kitevince

Kite Review : CrossFire 3.2 vs Beamer TSR 3.6 I am writing this review as the total number of reviews on racekites.com reaches 999. Maybe this one will be the 1000th ! I have been power kiting for 2 months only, and this site has been of a great help though my early learning process. Thanks to racekites.com community. My initial kite purchase 2 months ago was a bit impulsive, and I ended up with a Crossfire (CF) 3.2 demo which was either a bit too big or high-performing for the dominant winds encountered in my region and the perfect beginner I was then . I really had a hard time flying this kite in winds that were not truly light ones, which is not a daily phenomenon here. So I decided that time had come to buy a smaller kite. After consulting multiple reviews on this website and other sources, I felt that the Beamer II 2.5 was the way to go. I found a very good price on a popular California-based online retailer and clicked the order button with a blend of excitement and anxiety. Then started an endless 16 day waiting period before I received the package. When I opened it, it was not a Beamer II 2.5 but a TSR 3.6... My reaction was not a good one initially, but after a while I calmed down and decided to keep it, as it is a very good deal to obtain a TSR 3.6 at the price of a Beamer II 2.5 at a clearance rate. I have already made a review of the CF 3.2 per se, so I will not insist on CF 3.2 attributes in detail. Please refer to my CF 3.2 review by clicking on the link displayed at the bottom of this one. It was an exciting experience to unpack my first brand new kite. The quality of the TSR package is great. The backpack seem very well constructed, and has plenty of room to allow a another smaller kite to fit in. The lines are of good quality, much better than the CF ones, and they are coloured. The kite itself seem of comparable construction quality than the CF, but the bridles are knotted, not sewn, and they look bulky (but they do generate a nice sound during flight). The DVD is deceiving with not much action takes. Finally, the bar. This was my first experience with a bar-driven kite. So the accessory in itself seems OK, colour-coded handles, brake lines mounted on a pulley. The harness line is included. But it is only 50cm long. That will reveal over use to be an insufficient length. Now, let's fly this Beamer TSR 3.6 kite, while keeping in perspective the CF 3.2 attributes in mind. Steady winds, 10-15km/h, static ; the typical wind conditions where I started to have a hard time with my CF 3.2. First contact with bar-driven kiting too. Upon advice gathered on this website, I set the power lines to the neutral setting (third knot if I remember well). Apparently, both the speed and power settings have their limitations as per another reviewer. Launching the TSR was relatively easy, although it was easier in the same conditions with the CF. Upon initial raising through the power zone, I was a bit surprised by the pull delivered, after reading a lots of Beamer reviews on racekites.com, I expected minor pull ; it was significant but not as threatening as it can be with the CF. When sitting at the zenith, the TSR delivers way less lift, definitely. Now, let's move this kite through the wind window, by performing some eight figures. This is where one can see that those 2 kites are so different. I think some of the differences fall under the bar's responsibility, but I'd need some advice on this. Everyone consulting this website on a regular basis knows about the CF's vitality in the air. The TSR feels like an old cow compared to it. It travels through the window quite slowly compared to the CF. It does not turn as easily too. Significant input is required on the bar to provoke a reaction. Over time, I have found that moving the bar laterally in the direction opposite to the kite's one would decrease the turn's radius. Body movement while performing a tight turn does not bring the extra effect observed with the CF. The wind window is narrower, and the TSR is more prone to luff and collapse compared to the CF. However, it is much more forgiving in other circumstances and does not exhibit the on/off CF's character, as expected. Also, as expected, the TSR is not a great jumper. The TSR does not over fly at the zenith, neither does the CF. Overall, I'll keep the TSR for the moment because of the amazing price I got for it. I intend to switch the bar on the CF and handles on the TSR to confirm what is the bar role in this whole story. If something significant happens, I'll let the community know about it. In the current bar setting, the TSR is not a very lively kite and is not a great turner. The limited lift is somewhat reassuring but after all, I think I enjoy better too much lift to my taste than not enough of it. To render a final verdict, I'll wait for some real traction on snow next winter ; it might be easier to ride a TSR while learning to kiteski ; I don't know yet. But at the end of the day, what I want is a kite that will easily do its job while on skis. I must admit that the TSR has some qualities; construction quality looks to meet expectations, it is a forgiving kite and it brings a good pull. Its yellow/black colours are neat and the TSR generates a cool sound while flying. But for overall satisfaction, it does not compete with the Crossfire although CF's handles and lines need significant improvement. The TSR is a bit too quiet while the CF is a bit too impetuous, to my taste ( a senior beginner...) I do not recommend the TSR to an absolute beginner as it does not react quickly. It may be a better thing to learn from zero with handles rather than with a bar. As a conclusion to this whole exercise, I ended up still needing a 2.5 to be able to fly in high winds. I went for a Flexifoil Rage this time, see my other review, and it is my favorite kite now. Until I learn to fully control the CF 3.2. Gosh it's powerful. By : kitevince

