lets just say your looking for a new kite

[Stuntman]

Ok,

I have $200 odd dollars of kite related funds to use. I am thinking a Silver fox, but what are the other choices out there. I have an E2 + some other older designs and am looking for a fun kite to develop trick skills.

So whats out there, whats people's thoughts, and what would you add into your bag if you had similar amounts of funds available

Shawn

[Two Hands]

Hey Shawn,

Looks like your heading n the right direction, seems there's quite a bit of good splash out there on the Silverfox, Just to make it a bit trickier though I think The Easy realoaded is a great 'little' kite for the bucks, It took me about 5 mins to start to really like it, although a little smaller than you're probably used to it's still a little trick monster. And just to really throw another wrench into the works, The Insync and the Widow are considered worthy contenders...

I know that more to choose from isn't helping but I think it's nice to know there's choice out there...

Also worth noting is that none of these are bad kites, so you might even be able to go for the one you would like most to look at at the end of your lines, remember you might be doing alot of that with a new kite in the bag!

And thats not a bad way to be at the end of the day!

TH

[Cesium]

I'll also add another option you may not have considered: buy something second-hand to get something you otherwise couldn't afford. This is how I worked my way up to the good stuff when I only had a part-time wage. The deals are out there, you may just need to wait for the right opportunity - for example, I recently sold a first-edition Nirvana for $250 and that's a kite with a RRP of over $500.

PS: A mate in Brisbane tells me that he might soon be selling off some higher-end gear from R-sky, Benson and Prism. Best keep an eye out on all the major forums.

[steve_hobart]

Give Jason a call at Briskites. He has some good options in the price range you are talking about and also provides some very knowledgeable advice.

Silverfox, Window Maker, Level Oneetc all are good options.

As already stated, if you can get a good second hand Benson or R-Sky at that price, then that's another great way to go.

cheers

steve

[Must86]

Shawn...

They're right, buy something that is gently used. I've heard good things about the SF, but nothing good about the other 2 mentioned. I actually watched an acomplished pilot wrestling with an Insync last weekend. He actually liked the E3 better. But when his Benson kites came out, I could see this guy could really fly !

There is a big difference between those off-the-shelf kites and the artisan kites, even if you're not good enough to do all the tricks, yet. I know I have alot to learn still, but one thing I have learned is how nice Benson, Blue Moons, and Sky Sport kites fly.

~Rob.

[Oooo]

and if you look in the for sale thread jason at BRISKITES is having an autcion of a stunt kite at the moment 200$ kite at a round 70 bucks at the moment all the best with what you after

[nigel]

I'll put an idea out there, (might need to find the flame proof suit first?) but have you considered a Rev?

I know it's different style of kite, and the new one's are a little bit more expensive, but grab one secondhand and you can try something new.

Just a random thought, and I always like to have a choice or two when I get to the field.

[Stuntman]

Thanks for the replies guys - keep em com'n, I am enjoying the feedback.

I have a rev II from ~95 - its a bit worn out now (well actually a lot worn out )- but was good fun. I am really looking for a "conventional" modern kite capable of teaching me new tricks though.

I'll keep my eye out for a good 2nd hand kite - I've seen some others around - in fact my E2 was picked up as a new 2nd hand purchase through kitelife when I started getting back into kiting (single line, power, sport) 12months ago.

What other forums are out there - I know GWTW and kitelife (PM ok if mentioning publicly offends the extremekites gang).

Cheers, Shawn

[damp_weather]

What other forums are out there - I know GWTW and kitelife

...Well, where to begin? In English speaking Europe the big trick kite forum is the Fractured Axel.

Among the manufacturer's forums, the Prism one is the best/most active English language one for information.

Then there is the Classy kites forum - a small and helpful mainly trick kite community, mainly US based.

...And many kite clubs have their own forums.

If you speak other languages the list expands enormously.

- In short, you could easily drown in all the information.

If you want a list, you could download my notes from http://www.seek2know.org.uk/kites/PJKites/PJKite.html . There is a chapter full of urls.

And I must try harder not to browse quite so many forums.

[steve_hobart]

Great advice everyone. Hope this is helping you Shawn.

As an aside....damp_weather - your Kite book is excellent. Have you made it available in wiki format?

cheers

steve

[Stuntman]

Thanks guys, I think I am pretty close. I think I might just be "tempted" by Kaos.

Great book damp_weather very useful and informative.

cheers, Shawn

[damp_weather]

Thank you Steve and Shawn for your kind remarks. - The kite notes "book" is very much a work in progress, lots more to go in it, and of course corrections and updates - but it is good to share.

Steve, regarding a wiki - do you mean a set of connected html pages, rather than a pdf as it is now? Or do you mean something like the wikipedia or the Fractured Axel wiki? Either way the answer currently is "no", but that may change. You can see my current views on adding to a wiki at the end of: http://www.seek2know.org.uk/kites/PJKites/PJKite.html. If you have a specific format in mind, experience of its advantages, and perhaps advice on how to create that format, I'd like to hear about it. Otherwise downloadable pdf has just been the easiest way of getting a formatted (electronically searchable) document out into cyberspace.

[TassieDevil]

Hey Shawn,

Wondered where you'd gotten to.. ain't heard from ya for a while.

You're welcome to try my Silver Fox UL anytime. Actually, I was flying at Stockton last Sunday arvo near the surf club (same spot as where I met U before). Saw that the single-liners were flying down at the point, but wanted to fly in the clear air to do some practice. I should have gone to check to see if U were there as well... sorry.. :\

Gary

[Stuntman]

Hi Gary,

Yep, I was down with the single line crew. We had a few power and stunt kites out as well. Big roll up of families and kids after lunch. Good day, been ages since I have been able to get out - work, family, weather never just seemed to get in sync But aiming to get out a bit more now the days are getting longer - bring on daylight savings

Shawn

[mad mick 199]

i know u said u had about $200 but id advise to get a higher end kite 2nd hand or just save up a little longer i got a prisem zephyr and is a sweet kite to fly i know they go for around $350 but the extra $ will get u a much better kite i also got the quantum pro and there going now for about $400 and is a very nice kite to fly and 1st u need to work out where the gap is in your your kites o u want something for light wind or for the stronger winds oif your looking for something diffrent go for a rev again the cost is more but r so much fun to fly if your in brisbane pm meand ill be happy to let u have a go of what i have try a few kites see what u like ask the shops for a demo kite to have a go of

[Cool_Aid_Guy]

Give kitepower a call or go on there website. www.kitepower.com.au

[Stuntman]

Thanks for the help guys. Kaos helped me out with a custom temptation + I won the Briskites auction over at for-sales for the level-one X-treme UL. That'll keep me going for a while (it had better I blew the budget completely on a 2nd hand buggy this week - need one of these smilies with his goulies in a vice - LOL )

Now all we need is some decent winds. What an insane week.

I am sure that down the track I will be looking to step up again - and there'll probably be a new rev to be added to quiver too. Right now I won't be too worried with the occasional (read often ) lawn dart that occurs during the learning process.

Your cool-aid wouldn't happen to be 3DHS flavoured by chance...

cheers, Shawn