Jc2 - 3-5-2013 at 12:43 PM
Looking for some advice for a first trainer kite. I'd like to work up to kiteboarding, and want to practice on a smaller kite. I have little flying
experience, but want a lot more before getting in the water.
I'm about 145lbs, and looking at 3 kites:
HQ Hydra H20 3M (ram fill)
Prism Tensor 3.1
http://prismkites.com/products-pk-tensor31.php
Ocean Rodeo Rise 2m SLE
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/products/rise_2m_sle_trainer
Biggest question is do I want inflatable, or ram fill? Any other things I should know about?
Any advice is appreciated!
BigMikesKites - 3-5-2013 at 01:24 PM
either would be good starter kites for what you want to do. It really depends on your budget. if you are close to the water already, the Hydra
will be fun. If not, one of the other two would be just fine.
abkayak - 3-5-2013 at 01:44 PM
im for the HQ or Tensor......i think you will have more of a use for them latter on..or they would be more attractive for resale
Jc2 - 3-5-2013 at 02:40 PM
so, you guys think the inflatable (with a pump) option doesn't really matter? The ram fill (or whatever it's called) is good enough to learn on? I
was hoping to try some water dragging with this kite - would that make any difference?
thanks!
Feyd - 3-5-2013 at 03:24 PM
If the wind is high enough the Hydra will body drag a bit.
Great little trainer kite IMO.
stetson05 - 4-5-2013 at 12:19 AM
the Hydra will drag you before the OR 2m does. The tensor looks like a decent kite but don't get it wet.
SFKITER - 7-5-2013 at 02:03 AM
If you buy the Hydra wait for the new version to come out its got a smoother turning ratio on it and was improved a good amount. The Hydra 2 will also
come in a bigger size
Kiznosh - 7-5-2013 at 08:41 AM
I have a Tensor 4.2, and I have to say, I love it. It can be kind of finicky at times, but for the most part it's great. I really like the option to
convert between handles and a bar. I put a d-loop on mine so I can fly in the hook with it, something to think about.
Proletariat - 7-5-2013 at 12:41 PM
James also flies his tensor with an ozone turbo bar. It works pretty good and is a nice way to start thinking about how to fly a depower kite.
Some kites don't work well with the turbo bar, but the prism does. That being said, the build quality of the prism just isn't quite as nice as an
ozone or flexifoil or Peter lynn. Probably about the same as an HQ.