Hey y'all, I've been doing some research on getting into power kiting, and it led me here.

Let's start with some background. I've been flying stunters for almost 10 years (but not as often as I'd like), and I flew a 12m LEI when taking a kitesurfing lesson in Long Beach. I am very familiar with how to handle multi-line kites. I'm in Colorado, and the wind here can sometimes be very unpredictable. I'm talking gusts into the 60-70mph range on a rather bad day. That being said, we do get some nice days with sustained winds around 10-15mph.

I'm trying to decide what to get as a first power kite. I'm not sure that I want to spring for a full LEI depower yet, but I would like to eventually get into kite skiing. What I would really like is a kite with a control bar, and that is harness compatible. I'd like to be able to fly it just out on one of the campus fields, and then maybe progress to snow. Some jumping would be nice, too.

I'm 5'11", 160lbs. What would be a good starting kite (and one that won't break the bank)? What about a harness?

Thanks!

You have laid out many variables here....10 years exp. is good, so I feel confident you know how to handle a kite in the wind window...If you were just going to try it out and then build a quiver from here...Go with a 3m - 4m kite...Either bar or handles (your choice) Handles give you more control...This will give you many options to fly that one kite in..(especially without breaking the bank)

I have a 3.5 Flexifoil rage...I used this for my first kite...rather like a stunt kite till I was comfortable it. I then got a buggy and soon was on skis either in a field or on frozen lake. This kite served all those purposes. Harness in when you feel like you are ready for it.. after flying it a bit...

I still have this kite to this day and it is one of my most used kites...You can pick one up from 200.00 to ?
There are several on the forum for sale that would work for you.

Wear a helmet at all times and don't worry about jumping yet...Once you fly for a bit and become a better pilot you can start worrying about that.
Do not go out when it is gusting as you described..A normal windy day and you'll enjoy yourself without getting hurt.

Welcome to the world of power kites...Others will post thoughts...but you will have less $ from this post forward...haha

http://coloradokiteforce.com/home/index.php is a great place to get some local lessons.... at least you must come to the Snowkite Series event in March....

I would highly recommend a smallish depower foil....Indeed, the for sale section has an HQ Apex 5m...great way to get into the sport, a kite that won't kill you, but will give you a good taste of power... totally useable as a higher-wind wing for snowkite as well.

Welcome to CO and yeah, it's hard as heck to kite here, but since this is where we are, this is where we'll fly.

WEAR A HELMET IF YOU ARE FLYING A POWER KITE, NO EXCEPTION. Better safe than sorry!

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on the depower, Nick. I think the most versatile kite to start with is a 3m fixed bridle on handles. Remember on Sunday when John was using my 3m Hornet, and I was still using it to scud around? I've been flying a 3m trainer for over a year and a half and I still use the hell out of it (and let others use it more than any kite in my quiver).

Don't get me wrong... I understand why Nick says to go with DePower... they are AWESOME! However, it's a weird animal and requires a lot of tuning, gear, practice, safety and patience before you can hop onto a board, buggy or snow-something.

If you do end up going with a depower, definitely go for an entry-level depower foil or used small LEI. I'd say somewhere between 7 and 10, but definitely not larger than that. I got a used LEI on craigslist (Best Waroo from 2007) for $250 (RTF), so I'd definitely buy used if you can. Anywhoo, send erratic winds or me (or both) a u2u and we'll exchange numbers, so we can make sure you get properly set up and are being safe. Definitely wear a helmet at the VERY minimum. I also really think elbow and knee pads are critical.

Okay, bypassing the novel. Here are my suggestions:

Fixed Bridle Trainer Kite (RTF on Handles):
- 3m - 4m HQ Beamer V (cheapest)
- 3m - 4m Peter Lynn Hornet II - I LOVE this kite!
- 3m - 4m Flexifoil Rage
- 3m - 4m Ozone Rush 4

Entry Level Depower
- HQ Apex 7.5m or 10m (The Apex III and IV are on sale right now because the V came out)
- HQ Neo 3 - this is a step up from the Apex and you can fly it on water
- Used Best Waroo or Kahoona (7m - 10m)
- Used North Rhino (7m - 10m)
- Used Ozone Access

Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes!

