Hello all, newbie alert!!!......first post, so be gentle with me :o)

Well, I bought myself an HQ Symphony 1.8 a couple of weeks ago with the intention of only using it for a bit of fun on the local beach (Witterings, West Sussex). First flight was in 20mph winds, and after 5 mins of crashing out I got the hang of it and what a blast, I'm loving it!!!

Now I'm hooked and flying every day. I'm now at the point where the Symphony is boring in light/medium winds. So, I'm looking for the next step, which is where I hope that you guys can help.

For the moment, I'm only looking at static flying....getting my experience up and then maybe get a board and/or buggy somewhere down the line.

I've read stacks of reviews and posts on here...and understand that 4-line is the only way to go. I have narrowed my choices down to 2 kites, the HQ Beamer 4m and the Peter Lynn Hornet 4m as they appear to be similar spec and are widely respected as beginner kites.

So my questions to you guys are:

1) What do you think to my choices as a newbie?
2) Should I be considering any other kites?
3) Is a 4m realistic as an everyday kite ......or should I be looking at a 3m? I am 85kg
4) Do you guys know anywhere where I could demo these kites?
5) Do any of you guys live nearby (chichester/Portsmouth) and be willing to give a poor newbie some tips on how to get started with a 4 -line and get the most out of the kite. Or, recommend someone for lessons.

Really appreciate your help....I can see this addiction becomming expensive

Cheers

hey there mate, I am from Worthing, just down the way from Chichester and my first kite was a 4m. I have had no troubles yet, nice wind around here just have to be a bit careful in gusty wind, but it will be fine.

May want to consider the Ozone Flow I don't mind letting you have a play with it if we met somewhere like Littlehampton. Could do with a new kiting buddy my other one works 24/7 ;(

Anyway, welcome

Cool, thanks for the offer Superdog. I know Worthing pretty well, and would be happy to head over that way. Always keen to meet new people

Work is an issue for me too unfortunately, although I only work 23/7 so can hopefully find some time soon

Next few weekends are out, but after that would be good.

get yourself a Blade 4.0 or 4.9....sharp learning curve and a step into some really really good (and scary) fun but you will keep it forever...

a cheaper alternative would be a Pansh Ace 5metre - never flown one but seen them in flight and they are similar

Ok man, just give me a U2U when you are free :Ange09:

Quote:

Originally posted by jaymzmn get yourself a Blade 4.0 or 4.9....sharp learning curve and a step into some really really good (and scary) fun but you will keep it forever... a cheaper alternative would be a Pansh Ace 5metre - never flown one but seen them in flight and they are similar

WHAT? You trying to kill the guy? Those are violent kites for an unsupervised newbie in anything but just the right smooth coastal winds.
Many will agree that any Pansh is not a good choice for a beginner since they often require tweaking.

Windbag, your choices are good and 3m will be fine. Later you might want to add a 5m and a 4m for first kite would be too close an overlap, but a 3m and a5m make a nice quiver for 5- 30 mph.

The Hornet is very much like the Flexi Sting, another idea along with the Flow. But you cannot go wrong with any of them.

Hi windbag

I revently started kiting as well and I made the mistake of starting with a big, lifty kite. I'm about to buy a smaller non-lifty kite to add to the quiver. Start small, low aspect...

The hornet is a great kite and 3m is perfect!


Save yourself possible injury and money and go for the 3m

um, yeah... stay away from the blade... not a newbie kite at all... i think you'd have fun with the beamer... go that way and you'll have a great start!

Righty, after reading your advice....I thought I'd take a look around on eBay for decent prices.

I stumbled across a 2nd hand Beamer iii 4m, so took a look. At the very bottom of the ad I noticed that it mentioned that if I BuyItNow, that they would include a Radsail Pro ii 5m also !!

I looked at the review of the Radsail and it looks as though its fairly decent for beginners....however, I won't use it till I'm more than comfortable with the Beamer.

According to the seller, both are in excellent condition, bags and handles included. Judging by the original RRPs, I think I've got a good deal for £100.....would you guys agree?

Can't wait to get out there now and give the Beamer its first outing.....in light winds and with someone experienced

Yeah. Now you are cooking with gas. Good deal. Let us know how it goes.

stay away from the blade it will kill you

Good deal, go for it.
havent got much experience with radsails but the Beamer is a sweet kite.

Kites turned up today (Beamer 2m, Beamer 3, and 5m Radsail Pro). And like a big kid (34 year old kid)........I couldn't wait. I had read all the online guides, seen every youtube video there is on powerkiting..... I was a pro before I had even made my maiden flight.

Erm....I was wrong !! suprise suprise :o)

The wind at Port Solent - Portsmouth was around 5mph.....but I still chose to fly the 2m beamer as I have never flown a 4 line kite before. Really struggled to fly due to the lack of wind, or more likely my ability :o)

So, I got the 4m Beamer out. Again, really struggled to get it going. But, eventually managed to pump it up to the zenith and away I went. The wind picked up to around 10mph and I could then feel the pull, which put a huge smile on my face. Quickly became confident steering it, then using the brake lines, reverse launching, etc.

I have nothing else to compare it to, but the beamer seems like a sweet kite and really happy with my choice.

Great to hear it! Welcome to the addiction!

nice-im just getting addicted again-i had got bored of my 2.5m kite and needed a bigger one but had no money so i lost interest in the sport. anyways, my birthday comes and now i have enough for a mac bego 400 that im hoping to buy from kitedog! so looking forward to it-back to flying when ever theres a breeze :D