Hello!
Newb here wanting to get into foil kiting. I have a great deal on a Snapshot 2.5 and a Skydog SDT 2.8. Both are appealing because I want to get into 4 line kiting. I want a good pull to give me a good workout and gain experience before going bigger or get into buggies. Stunts are definitely fun, so whichever is better at that will be taken into consideration as well.

The snapshot is a 2 line, but I know it's made to use 4 lines as well. It's also the blue model... which I think is a bit older now? They're asking $85.
The SDT is already a 4 line, and is $75.

I live in Cache Valley, Utah where there are some good open fields and close enough to the Salt Flats for some good pulling on wheels.

I'm 6' and 175 pounds.

Any recommendations on which kite of these two would be best and why?

Thanks! I appreciate it!

Easy - take the Skydog. It's already a 4 line kite and will save you the hassle of swapping over the snapshot. I have a smaller snapshot and while it's a great little kite and my first foil, it's darn hard to relaunch from upside down and once I got a 1.5m Ozone Imp Quattro, the snapshot hardly ever gets used now. Using 4 lines might take an extra hour or so to get used to - probably less - and the convenience and control of 4 lines is far superior.

Great! Thanks for the input! That definitely would save me at least that much money in getting the quad line controls.

My only wonder is the wind range is lower on the snapshot (4-25mph). So I should be able to fly the Snapshot more often?

Can't wait to start foil flying!

Definitely go with the Skydog.

The Snapshot is designed more as a toy kite. It may fly a bit earlier but will leave you wanting a more aggressive kite very quick. The Skydog is designed to work as an engine. It will fly almost as soon as the snapshot and flying in super low wind isn't a ton of fun anyway. When the wind picks up you will be able to feel real power from the Skydog. If you progress to riding it will serve as your high wind kite. The Snapshot, not so much.

Fantastic! Your guys' responses are exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much!
Getting the SkyDog!

EDIT: The Skydog ended up being $115, but given it comes with the 4 line handles and a great kite (from what I've seen and read), I think it's worth it.

There is a huge difference in size for those two kites as well. The Snapshot is sport Size the Skydog is in Sq Meters..

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=27185

The older Blue model isn't rigged to support 4 lines like the newer Yellow ones.

Give this a good read as well to help discern the size differences..

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28759&p...

Yeah, those are both super informative posts! I guess for some reason I never understood if the SDT was a power kite or a stunt kite. Looking at the specs, it looks like they're measuring the Snapshot as 2.5 sq m as well, but drawing it on paper definitely shows the difference. I'll definitely be making some videos when I get some wind!

Again, thanks all for your help!