Trying to choose something for the constant 20mph+ winds we seem to be having.
Thinking of
Snapshot 2.5 (4 line)
Pkd buster soulfly 1.4
Flexifoil sting 1.2
Cross kites 1.5

I like the zippy turns of the smaller snapshots, but am afraid it may be just a bit too much pull, as the gusts have been pretty powerful.
I have never flown the others, they all seem nice.
I have a vibe 1.9 and a core 4.0. I fly a friends hornet 2.0 regularly, and it seems like a fun amount of pull in these winds.
Does the big snapshot turn quicker than other kites of its size?
Will it pull much more than the hornet 2.0?
Will those smaller kites turn as quick as the SS?
Of the others, which will turn the quickest?
Are any as precise and predictable as the hornet?
Why is choosing a kite this difficult?

Thanks for your input!

HQ Toxic would be a awesome choice as well. As fast as a 2 line kite but has the control of a 4 line. Very robust well made kite too.

Is this for flight static or traction (buggy/mountainboard)?

The Sting 1.2 won't generate appreciable pull until the winds are truly ripping. You can fly on finger tips even when you are shouting to be heard by someone nearby.

ATB,
Sam

For static use, trying to stay under 200$ complete, as that is how much is on my card right now.
Looking for as little pull as possible, really.
Thanks for the input! Toxic looks cool, but a little out of my price range. Up to 38 mph wind is awesome, though.

Maybe ozone Quattro 1.6?

Rock on!

Quote:

Originally posted by Turtlejon For static use, trying to stay under 200$ complete, as that is how much is on my card right now. Looking for as little pull as possible, really. Thanks for the input! Toxic looks cool, but a little out of my price range. Up to 38 mph wind is awesome, though. Maybe ozone Quattro 1.6? Rock on!

If you want any pull, you might want to bump up to
PKD Buster Soulfly 1.5: ~$140
Flexifoil Sting 1.7: ~$165

The Sting 1.2 is more recreational than power kite in the sense of pull.

The Ozone Quattro measurement is a span length and a bit deceptive. Span to Square meters conversion for that kite is as follows:
1.6m = 1.0m2
2.0m = 1.5m2
2.5m = 2.5m2
3.0m = 2.9m2

I expect the 38mph wind rating on the Toxic is on a buggy or board where you can hold down more power. Static flying a Toxic in 38mph winds would probably be.... interesting.

ATB,
Sam

Also check out the Cross Kite Quattro. Nice entry level 4-line kite. I'd say for the money though the PKD Buster Soulfly will be very hard to beat but the Cross Kite is worth a look too. You can get a Cross Kite Quattro 2.5 RTF for $165.

I've got a 1.5m Ozone Imp Quattro that I fly in 25-30 knots. It's very fast and agile, very controllable with limited pull. It's actually a reasonable buggy engine in high winds. It has less pull than a 2m Beamer (which was also an excellent high wind kite) Not sure about the Snapshot - mine's a 1.4m on two lines - never tried one on four lines.....could be good....

If you have lines and handles, windzup has a used Ozone L'il Devil 1.5 m for $40 in the for sale section (kite only). Quick little 4 line kite - I have one and love it.

krumly

Forget the 2.5m Snapshot unless you have arms like a gorilla! I have one (the 2-line version) and tried flying it static in similar conditions a few weeks ago (20mph with 30mph+ gusts), and found it to be too much kite. It was fine at the edges of the window, but if a gust happened to come along just at the moment I dipped it into the power zone, it would just rip the handles out of my grasp. I think it would have been fine if I was on wheels or skis (I learned to snowkite with a 2.5m Best trainer on a day with gusts hitting 50mph - talk about baptism of fire!), but static the 2.5 Snapshot was no fun. I'm kind of in the same boat - looking at getting something that's fun to fly static on super high wind days. At the moment I'm leaning towards a PKD Buster Soulfly 1.5, but I'm also considering trying my hand at making a small Nasa wing after getting some excellent advice from Susan on this forum

Sting but 1.7m

Thanks for all the good advice! Wow! That ozone sold in a half hour! I'll keep looking!

The Buster is the best built for the $ IMO, I have a 2.2 and a 3.3, I have let beginners put them through hell and back and then I go buggy with them. http://youtu.be/_1zLq0xt0n4

Have you got a kite already?

Another option if you are flying 4 line handles would be to get a strop and a harness. Then you can hook in and take a rest or stay hooked in to help control the power which would allow you to get away with using a slightly larger foil if you have one already.

In general anything around 2m will be fun to fly in 20mph and controllable in gusts of 30+ Be really cautious in gusty winds if you are new to powerkites though!!

I have a 1.5m Flexifoil buz (2 line) which I have flown in 55mph gusting to 70+ It was insanely fast accross the sky but I was more concerned about the kite tearing than injuring myself. the pull wasn't difficult to control. That kite has the biggest wind range of anything i own at 5-70+ mph

My goto for truly nuclear is just a dual line stunt from HQ the DeltaHawk Wind 3-8 Bft. (12-74 km/h, 8-46 mph)

That's for when it gets above 40 I have flown it in 52 gusting to who knows what...(I was on an MTB) doesn't start to develop any real pull until about 35.

The 2.2 buster soulfly is one that you can fly with handles or add the buster bar and it becomes a 2 line trainer with the 3 line brake.
I do believe you will enjoy the buster soulfly very much. In the event you get a buggy, it will be a wonderful high wind kite.

lol static flying with an HQ Toxic is 20mph is not something I would even think about doing lmao. If you want to just static fly and have no pull your gonna have to go small. 1.4 HQ Symphony , 1.7 HQ Symphony TR

and I wouldnt fly the 2.5 Snapshot in 20mph winds if your trying to avoid a workout

Thanks y'all!!
Is there any other 4 line kite hat turns as quick as the snapshot? I really had a lot of fun with that one.
And will a hornet or Beamer be much better than, say, buster soulfly, cross kites quattro, or the stinger?
Thanks!

Personally, the only reason I'd get a Beamer is if I got a smokin deal on a used one. My first 4-line was a 2M Hornet and because it was the first gen Hornet instead of second gen, it was like $171 plus shipping. This is close to 2 years ago though. So if I were going to get a Hornet I'd probably want to find a nice used one because you will be very close if not over $200 to buy a new 2M Hornet. Just to be clear, I would pick a Hornet any day of the week over a Beamer though...

On the other hand the two kites on the list I would definitely buy brand new are either the PKD Buster Soulfly or Cross Kites Quattro. Both are excellent for what you are wanting to do and will blow away the Snapshot performance-wise and still be well under $200 for brand new kites!

So I flew the 2.2 buster soulfly and the 2m hornet side by side....
That soulfly pulls much, much harder.
The hornet turns a little quicker, and flies quicker, too.
In 15 mph, I sure wouldn't want more pull than that 2.2.
Maybe I'll get a 1.5 cross kites quatro for those days, lol!
I so enjoyed the smaller snapshots fun zippy performance, I just wish I could get that with 4 lines, so I can relaunch easier. I don't really need so much power...
Maybe I need a rev?

PKD makes a smaller Buster than the 2.2, it is very quick, almost too quick for what I like to do. the Rev is a whole different world but if stunt flying is what interests you then that may be the way to go. foils can be fun to stunt with but rev's will keep you interested in learning new stunts and maneuvers.