmet is advised. If the winds aren't too variable and no faster than 10 mph, you should be fine with some long pants on. Pads will help if you have misjudged the conditions and its worse than you thought. This kite won't hurt you in a steady 8-10 mph wind, but it will certainly open your eyes at the power a kite can have.

my first was a 3.2 crossfire.... show it respect, or it can hurt you. i weigh 190 and that little thing was exciting as hell in 15+ mph.

This is a question of particular interest to me... I started another post so as not to hijack this thread. I do not own a Crossfire of any size nor have I flown anything other than the 4 kites I list below my the signature.

First question I have.... Skynut what is your level of experience? Previous 4 line exp? Previous 2 line exp? This is one beginner talking to another since I have about 3 weeks experience with the 4 line kites... I had some experience with 2 liners before this addiction started but not alot.

Using MY case as an example and using hindsight after 3 weeks, IMO a 4m kite is a bit on the big side for a first kite if it's your only kite. When I say big, I mean big for 2 reasons. First one is that these things can be powerful and the power is definately related to size. It's not the ONLY factor but it is a factor. The 2nd reason, which is really related to the 1st, is the way this size affects your available flying times/days. You see, depending on the winds in your area, one can fly a 2, 2.5, or 3m kite on many more days than a larger kite that is so large that you have to skip days for fear of the wind being to strong. So you lose practice time or you get impatient and take the kite out on a day that you really shouldn't.

My first purchase was actually 2 kites - the 4m Beemer and the 2.4m Sting II. I figured if the 4m Beamer scared the bejessus out of me, I could drop down to the 2.4m and practice practice practice. I could also fly the 2.4 in higher winds and get flying time in on days when the Beamer was too much for me. So I had something to fly when I thought the wind was too much for me and the Beamer on any given day. BTW, I am 5'7', 185lbs. Your kite, and a nice one at that, is a gift so the situation is different. All of this 'advice' may be moot!

If you said "I bought a 4m Beamer IV, it is my 1st kite. I bought only one kite, and have minimal experience" (like me), I'd say 3m would have been better but if you have R-E-S-P-E-C-T and patience, you can learn with the 4m Beamer and you'll be OK. So far, I have survived without incident; I did find out the value of the Kite Killers (twice); I did make a couple of mistakes (kite cut through power zone accidentally) on a gust (+/- 12 mph) and overwhelmed me. The fact that I didn't face plant or 'superman' was pure luck because truthfully I no longer had control of the kite... it had control of me. The kite gods gave me a break!

Now your question is about the 3m Crossfire II. For lack of experience, I can't compare the 4m Beamer and the 3m Crossfire. That being said, my guess is that BeamerBob's wind speed estimate would be correct. If you stay under 10mph I think you'll be OK. Just watch out for gusts! Steady days not gusty days at first. Once you get 4, 5, 6 days under your belt you'll start to figure out what you know and what you don't know and then the fun really begins

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Originally posted by Skynut Just trying to stay alive long enough to enjoy it for a long time.

Good advice here. Fear will keep you alive and healthy provided you match it with common sense. Have fun and be safe.

5-10 mph winds today, got a helmet and some knee pads so i am going to go give this thing a shot. thanks for the advice and if my arms still work tonight I'll let you know how it went. Thanks again to all for the help. I'll do my very best to keep any bad press from a great sport.

In response to donald's question i have NO time with f4 lines all i have ever flown is the 2m symphony. I have flown it a whole lot. but i am sure i am about to have my eyes open to what power kiting really is. Fly safe.

Flying a lifty kite after being accustomed to your symphony will make you understand the phrase "praying to the Crossfire". In higher winds your arms will be outstretched straight up pointing at the kite.

5 to 10 mph winds will be fine...........tweek and tune your brake lines.......................you can push pull a CF to turn but brake input is much more to her liking......................sounds like a good day to learn..........helmet, plenty of water, change of shirt, and towel are other considerations...........:duh::duh:

5-10mph, that sounds like a perfect day for Day1; I'm excited and it's not even my kite!!! Let us all know how it goes!

:wee:

Well I am not to sure when i will ever feel my arms again, but that was some of the most absolute fun I have had in a very long time. I don't think i have gotten grass stains that bad since grade school and i don't think i have ever gotten grass stains on my shoulder before. I was completely yanked off my feet the first time it powererd up. after that it was just a lot of dragging but under some sorts of control. It got ten times better as time went on and figured out the brakes. Loads of fun. I was curious to something that beamerbob said about how explosive the 3m was verses the 5m. The power was great once i got a bit more accustumed to it but that kite is wicked fast. Just wondering if a 5m would be more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong i thouroughly enjoyed myself just trying to look down the long hall. I am very glad i have 3m cause that is a experience i will never forget but it would be nice to have a slower one to just play around with on a more regular basis?

yeah go for a 5, get the experience/feel of a larger sail, then go depower, Arcs of course.........................

The 5m is more powerful, but things don't happen so fast since it is a larger kite. You can have the fun you had today in less wind or way more fun in 15-18 mph when you are ready. I don't want to paint the picture that the 5m Crossfire I or II are slow kites. They will spin around the bridle lines and fast. Every time I"ve used this kite in the buggy I'm always talking to myself about how much horsepower this kite makes. If you are sitting still in the buggy and you dip it in the wind, you better be holding on and pointed in the right direction. One time I got to OOBE field in Aiken, SC before pokitetrash arrived and when he was pulling in, I ended up running beside him in his truck. We were running at about 12 mph and then the wind kicked in and I was OFF. Pokite said I just shot forward with unbelievable acceleration.

It is a blast to static fly as well. Lots of lift in higher winds and always lots of power. I can hand it to my 9 year old in 5-7 mph winds though and he has a blast with it. He thinks he is something else when he's flying one of the "BIG" kites instead of my 2 or 3 meter kites.