PKD Buster 2M

Having flown a friend's Blade II 2.0m, I was eager to get started power kiting and the Buster 2.0m seemed to be the most highly recommended as an introduction to traction kiting.

The red'n'white Buster arrived from www.powerkiteshop.com ready to fly with its two flying and two brake lines already attached. Included were a quick guide on how to fly the kite and a free repair voucher. The kite itself appears to be built to a very high standard and is still without mark despite having been crashed at high speed into sand, bushes and rocks...

Getting the kite ready to fly was reasonably easy - following the instructions in the guide was simple although the lines required a lot of untwisting due to their packing method. The first time I had the kite out the wind was very light but gusty and so not a lot could be gleaned until the second attempt in February (2005)... this time the wind was around 15mph (estimated) and the kite launched without any trouble.

The Buster 2.0m is a very easy kite to fly - it doesn't pull very hard in moderate winds (obviously) and is pretty docile. This almost tardy behaviour, however, can land the adventurous user in a bit of trouble, however, as it turn as fast as one may like leading to unexpected crashes when showboating. This is not the fault of the kite, however. It does includes four (or is it five?) adjustable trim levels but no indication of what the adjustment will have on the attitude of the kite... I guess PKD believe that learning through experience is the way forward. I certainly think it's the most fun.

In high winds (about 30mph), the kite still doesn't liven up too much; compared to the Blade II of similar size it isn't as fast or as agile, but pulls very hard (again, obviously). However, it's doesn't generate as much lift as the Blade II so being dangled by the kite is a less frequent occurrance than being dragged face-first down a beach or field. Still, my 5'2 sister-in-law could fly it (with lots of screaming and letting go twice) so that should speak volumes. It is very happy to reverse-launch, too. The kite is relatively stable in high winds but appears to have a narrow field of use - pretty much 45o each side of the user and it will stall or (more amusingly) 'strafe' sideways until it gets back into the power window.

All in all, this kite is a fantastic introduction to the world of four-line traction kiting as it even impressed friends who think kiting involves their dad throwing the kite in the air and sprinting around the park trying to get the kite in the air with no success. I think I've sold a couple of kites off the back of this one.

I've only used this kite for 'recreational' purposes and it is a fantastic laugh in both medium to high winds - drop me a line at nnh008@bham.ac.uk for videos and I'll see what I can do. At the price, this kite is an absolute blast and highly recommended from this user.

By : mrthingyx