cjay

I have a Widow NG, and a Prism E2. I really like my E2 using a skybond 85' x 100# lineset, but i have read alot of negative feedback about the E3 for some reason. I think the E3 went to a heavier frame to make it stronger and that changed the feel. The Prism Hypnotist has a Quantum pro sail, with a regular Quantum frame. So the frame is stronger and heavier for beginner crashes. There seems to be some negative opinions about the Hypnotist for some reason, which is wierd since the Quantum, and Quantum pro generally get positive feedback other than the weight of the quantum. I read where someone put a quantum pro frame in a hypnotist sail and was ok with it. Seems like i read that the quantum pro is more of a precise tracking team type of kite. Which sounds like fun.

That Premier Aerosport is a cool looking kite.

I am really getting into flying the E2. I tried it with a 85' x 100# skybond line set, and that made a big difference. It is much more responsive and precise now. Compared to the Widow NG, it seems to load up smoother, be more stable at the edge of the wind window, and it is also quieter and doesn't pull as hard. It is almost as precise now. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is a difference in how they turn. The E2 feels more smooth or something. The E2 is my go to kite now for 9-12 mph wind range. I like it just as well as the Widow NG for just flying around. I still need to try the NG without the weight.

Sounds like the 1.3 size I got is probably better for beginners with less pull than the 1.8.

Quite a change going from Colorado to Coos Bay. The dune riding on that part of the coast is excellent. People seem to really like and recommend that Silver Fox kite. Appreciate the offer. If I am ever able to make it down there I will take you up on it.

That's cool you live there. I have spent a lot of time there, and still go to the Oregon Coast quite a bit. Was just down in the Newport and Lincoln City area for 4 days, and going to be in the Seaside area for 4 days starting on the 9th. Lots of great places to fly everywhere there. I bet the wind is very strong a lot of the time. What part of the coast do you live at? Interesting that you have both the Challenger Max and Silver Fox UL. I am interested to know which one tracks and turns more precisely.

I plan to get something like that. I am going to try out the thunderstruck and see if that will fit the bill or not. I decided not to buy another kite for a few months, I need to practice with what I have more. I did some research on the Pro Dancer Super ultra light, and you are right, i think that might be a good light wind choice for me.

Thanks for all of the replies, much appreciated. I get the picture now. Sounds like the Symphony Pro was a good choice for these type of kites. I just wasn't sure what size to get. I wanted to get the 1.8 but was concerned about too much pull for smaller people, and in higher winds, so I ended up getting the 1.3. I don't need to get the 1.8 since it is the same sort of deal and doesn't handle much differently.

Broke my Widow NG in 10+ mph wind. The tail weight piece collapsed into the spine, the lower spreader female end broke, and 2 c clips on the upper spreaders came loose. But then I got it fixed, and had some good wind conditions and had the best flying session I have ever had.

Hq Symphony Pro vs. Prism Synapse. And1.3 or 140 vs 170 I did an uneducated impulse buy on a HQ Symphony Pro 1.3 to try out. I think it looks nice, and it is ok for beginners to mess around with, but I didn't care much for the way it flies. It is twitchy and cant cut a straight line for anything. Is there much difference between a Prism Synapse and an Hq Symphony Pro in the way they are built? And is there much difference between the way a 1.3 or 140 and a 170 handle while flying? Especially does a 170 turn slower than a 140 ?

Very interesting info about the Skydog Breezin. Ended up buying a thunderstruck as a gift for someone that has never flown before. Look forward to taking them out and flying it. Did some flying at the beach. Had many frustrating attempts and one great session. I learned some lessons. I learned that I am not that good at judging wind speed. I set up multiple times in light wind and couldn't get the E2 or Widow NG fly. Then I kept trying to fly the Widow NG in too high of wind and broke it a bunch of ways from Sunday. I learned that the Widow NG seems to have a fairly limited wind range. It is too heavy for a light wind kite, and breaks too easy and pulls too hard for a high wind kite. I think it is about a 5 mph kite. It is also really unstable to forward flying inputs at the edge of the wind window and in a stall, which I am sure is great for tricks but sucks for actual flying in low wind. I might remove the weight and try it. When the wind is right it really is something special to fly! I know that I need a light wind kite, and also I want a more dedicated precision kite also.

Thanks for the info. That is cool that you have those. What are they like flying in the 10-15 mph wind range? Do you consider them more of a precise tracking type of kite?

I don't mind modifying the E2, I am not going to get rid of it anyway. I went to Prism the other day, and they punched a few holes in it for me in the area I wanted. They said to do it in the reinforced area, and do it in between the trailing edge zig zag threads. I am going to be at the beach in Newport Oregon for a few days flying next week, and Keith at The Kite Company there has the Skydog Thunderstruck, and Freebird in stock. I might buy one just to have. He thinks they would be a good choice for what I am trying to do with it also. I would like to know if it is capable of doing sharp turns and squares or not.

Appreciate the info. I am sure the Lam kites are great, but spending $400+ on a trick kite, for something I am going to use as a high wind beater isn't the right application. Eventually I might get one, but it isn't in the budget right now. I am quite happy with the Widow NG as a 5-10 mph kite right now. I am curious about the Challenger kite and think I will have to get one. I like supporting our local kite shops if I am able.

Thanks for the info. I am a beginner also, so I am certainly interested in your thoughts about how it flew. I am not looking at it for tricks, but for 10-15 mph flying. What I am interested in is 10-15 mph wind, how easy it is to fly, how hard does it pull, how loud is it, and how precise does it turn and track, and does it have a lot of over steer.