Skyclad01

I have read how amazingly easy it is to pull of tricks with the Acrobatx. But my only reserve about it is that I keep reading that its not too durable. And I think as beginner, I would need something a little more durable than that. Im still thinking of the Nighthawk, but I am keeping that on the backburner for now as I gather more information and opinions on the other kites as well. The Pyro XS is still on the list, and I really seem to like the Techno next to the Nighthawk - I just need more information on those two. Thank you everybody for your help, suggestions and opinions. It has and still is helping me not only on deciding my next kite, but just learning about the different kites overall.

Opinions coming left and right. Its overwhelming! So you know, My first and current kite is a Detonator, which I just got last week. While it is a good kite, I have put in 10 hrs flying time already. And ive had some slight training from a friend, so im learning pretty quick. I have now found the Detonator to be too small to work on tricks such as half axels, fades and other of the like. Now he has let me try his E2 and Mirage. Those are great kites and I was able to do fades, stalls, and ground recovery kartwheels fairly easily. They felt like they were too big a kite for me. And my Detonator is just too small to really do anything with. I want something in between the Detonator and the Mirage in size and in something that will preform well in low to moderate winds. So far this is where im at with my choices of kites and peoples suggestions and opinions. (in no order) 1. Acrobatx - Good kite, may break easy and presision is not its stronghold 2. Nighthawk - Good kite but can oversteer 3. Quantum - Ive heard good things about, but an 87" wingspan is pushing it to the limit for the size im looking for 4. Pyro XS - 81" x 36" So far I havent heard any cons on it, so thats a possibility if I dont get a Nighthawk 5. Techno - The size I like, but I havent heard too much about it. So that seems to be about where im at right now. And the Nighthawk is about the most I can afford for a kite right now. It seems to be narrowed down some. Now I just need to figure out which of these 5 is right for me. Is there any other opinions/suggestions with these kites? Or am I at a point where I just have to pick one I believe I would feel comfortable with, buy it and learn by experience?

Odd, Ive read nothing but how durable the Acrobatix is, though ive read that presicion is not the Acrobatx stronghold. I found a video of the Nighthawk in flight and it looks like its a dream to fly! I think im now sold on the Nighthawk. Now just to find a good price on one shipped. Thank you for your reply Theresa!

IF someone whos flown the two kites (Nighthawk and Acrobatix) cant tell me which of the two would be better overall, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Nevermind that. Im eating those words now!

My friend came by today with his E2. Its a nice kite, but I think its a bit much for me right now. So im thinking either the Hypnotist or the Quantum. Im leaning towards the latter since the Hypnotist has about the same wingspan as the E2. Edit: Scratch that.. Too much of a wingspan for me. Looks like im considering the Nighthawk (though that doesnt look like it would do good for fades and such), or the Acrobatix - though ive read thats slightly sloppy at times. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Ive been reading that the E2 can be difficult to do some tricks on, so thats causing me to have 2nd thoughts about the E2. What im looking for is a good intermediate level kite that does well in low to moderate winds and that has an equal balance for doing slack line tricks as well as high speed tricks. Though I will try a friends E2 this weekend (winds permitting) and see how well it does for me. So far ive flown his Mirage and I liked the feel of that one. And for some reason the Nexus catches my eye as well.

Very true. But im not too worried about that as I will be borrowing that DVD from a friend come this weekend. I forgot to ask him if he has the Dodd Gross DVD as well. Hopefully he does.

Hopefully I wont have too hard a time learning the half axel on a kite with a short wingspan. Though on the plus side, if it does give me a hard time, then once I master it I will be able to pull it off on any kite!

I believe my Detonator has the 100# line instead of the stock 80# (Im pretty sure that is, but I could be wrong) The nexus is a nice one, though at the moment my eye is hooked on the E2. Im just still browsing through the different kites and it wont be till I can at least do fades and half axels before I start narrowing down my decisions.

As a 2 day old newbie to stunt kites, I have found that I am really enjoying my kite (New Tech Detonator). Already I am thinking of what my 2nd kite should be. The Detonator has a short wingspan, and I have learned that short wingspans = better for fast flying tricks and longer wingspans = better for axels, lazy suzans, flic flacs, fades, ect. My plan is learning as much as I can with this kite then move to a kite thats more geared for people who are starting to pass the intermediate level. This way I save money instead of buying kites at each small incriment of progression. So with that in mind, when I start getting good at an intermediate level and am ready for my 2nd kite, which would be the best to buy. Due to lack of funds for a while, what would be the best kite to get under the $200 range that has a wingspan long enough to do slides, flick flacs, fades, axels, but also as a wingspan just short enough to do the high speed tricks? I know im thinking of a 2nd kite all too soon, but this is planning for the future so I am well eductaed with which type of kite that I want when the time comes. So far the Acrobatx seems like a good choice. But its decisions decisions as there is also the Big Bang and the E2 to consider as well. Which of these (or others) would be good to look into?