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Best kite for me, 100USD max


kotsa

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Hi...

(sorry for my English, I'm a European guy :w00t: )

I'm looking for a new kite. It's a few years ago I was flying for a last time, but I want to start again (I moved to a more windy location :) ). I am not very familiar with kites for more than 30USD (I'm 21yo now, so few years ago I was a kid...and as a kid you don't have much money ;) )

So I want something new, to learn and perform tricks (impossible with 30USD kite). But I don't know which one to choose. I personaly like these:

Nighthawk

Addiction

Acrobatx ( :wub: )

But I'm not sure. Can somebody guid me a little?

As I said, I'm from Europe. So I'd also like to know some cheap US based shop with cheap shipping to Europe. In my country, Acrobatx is for 145USD :censored:

Thank you.

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Well, it's $20 over your suggested price limit, but imho, you can't spend better money...

Jump, by Level One

http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/sport-kites/d...mp/prod_37.html

In my experience, it's hands down the best kite under $130...

A little smaller, but a beautiful balance between tricking, precision and durability.

I've got dozens of dual line kites in the $300-$400 range, but I've got two of these and they actually get the most air time.

Slightly smaller inputs, but... Yo yos (roll ups), jacobs ladder, you name it, this kite will do it, right out of the bag.

Carves precision and tip stabs with the best of 'em, and has a WIDE wind range of 3-17 mph (approx).

Most of the other kites in that price range are quite a bit heavier, and in my opinion, don't offer the same balance of characteristics.

My 2 cents. :w00t:

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OK, Level One Jump looks better than Acrobatix... Thank you:)

But it's 160USD incl. shipping:( (at least according to their ordering form - 43.22USD for Priority mail). I'll try find some EU-based shop (I don't think so but I hope).

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Jump, by Level One

http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/sport-kites/d...mp/prod_37.html

In my experience, it's hands down the best kite under $130...

A little smaller, but a beautiful balance between tricking, precision and durability.

I've got dozens of dual line kites in the $300-$400 range, but I've got two of these and they actually get the most air time.

Slightly smaller inputs, but... Yo yos (roll ups), jacobs ladder, you name it, this kite will do it, right out of the bag.

Carves precision and tip stabs with the best of 'em, and has a WIDE wind range of 3-17 mph (approx).

Most of the other kites in that price range are quite a bit heavier, and in my opinion, don't offer the same balance of characteristics.

My 2 cents. :D

John, I've found my biggest challenge with my Firecracker two line kite I bought a few years ago is that I need a field crew to fly. When it hits the ground someone has to right it & help me get it in the air again. I've seen guys at kite fests that have kites they can get off the ground by themselves.

How does the Level One Jump rate in that respect? Could I fly it by myself the way I can a Rev? :)

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Recovering dual lines is easy enough, once you know how... A few basic methods you might try to look up on the web:

- Ground flip

- Leading edge launch

- Belly launch

- Sleeping beauty

These are four core methods, each with their own pros and cons, some work better on certain kites, but all are worth knowing.

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Recovering dual lines is easy enough, once you know how... A few basic methods you might try to look up on the web:

- Ground flip

- Leading edge launch

- Belly launch

- Sleeping beauty

These are four core methods, each with their own pros and cons, some work better on certain kites, but all are worth knowing.

Thanks, I will look them up. A week from tomorrow I'm meeting a friend from Utah for a week of flying along the N. Oregon coast. We both have dual line kites we struggle with flying alone. I want to fly his Rev II & he wants to try my Rev 1, B standard & vented.

I'm looking forward to a great time even if we have to help each other get the duals off the beach. I suspect most flying will be the Revs. :)

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Look for an outbreak of dual line clinics in a year or so... It's on my to do list. :)

In the meantime, you should always feel free to give me a holler if you're headed through Portland to meet up.

Often traveling, but it's worth a check, and I always love to hang out with other fliers, no worries Ray! :D

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  • 3 weeks later...
Well, it's $20 over your suggested price limit, but imho, you can't spend better money...

Jump, by Level One

http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/sport-kites/d...mp/prod_37.html

In my experience, it's hands down the best kite under $130...

A little smaller, but a beautiful balance between tricking, precision and durability.

I've got dozens of dual line kites in the $300-$400 range, but I've got two of these and they actually get the most air time.

Slightly smaller inputs, but... Yo yos (roll ups), jacobs ladder, you name it, this kite will do it, right out of the bag.

Carves precision and tip stabs with the best of 'em, and has a WIDE wind range of 3-17 mph (approx).

Most of the other kites in that price range are quite a bit heavier, and in my opinion, don't offer the same balance of characteristics.

My 2 cents. B)

I found the Jump for 109.00 shipped I'm going to order one.

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I found one German e-shop, Level One Jump ... 93USD + shipping. That sounds better:)

Thank you:)

So did you get your kite yet? What do you think about the Jump?

Hi.

I still don't have a kite... I have more important issues to solve now :blink:

But I'm still a little undecided. One of forum members recomended me a Premier Addiction. So...I'll see. But - sadly - i have now different things to do than fly a kite:(

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I found one German e-shop, Level One Jump ... 93USD + shipping. That sounds better:)

Thank you:)

So did you get your kite yet? What do you think about the Jump?

Hi.

I still don't have a kite... I have more important issues to solve now :blink:

But I'm still a little undecided. One of forum members recomended me a Premier Addiction. So...I'll see. But - sadly - i have now different things to do than fly a kite:(

I understand totally! Whatever kite you get I would like to hear about it. We need more kite reviews around here. Good luck, hope you can get one soon.

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  • 2 weeks later...
I found one German e-shop, Level One Jump ... 93USD + shipping. That sounds better:)

Thank you:)

So did you get your kite yet? What do you think about the Jump?

Well I've had the Jump for a few weeks now and have been flying it every chance I get. The wind had not been too good but

I still had a few outings that were OK. I am just a beginner at tricks and haven't had much luck teaching myself, until got this great kite from Level One. Within minutes of the first flight I was doing back flips, Fades,and Lazy Suzans. Recovery on the ground is a snap compared to any other kite a own. In lower winds, it seems that the nose is a little heavy and wants to land on the LE. I'm maybe going to try a small weight on the tail. I can't wait to get out and learn more tricks now.

Thanks to John B. for suggesting the Jump.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I made a weight for the tail on my jump using a 1/2 long inch piece of copper tubing about 6mm id.

Well I went out today in some lite and choppy wind, at the first small gust of wind I pulled the kite up,

turned it down to move into a fade, and I just did my first Yo Yo. The weight seamed to do the trick. Then the dam

wind just went still. I can't wait to get to the beach next week. :w00t:

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  • 3 weeks later...

Sweet, let us know how it goes on the beach with some clean wind! :)

Well I'm back from OC MD. and I flew every day. The wind was a little high on Assateague Island so most flying was done at the edge of the window. I talked to Chris at the Kite Loft and he had me meet up with Mike on the beach in the morning just watching him fly my Qpro I picked up a lot of tips. I can now do YO Yo's and Flic Flac's.

One morning at Assateague Island I was watching a young boy and his father struggle to get this small stunt kite in the air, when the father was holding the kite to launch it went up and almost took his head off.

So I had to go over there and help. I asked if I could give his boy a few tips, he replied "please".

I showed him how to launch from the ground by putting a little sand on the trailing edge to hold it in place, within minutes he was doing loops. The next day the same boy was on the beach practicing what I showed him. I think if I had not gone over to help he would have given up on kite flying.

Now I can't wait to go to the Outer Banks in Sep.

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