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DaveH... Good advice! I'll certainly need to get good, very good, at flying a single kite before I try two or more. And you are probably quite right about spending time with the straps - particularly if using them makes the initial lessons easier. I'll be 'walking' for a long time, I expect. I know there is much to learn - likely far more than beginners have any inkling of... ~grim grin~ Also to Jim... I'm sure you're quite right too, about crashes - and likely complete inability to control or get out many 'in trouble' situations. It took many a sailplane and hundreds of hours before I could fly the winds for four and five hours at a time in places no one else dared try. Thanks too for some idea of how long (and strong) the handles need to be. What you describe sounds very easy and inexpensive. I suspect I'll eventually build my own handles of shaped aluminum tubing in a slight arc, using the same kind of holes - only a great deal of time, trial and effort will tell... Many thanks to both of you...

Well - I'll take that under advisement - but, I fully intend to try to fly multiple kites at some point. Anyone else have any comment - or has anyone else used handles on dual-line kites? Thanks to all for your time...

Before I order... I've been looking at what comes with the purchase of the Prism Hypnotist kite - "control straps" only are listed, meaning if I'm not mistaken, the kite comes only equipped for freestyle flying - one line in each hand. No mention of handles... So my question is - can anyone point me to a preferred handle to purchase that will allow single-hand control of the kite? I'm sure that using a handle will limit the type of stunts possible - but, hey... I've never flown yet, and I don't expect to be doing any stunts initially, and probably very few for a long time. And I guess that an associated question might be, 'Can't I just make my own handle?' Any thoughts you may have, I'd much appreciate... Thanks!

Thanks Rob, Dave, 'ant man,' and Kent... I'm most happy to see your replies, and conclusions that the Hypnotist can be handled by an absolute novice. Dave and Rob - thanks for verification of durability! ~grin~ - I'm certain I'll test that mightily... Kent, I found your comment on the larger size to be particularly interesting - and a vindication of sorts regarding my thought that a larger kite might be somewhat less squirrelly than the smaller beginner models. I indeed do look forward to that Freestyle Pilot DVD! I've still not ordered one, mainly because I've not gone 'price shopping' yet - but, hope to get one 'on the way' soon. Thanks again to you all...

Hi folks... I have no kite and have never flown one – but will buy one sometime soon and take to the wind. The question I have concerns the Prism Hypnotist – wondering if anyone has tried one – and what you might think of the kite after flying it. I’m considering it because a novice supposedly can handle it, and because it seems built with plenty of crashes in mind (shock absorber of the Quantum) and will provide plenty of ‘growth-time’ as one grows in expertise. My only concern is that it won’t fly in lighter winds, but being in the Los Angeles area, I don’t know of many places to find sustained light winds anyway. Once last question – just how important is it to have a wind meter? I’ve flown radio control sailplanes for many hours without one - though I had a wind meter back then that I rarely consulted. Thanks for your time....