Flexifoil Rage 2.5 Review After an impulsive first kite purchase two months ago, a Crossfire 3.2, and living in a somewhat coastal windy region, I felt the need for a smaller kite that wouldn't bring me up to the stratosphere on a frequent basis. Found a deal last week for a Beamer II 1.8 at a ridiculous price over the Internet at a nearby dealer, but of course, when I showed up, inventory was down to zero. So I asked the guy what he had to suggest ; he pulled out a Flexifoil Rage 2.5 from the backstore, and here I am doing my second review. I am particularly pleased to bring online this review to racekites.com as there is still not much online for this model. Right off the bat. Let's say that this kite is not cheap, but worth the investment. At the kiteshop, I could observe a nice medium aspect ratio shape. Leading edge openings are covered with a net, which may avoid snow to fill the kite during the winter season. Material is crisp and sewing without a glitch. Velcro straps in the center of trailing edge to keep bridles secured in case of no parapack. Quality of lines seem excellent (the same as Beamer TSR to what I can see), and they are coloured. The bag is of a unusual design, with useless lateral flaps and no internal compartments, but definitely of good quality if not superior (time will tell). The famous flexifoil handles are of course part of the package. Being a regular HQ user, those handles look and feel like a luxury/add-on accessory ; these are way more comfortable than the HQ ones, whether those provided with the Crossfire or the Beamer I. To make a long story short, I don't have anything to say against the package other than : * backpack design is not that functional and lacks internal compartment * a groundstake would be helpful Now on the field. Assembling the lines was not a piece of cake, but might be due to my inexperience. Many twirls, but the lines were however neatly presented. Kudos to Flexifoil to present the bridles' extremities on a quick reference card. You can't miss it if you care to take a look at it. First session, immediately after the purchase (can't it be else ?) Gusty winds 5-20mph in a grass field, static. This kite is really smooth, going through lulls and gusts with almost little difference. It does not overfly over the wind window and has a wider one than the HQs I've used so far (Beamer I and TSR, Crossfire). This is not an off/on kite, which helps the beginner to easily handle its potential. The power is there in gusts, but is brought to the flyer's hands in an progressive manner. Lift is also present but not excessive as my Crossfire tends to behave (compared to power delivered). It is also nice looking although I did not have the colour combination I'd wish for (white-black-red ; too much white) but that's not kite's fault. Overall, a very enjoyable experience despite crappy winds on that day. Second session. Steady winds on a sandy shore, 15-20mph, static. Perfect setting for the Rage 2.5 apparently ! It moved quickly, but still easily controllable. It showed enough lift to make some good jumps despite my 190 pounds. The kite is truly easy to handle given the moderate conditions and exhibit a 'precision' aspect. It's easy to place the kite at a given spot in the sides of wind window despite wind speed. In those winds, the pull is there and the kite trails the flyer for about 3-4 meters while crossing the power zone, not bad for a small kite in winds compatible with my sense of sanity. The greatest quality of the Rage, to me, is to offer the discovery of moderate wind power kiting to the early intermediate flyer, in a safe but exciting/enjoyable manner. To a certain extent. This also applies to teenagers. My 11yo son, 50kg is jumping like a kangaroo with this kite. We actually need to have a talk about it. I have owned this kite for only 5 days, and OK, I have to admit that since then we have had windy day repeatedly, but this Flexifoil Rage 2.5 is a hit. I would recommend this kite to anyone who has the money for it. The investment is comparable to the one for my Crossfire 3.2 demo, and must admit that, as an early intermediate kiter, I have had more fun with my Flexifoil Rage 2.5 in 5 days than with my Crossfire 3.2 in 2 months. I am not saying that the Crossfire is a bad kite, not at all. I am an early intermediate kiter and I think learning on a CF 3.2, where I live (avg 10-15mph), was not a perfect choice. The CF is a lively, if not impetuous kite, which deserves respect from people like me. In fact, I am still a bit afraid of it, despite all those sessions. My place is a windy one, maybe a Crossfire 2.4 would have made all the difference. In any case, the Flexifoil Rage 2.5 has been so far an excellent investment at about 300.00 USD and I would recommend it to those with the following objectives : * newcomers to power kiting in recreational light winds, with some previous wind experience (sailing, windsurfing, 2-line kiting) * early intermediate kiters wishing to explore moderate wind power-kiting * junior advanced use (with adult overseeing) * moderate wind kiteskiing (to be confirmed but promising) By : kitevince