Kite alternative to Blade IV 6.5?

[festa]

Re the Viper, I think I'd end up nit picking about detail such as the reinforcements being dubious.

 

Blurr is a contender and re AAA on the Blade, I've found it a bit harder to fly on the low setting. I'm not pilot of the year though, and my local inland spot is very temperamental wind-wise, so it's not had consistent conditions tbh.

 

don't be put off by the price bud they are truley excellent kites my 6.8 turnes well and works quite well from around 10 mph and absorb gusts well when flying inland (i have flown mine every where from the rugby field next to my house where the wind is shit and turbulent due to the trees at one end and houses around 80% of the rest to the beach i have clocked 32 mph towing a tandem with my brother in it and all my gear strapped to the back axle of my pog in no more than about 15 mph wind

 

any way that is my tuppence worth !! for what its worth

[jimmy221599968752]

so why sell the blade ? I know, they have too much lift if you don't want it for jumping, a gust rips you sideways and spoils a nice Cruz down the beach. The blurr has about the same forward pull but hardly any lift and eats gusts. its a friendly kite. Having said that the blade is one of the best kites made to date and has huge torque, the blurr builds torque with speed so at a stand still there is much less, but it makes the blur safer and controllable. dive the blurr hard and get some power but keep it still and switch it off , 25m lines would switch it on even more. I have gone a step further to an Ozone manta 2 which you may discover later but the blurr has what you were looking for and blade 4's are still in demand, partly because of the blade 5 !

[custheyder]

I don't freestyle either, but even though my Pansh Ace 7m has a goodly amount of lift in the conditions I'm flying her it's easy to control.... Just don't send her rocketing to the zenith! Will also handle inland gusty conditions well.

[seitenschneider]

Hey Cust,

did the Ace change in any way in the last two years? I used to have a 6m and it was slow turning like schoolbus.

 

CJ, the U-turn Butan II is on sale at drachenstore.de under "Schnäppchen". Excellent kite for the money, huge pull, easy to maneuver. Probably not the lightest of kites, but can still keep up well enough with current race kites. On shorter lines, like 16m it turns very quickly and shorter lines seem to take off some of the lift as well.

It is very well behaved in gusting inland and coastal conditions.

[custheyder]

The Ace, like all Pansh kites are under continual development. In the last 2 years there have been quite a few changes including reinforments at specific bridle points. For it's size my 7m turns very indeed.

 

...U-Turn kites are excellent as well, just expensive by comparison.

[seitenschneider]

For it's size my 7m turns very indeed.

slow/fast? Hehe just kidding. I didn´t get along with my ace, which does not in turn mean it´s a bad kite at all. What I absolutely loathed about all my panshes was the ability to suck up water like a sponge. A bit of seal n glide solved that, though.

 

...U-Turn kites are excellent as well, just expensive by comparison.

So true, but compare the "sale because a butan III is aproaching fast" price to the price of used Yaks... in the end you get what you pay for, plus I did support the domestic economy. ;-)

[custheyder]

Doh! ... "turns very well indeed"

 

Canopy materials are changing as well. The new Flux and the Sprints are much less prone to sucking up water.

You say you're supporting the domestic economy, but guess where most of these kites are made.

[PQ1599968802]

I'm surprised know one has suggested a Blade V.

 

Based on flying my 4.9 Blade V (not a 6.5) I find the V more forgiving and faster to turn than the IV and in gusty conditions I would rather a Blade V than IV. I think that the V has an unfounded bad reputation as it is not as aggressive as the previous Blades, but that does not make it a bad kite. It is less aggressive so less desirable for some but I think it is probably the most refined Blade made to date, and possibly exactly what you are looking for? I love my 4.9 Blade V and intend to get the other two to compliment with my set of Blade IVs for when the conditions are not so good.

