aquatix

If you need to find your way back to your car at the end of a buggying session, just about any GPS will suffice. If you want to know your maximum speed, average speed, distance travelled etc... then get a basic cycle computer (it is what they are designed for). Providing you measure your rolling circumference ACCURATELY it will give more reliable information than a GPS anyway (at best most GPS have a one second sample rate that averages the information it recieves to produce an approximate reading). GPS is designed for 3 dimensional spacial positioning, (i.e. height as well as horizontal position) so when working just in a horizontal plane it can never fulfill it's design criteria. There is simply no justification for spending more on a GPS to get a less accurate idea of how fast you are going !

Good advice from Chris B. Probably worth noting that the "pro" version is probably unnecessary in the smaller sizes, as the weight reduction won't make much difference. They can also be rigged as a de-powerable, and begginers can fly with the "dirt-out" vents opened on the tips to slightly reduce power and prevent damage from crashing. Good article here: http://www.u-turn.de/2004/downloads/testbericht_en_oxigen.pdf

The 3.2 Oxigen is probably the sweetest in the range. It handles gusts really well, with a smooth surge forward when buggying or moves up towards the zenith. Doesn't luff up or twist when wind drops - a quick tug on the handles keeps it moving or at worst it sinks towards the gound and lands on it's trailing edge. No sudden "pops" of power the way some kites re-inflate suddenly - it's predictable and ideal for buggying as a slight change in direction towards or away from the kite as required is all thats necessary. Definitely try one before you buy anything else. Everyone has different opinions so there will never be an agreement on the "best" kite available, but I've never seen a bad Oxigen review - even from people who have eventually moved on to race kites!

Tried a Blade 6.6 (think it was Mk2) back to back with my 5.0 Oxigen (standard) in 15mph winds. Oxigen has to be kept moving untl you pick up speed but it outperformed the Blade hands down. Blade handled like a dog a first but even after lots of tweaking it could barely keep up with the Oxigen - and it was more than 1 size bigger! Not sure about U-Turns recommended wind range though - it reckons a 4.0 can be used up to Bft 7 - 7.5 for a 90kg pilot. I weigh over 110 kgs and feel overpowered with my 3.2 above Bft 6 (approx 25-30 mph). Hardly use anything but the 3.2 and 5.0 now as they cover most of the usable wind range and handle gusts really well. The launch characteristics are brilliant as you have to coax them off the ground (so no face plants! ) and once moving the power comes on really smoothly and just seems to keep building I'm also a bit of a wimp (self-employed, with 2 previous shoulder injuries to worry about) so I reckon it will be a long while before I exceed the full potential of these kites and start looking for something more "racy" . Hope this helps (and it looks like 100% positive for the Oxigens so far !)

Highly recommend a flying suit (such as for paragliding / hang-gliding). They are not fully waterproof, but windproof, breathable and lined. More comfortable and not sweaty like a drysuit, plus lots of pockets, much easier to put on & you can open zips etc when you get too hot (or need a pee ). Normal wheel spray doesn't soak through, so perfectly practical for beach use ! Usually some for grabs on ebay, cheaper than dry-suits and no expensive rubber seals to replace .

Works fine mate - looks great

Photo's taken at 2 O'clock, after a snowball fight with the kids & just before Gary set up his Guerilla (nice jumps by the way) and the wind just started to seem like it might be worth geting covered in spray for!! Sefton Council need a dog permit scheme there - the little b@st@rd wouldn't leave me alone and kept running 2 inches in front of my wheel Couldn't get enough speed up to leave it behind & the owners didn't care !

http://x10.putfile.com/3/6213311661.jpg Back again early tomorrow

Some mini icebergs - so probably same as usual? http://x10.putfile.com/3/6213585852.jpg

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Alan/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/1%20Ainsdale%20March%2005%20020.jpg Decent splash-guards a must! (suspension might help too!)

Virtually deserted beach today. Wet but nice little onshore in the afternoon. All started well until somebody's Staffordshire Terrier attacked me in my buggy Ran over it 3 times till it bit my feet and caused me to drop my kite Very short session after restarting due to a snapped leader line in Ozone handles, (wife really appreciates the wet, sandy mess in our living room now being sorted out!!!) Looks like kite-surfers are getting as lazy as buggiers with their new mid water rest bench

Would recommend Mark Young from Oxford Roofing 0151-691 1633 or 07970 334594. Nice friendly guy & will give you honest advice and a decent free quote. Good aftercare (sorted minor fault 4 years after fitting new roof) and he's interested in kites & paragliders. Tell him Alan from Garston recommended him to you

Just a quick apology to the 3 buggiers at Ainsdale on 08/02/06 who may have wondered why I stopped in the middle of the best hard, flat sand on the beach to pack away my red/yellow U-Turn Oxygen. Tried to get out of your way as quick as possible, as I know it was the fastest bit (saw some strange glances), but only stopped due to side-rail extenders / axle snapping off (see "buggying" post)! Spoke to Mark Rose afterwards but not sure who the others were. Although I'm still beginner/intermediate I don't want you to think I'm a complete w*nker! Great day though apart from that - one of the most perfect days I've seen so far at Ainsdale

Got one here if you want - no use now as upgraded to 20mm front top hats & tubes (courtesy of wind welder). Can post at cost, collect Liverpool or meet at Ainsdale if u want.

reckon Popeyethewelder (Carl) http://www.flexifoilforums.com/member.php?u=11740# or Wind Welder (Trev) trevor@buggystuff.co.uk are the main men for making anything like that on here dude, so PM them for a swift answer to your dilema!

