Power Kite Forum

Looking for Advice on Purchasing My First Kite

MidwestSunset - 12-10-2011 at 07:57 PM

Hi All, I was thinking about jumping into kiteboarding with a Skydog SDT 3.0 since someone I know has one and recommended it, but I started doing a little more research I found hundreds of options out there. I'm hoping you might be able to help me out in choosing my first kite.

I'm looking for a kite that will help me learn the basics and eventually provide me with enough pull to get me around on a snowboard and possibly a mountain board should the funds present themselves in the future. I weigh about 200lbs and live in an area that gets average winds between 5-10 mph. Based on previous experiences with cheap 2-string sport kites I think I would prefer a bar over handles but I'm not set on this and can certainly be convinced otherwise. Also, I don't have a budget in mind yet (scary thing...) I'm willing to pay more for quality and performance but at the same time I don't want to break the bank either.

So lay your suggestions on me, and hopefully give me a little supporting information as to why you think it'd be a good kite for me. Thanks!

wheresthewind? - 12-10-2011 at 08:06 PM

i think a beamer 4m would be a decent choice given your weight and the winds you will fly in--handles will give better control than a bar, just something to consider.....the rest of the nut gallery will chime in shortly.......

Telestrat - 13-10-2011 at 06:22 AM

I'm brand new to the sport (just a few months ago). I weigh 200 pounds and my Ozone Flow 3.0 gives me plenty of pull on my landboard in winds 10 to 20 MPH. I'm riding on smooth hard packed sand and landboard doesn't need too much wind to really get going. Are you planning to ride on hard surface or are you on grass or something else?

My other kite is a 5.0 fixed bridle that I intend to use for snowkiting. I did try the 5.0 for landboard last week but got a little nervous at the strong pull with just 10 to 15 MPH wind. Again - hardpacked surface with landboard doesn't really need much wind to get going. I'm still a rookie so not used to strong pulls yet!!

For snowkiting I figured I would need the 5.0 for the extra pull since I'll be on skis with more drag than the landboard on hard packed sand.

Good luck at it and you should get plenty of feedback from the folks on this forum. They are very helpful.

erratic winds - 13-10-2011 at 06:41 AM

Where are you at? The absolute easiest is to try a few and see which one fits! Perhaps we could direct ya to someone local?

My first kite was a 1.5m trainer, then a 4m much like the HQ scout. Good stepping stones.

lamrith - 13-10-2011 at 06:41 AM

WELCOME Midwest!

Do the winds stay that low 5-10mph in the winter as well, many areas see season wind changes. You may find that winter winds are 10-20mph. In that case getting a 4m now and practice practice in the 5-10mph now. once the winds come up 15+ that 4m may start to move you depending on ground/snow, most importantly you will not be gross overpowered...

A 3-4m kite is the smartest start being new, I made your same transition a few months ago, your dual line experience will help in kite handling, but the power is a whole new world. Hence the 3-4m recommendation, they get you in the air safely, and will become your high wind kite.

Get out with your buddy and fly his smaller kites in the 3-4m range, tell him if he wants a new friend to fly with, he has to pay it forward by letting you test fly. ;-) There are a TON of kites out there, best to try a few before you invest..

Handles/bar... I am just making the transition to bar, so far I preffer the bar. That said I would recommend at least starting off with handles, it will give you a great appreciation of how the kite handles and what it can do. Plus coming from fual line it will probably feel more natural to you. No doubt the handles provide more control options though; pull turns, pull&brake, brake only. Reverse launch can be a bit easier sometimes since you have independant brake control; pull both, get it reversed into air, release one brake and around she goes. BUT it requires 2 hands at all times to controll the kite. With a well set-up bar you can fly one handed for extended periods on harness. Kiteboarders, ATB people usually use a bar most likley to allow easier board tricks and spins.

dandre - 13-10-2011 at 08:37 AM

i'd post something in the wanted section.

just ask for a stable 3-4m.
many time if it's an older model you can pick one up for 150-200.

You'd say to yourself... Euw. i don't want an older kite, i want the best!
But the fact is MOST kites are VERY well made; last an incredibly long time, and maintain performance characteristics really well.

like, take lamriths pepper... That's an out of date model by peter lynn. but it's also well know to be one of the most stable, low aspect FB(fixed bridle) kites ever made.. Even as someone who's newer to kites, he can wield a larger kite because it's so user friendly(also because he's very passionate and dedicated)..
but i guarantee you lamrith also got a good price on that kite, and that he loves it no less than if it was new.

shehatesmyhobbies - 13-10-2011 at 08:40 AM

I have a nice new Scout II 4 m that would be a good starting point for you as well. It's on a crossover bar. Also come with a loop so you can use it with a harness.Watch the YouTube video and let me know what you think. Put in HQ Scout II and a video from Chris at HQ will pop up. He does an awesome job presenting the kite.

lamrith - 13-10-2011 at 08:54 AM

Yeah that pepper2 is the least expensive of the kites I have purchased so far. One of those, can't pass up deals.

SUPER glad I grabbed it too as it is my low wind rig and as Dandre said super stable. It will fly staticly in as little as 3mph without issue, which is what I bought it for. I see quite a bit of 3-5mph days, so that kite has more than doubles my flyable days, but I bought the 3m 1st and still recommend that at a 1st.

I will second putting a post up in the wanted section. The guys here have lots of kites in thier quivers they may not use often and would be willing to pass on a great deal to hook a new flier. They really are worse than drug dealers, they like nothing more than getting a new flier addicted...

dandre - 13-10-2011 at 08:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lamrith
Yeah that pepper2 is the least expensive of the kites I have purchased so far. One of those, can't pass up deals.

SUPER glad I grabbed it too as it is my low wind rig and as Dandre said super stable. It will fly staticly in as little as 3mph without issue, which is what I bought it for. I see quite a bit of 3-5mph days, so that kite has more than doubles my flyable days, but I bought the 3m 1st and still recommend that at a 1st.

I will second putting a post up in the wanted section. The guys here have lots of kites in thier quivers they may not use often and would be willing to pass on a great deal to hook a new flier. They really are worse than drug dealers, they like nothing more than getting a new flier addicted...


The first one is free.

MidwestSunset - 13-10-2011 at 04:56 PM

Ha! you guys are awesome, thanks for all your replies! To answer a few questions that came up: I live in north-central Illinois about halfway between Rockford and Chicago, and will probably be riding on grass for the most part. I'm not sure I've noticed much of a change in the winds between seasons but it's quite possible they pick up a little over the winter months.

I am quickly changing my thoughts on a bar vs. handles, and Lamrith's point about learning the kite's capabilities on handles helped push me more towards them over a bar. I also watched the videos Chris from HQ posted on YouTube and was even more convinced about starting off with handles, I'd rather focus on flying and controlling the kite first before going crazy with tricks.

I'll try and get some air time with the kites available to me as you suggested and see what I like and don't like - and I'll certainly post a wanted ad once I figure out my basic requirements, can't argue with deals on addiction!

Bladerunner - 13-10-2011 at 05:58 PM

How much time can you get in on your friends 3m?

It is IMPORTANT to have a 3m to learn the ropes but that can come pretty fast. With winds that average 5 - 10 you will be wanting more than 3m to get moving . If you have the chance to fly the 3m for a while something larger may be better ? It is always good to have a 3m in the quiver but it becomes our high wind kite and you have low wind

I think a 5m kite will serve you far better in the long run . You will want to move up to one all too soon so if money is tight ?$?$? From my experience 5m is the kite that allows you the widest usable range in one FB ? Short + long lines adds even more.