What about the Tensor series from Prism? Through a deal I have access to, I can get a Tensor 4.2 for $269.40, or the 5.0 for $300. I haven't heard too much about them, other than the control can convert from handles to a bar. I'd REALLY like to be able to fly hooked in to take some strain off the arms, but I don't know if the Tensor is capable of that.

Fair enough, I've just watched a number of people buy fixed bridle kites, decide they want to move around on skis/snowboard, buy depower, sell fixed bridle kites, so I just recommend people start with depower....

Tensor series is great for beginners, but........I will agree with Erratic winds.

If you were to decide to go to a Depower foil, I don't think it would be a bad thing. You can get the 5m Apex and learn on it with no problem.It is a very docile kite and very forgiving as well. In the end, the 5m Apex would end up doing the same thing for you as a 3m 4 line kite. It will become your high wind kite. For most I usually do express how a 3m 4 line kite is the right fit to begin with, but if you already know that you will be using the kites mostly in the snow, and also have taken lessons before,and you have some other kiting experience and know the Power window and know it well, I can be setteled in my head in suggesting the 5m Apex. You could also option to go with the 7m kite if you need to watch your pennies and keep your quiver to a smaller end. You would just have to be very precautious in which winds you decided to try it in the first time out.

Like the others said, at least get a helmet, and wear it when ever you fly.

did i ever say how much i like 3m FB kites??....everyone should own at least 3......imo

Heh. I agree with all of you guys. I sort of wish I had just jumped into depower but invariably when someone walks by and asks me about a kite, I let them fly the 3m. I wouldn't do that with a 5m Apex. So I think everyone's right, in that it's a decision between a 3m FB and a 5-7m depower, and it depends on whether or not you want your girlfriend or boyfriend (or friends) to fly.

Also, I like the prism. It's a pretty decent kite, but that's the only power kite they make, if I remember correctly, and so it's not necessarily their specialty. That money will get you into a better kite (Peter Lynn, Flexifoil, Ozone, or HQ -- in my opinion of order of quality).

On a side note, a lot of people on here like the PKD Buster Soulfly as a beginner kite. I've never flown one, but I hear lots of good things about them (and they're inexpensive). So, does anyone wanna talk about Pansh, too? I'm scared...

If you were to only get one kite and be able to have fun on a beach or field...use it with a buggy or give a try at skiing...I don't think a de-power will cover all that.

De-power kite is good for ..Buggy yes...Skiing yes....but they are pretty boring if you just want to fly the kite in a field. Plus FB won't break the bank and you don't need a harness to start off....

But you still need a helmet! FB or De-power :bigok:

Quote:

Originally posted by BEC Welcome to the world of power kites...Others will post thoughts...but you will have less $ from this post forward ...haha

^^^^^^

Welcome! I'm new here as well. Far be it from me to offer any kind of suggestions from my short powerkite career, but I started out with a smaller HQ 1.8 two summers ago. Got really good and comfortable with that and learned a ton about what wind can and can't do with this size. About 4 months ago I was carefully ready to move up a bit and picked up an Ozone Flow 3m. Another learning curve with four lines it was. I really liked what the Tensor had to offer as well. Almost bought that over the Ozone. I too liked the handle/bar conversion. Anyhoo... I joined this forum to learn some more tips from the wind vikings. Oh yes it's on now......

As BEC posted, kiss some cash good-bye now. I joined here last week, and within two days was pulled into the tractor beam of the "for sale forum" LOL LOL
Flow 5m comming now :wee:

Just have fun and be safe. They're like Pringles, "no one can have just one".

I agree that everybody should have a good 3m FB foil in their quiver. Great for high winds and teaching friends.

That said you sound like you have the background and desire to go straight to depower. Here is the rub. Unfortunately no single kite can do everything.