Cheers Badger - competition would probably be where it worked best anyway, although it could be designed into a slightly different kind of buggy. You would not need the high side-rails, and perhaps use a seat that slides out to the side to lean out (like being on the trapeze while saling). If someone builds it now they owe me a drink - patented here first!! If anyone has some pics it would shut Jack up so i can go to bed........!!

Another worthy point (and another drink), so what about a short cord with Wichard shackle mounted between the downtube & side frame, just forward of between your legs (ooerr) . Could still be released instantly by kill cord and may provide sharper turns by pulling the front of the buggy round? Thish ish purely thypohetical by the way, so please don't panic that I'm going to kill someone on the beach - just curious as to reasons why it's not done, as it makes some sense from a physics point of view and doesn't seem much worse than ataching yourself to said kite.

Jack says that is a good point, but he also uses powerboats to teach sailing, and being quite safety conscious he always wears his Kill Cord. If he were ever to vacate his buggy mid-flight, Jack's kill cord would pull the release on his Wichard shackle and instantly release the kite. He says this would be automatic and need no action on his part, therefore safer than other quick release systems. I think Jack is a smart arse so please put him straight while me & Mr Smirnoff go off to a lapdancing bar!!

Just been having a quiet Friday night in with my friend Mr Jack Daniels, and we got to discussing kite harnesses / strops. JD has done a bit of sailing / windsurfing with me in the past, and in both cases the sail providing the power is attached directly to the vessel to transfer the power, leaving the pilot free to lean out and counterbalance the pull on a reach. With a kite connected to a harness round your waist (or just holding the handles), the pilot is always pulled towards the kite and power is not transferred directly to the buggy. Jack wants to know why a kite can't be hooked directly into the buggy - (perhaps to a roller where the downtube meets the side-rails, or to a pulley on a line between the side-rails, so kite can easily slide to either side). A quick release could be used in either location. This would still leave the pilot controlling the kite by the handles, but the strain (power) would be transferred directly to the buggy, leaving the pilot free to lean out to the opposite side and able to "balance" a bigger kite. Surely this would also benefit the freestyle jumpers as well, and still be safer than strapping in with a seatbelt as the pilot could jump out in a crash situation. Jack wants to know if this has been tried before or if there is an obvious reason why it should not be done. I tried to think of a sensible answer for him, but I'm pished............!!! Can anyone help Jack out before Mr Smirnoff joins in???? Too late, he's here..

Also interested in V-max one - but - will it make my bum look big or my belly look small?

Great day to start the New Year on - a sunny beach, mild wind to clear the hangover - then a first (for me anyway) when the front wheel hub literally exploded on my Libre V-max!!! Close examination of the remnants shows air pockets and stress marks in the plastic moulding, but still very unexpected whilst just bimbling along without the jumping or wheelies that some put them through! Cheers to the boarder who towed the buggy back part way after I left it in disgust for the kids to collect! Anyone got a spare standard hub / bigfoot light to fit - any condition ?

Hi Jacko - don't be put off by the kite snobs (seem to be far too many & it's getting like kayak arguments over boats!). The Radsail Pro II's are excellent buggy traction kites (IMHO) as they are well made (with sliding Dyneema bridles), predictable, with decent pull for their size. True, they are not as fast in the air or as powerful as more exotic high AR kites, and the handles are not the best, but you get a lot of kite for the money. A bit like choosing between a Mondeo or TVR! Well worth it for general beach fun if you are not into jumping or getting dragged out of the buggy in gusts. I've got some U-Turn Oxygen's which are "better" in several ways, but also scare the sh*t out of me at times which then knocks my confidence back down. You are welcome to try the Radsails at Ainsdale if you want. Regards, Alan

Sticky - there is no automatic exclusion although it may be a factor for insurance and choice of school flying sites. The best people to contact are http://www.flyability.org.uk/Flyability-home.htm who have facilities to cater for most impairments. Hope this helps get you airbourne!

The canopy becomes less stable as it is not fully pressurised. It will fly slightly slower but with lower sink rate, feel more "twitchy" and have greater tendency for wing tips to tuck and fold (like a kite luffing). Generally not pleasant. If you are slightly overweight for the canopy it will fly faster but sink slightly quicker (but not dangerously). Canopy will be extremely stable due to the extra pressure / loading, so will give a calm, smooth flight at the expense of performance, turning and soaring ability. conor - check above posts for "Icarus" training at an unbelievable £350. After that you only need £77 a year for BHPA membership / insurance (plus a glossy magazine every month), and a nominal sum if you want to join any flying clubs.

Wow - quite a rare beast! Found website: http://www.bio-air-technologies.com/index2.htm and certainly lots of scientific stuff to suggest it works. Would love to have a go but they don't make 'em in my size ! tttonyyy - yes mate, just like an MOT they should be inspected / serviced every 100 hours or annually at Aerofix or The Loft - after all, your life depends on it!!! Hey, guess what? The FreeX Flair I'm selling has just passed a full service with top marks and not flown since! Reckon it must be a bargain .