 

I also think the 7m Blurr is a great kite and out of all of the Blurrs is the easiest to fly as it back-stalls the least. However, it has no cross bridal and is quite slow, probably only slightly faster to turn than an 8.5m Blade IV. I think that the Blurrs are fantastic kites and could never part with my set but they are not without their issues. Back-stalling being the main one but they also take a bit of experience to get the best out of them. You could just spend that time getting used to your Blade IV? I remember the first time I flew a friends 6.5m Blade IV, it scared the crap out of me! Now I have my own, I love it, of course, and handled in the right way doesn't have to send you skyward. By the way, you can easily jump in a buggy with a 7m Blurr, but you have to be very firm when redirecting because of its turning speed (the 5m Blurr is much better in this respect).

 

I think that the 6m Rage is another great kite, and was my first kite that I used in the buggy. Very stable, very predictable, basically very nice and easy to fly. However, it is a big kite for amount of power you get form it, much much less power than the 6.5m Blade IV, so in higher winds you end up with way to much material in the sky which becomes a liability. Anyway, after your 6.5m Blade IV you will find the Rage to boring, I only keep mine to so non kiting friends can have a go of something when the wind is light. What a silly name for that kite!

 

I have only flown Flexifoil powerkites so I couldn't comment on the other kites mentioned here.

 

PQ

[D4vem]

got my 6m pkd century 2 last night, managed to get half an hour with it in light winds it has a very impressive amount of pull and i cant wait to get it up in some good wind.

deffinatly worth looking at.

[cj1211599968765]

Not been on here much, and there's lots of great input, which I appreciate chaps. It'll be difficult to reply to all, so apologies if particular points aren't replied to. I have read and absorbed! Thank you. (plus kind offer of a test flight on the Blurr Mark)

 

I guess, in terms of the actual kite in question, there are two key themes that fit with where I'm at with it:

 

In a nutshell, Mick says learn to fly the bugger better, and back in the day, you'd have had to put up and shut up:) (not dissin' ya Mick) I have to ackowledge this, and yeah it pulls like blighty when lines a taught up wind Mick (I was on two wheels on BFLs last week...and I don't do two wheels, eek)

 

And Jimmy chips in with a reality check for the less experienced pilot (moi!) and hits a few nails on the head. It can intimidate me at times. I'm cool with sharing that coz I don't do macho shit.

 

So taking the above two into account, I've got to try and get to know/fly the bugger better and if I'm still unhappy (read unable to know/fly better if you like) a Blurr might get attention.

[mick]

Chris, it wasn't me particularly that said learn to fly it better. I just agreed. What I would say tho and I'm not knockin you AT ALL, too many kiters are dumping their kit cos it doesn't fly very well or go upwind very well. Generally it isn't the kit. In the hands of an experienced flyer it'll go but its so easy to move on. I think this is a dangerous practice and I reckon we'll start seeing a lot more accidents as ppl start using too bigger kites or captive systems before they're ready. And I mean ready, abilitywise.

 

I agree about this macho thing. Whats the point wrecking yourself when you've gotta work Monday. And of course theres the age thing. There are a few kiters on here now hitting a right old age( obviously not me ) but they're on Blades. Do you think they'de be flying them if they considered them dangerous. Well of course they're dangerous but so are all. Its about respect and patience. A bit like marriage but more fun. Personally, I prefer my Blades not because I'm a man thing but because I'm sure of what it'll do if I disrespect it. Mmm a bit like marriage again I guess.

Edited May 23, 2010 by mick
senility reared its head.

[Zotty]

So taking the above two into account, I've got to try and get to know/fly the bugger better and if I'm still unhappy (read unable to know/fly better if you like) a Blurr might get attention.

 

good man.. what you need is slow motion.. next to no wind! learn to keep it flying in those conditions will teach what the kites all about...

 

out of interest.,., your buggying right?.. i know freestyle/racing aint your thing... i know you dont feel the need to push those limits.. but. if your not strapping in the buggy or indeed attached to the kite then it will ALWAYS be a mission.. cant recommend going captive enough. certainly Free's up your 'energy' so you can take stock of whats happening and react. no more out of buggys... no more out stretched arms.. no more OMG i cant hold this for much longer!... nice low center of gravity pull that helps NO end with stability... if your not already doing this.. at least give it a try.. it can make the diff between being on the edge with a 4.9 unhooked and strapped in and comfy and in control in the same winds on the 6.5... as always. start with low winds when trying new styles...

