Peter Lynn Pepper 4.5M

I have just purchased a Peter Lynn Pepper 4.5 and as there are very few reviews on this kite at the moment, I thought I'd help other prospective buyers.

I have a 3m Firebee (marmite kite, you either love or hate them) and have been very impressed with it over the past year or so but I felt that I needed to expand the collection to cover a wider wind spectrum.

Weighing just 11stone (with boots on), I did not want to go too large too soon so I decided the next logical step up from a 3m would be 4 or 5m. After several days of Ebay eyes, I decided on a Peter Lynn Pepper 4.5m. Ready to fly from www.powerkiteshop.com for just £127.21 including next working day delivery. The 5.5 is only a tenner more. Doh.

On arrival, I have to admit the stuff sack looks like a white bin liner and not the usual rucksack provided with other kites. On reflection though, this does make it easier to para pack the kite.

The Pepper is made from proven materials (Chikara) but the build quality does look suspect with just single stitching. Looks can be deceptive though as the kite is very well produced and has a handy loop to hold the bridle lines together preventing tangles. I believe there are several colours available but please don't quote me on that. My 4.5 has a white underside with a red upper with black detail and looks like a close up of a ladybird according to my daughter. Damn kids, so fashion conscious.

Setting up was easy with colour coded lines (25m not the 30m lines as per the web site) and nice quality handles with neoprene on two thirds of the handle which are quite comfortable making it easier to fly for longer peroids.

This is the first kite ever that I have flown succesfully staight from the bag without having to tweek the lines. I was very impressed with how stable and easy it was to fly and also how quickly it turns. It sits at the zenith very nicely and can be flown close to the edge of the wind window without folding or luffing. It takes more effort to land than to take off? which I still can't quite get my head round? The nearest comparison for me is my mates 4.9 Blade 1, which feels quite cumbersome and slow compared to the Pepper but still generates more lifting power for jumps.

The Pepper would make a very good board or buggy engine alongside scudding and jumping (depending on weight/size).

My conclusion is that for under £130 this is very, very good value for money. I'd looked at and researched other kites like PKD Buster 4m and Eolo Radsail Pro 4m and even a Gold Rush AR4m and they are all around the same money and all do the same thing (sort of). For me, I've been walking around site with a cheesy grin for a couple of days now and can't wait for the wind to pick up a bit more and the sun to shine.

By : Rocky