So I originally posted a similar question in the buggy section. Oops! Should have read directions first. Anyway, I'm looking for some advice. I mainly buggy in a small field that is prone to gusty conditions and lulls. I'd like to get some kites that have good low end grunt, are stable, and tolerate gusts and lulls. Right now I have 2 Crossfires and a Beamer. The Beamer's ok but the Crossfires are another story. I'm leaning toward Ozone Octane's but would like to hear any thoughts or opinions. Thanks!

Nasa wings are great in gusty winds.

Susan (npw goddess)

it's pretty hard to get more stable than Nasa Wings with short lines in those kind of conditions

Haven't had the Octane in really gusty conditions yet. Assuming it's like the Flow, it should be pretty good. My 3m Flow will occasionally fly out of the window when hit by a gust but it holds its shape well and is easy to recover. The Nasa's are more stable again. They have a narrower window and don't tend to 'shoot' forward as fast as a foil in gusty conditions. They produce power sooner than a foil too - sorta like a diesel engine in first gear. I flew my 4m Nasa Star 2 side by side with a 4m Flow one morning at the beach - the Flow did better above 16 knots or so, below, the Nasa had the advantage. There was only ever 1 or 2 mph difference between them.

IMHO, all fixed bridle kites are pretty limited in handling gusts. The answer to your problem is a depowerable foil kite, I would recommend an Ozone Access. They are renown as gust munchers but do require you to be harnessed to them so be aware if you aren't yet flying with a harness.

Other depowerable foils that might work for you would be Peter Lynn arcs, but I'm no expert on those.

Another vote for the Nasa Star 2 kites. I had mine out on the weekend in a very small sports field where the wind was gusty and blowing anywhere from 13 knots to 23 knots. I had a great time with the Nasa Star kites. 4 hours of buggying put a big smile on my face.

Yep got to agree with the NASA wings, I fly (buggy) a lot in a field with gusty conditions and by far my safest kites are the NASAs (NPW), I do also fly blades but in terms of a good solid work horse for small spaces and gusty wind my NPWs are my choice every time :-)

I'm guessing you have quite strong wind speeds to deal with from the fact that your largest kite is a 5m?

A depower like an access or an Apex might be the answer to gusty conditions. when a gust hits just push the bar out and give it a littlemore heelside edge and you are sorted.

Arcs are great too but a bit slower for small spaces.

I love my Naish sigma kites (now discontinued) for gusty winds - they are super stable. So if you feel like trying an inflatable a second hand cult, helix or bolt might be worth a look.

:evil: COME TO THE D'ARC SIDE!!! :evil:


Seriously, thats pretty much all i ride, gusty small soccer field. I LOVE my phantoms, but my charger and synergy do well too.... the new Chragers are super stable (much more than the first gen). It is a depower not handles tho... and they dont especially "love" low winds, but ive had my butt kicked by FB kites, and depower foils, put the arc up, and had a great day on the fields.....

Depower arc. Those are my winds, too. The arc sort of "flaps" to absorb a lot of the gust.