Hello everyone! First post here... this weekend I picked up a Snapshot 1.2 at REI and had a BLAST flying it! I've flown stunt kites when I was younger, so I'm familiar with two line kites and had no problem at all getting the little guy up in the air and doing loops. The 1.2 is a really fun fast little compact kite, but I was left wanting a little more pull & speed.

Now, it's been a long time since I have done any kiting at all, so after I got home I was looking through the pamphlet and found out all about airfoil kites and power kites. Cue a 3 hour marathon of watching people getting pulled around on the beach, and learning about kiteboarding and other land/wheel based sports.

I'm a big skier, so the idea of kite skiing is very appealing to me. I would really like to learn how to use 4 line kites. Right now I'm torn between the Snapshot 2.5 and the Tensor 3.1. The snapshot goes for about $150, and the Tensor is a big jump up at $329... a difference of $179. Now I want to get the 4 line handles, so that means the price of the Snapshot will go up to about $200... so is the Tensor 3.1 worth the $80 price bump? If I'm going to spend $200... spending $80 more to get a far more capable kite with better gear and a bigger bag kinda seems worth it to me.

Most importantly, which is going to be a better long-term purchase? Will the Snapshot be easier to fly, or will I get bored with it quicker? Is the inclusion of the double handle bar and kite killer worth it for the Tensor? Is the Tensor 3.1 too big for a 4 line beginner?

I'm curious if anybody else wrestled with this either, and I have about two weeks till I get paid again to make up my mind on which one I want.

I live in Northern NJ, so getting to the beach to get good wind isn't doable... but a small local park had enough wind to get my Snapshot 1.2 up in the air for a while today. I'm 27, 5'6" or so and about 200lbs. I'd like a bigger kite that can fly in a little less wind, that will also get me started with 4 line controls.

I'm leaning towards the Snapshot for cost reasons, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say. Thanks in advance for your replys!

Keep an eye out in the for sale section here for a decent used 3-4M kite. Just last week a guy bought a used 3M HQ Beamer for $120. Skip the Snapshot. My first power kite was a Prism Stylus P3. It was the model prior to the 2.5 Snapshot. It was a great two line kite, like the Snapshot, but even though brake lines could be added there is no way it would ever be as good as a beginner 4-line kite. If I had asked on here first someone would have told me what I'm telling you now. Hold out for a good beginner 3-4M 4-line kite, even if you have to buy used to save some $. Here's a list of good choices:
Peter Lynn Hornet or Viper, PKD Buster Soulfly or Buster, Ozone Flow, Octane, Quattro, Little Devil, Flexifoil Rage, Sting, Bullet, HQ Beamer, Sky Dog SDT, Prism Tensor, Cross Kites Quattro.
I'm sure I've forgotten some good kites but my list is a good place to start in regards to both new and older models.

I started out just like you and I have a lot of kites now. Some new, but many purchased right here that were used. Every used kite I bought here has far exceeded my expectations. Be warned this sport is quite addictive.

I'm the guy that scored the 3M beamer. I'm new to kites, so I can't comment too much. I did get out to fly them yesterday for the first time. I had a borrowed slingshot trainer kite on a bar. It was fun and crazy fast, but had a weak pull. I got the 3M up in the air and it was slow. I had to move the power lines in because it was hard to get the brakes off. Then it was way better, but still turns slow compared to the smaller kite. Not crazy wind, but it was still dragging me about 3' across grass when I would cut the kite to one side. Now I want a little 2m 4 line performance kite for when I just want to whip it around and not get a huge workout! (and a 4 or 5M for when I REALLY want some pull) My body is beat up hard after flying for about 1.5hr. I'd get a 3m if you want it to pull you at all, maybe a 4 meter if the winds never get over ~15.

here you go. 3M hornet asking $200
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=25424

Welcome to PKF dirtybird! Just a note about your Snapshot 1.2 - in this case the 1.2 is referring to the width of that kite. Most 4-line "power" kite manufacturers describe their kite size in square meters of flat area instead of width or span. Your Snapshot 1.2 kite is actually about .6 square meters in flat area. You will defintely feel the power difference between your Snapshot and a 2m or larger kite. :wow:

That list of manufacturers and models that AnnieO suggested is an excellent guide for what you should be looking for in the 2-4m range.

Good luck shopping, and good luck with your wallet, now that you are buying kites.

There's a used 3m HQ Beamer III RTF (ready to fly) on craigslist for $140...

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tag/3682067527.html

Honestly...your gonna want at least 6 kites or you'll never be able to live with yourself. Start with the 3m....call me in a month

Dirtybird you need to go to wildwood NJ next saturday, the buggy bash will be in full swing. You will learn alot. The people are top notch friends of mine. As for kites ,I'm fond of the PKDs. The Buster soulfly is a nice kite that you will not get bored with. here is a vid of myself and a friend flying a2.2m and a 1.5m Buster soulfly from PKD. https://vimeo.com/53914152 There are other vids on that page of me flying small Flexifoils too. So don't think small kites are not going to keep ya flying.

As above .... got to Wildwwod Buggy Bash ... You will get chance to try many smaller kites I am sure and meet few local kiters .... You can try my 3.1 Tensor if you wish and I think someone is selling one here locally in NJ for $250 ... used about 5 times .... I can ask him if its still available if you interested ....
Where you are located ???

read and learn, many good folks here to edumacate us noobies.


oh yeah, a visa card or paypal is your friend. a small foil, then a 3 meter, the suddenly a 7m shows up in the mail..................


Buying used, and/or demo a guys kite, is a great way to learn, meanwhile read and learn, TONS of great folks here.

Spot on Annie!!

Welcome to PKF dirtybird!!!
Wow, I asked almost those same questions just a little over a two months ago.
WARNING!!!! Do not browse the "for sale" fourm!!!!! $$ will just magically vanish out of your wallet.
I joined this forum with just an HQ 1.8 and an Ozone Flow 3m.
Well...... two months later, lots of good people here, and plenty of deals. It's up to 4 kites now with another showing up anyday, and a buggy that now sits in my living room.
Yes, it's that bad!!! Once you fly that first 4 line kite with a little bit of brakes, Oh Boy!! :Ange09:

Quote:

and a buggy that now sits in my living room.

ain't it great, I got a buggy in the spare room with 2 landboards,all my gear and a tandem trailer ,a buggy in the kitchen by the back door ,2 kayaks in the dining room. Man,I need a garage. LOL

I started out with a 3.5m kite and I weigh 160lbs. I would think anything 3-4m would be a good starting point for you.

My 3.5 still gets used quite often in high winds or to introduce friends to the sport so it will be a worthwhile investment. Its also about the smallest size thats usefull for traction sports.

It tends to be when you jump onto some sort of board or buggy that your kite collection starts to get out of control as the effective wind range of each size gets alot smaller.

My 3.5 is good for recreational flying between about 5mph and 35mph but boarding it only comes out the bag at 25 - 35 mph. Though these days if its blowing 25mph then I'm on the water with less chance of breaking myself!!!

Wow, thanks for the advice everyone! I was busy last night so I didn't have a chance to read up on all the models that got name dropped here, but suffice to say I have some reading to do before I buy anything

The wildwood buggy bash sounds really cool, esp if I'd have the opportunity to try before I buy some of these kites.

Kober, I'm located in Dover/Randolph and I work in Hackettstown NJ

Also as far as money disappearing from my wallet, this is kind of what happens whenever I get interested in a new sport. Last year I got myself set up with a 9:1 pulley tensioned slackline rig. Why do all the fun hobbies have to be so expensive?