 

if already riding captive... ignore me... i waffle on lol

[mick]

Zot, you know my level of flying. Explain to me why I should go 'captive' instead of just harnessed. I like to unhook on fast turns (over 40 mph) and for sure, I feel more comfortable knowing I can unhook if I get overpowered. Ive never thought of going captive on land of course and can't see where it'd help. Explain Biker Boy.

[Zotty]

LOL.. biker boy.. still got more kites in my quiver than you ... just bladeless now due to to many bent buggys

 

i'd rather you explain why you feel the need to unhook but still hang on should you feel over powered?. why would you want to transfer all that power to a point just above the nice top heavy head most of us carry around with us?.. a correctly put together captive system comes with a usable safety system that most of us never ever use lol.. a grab at the bottom of the handles kills the kite.. because you dont need to worry about the top of the handles due to the captive system taking that role over for you and not coming undone/unhooked unless you ask for it to be...

[mick]

I'd agree with the number of kites you have.

OK generally I fly on a roller apart from depower foils or lei. Now I'm not a real novice obviously but I feel comfortable and thats the word, comfortable with what I have. Only once or twice have I accidentally unhooked and that was never in a 'power' situation. On the hills where we've been playing, the line between OBEing and staying in can be so fine that I feel better knowing I can unhook rapidly. I guess, its what we are comfortable with. A few years time maybe, but for me, now, I'm happy with a roller. I never really figured why racers go captive as against roller. Don't tell me accidental unhooking shirley.

[Zotty]

I never really figured why racers go captive as against roller. Don't tell me accidental unhooking shirley.

 

amongst other things.. yeah lol.. i must add.. for me.. captive goes hand in hand with strapped into the buggy.. one with out the other is kinda half a job.. racers get away with it because try to get the buggy fit as tight as possible to prevent ejection.. no such luxurys in flexi's etc.. and i think you have answered your own question in the 'I never really figured why racers go captive as against roller' statement. indeed.. why? and it aint just the racers... most that head down that route would A never turn back and B find it to be the answer to numerous small teething problems they had..

[Zotty]

question.... do you unhook when flying depower when it all gets a bit much?,, and dont give me the ' i can let the bar out or indeed sheet out a bit' statements lol.. because that's A not always possible and B not always possible...

[mick]

Nah cos I don't unhook when on depower etc. but I am very careful where I do hook solidly into. Certainly on the hills, I wouldn't. Beach is no probs. Our little field in a nice steady blow would be ok. I guess its a personal choice thing.

 

PM sent.

[Zotty]

yeah could be. ive just not come across anyone that went captive that turned back to be fair..

 

captive since 2004!.. hell ya get less for bank robberys now! lol

 

pm replied to...

 

bike boy over and out :D

[cj1211599968765]

Chris, it wasn't me particularly that said learn to fly it better. I just agreed.

 

Point taken Mick, after rereading the thread. Apologies.

 

It was the Zottmeister;)

 

I shan't edit the post I made as it'll put things out of context.

[tszy]

In my opinion it won't really matter what else you try, it weon't be as good as the Blade IV.

The PKD Century's [ the original ones ] are the only kite to come close.

[Zotty]

lol i did say it in the nicest way i could.. i blame that mick.. type of guy our mothers warned us about ya know...

[cj1211599968765]

Oh yeah Zotty, Mick can still have the brunt of it;) lol

[Lynnlad]

cj121 with the light winds we have had for the past few weeks how have you managed with the 6.5, can i ask what wind speeds you use it in. Ive been watching this closely as im deciding between the 6.5 biv and 7m blurr amongst others (6m rage/7m bullet)

[cj1211599968765]

Hi Lynnlad,

Only been out once since the thread started, and that was in 20mph, gusting to 30ish at the weekend. Not BIV6.5 weather I thought. Sorry I can't feedback

Edited June 2, 2010 by cj121
popping ish in!