Cerebite
Posts: 328
Registered: 5-6-2011
Location: China Lake Yacht Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is he using the same wind we are?
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Advanced Kites [FB, handles]
So there are a lot of regular and repeated discussions on here regarding the subject of "best kite for a beginner" etc. but few if any for the more
"seasoned" fliers.
I and others on here are currently in the situation where we have been buggying for a number of years and need new/ replacement/ different kites.
There are several folks who have the desire/ skill/ need for intermediate to advanced kites but we prefer to stick with FB and handles rather than
make the technique and equipment transition to bars and DP. Nothing against the single skin DPs I just am not yet ready to make the switch over to
DP.
Everyone knows and loves the Reactor/ Viper/ Vapor and their competitors but they are getting hard to find either new or used. This is, I know,
because the land market is small to begin with and most of the competitive riders in Europe and elsewhere have converted to De -Power.
In my case it would be mid range [3 -5 m] as my agressive kites it that range have been worn out flying on Playa.
Best as I can determine the options for us are:
Zebra: http://shop.zebrakites.de/en/ZebraZ1.php
Thanks to D Cheeks for point out to me that they are still making kites.
Rather famously Popeye brought a set with him one year when he came to NABX/ IBX and everyone that I have heard of flying them has had good things to
say about them.
Who in North America has flown or owned them and what have you thought of them as an alternative to the PL and other "race" kites? Can anyone speak
to the performance differences between the Z1, Z2, and Z3 [and to a lesser extent from my perspective the Slope and Revolt Ultra [which are DP]]
Pansh: http://www.panshkite.com/
I know everyone has an opinion as to the merit of this manufacturer, either derived or from personnal experience. For my part I achknowledge that
they are literally cheap Chinese knockoffs with the issues associated with that.
Ace, Ace II, Adam, Blaze, Cerberus, First, Flux, etc.
I own a couple small Ace [< 2 m] and a huge one [12m] but have not flown them "in anger" in a "normal" size range. I have 10 m Blaze & First
as well [used to fly on grass at altitude in low wind] but again have not flow much or at all in the buggy with them.
I own and have flown well with the Adams [4.5 m & 5.5 m] and liked them but am concerned with the durability on the closed/ semi -closed cells on
hard surfaces.
What other options are currently out there for this style of flying?
NASA wings -1 to 12m [mostly KM4]
Foils -2 -12m [mostly PL & Pansh]
VTT Stinger on Midi's
Another day in Paradise...
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Bladerunner
Posts: 9679
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Vancouver
Member Is Offline
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I don't remember Popeye bringing over Zebra kites but I know folks who bought His Cooper kites?
Dieter can tell you about Pansh. I think he is partial to the Blaze. ( some of the best graphics ever ) I think He liked the Flux also?
I had a 5m Ace that was a great kite. The panels were not all from the same bolt so some soiled and some stood up. I believe they stole from the 4.9
Blade for the design so the 5 is there sweet size. Smaller ones are too zippy with a big punch. The bigger one are all punch.
Flexifoil Rage.
SkyCountry Reflex.
Kites: 2.5m Profoil , Quadrifoil XL kitesurfer, NPW 5 Danger.
Flexifoil: 1.7m Sting, 4.9m Blade 3, 9m Blade 2.
Flysurfer : 19m Speed 2 SA, 7m Pulse
Peter Lynn :18m Phantom, 15m Synergy, 10m Synergy, 1200 Farc, 460 Sarc, 130 Tarc, 5m Peel, 4.2m , 6.4, 8.5 C-Quads, 3.5 LS2 single skin.
Rides: Flexi / P.L. Frankin'Buggy , Shaped + straight skiis, sand skis, Coyote blades. Core 95 ATB. RKB R2 ATB .
Ken (K2)
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Windstruck
Posts: 3338
Registered: 5-16-2015
Location: St George, UT, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Get in my buggy!
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John, there is a quiver of Vipers for sale from another John from Oregon. Good dude; you've probably met him.
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=36357#pid33...
Born-Kites:
RaceStar+ (3.0m, 5.0m, 7.0m, 9.0m, 14.0m)
RaceStar (9.0m, 11.0m)
NasaStar-4 (2.5m, 4.0m, 5.5m, 7.0m)
NasaStar-3 (custom 3.2m)
Flysurfer Kites:
Peak-5 (2.5m)
Buggy:
Peter Lynn BigFoot+ nose & tail; midsection VTT rail & seat kit; home-brewed AQR
NAPKA Member US2815
SWATK Member UT0003
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BeamerBob
Posts: 8308
Registered: 5-11-2007
Location: Down on the bayou
Member Is Offline
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I was thinking everything Blade was saying.
Jon Ellis had some Libre Spirit kites that ran well and looked beautiful flying. Jon was like that though. I'd like to try a few of those.
Vapors are often for sale from UK and Europe on the Facebook for sale pages.
