DaveA

Id have to agree whole heartedly with Kevin here. Its very important to know what you want your kite to do in zero / almost zero winds. If theres no wind and you want to trick just like a standard then be prepared to go home or fly a kite that wont really trick much, its a trade off. I'll also add the Prism 4D to the list, fantastic low wind range while still retaining some tricks. I just wish Prism would make a full size kite as the 4D is small and can be squirrelly.

Yeah, i was disappointed to see the prices too (of the Gentleman). Ive always like L1 stuff, i still have my Genesis Evo and Jump, but cant see myself adding to that here. The JJF Excalibur looks very tasty but the price is But the "Matzel" editions looks interesting.

Great to see Level One back in the game after going missing for a while.

Its certainly a lovely kite Steve, it does everything i ask it to (so yes, its very forgiving) I'll put it just a fraction below my No.1 kite the Talon. Im kind of done now for standards, the Talon, Hydra, Soul, and a few others i have are more than enough in that department, it would take something pretty special to get me to buy another one at the minute. Im always on the lookout for SUL's though, but i just dont see much out there that wont require me to re-mortgage the house to buy one AND be a proper SUL (not a over hyped "light" standard) How's the 4D ? Dave

Hey, blame mother nature

Hmm, must have a dozen or so, including a vented Rev (an absolute must have in these here parts) I must admit im just not inspired regarding the current kites on the market, particularly those with a high price point. The Cosmics, Sevens etc just dont get me reaching for the wallet. Having said that, i had a real hankering for a Hydra when they came out and was lucky enough to get a custom.

Surely any half decent airline/ business would have refunded your money ! So VB’s planes sit on the ground knowing they won’t be flying anywhere, and yet they don’t have the decency to give your money back. How can they look you in the eye and say "sorry, no money back" This represents a huge profit for them. Quite frankly I’m staggered at this. Do not use budget airlines people, they will shaft you the second there is a complication.

No contest, the Soul ! A very capable all round trick kite, and very stable /predictable, and thats something a new flyer really needs. The DS IMHO is a bit of a handful for some (me included) as it can seem a bit unstable and twitchy, although many kite snobs around the world will rave about the DS all day, and in the right hands it is obviously a very good kite. Ive never had a good relationships with Benson kites, ive owned and sold a Gemini after hardly ever flying it, and just didnt like the DS i borrowed. They have a particular "feel" that you will either love or hate. And if youre in contact with Kevin, he will tell a similar story, he simply loves the Soul and he has a UL and Vented version to match. (both are brilliant in their respective wind range too) I rate the Soul right up there with the Talon (another darling of the kiting elite) for capabilty, and at a cheaper price than the DS its a winner. I strongly doubt you will regret the purchase if thats the way you decide to go. Many will disagree, but thats my 2 cents.

A bit of *cough* interest about this kite down here at the moment too.

Any chance of some photos Adrian ? I still reckon its an absolute Barry Crocker, but i'll stand corrected.

Ooh, not sure about the brown Jase I reckon Brown is one of those colours that just should never go on a kite, along with "mustard" and "cream" I guess it might look better in real life though, with the sun behind it.

There's not a two line kite on the planet that will handle the winds we've had down here the last few months My vented Rev has seen so much air time lately that im afraid im going to wear it out ! Ive got a Talon that ive had for about 3 months that has only been flown once, a KaoS Maelstrom that is still to see the light of day, plus a KaoS Temptation that has only been flown once too !! Im afraid to look at my "older" kites in case they have turned to parchment by now. As much as i like my vented Silver Fox, it really only has an incremental higher wind range than the standard, the vented Soul is much better "high wind" kite IMHO Howling gale = the new normal

Nice Jared, Ive always wanted one of those

I'm starting to see why you were putting me off buying a Hydra now. You wanted to get one for yourself !

Yep, i'd go for the Climax Profiline line sets. My current Climax lines have lasted for years, but are starting to look pretty shabby.

Fair enough Rob, and i agree with what you say about Prism. They obviously think taking the brand down a few levels is the right one, but its a shame a once great kite company is now being talked about in the same breath as New Tech and Flying Wings, but if profits are up then who are we to argue. This image change is also hurting the kite they still wish to be regarded as the flagship, the Quantum Pro. I have a QPro SUL myself, and to be fair i dont really regard it as a true SUL, in those winds it stays in the bag. However, when the winds pick up a bit i really enjoy it, its veeeery different from all the other kites in my bag, but thats part of the attraction for me, i find it very satisfying pulling off tricks with it that other kites give out for free. Try flying it in stronger winds than you think it wants and you might be surprised, it does have a good wind range for a "SUL" ...but if the bridle is upside down...

Sounds like you're not too rapt with the E3 Rob

Sorry for a question that may have been answered elsewhere Jarad, but what was you impression of the E3 stock out of the bag ? Have you ever flown a E2 ? Ive been tempted a few times to buy an E3 as ive always liked to look of the E2, and the new version is said to alleviate the problems some people had with the first. (and the price is right) Although my time with my E2 was fairly short lived as i just found it way too "over-steery". But to be fair, i'd like to think i was a better flier now than when i had it, hense my temtation to dip my toe in the water again.

I actually found it was much easier just selecting a colour scheme from one of the huge selection already on the JoE website. Im not very artistic myself, but i know what i like when i see it.

With all due respect to Adrians suggestion, i think there are too many people that dont quite connect with the DS to guarantee that you will like it, you either love the DS....or you dont. (Adrians a massive Benson fan if you didnt know already :tongue2: ) For a first kite after the E2, id go for something a little more "regular" in its flying style, pehaps a Blue Moon Exile or Muse. Or if you're on a budget i reckon the Flying Wings Silver Foxes are a good buy, although certainly not of the same build quality of the DS or the Blue Moons.

Well i FINALLY got to fly my new Talon this weekend, if only for an hour or so. Ive had the thing for about 6 weeks but he winds weve had down here have been diabolical, especially on weekends it would seem And i can glady say the kite is definately an "A bagger", but those who have already got one wont be surprised at that. Despite forking out the rather large sum of money for it, for some reason i was a little aprehensive about whether i would like it, being a British kite i guess i was expecting it to be "Benson-esqe", and ive never been able to connect with Bensons. Anyway, my fears were put to rest immediately, the kite was stable and predictable just how i like it, and easily did everything i asked of it (my limited range of tricks isnt worth listing). For some reason it reminds me a little of both the Flying Wings Soul and Level One Genesis, which just happened to be my number 1 and 2 kites before now. So that cant be too bad. I'm rapt with my new toy

Carbon tubes and rods. Always replacing the pesky things on my HQ Shadow.

Flying Wings Airwave Zero SUL, @ $180

Ive got a HQ padded bag. Large enough for about a dozen kites, with a large segmented inner pocket for lines, aeroguard etc. ...and its tough as old boots. Recommended.

What sort of kites, single liners ?