U-Turn Helium 4.4M

Well I've now owned my Helium for a year (yike!) so I reckon it's time to write a review of my experiences with it over a longer period rather than a just-got-it-out-the-bag-I-love-it job.

I bought the kite pretty much new, it was ex-demo so it was 'used' but still crispy and as-new. Got a good deal from Brian at U-Turn, £134 I think.

It was my first powerkite, my Dad has a 1.4 Buster which I learnt to fly, but this was a bit of a step up in the world.

So, on with the review... in true Racekites fashion, I'll start with the bag.

The Bag (And Other Accessories)

Like I said, this was ex-demo, so I'm not sure how it's packaged new, but mine came in a nice red stuff-sack - nothing fancy like a rucksack or anything, but I wasn't bothered, it meant I could carry it around easily in my own rucksack.

The handles and lines that I got with it were used as well - a set of Ozone lines (30m as he had no 25s left) and some strange handles, possibly Eolo, which were ok but which I soon upgraded to Flexis with killers.

First Impressions

Naturally, for a first kite, my first thought on unfolding it on the beach was, 'Woah it's HUGE!' I'm more used to it now though, but it does remind you that 4.4m is a largish kite and has a fair bit of oomph. The looks of the kite are simple but attractive - yellow on top and white underneath with a red leading edge. The only graphics are two 'www.u-turn.de' logos on the underside. Nice and crispy, and it looks great when sat on the ground LE up.

In Flight

My first flight sort of wasn't, I set up the kite, attached the lines and handles etc, and as always the wind got bored and left, so I won't dwell on that one.

In the air the thing you really appreciate is the grunt and stability of the thing - it sits in the air like a brick and pulls like a train. I don't buggy, being as I don't have one, but I guess this would make an ideal beginner's buggy kite, good for progressing too. It has very little lift, it's really built for traction not jumping, but it feels solid in the air and will never overfly - luffing is extremely rare too.

I tend to fly the Helium static - I've got nothing against it but I just don't really like boarding fixed bridle. Don't know why, I just don't feel comfy. Although it's an oomphy kite, it's fairly nippy through turns and across the window, I rarely use the brakes, again maybe just the way I fly. The size of the window it operates in is huge as well, I can stand it on its end about 5degrees behind me on either side and still have enough control to tug the lines and it comes rocketing back round. It'll also sit quite happily at the zenith with very little flyer input, not quite on a par with an ARC but to be honest not that far off.

Build Quality

Brilliant. U-Turn are ex-paraglider manufacturers or something, and this shows in the quality of the kites they build. All the seams are double-stitched and the fabric is strong too - I've never heard of a U-Turn bridle ripping, or stiching coming apart or anything. The lines are a little the worse for wear, and the handles were mince, although pretty sturdy, but that's nothing to do with the kite.

Value for Money

Pretty good - you get a cracking kite for your money, and it's in the lower end of the price range for this size of kite, as it's not your purebred race kite or Blade IV. Giving U-Turn a call to see what ex-demo's they have is a good start, that brought it down to the level of the beamer that I was also considering. Bangs to bucks ratio is good too, it still puts a huge big smile on my face, and it's out of the bag and in the air in about three minutes.

Suitability

I would say beginner/intermediate, probably for someone going into buggying. Nothing wrong with it for boarding, but I think that it has the characteristics a buggyer wants. I still love it static as well. It's very stable and forgiving so it's perfect to learn on (if a little large).

So.....

Basically, I love this kite. I've never had any issues with it other than the lack of wind, but that's not its fault. It's rock-solid and has bags of oomph, and after a year it can still make me grin like a two-year-old. Couldn't recommend it more to anybody who's looking at starting out kiting (although maybe a smaller size would be good) or to a kiter who wants a stable, forgiving powerhouse for blasting up the beach.

Hope this review has helped anybody who's considering a Helium, if you want more advice try asking on the forum, there's flyers on there who can give more technical info and their views on the kite. Good luck.

By : wild bean