PKD Buster MKIII 4M

This is my second review, my second Kite but my first 4 line kite, so please bare in mind that I have limited experience, therefore my review is based on a beginers point of view.

What's Included?
Kite,
Lines,
Handles,
A pair of Kite Killers,
Stickers,
Sew on labels,
Ground Stakes,
Pouches (to weight the trailing edge)
Sack type bag.

The Kite.
Being the 3.0m the colour is mostly red with a single black stripe and white trailing edge. Material seems to be nice and crisp, stitching appears to be of good quality. The bridle seems quite complex to a novice such as myself, and is adjustable, allowing the AOA to be adjusteded depending on wind and preference. Zipped dirt outs at the two lower corners are a nice addition.

Lines.
The brake lines seem awfully thin to the untrained eye. All the lines seem to tangle quite easily, and I am unsure of the quality. Having said that, they are all the same length, give good feel, and do the job just fine. It would make it easier for a beginer if they were different colours, but I have had no problems with them, so they function just fine I guess.

Handles.
Not the comfiest of things I must say. Plastic construction. Neoprene type foam/rubber grips. Nice touch are the cleats on the brake line end, which allow for adjustment on the fly. As supplied they come with a strop, which I didn't like the idea of, it seemed too short to me, so I got rid of it. After a couple of times flying I invested in some clear PVC rubber tube, which I put over the main line attatchments to stop the lines digging into my fingers (something I had seen on a Flexi) and I must say, it's 75p well spent.

Kite Killers.
Seem to be quite good to me, although I have no comparison to make. They do seem like they are a little on the small size with regard to wrist size, but the little loops make doing and un-doing them quite easy. The leashes are elasticated, and seem to be quite long. Being long they seem to get wrapped around the flying and brake lines quite easily.

Ground Stakes.
Two are supplied in a sheath, they are small diametre, and have very small red anodised ends. Very funky, but in my opinion virtually useless. They wouyld be no use in sand, and the ends are so small that you would easily loose them in grass. I've not used mine, I use some large yellow plastic tent pegs which work great in grass and are easy to see.

Stickers and stuff.
Erm, they are stickers, they stick like sticky things and have the PKD logo on them. The sew on patches are a similar idea, except, well, you erm, sew them on instead of sticking them on.

The pouches for weighting the trailing edge are a nice idea, but I have never had to use them. They will do the job though I have no doubt.

The Bag.
Awfull. No compartments, thin material, naff straps and a simple drawstring, having said that, it holds stuff inside and stops it falling to the ground. I bough the kite, not the bag. I wouldn't let the bag put me off buying another one, but I would advise anybody buying one of these to do as I have done, and use the bag to keep the kite tidy inside another, better quality bag.

Setting Up.

The kite comes ready to fly, all lines ready attatched. I had to attatch the kite killers, and I did decide to remove the strop before I took it out for it's first flight. First time out I found the lines were a little tangled, but this might not have been the first time it had been out of the bag. Laying out the lines and handles and staking the brakes, I went back to the kite and layed it out, lifted up the leading edge, and it sat very nicely.

First Flight.

Kite killers on, not sure quite what to expect (in approx 5-10mph wind) I gave a quick tug and up up and away! The kite inflated well and went straight up to the top of the window although nowhere near the Zenith. She sat there quite easily, and the amount of pull suprised me. (My previous kite was a cirrus power 1.8m) A few manouvers later and it was quite apparent that this is not a slow kite. It moved briskly through the window. I tried for the first time the brakes. I was staggered that I could make it fly backwards, not something I was expecting.

More Flights.

Turning on the brakes is easy, and staggers me how sharply a kite can turn. It seems so effortless. Landing is something I am now used to, and I can manage quite well. Weather this kite is good or not remains to be seen as I only have this one to judge by as the cirrus I own is ony dual line, so landing is a challenge with that.

On the occasion that I land it a bit wrong, it is easy enough to reverse launch. I have ended up gaining a few feet of scuds, but to be honest this is not something I am used to yet, and more often than not end up staggering towards the kite rather than leaning back and enjoying the ride.

This kite seems to like a fair breeze, much less than 10mph and it is a challenge to keep it inflated, although not impossible. It likes to be kept moving in low winds otherwise it fluffs.

Overall.
I would rate the kite as a very good beginer to intermediate kite. A lot of pull, not much lift, and very stable in 10+mph winds. It can be hard work in low winds, but on the whole is a very enjoyable kite to fly. It represents good value for money. I'm not sure if I would buy a smaller version than the 3.0m, but larger???? maybe!

By : mikeinderby