Coastal Wind Sports Team Rider
Landsegler Disc wheels
PTW Hero Buggy - XXtreme ApeXX Buggy US 88 - Libre Hardcore
IvanpahBuggyExpo.com
Youtube link
Bob Muse
HQ Montana X 8m, Montana IX 12m, HQ Ignition LEI 5m,
PL Phantom 12m, 15m, Big Blu 24m+, Synergy 10m, Venom 10m, 13m , Phantom II 12m Vapors 3.8, 5.4, Crosskite Sonic 7m, PKD Combat 10.3m
Uturn Butane 2.5m PKD Buster 3m Genetrix Hydra 7m Ozone Yakuza GT 14m
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ColinW
Posts: 243
Registered: 4-12-2015
Location: Victoria BC
Member Is Offline
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I would think PKD Combat would be in that mix. I've never flown one, but the big ones look fatastic going down the beach in low wind. Also their
Century II soulfly; less race kite, but certainly a step up from intro.
There is also the Jojo Rm and Rm+. If you see any of these kites stay away from them, and send the seller contact info to me. I will take them off the
market.
Long live fixed bridles!
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abkayak
Posts: 2271
Registered: 1-7-2012
Location: a.b. NY
Member Is Offline
Mood: loving life and becoming wise in simplicity
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advanced kites don't have to be race kites...
blades and bullets can be nasty in a good way
US-31...Cquad set/ 2.5 Bullet/ 2.6 Viper/ 2.9m Reactor/ 2- 3.5m Bullet/ 3.6 Beamer/ 4m Buster/ 4m Toxic/ 4m Ikon dp/ 4.5 Bullet/ 4.9m Blade/ 5.6
Twister/ 6.6m Blade/ 7.5 Apex/ 9m Fuel/ Phantom I 9,12,15,18/ 2 Flexibugs/ PL Big Foot/ landboards
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Glx
Posts: 181
Registered: 2-28-2017
Location: Massachusetts
Member Is Offline
Mood: I need some more buggying!
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I would also throw in the mix PKD Busters as low aspect kites and the absolutely awesome PKD Centuries as high aspect ratio kites. I fly them both and
currently only find myself reaching for the busters when the gusts are insane otherwise nice clean winds call for Centuries.
NAPKA US80
Kites:
Prism Snapshot 1.2 (This is what started the addiction)
Flexifoil Blurr 2.5, 3.5, 5.0
PKD Buster Soulfly 1.5, 3.3
PKD Buster Soulfly Pro 2.2, 4.4
PKD Century ii 3.5, 4.5, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0
Buggy:
Flexifoil Wide Axel
MG Supra
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BigMikesKites
Posts: 960
Registered: 12-24-2008
Location: Dallas (Area), TX
Member Is Offline
Mood: Go away RAIN
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I have a few Reactor/Sonics available. I might have some smaller sizes if i dig a little more.
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=36088
Love both kites, but the Sonics are my favorite. They are based on the vapor (distributed by Vliegerop who distributes Peter Lynn. ) But they
handle much nicer (not quite as snappy). This is better if you are not in a competition. The market has switched to DePower I believe because
there is more money in it. They dont realize by doing that you take out a big chunk of the people who want to do this, but not spend a fortune on
gear.
i have youtube videos on the sonic and reactor
Mike
Owner Big Mike's Kites
http://www.BigMikesKites.com
Kites: Most of them
Buggy: VTT BLACK WIDOW...The best
Peter Lynn XR+ w VTT Rail Kit
Landboard: Not a chance
Water: still trying |
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Cerebite
Posts: 328
Registered: 5-6-2011
Location: China Lake Yacht Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is he using the same wind we are?
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Thanks all for your insights and comments. As I alluded to in my opening I feel that this is a good area for discussion and debate that is not
currently being tossed around on this forum [I love the discussions on the Born, NPW, and single skin threads]
It seems I need a lesson in European brand evolution. I thought that the Zebras were a rebrand or tangent brand of the Coopers. Libre may be in that
mix as well [i.e. sold in N.A. as Libre, Zebra in Europe].
Bladerunner: I would agree about the flight characteristics of the Ace but have not personnally flown the mid -range sizes. Thanks for the
"reference" as to what brand / model/ size they are based upon.
Steve I have been eying the set of Vipers but I am not prepared to get a whole set [my squire will kill me] and the other folks I have seen looking
are all looking for the same segment of the size runs [3 -5 m].
ColinW: I thought the Combats and Centuries were DP? more ignorance on my part I guess.
abkayak: I agree that advanced kites do not need to be race. Similar to the movement towards DP the race front [in Europe] is where the money for
land kiting is and therefor where the development occurs. My challenge is to find advanced kites that handle gusts and lulls rather than demanding
steady winds. It is less of an issue now that I am in the desert but when I was inland there were several "sessions" where I sawy 360 degrees of
direction and volume between 0 and 15 kts. This I think is why I have owned a 8 m Reactor for over 5 years and NEVER had a good session on it [cant
get rid of it because so many peoople love them].
BigMike: Thanks for the insight about the Sonics, did not know they were based upon the Vapors.
NASA wings -1 to 12m [mostly KM4]
Foils -2 -12m [mostly PL & Pansh]
VTT Stinger on Midi's
Another day in Paradise...
