Another kite question - But a 2nd kite one, not first kite

[Skyclad01]

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?

[sky fish]

hello fellow newbe I started with a Detonator also. I when't to a Nexus from Prism It flys fast and has sharp turns is big enough that you can get pulled around in a good wind depending on your size .I rilly like it and fine the detonator slow moving in conparision. I am planind on puting some different line on the detonator. I here that that alone can make a world of diferance. good winds

[Skyclad01]

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.

[windofchange]

A thing to consider about the E2 is that it does come with the "Freestyle Pilot" DVD.

[Skyclad01]

A thing to consider about the E2 is that it does come with the "Freestyle Pilot" DVD.

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.

[moegeo]

A thing to consider about the E2 is that it does come with the "Freestyle Pilot" DVD.

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.

5' kite or 8' kite there is a world of difference. E2! You won't regret it.

[ant man]

ive had my e2 since 2004 and still love flying when i get out to the field

[Skyclad01]

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.

[Bram]

What about an Level One Extreme UL, that's a kite to think about.

[Skyclad01]

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!

[Skyclad01]

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

[The Kite Shoppe]

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

Definitely the Nighthawk.

I have had many repair issues and product failure with the Acrobatx.

Theresa

[Skyclad01]

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!

[ant man]

i flew a nighthawk in reading pa once a buddy of mine has 1 he loves it a great low wind flier but i do like the acrobatix better because its quicker and eazier to trick

[John Barresi]

I've never been a fan of the Nighthawk myself...

1. I find it has WAY too much oversteer right out of the bag.

2. When I tuned the oversteer out, it got real sluggish.

Also, I do not find it to be very good at tricks... IMHO, the Acrobatx is twice the performer, although it is the more likely of the two to break.

[Skyclad01]

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?

[ant man]

i agree john the acrobatix is much better then the nighthawk thiugh i only flew the nighthawk a short time i still am going with the acrobatix a great kite

[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.

[John Barresi]

Skyclad, where in the USA are you located?

[Skyclad01]

Skyclad, where in the USA are you located?

Kingman, Arizona

I found a PyroXS/Techno video on Dodd's site, they both look like good kites as well. The Pyro looks really responsive. While I still like the Nighthawk, I do have to admit while watching a video of it, it does look real "feathery" and I can see just from that how people say it can oversteer easily. Im sure I might have problems with inputs on that kite. Its just such a nice looking kite!

So it looks like the list has narrowed to 3 kites now

1. Pyro XS - Looks nice on video and ive heard one person say it handles really nice and it would probably be my best choice

2. Techno - Another nice looking kite. It looks like it flys nice as well, though ive yet to hear personal reviews on it. Though I doubt ill hear anything bad on it

3. Quantum - Im still unsure about this one. Havent really heard anything much about it.

The way I see it - If I hear good things about the Techno, Ill get that one.. right now my choice on it is 50/50. The Quantum - It doesnt look like I'll lose on that one if the Techno doesnt doesnt make my first choice. And the Quantum - Not much to say about that one. Its just on the list so far, nothing more.

[The Kite Shoppe]

Skyclad, where in the USA are you located?

Kingman, Arizona

I found a PyroXS/Techno video on Dodd's site, they both look like good kites as well. The Pyro looks really responsive. While I still like the Nighthawk, I do have to admit while watching a video of it, it does look real "feathery" and I can see just from that how people say it can oversteer easily. Im sure I might have problems with inputs on that kite. Its just such a nice looking kite!

So it looks like the list has narrowed to 3 kites now

1. Pyro XS - Looks nice on video and ive heard one person say it handles really nice and it would probably be my best choice

2. Techno - Another nice looking kite. It looks like it flys nice as well, though ive yet to hear personal reviews on it. Though I doubt ill hear anything bad on it

3. Quantum - Im still unsure about this one. Havent really heard anything much about it.

The way I see it - If I hear good things about the Techno, Ill get that one.. right now my choice on it is 50/50. The Quantum - It doesnt look like I'll lose on that one if the Techno doesnt doesnt make my first choice. And the Quantum - Not much to say about that one. Its just on the list so far, nothing more.

I believe I may have one of Dodd's Techno's in the used Demo bag. If it's in good shape, I'll let it go cheap.

Drop me a note if you what me to look for it.

Theresa

[ant man]

skyclad if you want to find out more about the e2 or any prism kite visit their forum www.prism kites.com when you get in the site youll see the forum selection on their menu

[Skyclad01]

skyclad if you want to find out more about the e2 or any prism kite visit their forum www.prism kites.com when you get in the site youll see the forum selection on their menu

Been to the site many a times Never noticed a forum though. Guess I was too busy looking through kites.

[Skyclad01]

Skyclad, where in the USA are you located?

Kingman, Arizona

I found a PyroXS/Techno video on Dodd's site, they both look like good kites as well. The Pyro looks really responsive. While I still like the Nighthawk, I do have to admit while watching a video of it, it does look real "feathery" and I can see just from that how people say it can oversteer easily. Im sure I might have problems with inputs on that kite. Its just such a nice looking kite!

So it looks like the list has narrowed to 3 kites now

1. Pyro XS - Looks nice on video and ive heard one person say it handles really nice and it would probably be my best choice

2. Techno - Another nice looking kite. It looks like it flys nice as well, though ive yet to hear personal reviews on it. Though I doubt ill hear anything bad on it

3. Quantum - Im still unsure about this one. Havent really heard anything much about it.

The way I see it - If I hear good things about the Techno, Ill get that one.. right now my choice on it is 50/50. The Quantum - It doesnt look like I'll lose on that one if the Techno doesnt doesnt make my first choice. And the Quantum - Not much to say about that one. Its just on the list so far, nothing more.

I believe I may have one of Dodd's Techno's in the used Demo bag. If it's in good shape, I'll let it go cheap.

Drop me a note if you what me to look for it.

Theresa

You've peaked my interest. Message sent!!

[John F]

Skyclad, where in the USA are you located?

Kingman, Arizona

I found a PyroXS/Techno video on Dodd's site, they both look like good kites as well. The Pyro looks really responsive. While I still like the Nighthawk, I do have to admit while watching a video of it, it does look real "feathery" and I can see just from that how people say it can oversteer easily. Im sure I might have problems with inputs on that kite. Its just such a nice looking kite!

So it looks like the list has narrowed to 3 kites now

1. Pyro XS - Looks nice on video and ive heard one person say it handles really nice and it would probably be my best choice

2. Techno - Another nice looking kite. It looks like it flys nice as well, though ive yet to hear personal reviews on it. Though I doubt ill hear anything bad on it

3. Quantum - Im still unsure about this one. Havent really heard anything much about it.

The way I see it - If I hear good things about the Techno, Ill get that one.. right now my choice on it is 50/50. The Quantum - It doesnt look like I'll lose on that one if the Techno doesnt doesnt make my first choice. And the Quantum - Not much to say about that one. Its just on the list so far, nothing more.

Just 2 more cents. I keep hearing about the Prism Mirage or Hypnotist. Breaks down small and heard it is durable. Some reviews say it flys well too. I think t is cheaper than the Quantum.