Benson Deep Space or Flying Wings Soul

[ycastella]

Hi,

Well, I have had some wise words from Kaos (Kevin) from this forum regarding my Flexifoil Pulsar (thanks again Kevin ). I am new to flying tricks but I think instead of pumping money into a kite that will never be a performer and struggling to learn on, I should maybe consider a new kite whith which I will enjoy the learning process. Then, there won't be any excuses for failure but my own lack of competency

So there it is, I have done some research on the net about the Deep Space and the Soul. It seems that one is an already up and running brand (Benson Deep Space) and the other is a new shiner in the top end class (Flying Wings Soul). I spoke with the fellows at Briskites about the soul (they are the ones who suggested the soul as it's their kite of choice in their team events). They told me it was a great kite, and fairly easy to use. It is also a little cheaper than the Deep Space. However I cannot find many reviews on it, but the videos do it justice and show some great flying. On the other hand, the Deep Space seems to be the kite of choice for a lot of people around the world and the reviews are great as well as the videos.

Does anyone have any experience with any of these 2 kites, and which one would you recommend? Or maybe you have another kite that you think might be better than the above 2. I am trying to get a kite that I can learn tricks on fairly easily but that I can keep once I do get better at flying. I would rather spend some decent money on one now and not have to purchase another one later.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Yannick

[fabsio]

I have been using the Deep Space as a training kite and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing you have to worry about is the wind conditions, too strong and you can't reliably pull tricks, too weak and it seems to stall mid trick unles you can sprint backwards to keep it moving. However, if the wind is right, then learning new tricks is quite easy and I think I was pulling consistant fades on my third flight with the DS.

I really enjoy the DS and love to fly it whenever I can (its getting less and less recently), providing the wind is right.

Cheers

Dave

[ctrlaltkite]

Hey Fabs!

Its good to see you're still around and sticking with it!

Hope to see you around the Regatta Grounds when they clear sometime.

Cheers,

Dave

[fabsio]

Yeah it is a bit annoying up there ATM, I have been flying at Cornelian Bay and at Rosetta, plus whenever I travel up north.

[DaveA]

No contest, the Soul !

A very capable all round trick kite, and very stable /predictable, and thats something a new flyer really needs.

The DS IMHO is a bit of a handful for some (me included) as it can seem a bit unstable and twitchy, although many kite snobs around the world will rave about the DS all day, and in the right hands it is obviously a very good kite.

Ive never had a good relationships with Benson kites, ive owned and sold a Gemini after hardly ever flying it, and just didnt like the DS i borrowed.

They have a particular "feel" that you will either love or hate.

And if youre in contact with Kevin, he will tell a similar story, he simply loves the Soul and he has a UL and Vented version to match.

(both are brilliant in their respective wind range too)

I rate the Soul right up there with the Talon (another darling of the kiting elite) for capabilty, and at a cheaper price than the DS its a winner.

I strongly doubt you will regret the purchase if thats the way you decide to go.

Many will disagree, but thats my 2 cents.

[spotter]

Yeah it is a bit annoying up there ATM, I have been flying at Cornelian Bay and at Rosetta, plus whenever I travel up north.

Dave, you been hiding on us? Sucks that the Taph has been a little busy for nearly 2 months. We have been getting some air time at some of the beaches (love being on Leave). Hope to catch up and see the sweet arse tricks you are doing these days.

[ycastella]

Thanks for all the help. It sounds like the soul is a winner. I'm going to see the guys at Briskites and hopefully walk out with a new soul and plenty of advice.

cheers,

Yannick

[ctrlaltkite]

Yeah it is a bit annoying up there ATM, I have been flying at Cornelian Bay and at Rosetta, plus whenever I travel up north.

You need to get up to St Helens for a break Dave!

Fly on the beaut white beaches in clean breazes!

Details of some upcoming flys are at http://www.extremekites.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=12880&view=unread#unread and you'd be most welcome to join us.

Cheers,

Dave

[fabsio]

I would love to, but as our baby is due TODAY (but is looking to be overdue, lazy like its dad) I will be expecting less and less free time to do things like Kiting (and boating, diving, sleeping etc....) but I promise to come up to the Taph when it is a bit emptier and catch up with you all.

Cheers

Dave

[ctrlaltkite]

I would love to, but as our baby is due TODAY (but is looking to be overdue, lazy like its dad) I will be expecting less and less free time to do things like Kiting (and boating, diving, sleeping etc....) but I promise to come up to the Taph when it is a bit emptier and catch up with you all.

Cheers

Dave

Well good luck with the new bub!

Is it the first one?

My youngest just turned 18....man you feel old when that happens! (shutup Steve!)

Couldn't imagine starting again!

Cheers,

Dave

[KaoS]

Might be a bit late on this...I'm struggling to get internet time in Borneo

Just like Dave said, I love the Soul range. Leading edge material is a little fragile, I've heard of a number of people who have small tears in the lower leading edge cutout.

Might be worth putting a "Wanted" notice in some of the overseas forums. here have been a number of hardly used ones come onto the market every now and then at a lower price than new.

Best of luck with the new baby, I'm just days away from grandchild number 2!

Kevin

Balikpapan, East Kalimantan

( usually Willunga, S.A.)

[Bryan Beasley]

Choosing a new kite becomes loads easier once you've got an idea of what it is you want to achieve with it...

The Soul and Deep Space are poles apart in their input requirements and style capabilities.

The Deep Space is one of the best Freestyle kites available - build quality is second to none, the 'Benson' service is quite briliant and there's people all over who will swear by the brand.

The 'Soul' is really capable - it's a different skill-set to get the best from it, and defined 'Tricks' are just that... 'defined'. 's all good, but the freestyle 'flow' and repertoire will be different to that of the DS.

There's loads of great kites on the market just now, though supporting you're local trader is proabably the best thing to do if you've no definitive idea as to what it is you want to do with your kite.

Bryan