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ssayre
Posts: 3587
Registered: 8-15-2013
Location: Indiana
Member Is Offline
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"This I think is why I have owned a 8 m Reactor for over 5 years and NEVER had a good session on it"
I know exactly what you mean about that. I'm inland and have owned a toxic 8m and a 8m blade. I haven't done any kiting in a long while but I made
the switch to NPW and a Peak. They really work great for the inland choppy wind. I need more tractor like power for long grass too.
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Cerebite
Posts: 328
Registered: 5-6-2011
Location: China Lake Yacht Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is he using the same wind we are?
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Funny that you mention the Blade ssayre. My 8 [maybe 8.5 m] Blade [IV, IIRC] was/ is my kite of choice for med -light inland winds.
A previous owner did a lot of work on the bridling of that kite for those conditions so it may be a bit of a Unicorn in that regard.
NPWs on handles were my "2nd generation" kites [matching set of 1 m -12m KM4s] and I love them but "the speed gets lost in the grunt" and they need
constant line tension attention to keep them correctly placed in the window and from nose tucking.
NASA wings -1 to 12m [mostly KM4]
Foils -2 -12m [mostly PL & Pansh]
VTT Stinger on Midi's
Another day in Paradise...
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ssayre
Posts: 3587
Registered: 8-15-2013
Location: Indiana
Member Is Offline
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I had a full quiver of nasa star 2's I switched to which worked well. I flew them off a bar so they didn't suffer from nose tuck but they also didn't
have the finite control that 4 line nasa's have either.
It's natural progression of an inland pilot. FB - Nasa - depower lol
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Blitzhound
Posts: 529
Registered: 7-10-2013
Location: Seaside, Oregon
Member Is Offline
Mood: I got a sickness, and the only cure is more Buggyin!
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I really Enjoyed the PKD Century Soulfly II's. I had the full Quiver. They were very solid kites on the playa...(PB of 54mph on a 4.5m at Alvord) They
were even better on the beach. I don't know if PKD is still making them or not. I'm sure BigKid could answer that. They are DP's But the new Inferno's
from PKD are absolutely wonderful kites.
NAPKA US541
HQ: Beamer V 5.0m,
Best: Bularoo 7m, Waroo 9m, 12m
PKD: Inferno 9m, 12m, 16.5m,
Ozone: SubZero: 5m, 7m, 9m, 11m, 13m, Access 6m, Pure 6m, Chrono V2 7m, V4 13m, Chrono EXP 7m, 9m, R1V3 21m
Buggies: GT-Revolt, GT-RazR,
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jeepersjoey
Posts: 454
Registered: 1-1-2012
Location: Denvah Dahlin'
Member Is Offline
Mood: Vapor Trails...
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Hey John,
Dick has a few Centuries. I flew them and was thoroughly impressed with them. I seem to remember that there were two versions with one being thinner
(fragile) than the other.
I am sure some of the others on here can fill in my ignorance spots on this subject.
Btw...it turns out that I destroyed one Vapor and put another in a wheelchair...with little chance of it flying again. Drat.
I may actually put the 3.2m Vapor for sale here and see if anyone wants it. It sucks that I got 1/4 season out of it. The fact that Tami owned it
first might mean that I can get $100 for it! All but one of the internal battens are blown out! Physically, the kite looks great. Guts are just
destroyed!
Paul
Peter Lynn - Resurrected Vapors (thanks to Tenacious Tape): 3.2, 3.8, 4.5, 5.4m. Size 2.3m (dead) - all internal bellows shredded
Pansh - Cerberus - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5, 9m. (red)
Peter Lynn - Viper - 2.6m
Flexifoil - Rage - Rasta 1.8, 2.5 (dead), 3.5 (dead), 4.7 (v2). New backup of 2.5m and 3.5m.
Ozone - Method 6.5m (w/ Ozone Turbo Bar)
Libre - Bora - Yellow 3.0 & 4.5 (both on their last breath of life)
Peter Lynn - C-Quad - 6.3
HQ - NPW9: 3.4 & 5.3. NPW5: 1.0
Buggies (Kite and Land)
#1 Buggy: Libre Full-Race
#2 Buggy: Peter Lynn Suspension buggy
#3 Sailer: Homemade Land Sailer
#4 Buggy: Windspeed Pro Ivanpah Buggy named Bruce (because he weighs 130 lbs!!)
Paul's Photo Album
Paul's Videos |
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pbc
Posts: 830
Registered: 5-9-2009
Location: Gainesville, FL
Member Is Offline
Mood: Updated, edited, and published
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Ouch, that hurts, Paul. What's the state of the kite that's only in a wheelchair?
I fly: Charger II 6.5m * Charger II 8m * Charger II 10m * Scorpion 10 (for sale) * Phantom II 12m * F-Arc 1200 * Venom 13m
I ride: Peter Lynn XR+ on Midis * Flexifoil Midi/Barrow * Peter Lynn Comp on Barrows * Peter Lynn XR+ (needs a fork)
I build: Custom bars for buggy pilots
I write about kite stuff: at http://philipbchase.com
Philip Chase |
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