HQ Beamer II 3.6M

At last, I hear you say, a review on the Beamer 3.6. This just had to be done the kites are so rare and reviews so difficult to come by.

It was thanks to all the great people on racekites.com that I finally decided to by the Beamer, thanks for all the help. So in September 2005 I make my way to the local kite shop and get great advice and a relatively cheap kite.

As is the case with HQ it’s a complete ready to fly kit.

* Bag (including comedy zip)

* Kite (3.6m is bigger than you think)

* Lines (4 x 25m of self tangling hell)

* Handles (simple and firm)

* Kit killers (use them but replace the cord, see below)

* Winder (why? See later)

* Ground stake (subtle colour scheme and holster so you can imbed the handle in your own hip)

* Instruction book (in German but the pictures helped)

* DVD

Build Quality

First impressions are good. The bag seems ok, the kite looks great and even the lines looked alright (after they were untangled which took and hour and nearly caused a divorce). 5 months, several crashes, wet / muddy fields and some new flyers have not changed this appearance. The kite and bag are still fine with no signs of wear on either. The lines are a different story though, one of the brake lines decide to stretch about 6 inches so was adjusted it then stretched again so adjusted again. One main line broke but that was my fault flying in winds too high for my ability. All lines are now ok thanks to my wife, several of my children and the great people at HQ (I cannot fault their customer service). The cord on the kite killers needs replacing with shock cord (it’s the stretchy stuff from your local hardware store) Jerry’s post on this site gives all the info about why and how.

Flying (first flight and beyond)

Setting up is nice and simple; larks head knots for all connections. The 2 thicker lines go from the top leaders on the handles to the main (top) bridle line on the kite, the kite killers attach against the second knot on the bottom leader from the handle and finally the 2 thinner lines go from the bottom handle leader to the brake (bottom) bridle line on the kite, try a knot nearer to the kite as it’s better to try and fly with too much rather than no brake. The only problem was sorting the tangles in the lines other than that it was as easy as it sounds.

So all set up, handles staked, lines all straight, kite standing ready to launch, out in light but lumpy wind and off we go. Strap on kite killers, pick up handles hold properly and pull back. Cue wife covering the ears of small children and giving me a very disapproving look. Having never flown a “proper” kite before I found that all the advice and theory was not enough preparation for the pull / fun that this thing generates I’m afraid to say that instinctive swearing was the only option. 5 minutes, several crashes, some scuds later I’m grinning like I’m back on the medication and totally hooked. 5 months later I’m still grinning and even more addicted.

Initial flight problems included the obvious; luffing, over flying, edges folding in and over turning. All solved by me finding out how to fly properly. Now the kite flies really well; no luffing or over flying and the edges only fold when I get too confident and fly to close to the window edge.

Not having done anything with boards or buggies I cannot comment on this kites suitability but or static flying it truly is great fun. When other flyers have had the chance to try this out they have been amazed at its speed through the window, stability and power.

Conclusion

Plus side

* Good value for money all in one introduction to kiting.

* Seems to last well and has survived some horrendous crashes.· Pulls nicely and flies in quite low wind.

Down side

* Getting the lines off that winder is a complete pig. Throw it away and parapack every time.

* It seems to have lead to a money leak in my wallet, apparently most of it is with HQ again as I find myself in possession of a 5.0m Crossfire. Whoops I wonder how that happened.

* The cord on the killers can pull through the webbing.

If you are looking at these reviews to find yourself a beginners kite then your search is over, make your way to your local kite shop and repeat after me

“I would like one of those nice Beamer mark 2 3.6m kites please Mr kite supplier. Thank you.”

Author : Tab3