6 replies to this topic

[Hedgewarden]

As an eBay junkie, and enjoying the other HQ kites in my bag, I could not resist trying to snag an HQ Scarab Beetle at a very good price ratio to retail. Now I have it, and I have several questions, and experiences.

1. The standoff connectors on the lower spreader, as received, were positioned about 2 inches from each other, giving the two standoffs on each wing a "V" configuration. The few pix I've seen of the kite seem to show the standoffs parallel, and perpendicular to the spreader, like most kites. I have tried them in both positions, with little difference except when the standoffs are parallel, the lower spreader has rather extreme stress and arch.

2. This is the noisiest kite I've flown. Cool if you want noise. It screams in two unharmonic pitches simultaneously, guaranteed to draw attention on the beach. Is that the designed intent? (Banshee would be a better name. )

3. This seems to be the heaviest handling HQ kite I have experienced. That may be the intent; since I am not a free-style flier I don't know if that is desirable.

If anyone else has experience with this kite, what are your thoughts?

[John Barresi]

Is this it?



(I haven't flown one - just posting a pic for posterity)

[Hedgewarden]

Kitelife, on 13 July 2009 - 12:26 PM, said:

Is this it?

hq_scarab_beetle.jpg

(I haven't flown one - just posting a pic for posterity)

Nope, JB, looks just like it tho. Mine is in my bag.
(Sorry, could not resist that one. )
TNX for the pix.

[John Barresi]

[Hedgewarden]

Hedgewarden, on 12 July 2009 - 09:45 PM, said:

<snip>
3. This seems to be the heaviest handling HQ kite I have experienced. That may be the intent; since I am not a free-style flier I don't know if that is desirable.

If anyone else has experience with this kite, what are your thoughts?

Let me modify "heaviest handling". The kite is quite sensitive to inputs, but it takes quite a bit of effort to fly my style, which is an attempt at ballet/precision.

Also, the dual tones may be the result of unbalanced sides. It seems to have a definite bias to the left upon launch, although it is not apparent after reaching flying speeds. A tight right spin sounds one note, a tight left spin the other. Hmm - time to measure everything.

[John Barresi]

Another good one for our kite archives.

[mattiefrank]

I just want to add my 2 cents to this. I have turned my brothers on to the wonderful world of kiteflying.My oldest brother went to northcoast windpower and,he got a 1.HQ COUGAR. 2. SYMPHONY 2.2, and a HQ. SCARAB BEETLE.

IT LOOKS JUST LIKE THE ONE JOHN POSTED. he hasnt flown it yet,just the symphony.

But i did look at the scarab and,the cougar when my sister in law called him out of the room.
I WAS CURIOUS AS TO WHY HE CHOSE THAT INSTEAD OF THE E2. But to each their own. one day im gonna go over his house and,just hijack those kites to the park.
IM REALLY STOKED ABOUT TRYING THAT COUGAR ON A WINDY DAY. But his scarab beetle looksidentical to the posted pic.