tridude1600949562

I was in the market for a fixed bridle, high wind kite. A dual role kite if you will for static fun and cruising on the land board at the beach. After a bit of research and speaking with a few PKF members, I decided on the Profoil 3.5m signature series by Ted Dougherty.............................. The Bag "man this thing has grunt and lift"-- seriously a nice bag, not overstated or too small. Kite, handles, and lines all fit nicely. I'm a parapacker and there is plenty of room to stuff in the lines. If you wrap your lines on the handles, even more room. Adjustable padded straps and exterior pocket with ample room for a ground stake, kite killers, keys, cell, snack, etc. A mesh vent in the bottom of the bag allows the sail to breath if put away wet and dirt or sand to escape from inside the bag. The Canopy Crispy, light, and durable nylon ripstop. The two center cells are closed adding to the stability of the sail. The bridle attachment points are well stitched and reinforced at the canopy. The bridles are dyneema but are tied not stitched. The bridle set up reminded me a lot of the Mac Para Bego series but make no mistake, this is an original Ted Dougherty design. Very detailed and pain staking to tie rather than stitch I'm sure but you have to admire the time and effort spent to produce a quality product. The air inlets provide ample air flow in making this a great low wind performer at 8 to 10 mph wind speeds. The Handles Small, padded, color coded, aluminum handles. The leaders are the same dyneema material used in the bridles. The handle leaders themselves are a bit on the short side not leaving much line to tie extra trimming knots. Also, there are no strop attachment points out the back side of the handles. The handles work fine but for those who like to hook in for the buggy or board , a short set of Ozone handles with longer leaders and strop attachment points would work nicely here, an easy, effective, and inexpensive upgrade. Lines The Profoil series DO NOT come ready to fly so you will need lines. Most of you have a spare set and for those who don't, it is no problem getting a quality, inexpensive set. I purchased a set of Peter Lynn 170/110 kg lines and they are a nice compliment to the Profoil. Flying Characteristics Fast, stable, responsive, grunt, huge wind range, and a stunter, yes a stunter! This sail will spin on its tips, so fast it almost makes you dizzy. When you've had enough, add a bit of brake and it comes to a screeching horizontal stop, sitting there waiting for you next maneuver. Working the window, the sail is stable at the edges, climbs and sits nicely at zenith. For someone just getting into the sport this would be a great kite to develop and refine your skills. It flies very well in 10mph winds which will allow you to learn basics while not putting you at risk of injury. As your experience and confidence grow, and the wind really starts kicking, the kite only gets better. Speed and grunt increase while the canopy remains stable due in part to the two inner most cells being closed. This kite does produce lift and surprising float in its upper wind range. For an experienced pilot, the speed and responsiveness your inputs will provide hours of delight in the buggy, on a board, or static flying. I would say the overall effective wing range of the 3.5 is 8/9 up to 30 mph depending on your experience. Conclusion For someone just getting into the sport, a great kite to develop and refine your skills. The quality of the sail and bridles are excellent. Flies a treat as you say, and would make a nice high wind addition to anyone's quiver. The only negative comment is the handles but they are functional. The pure quality of the sail and its amazing flying characteristics will provide you with years of memorable flying experiences. As always fly hard and safe! Tri By : tridude

7m Montana 2I had the opportunity to fly the 7m Montana 2 earlier this summer and thought it time to review the kite. This is my first formal review so I hope Ive covered all applicables and made sense in the process. Overall, the sail, bridles, lines, pulleys, bar, and safety systems are top drawer. Factor in the price vs other depower foils out there and this kite def deserves a test flight and consideration for your quiver! The Bag Very functional and plenty of room for easy upacking and pack out! Its vented allowing the kite to dry if it gets wet. Extra compartments for all your personal items. Again, the bag doesnt fly but its nice. The Sail Nice crispy ripstop, stitched nicely, beefed up at the air inlets and wingtips but overall it feels very light! The shape and color scheme give the kite that serious sporty look. The trailing edge resembles that of the Air Evolution minus the mylar flaps. Overall a nice build and look! The Bridles Color coded, pre stretched dyneema bridles are excellent quality. Stitched loops and connections to the sail are of high quality. The color scheme will help you detect any twists or tangles you may experience due to unpacking or packing out. After 10 plus flights I can say I never once had any tangles or twists. The bridle config really makes the kite feel solid thru the window. Lastly, the pulleys are very smooth and facilitate light to medium tension on the bar, even when powered up. The Lines Again, color coded, pre stretched dyneema that provide alot of feedback and pop while flying. If you're on the snow, no problems sorting out your lines. The Trimmer Straight forward and easy to power up or depower. Easily accessible when your hooked in and need to reach up for an adjustment. There are 3 knots where the front lines connect to the trimmer. This allows the pilot to set the kite up for current wind conditions or skill level. The last knot on the leader (closest to the sail) provides the most lift but stalling can be an issue. The first knot (closest to the bar) allows the kite to fly faster thru the window, and stalling becomes less of an issue. The middle knot is a combo of speed, lift, and minimal stalling. I found the middle knot best for me unless the winds were near the bottom of the windrange. At this point, I moved to the knot closest to the bar. The Bar Nice quality, works well up and down the depower/trimmer line. More than enough clearance not to chaffe or snag. Bars ends come with elastic hoops to hold your lines in place after wrapping them, and lock out of the way while flying. Chicken loop is strong and beefy but the donkey dong seems a bit flimsy. I never had it pop out but HQ def needs to take a look at this. I feel it should be beefier and a larger circumferance. If your uncomfy with the dong, duct tape it--not pretty but functional! Keep in mind Im from South Carolina, home of NASCAR and duct tape! Bar is color coded to match the color scheme of the main and rear lines. All in all a nice set up! Depower Effect With the bar pushed away from you, in 20 mph winds it feels like a 3 meter kite with the trimmer set 20 percent depowered. Easliy controllable in the wind ranges published by HQ. When the kite is flown in 20+ mph winds and you pull the bar in, power really comes on quickly and has a nice feel in the bar. Feel a gust coming, let the bar out and the sail holds its shape and handles gust well. The primary and secondary safety systems are easy to find, deploy, and re rig to get you back in the air quickly. Flying Characteristics When powered up, very fast thru the window and provides alot of pop and lift. Pulls very well upwind and you can park and ride in higher winds. Very stable at the edge of the window but I would say this kite is for an experienced depower pilot. You can get her to tip curl, and bow tie if you not familiar with how to fly a depower, especially as you work nearer the edge of the window but this is true for all depower foils with the FS Pulse possibly being the exception. The speed of the kite and the higher A/R seemed geared more to the experinced flyer but if you're patient and learn the kite you will def be pleased! I found the kite flew the best on the middle knot on the trimmer, and in winds from 15 to 25 mph. I had it out once in 30 mph winds and it was hairy. The kite perfromed fine, the rider was lacking so I called it a day! All in all a great kit. Quality and performance are superb. Factor in the price like I said earlier and it def requires a demo. This would make a nice high wind depower foil to anyones quiver! Fly hard and safe! Tri By : tridude