cojim16 - 9-3-2008 at 04:40 PM
I've been flying kites for a little over 3 years now and just can't get away from them. I've been wanting to get a traction/ power kite for a while
now and at since it's getting closer to summer I thougth I'd start looking for one.
I've been getting more confused, however, the more I look into it. I guess my only two criteria are my $350 budget (ready to fly) and my weight
(160lbs). I want a kite that I can get pulled around with pretty good but also switch to some landboarding in the future but not having to buy a new
kite.
I've been looking at the New Tech Kites Ballistic and the HQ Beamer III. I'm not sure what size to get since I don't have any experience with these
types of kites. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks guys!
OreBeamer - 9-3-2008 at 05:08 PM
Beamers are perfect and stable. Good for starting out.
I recommend a 3m to start. 
Good luck!
DAKITEZ - 9-3-2008 at 06:03 PM
Your title says "third kite" , but this is your first kite ? :puzzled:
cojim16 - 9-3-2008 at 06:36 PM
Haha! Just realized that could be confusing too! It's my third kite but my first traction/ powerfoil kite. I had a NTK Pyro and then last summer I
bought a NTK Spirit Quad. So I have some experience under my belt.
DAKITEZ - 9-3-2008 at 06:49 PM
Oh ... I see. So then yes it is your first real kite 
I have about a dozen stunt kites that haven't been out of my carrying bag since I got into traction kites. 
DAKITEZ - 9-3-2008 at 06:53 PM
I think beamer is going to be your choice. I haven't heard too much about the ballistic. I was going to buy one of those as my first kite, because
they look good, but the lack of reviews scared me away. Also they have been discontinued, new tech is coming out with a different model and its a
depower. Atleast thats what I have heard from new tech.
cojim16 - 9-3-2008 at 07:47 PM
Yeah, I haven't seen much praise about the Ballistic's either. Beamers are fairly inexpensive compared to other's of the same size so I'm thinking
those are my first option. I don't know what size of kite you would need to do any tractions sports like landboarding. Would a 4.0 Beamer be enough or
more than enough? From what I'm finding on the internet so far it's in the lower range of "just right".
NPWfever - 9-3-2008 at 08:46 PM
My friend got a Ballistic and the handles ate through the leaders, the lines stretch like elastic, and it already had a way too much brake pressure.
We put the brakes on the farthest up bridle knot and the power on the closest knot, and it still wouldn't fly, we needed to tie a knot in the leaders
at the handle and even then it needed almost full power. Not a good first kite in my oppinion. He never would have gotten up if I wasn't there to help
out with it.
My 2 cents
stevep - 10-3-2008 at 09:44 AM
definatly the beamer over the ballistic i have flown both and the quality on the beamer surpasses the ballistic, better kite, better lines, better bag
,kite killers and comes with stake. 3- 4 meter range depends on wind, weight of flyer and experiance of the flyier, you have flown on quad lline with
the spirit quad for your first flight start in lower winds and you will be ok
cojim16 - 10-3-2008 at 04:47 PM
The Beamer III is going to be my first chioce. What would be a good size to get that I can still grow into a little but won't be overpowering for the
first couple of flights? Hopefully I'll still be able to afford that size.
dblcrona - 10-3-2008 at 04:55 PM
You may want to consider the Prism Stylus P.4 (based on your budget). It is really a great kite. See my review in the review section.
Dblcrona
sodfarmkiter - 16-3-2008 at 08:16 PM
For your price range you could probably find a nice Ozone Samurai 3m on Ebay. It is a little more expensive compared to the HQ beamer, but the quality
difference is night and day. Don't get me wrong I started with a BeamerII 3.6m TSR and yes I loved it but since then I have purchased two Ozones and
a Flexifoil both brands were a step above the HQ. I probably won't buy another HQ. But thats just my 2 cents, SFK out
strictlycarved - 16-3-2008 at 09:22 PM
i have a beamer and would agree that both flexifoil and ozone are great quality really night and day. i would look on ebay or maybe a member around
here may have a kite in your range for sale. but if your in a hurry or are not sure their is nothing wrong with a beamer their great beginner kites
and i beat my senseless all the time. i brought mine out in 25mph yesterday and had a blast so it will hold up. i would definitely go with a 3 though.
kite4lifephx - 16-3-2008 at 11:55 PM
The Beamer TSR 3.6m was my first kite to buy and fly. I have had it a year now and has had some beating to it, however it has never torn. The only
thing that has broken on it has been the safety leash, which HQ replaced for free. Since then I have broken it for a second time but the winds were
quite strong and the safety leash did not kill the kite's power 100%. It's a solid kite though if you want to get into the sport for cheap, I bought
mine for $280 from www.awindofchange.com. But I have to agree with sodfarmkiter that Ozone and Flexifoil are solid kites and you get what you pay for. Here is a
video that I made to give you a reference of what a 3.6m kite will do in higher winds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCvIJwU3l9I
Jon