HQ Beamer TSR 3.6M

The Beamer TSR from HQ is a development of the popular Beamer II. The kite has been designed to fly with more pressure on the two main flying lines hence it has been optimised for a control bar. The TSR package is supplied with short 50cm bar and a good quality coloured line set (sleeving is knotted, not sewn). The bag is pretty good but there's NO ground stake (unlike the standard Beamer II package).

In terms of build quality the kite feels and looks good - neat construction with reinforced bridle tabs. The internal V-ribs are black on this 3.6m and look good in the air. The bar is nice - the main flying lines attach to long leader lines on the bar ends whilst the "brakes" attach to a line running around a pulley, itself attached to a line through the centre of the bar and subsequently to a wrist strap. A separate harness line is supplied but its easy to fit. The system has safety release features so the flyer can release COMPLETELY from the bar and kite should the need arise. In normal use simply dropping the bar brings the kite down easily.

So.... once everything is attached its time to fly. Now...the bridle on this kite can be adjusted to trim the angle of attack. Its supplied with a standard setting but it can be adjusted to give more power or more speed.

In a 10-12mph wind the kite launches VERY easily on the standard bridle setting and it generates some useful power in this wind. Turns are fairly rapid and responsive but not particularly fast. The bar feels a little "short" and perhaps more leverage would make it turn a bit better? Its possible to loop the TSR but not "on-a-penny". The kite is best landed by releasing the bar and the wrist leash pulls it down quickly - not very elegantly but effective nevertheless!

Bridle Adjustement - on the "power setting" and in this wind the kite is a little hesitant to rise, after all the angle of attack has been increased however the pull is noticeably higher and in a higher wind when the kite is well "powered up" it would feel really good. The wind window is reduced a bit. On the "speed" setting the kite didn't behave particularly well and was prone to collapse (luffing) at the zenith and at the edge of the window. Pull was reduced but in the lightish wind it wasn't performing very well. It might be better in a stronger wind? Its worth noting that the bridle adjustment points are only simple knots and it quite possible to loosen them and move them to make this setting slightly less "severe" - certainly worth an experiment or two. The kite was returned to the standard setting and it proved to be the best compromise between power and stability. General stability was good but it was possible to persuade a bit of overflying at the zenith but recovey was safe and predictable.

Therefore - first impressions - just like the Beamer II, the TSR flies very well and its certainly stable enough for a beginner to fly immediately and in safety. The overall package including bag, bar lines, manual and video CD is very good. Personally I would have liked to try the kite on a longer bar to improve the turning response. The 50cm bar is OK but your hands feel very close together. The Beamer II 3.6m is priced well at £134.95 RRP. The 3.6m TSR is £184.95 RRP - quite an increase. I'd say the lines are BETTER than those on the Beamer II and OK, the bridle is adjustable so the increase is largely the price of the bar. Now.....I know its a bit like nit picking but for example the excellent 4 line foil bar from Ozone is £51.95 RRP so if we take off the price of a pair of handles I would have liked to see the overall price of the TSR package slightly lower and at least throw in a ground stake!!!!!!! Notwithstanding these comments its a good kite and would make an excellent "engine" for a landboard. Its simple enough for a beginner to fly straight from the bag and powerful enough to earn a place in an intermediate flyers kite bag for sure.

Oh.....and it does generate some useful lift - certainly enough to lift my 13st when the wind picked up to about 13-15mph !

By : Andy Tipper