HQ Beamer 3.6M

Hi to those that require a little advice on buying a kite before they commit, I am also buying a budget (£150 -£200). Use the reviews on this site as they are brilliant, some are even rather amusing.

I was fortunate enough to be loaned a Beamer 3.6 from my local Kite shop before committing myself to buy. I had done some research on the net before hand and decided that I wanted a Radsail Pro 2 4m (buying on budget to start with). Sadly this was not available in the shop but after the useful advise and lack of sales talk I was offered a Beamer or Crossifre.

I decided to listen to great advice, but was also offered the beamer to try out for a few days. The first 2 days were windless and frustrating as I wanted to get out and fly this kit, a step up from Deltas and 2 lines.

Eventually I got out and after the doing the normal set up, untangling of lines and fuss. I was able to launch straight up to the zenith. WOW!! Next move to fly around in figure 8's. Big mistake and my first flight and eventual landing on my face. Continued and played and loved every minute of it. Tried a jump too, but landed awkwardly on the knee.

Played for 2 hours, skudded on bum for several yards, found it safer as the gusts came and went. For my first time I found it exhilarating and hooked. Found out later from another helpful and talkative lady kite flyer with a wind gadget that it was gusting upto 30 mph, far more than I needed on a maiden flight, minimum was 7 mph which is about what I started in.

I know that I have alot to learn and take charge of the kite and not let the kite take charge of me. I want to jump and have fun first before boarding and buggying in due course. More kites and more money (mustn't tell the wife though!!!)

Found the kite generally easy to fly set up and pack. I read on earlier review about recommended brake settings on the bridle and benifitted from this on the second flight. More controlled and less wind maybe 10-15 mph. Far more enjoyable and able to practice some controlled landings and launchings.

Sadly I was limited to my flying time because of the lack of wind and the kite being loaned. I have now been loaned a Bullet 4.5m. More on that later.

I have decided to buy a HQ Crossfire 3.2, Why? Because of the reviews on this site, and the additional and secondary advise from the guys in the shop. Can't wait to give it a go and learn how to master it (see my reveiw on this in due course). Slightly more than a Beamer, but I would rather buy something that I will have fun with and to last a bit longer. Also don't be lulled in to buying the more exspensive kites just because they are a well known name, certainley not for your first kite. If you are as fortunate as I was to try and fly a few kites before you buy (if you own a shop, this is good advice as your potential customer will benifit in the long run as will you as they come back for more and more) all the better.

Well I have said enough and hopefully this will aid some one like me who was never sure what to buy and where to start. Enjoy the wind and power kiting buzz.

One more thing make sure you wear old clothes as the grass stains don't wash out easily dispite the what the adverts say!

By : Nige