5m is a nice safe size to cut your teeth on . Unfortunately it is too small for learning to jump proper. It will end up only getting used in the highest of winds as you progress. ( nothing will be good in 60 - 70mph winds )
7m is just barely big enough to learn to jump but will end up a more useful size down the road. It may be your best choice as long as you take it easy getting to know it.

I don't completely agree with the flying depower static is a drag thing ? I enjoy flying my big depowers and getting dragged around and jumping a lot more than flying a small foil static in the same winds? I am not fond of jumping with FB in general.
No disrespect to BEC, I'm sure he loves his FB . I have both in my quiver and suggest you consider that. I have choices. My 1st choice is to get moving. Flying static in general is a second choice for me.

LEI is very common on snow but depower foils will stand up to the beach + parks better as a learner.

Check out the tutorials at www.coastalwindsports.com . Great stuff there !

:bigok:

Thanks for all the info!

After looking at everyone's suggestions, and doing a bit more research on my own, I'm liking the idea of the Apex.

Issues remaining: what size, what about a harness, and where to get it(them)?

Some have said start with the 5, others are saying go with the 7.5. Keep in mind, I do want to (eventually) do some jumping, once I get comfortable with the kite. Will the 5 be enough, or do I need to think about the future and spring for the 7.5?

As far as the harness goes, I'm thinking about starting with something simple, like the Peter Lynn Base Harness.

Any suggestions on where I can get the best deal on these? Grad school currently has most of my money...

I have the 5m and 7.5m Apex II - I certainly wouldn't be trying to jump with the 5m...not very floaty at all. But both kites are very stable, predictable and easy to fly. The 7.5m was a little easier to handle in gusty winds than my 4m Beamer. Very good value kites.

7.5 would be the most versatile, IMO.

Here are your dealers:
Angus @ Coastal Wind Sports:
www.coastalwindsports.com

Mike @ Big Mike's Kites:
www.bigmikeskites.com

Dino @ Dakitez
www.dakitez.com

Jeff @ Kitemare
www.kitemare.com

Kent @ A Wind of Change
www.awindofchange.com

I may be forgetting something, but these are the guys who have been INCREDIBLY helpful at some point in my kiting career. Buy from any of them with confidence. If I were you, I'd still see if I could pick up a used one (sorry, Dino, Jeff, Angus, Kent, and Mike ). You'll be beating the hell out of it for a while and you'll feel less crappy about it if it's used.

Again with your experience, you could slide with the 7.5m Apex or something similar.

There is always the debate about FB vs. depow as a first kite. Bear in mind people will recommend what they are used to or what they've had the best luck with. If you are on a budget a Depow is the best option as it will cover a much broader wind range than a FB. One Depow wil cover the range of approx. 3 FB.

I agree with Proletariate, the 7m range is the most versitile.

7-8m range, depending on your skill level it will handle moderately high and low winds. In really high wind conditions you can double back the lines and affective half the power of the kite. this is in addition to being able to depower it through the trim system. And you can do this without affecting the safety systems.

Kite placement is your primary form of power managment. Using the window first, trim second. If you rely solely on the bar throw and trim to manage your power you have nowhere to go when those are used up.

I agree a professional lesson is a very good idea. Colorado Kite Force is a great outfit to get a lesson from. Part of the lesson process entails gear selection. They can guide you through what you need for your specific application.It will shorten your learning curve considerably.

And they are also an HQ dealer so they can provide you with an Apex if that's the route you choose. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes but it's nice when you can buy from someone relatively local IMO, for both the dealer and the consumer. We are also an HQ dealer but not local to you. ;-)

The HQ Apex is a great kite. Calling it a "entry level" kite kind of diminishes what this kite can do. It's more of a "touring" kite. Good grunt, moderate lift, good turn speed. Handles gusts very well. I've managed mid 60mph speeds on the 7m Apex 2 which I consider performance beyond a "beginner" kite.

It's just not a race kite or freestyle machine.

Bang for the buck you can't beat it. Each generation gets better. The Apex 2 is a great kite, the Apex 3 is better and the new Apex 4 is a dream to fly. We've been using them for teaching and students have bought them for thier own use afterwards. New or used you can't go wrong.

There is no Apex 5.