Picked up my new Beamer IV 4m last week and the weather gods have been reasonably kind to me allowing me to have a few sessions with it. Now you have to keep in mind that I'm used to my 2m and 2.5m kites and this is the first time I've flown something bigger for more than a few minutes. First up - I bought the kite without handles and lines as I already have them and it's nice to be able to save $100 on the price of the kite. The bag: it's the same size as the 2m bag, so the 4m takes up a fair bit more room. there's still room for lines, handles, stakes and the odd doodad (gps or such) but after that your nearly full up. I like the backpack design and the robust zips. The huge novelty zip is evidently a bit of trade mark and I appreciate it when companies don't take themselves too seriously! The kite itself seems very well made. Robust sleeved and stitched bridles (you shouldn't break them in any hurry) Reinforcements on the leading and trailing edges. I get the feeling this kite should last a long time. (not sure about the guy flying it though...)

In the air: very stable, very sure of itself. It responds reasonably well to turning using the front lines and nice and quick when you add a bit of brake. It tracks across the sky like it's on rails. I think the only time the kite has luffed is when I've done a big wide downwind and poorly timed turn in the buggy. (I'm good at those sort of turns!!) The power comes on predictably and when I'm expecting it. It's quite a bit slower than the 2m. maybe 2/3rds to half the speed of the smaller Beamer. But I feel it pulls something like 3 times harder than the little green one. And if you launch this in the middle of the window in 15km/hr plus - don't expect to be standing in the same place by the time the kite is above you. It pulls my 80odd kilos across the ground with ease. And I quickly found out that scudding in walking boots with grippy soles in the paddock is very hard on the ankles. Wear something with a smooth sole.....or take a bandsaw to your hiking boots...(!!!)...much better... Sand would probably be better still. I figure the more consistent the surface your standing on, the smoother your scudding will be!

The smaller Beamer starts to pull the buggy in 25km/hr plus, the 4m I think 15km/hr will produce enough power to get you going. I'll be flying this in lightish wind for a while until I get used to using the extra power. ( I know 4m is still a smallish kite, but you gotta start somewhere!) I really like the Beamers, the way they fly, the way they look, the quality of construction. I don't like the velcro loop line keeper thingo at the leading edge of the kite - it's fiddly. But that is the only tiny thing I've got to niggle about.

Damn good value. Great kites. :wee:- John

Great review John. I got the odd size treo about 2 months ago, and don't regret it at all. The 5m will pull me (110 kg), and my hardcore in 10 mph. great kite. I feel the same about the bridal keeper. I'm almost tempted to cut the thing off all three. But as it's my only complaint about the kite I'll keep it for now.

Great review and glad to hear you are getting on well with 4-line flying.
Now that you have the lines on the kite, you should never need the Velcro toggle strap again.
I still can't see what bother they can be though. I forget they are even there.

I seem to have got into the habit of disconnecting my lines after I've been flying (I use the same 30m ozone lines on my 2 & 2.5m). But you make a good point, I probably don't need to use the velcro keeper half as much as I do. I hadn't even thought about not using it! Cheers.

John, I have the same (bad?) habit of disconnecting my lines after each session. What I have done with my bridals, is to just daisy chain the bridals. Keeps them nice and clean for the next day. We all have our little habits when it comes to our gear.

hmmm, daisy chaining - I'll try that. Thanks. I might also keep a little elastic band in my pocket and try that too. It's good to think outside the square! Oh and a ps: to Angus too, I've got your 'better buggy basics' printed out and on my desk. Thank you, that's a big help. I've got the power kiting DVD (the english one) but I think your BBB actually explains things a lot better. Cheers - John

Nice review. I have been flying the beamer IV lately and really love that kite. Its smooth and seriously grunty when sent across the power zone.