BobM Posted February 22, 2011 Report Posted February 22, 2011 Flew the demo Method yesterday on Stockton beach. Big Rob should have some photos. Quote
lickedysplit_au Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 So what did you think Bob? Where are the photo's Rob?? Quote
Jimmy22 Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 this sunday cross fingers no earthquakes and onshore Quote
Jimmy22 Posted March 3, 2011 Report Posted March 3, 2011 oh yeah, we raced just 4 of us but it was cool the thing is when you all fly the same kite it shows how different all the buggies are really fast ! mine was crap unfortunately , the sand was soft ish and i had a heavy buggy on thin tyres , doh ! after the lads cruzed to victory we took a leaf from the aussies book and played tennis ball tag with 6-10 tennis balls ( hard to count hehe ) that was awesome and i pulled out my 5m kite so i had enough power to keep up with the others on the 3m Methods The wind was a bit crap but none of us cared during the game and it was nuts , there were buggy trailers with the kids in revolving around like turrets and letting fly . the methods got tangled fairly often thanks to the 30m we were in but it was pretty easy to reverse them and as there were very few bow ties , if any ? people sat in the buggy , fluffed out the kites and reversed them out of lines and carried on . it was crazy how many close calls were avoided and what angles we could fly at and get away with, quite chaotic . Next time we are hoping for a square wind and more than 8-10 ? knots we had. Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 3, 2011 Report Posted March 3, 2011 more than 8-10 ? knots we had. You were buggying in 8-10knots with a 3m Method?? How do you manage that? Quote
Jimmy22 Posted March 3, 2011 Report Posted March 3, 2011 it was bloody slow , huge working of the kites and my buggy sometimes didnt move at all , so badly. at one point i was facing buggy down wind and fig 8 ing the kite and ... nothing no movment , not the kites fault just that we only had 7 method 3m and not enough of any other sizes. However we all had the same disadvantage so it was thought to be an even slog. dont get me wrong i wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy but we were all in it together and equally slow in theory. Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 4, 2011 Report Posted March 4, 2011 Ah ha. 13 knots is a bit underpowered on my 4m so I was wondering how the heck you managed. Hey, but with 7 3m Methods, you could have had two twin stacks and a triple stack for a 9m Method. Now there's a thought..... (I have absolutely no idea how one would go about that...) Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 A fabulous trip down to Sandy Point - probably did 170 odd km's on the 4m/6.5m Method - mostly the bigger one. And once again I have to say that they are a super well behaved kite (both on the ground and in the air). Stable, easy to fly and when overpowered - a big slide to scrub off speed and the kite loses most of it's power. Easy. Particularly on the last day, I was as powered up as I have been with the 6.5m in 14 knots and it never threatened to lift me out of the buggy. At one point, I thought I was gonna get stranded down towards Waratah Bay when I turned around and the kite fell out of the sky - I stopped and got out of the bug and there was only the faintest puff of wind! Fortunately, with the odd gust of maybe 5 knots and 30m lines I managed to get back up the beach to where there was a bit more wind and get some speed up. I did manage to compare them with quite a few other kites and I do have to say that they are NOT as fast as a race kite. Sorry guys, but if you think you're gonna keep up with a yak or vapor you will be staring at a fast receding-into-the-distance race kite. I was comprehensively creamed by the 4.5m vapor with me flying both the 4m and the 6.5m Method - in quite a few different wind conditions, upwind and down. If anyone was thinking of buying one - I would be inclined to go up a size from similar kites. The 4m really does need 14 knots plus. With the 6.5m going from 6-14 knots before you start getting pulled into the dunes. While they are not the most powerful kite, they are really easy, stable and forgiving kites to fly and certainly faster than all the low aspect kites I've flown so far. Perhaps not as fast or powerful as the race kites (or even some of the intermediate kites like the Twister or Century), but a bloody winner in my book anyway. Quote
Jimmy22 Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 i started with a 3m / 5m combo and that was good for the usual 12 -20 knots situation , but 4m and 6.5m wouldnt cover you for 100% of the conditions. Quote
jdhot Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Thanks Wayne, I'll suggest those sizes to him. Don't know what happened to my previous post, one minute it's there the next it's gone JD Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Perhaps not as fast or powerful as the race kites (or even some of the intermediate kites like the Twister or Century), but a bloody winner in my book anyway. I like this line, the kites 'a bloody winner' as long as you don't compare it to the Century II thats faster and 75% of the price, even the Century II in Paraglider Fabric is still cheaper than the Method..... in everyone else's book that surely makes the Method an absolute loser... unless of course the object of the race is to come last! Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 I like this line, the kites 'a bloody winner' as long as you don't compare it to the Century II thats faster and 75% of the price, I find my 2.8m Century explosive with way more power than the Method - I also find it FAR harder to fly and almost impossible not to bow-tie it - having said that, I realize that it's my skill that's lacking, not the fault of the Century. The Method is far more suited to the way that I fly and what I want out of a kite. We all want completely different things from a kite and we'll pay for what we want. Providing we get the right information about the kite. I can't argue with you about the price because I agree they are expensive when compared with similar mid-aspect ratio kites. But at the end of the day the bottom line is this: Has the kite I've paid for put a smile on my face? Too right. unless of course the object of the race is to come last! Sorry, I didn't mean 'Winner' as in any sort of a race. Please substitute the words 'Bloody Ripper" but 4m and 6.5m wouldnt cover you for 100% of the conditions. True, it was always (and still is) my intention to get the 5m........and maybe the 3m...... Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 [i find my 2.8m Century explosive with way more power than the Method - I also find it FAR harder to fly and almost impossible not to bow-tie it - having said that, I realize that it's my skill that's lacking, not the fault of the Century. Remember the Century is a FOUR line kite, too many people learn to fly traction kites on low aspect kites without learning proper use of the brake lines, and effectively fly them as 2 line kites.... you can do this on low to mid aspect kites, but when you graduate to the Century then you need to use the brakes to regulate the speed, especially towards the edge of the wind window and when flying on gusty days when sudden gusts can accelerate the kite out of the window and cause it to luff. Quote
jdhot Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 I thought this was a Ozone Method thread .... especially if you'd flown one but much could be said about people flying de-powers, low to higher aspects, bar pressures and most of all the need to feel the kite through the bar, or otherwise they struggle and kites fall out of the sky. As I said in my previous deleted posted, great to hear your still enjoying your Method's John I have a mate who has tried them once and has decided to buy a few, even prefers them to some of his and my, higher aspect kites so he'll be off to the local Ozone dealer very soon. Hoping that the rain will remain at bay for tomorrow, to have a fly at Wanda/Cronulla beach and give my mate a go on the Method's that I have. Keep your impressions comin John, your opinions are creditable JD Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 I thought this was a Ozone Method thread .... especially if you'd flown one ......more bullshit...... Keep your impressions comin John, your opinions are creditable JD ah right.... so my opinion that the Century II is cheaper is less credible than Johns opinion that its a better kite, Please supply evidence of my blatant lack of credibility.... eg the secret price list where the GP can buy methods cheaper than Centurys IIs If there is anyone here lacking credibility here JD then its you, fortunately for anyone else reading this rubbish some of us don't sell our credibility so cheaply! Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Remember the Century is a FOUR line kite, Yes Brian. Thanks for that. I should point out that the Method will also overfly if you are not attentive on the brakes. Johns opinion that its a better kite, Where the hell did I actually say the Method is a better kite than the Century ?? I believe I said it SUITS me better. That's me, not you. fortunately for anyone else reading this rubbish What rubbish??? I handed over my hard earned. You get my opinion. Friggin deal with it. Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Yes Brian. Thanks for that. I should point out that the Method will also overfly if you are not attentive on the brakes. Then it will be good practice for you when you are ready to graduate to better and cheaper kites Quote
jhn.holgate Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Then it will be good practice for you when you are ready to graduate to better and cheaper kites Ouch! Better let that one through to the keeper..... Quote
jdhot Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 ah right.... so my opinion that the Century II is cheaper is less credible than Johns opinion that its a better kite, Please supply evidence of my blatant lack of credibility Where the hell did I actually say the Method is a better kite than the Century ?? I believe I said it SUITS me better. That's me, not you. No need to say anymore .... Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 No need to say anymore .... I wish....But I bet you will, you can twist words all you want, anyone can read what was actually written, and your quibbling over definitions is always a sign of a weak argument. Quote
.Joel Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Brian, side by side yes the Century II is better value when you look at both price and longevity of the kite. However it's also a harder kite to fly compared to the Method, whilst it will out perform the Method size for size in speed and power, it lacks in being as friendly and easy to control as the Method. As you point out earlier, you need to input in to the kite as the Century II sits more towards the race kite spectrum than beginner to slight intermediate spectrum. In this case, the Method suits John more as he doesn't tend to fly kites that require that level of rider control over the kite. I was out on the Peter Lynn Vapor 4.5 the last 2 days we were up there, and completely smoked his 6.5 Method as he points out earlier himself. However, had I of put John on the 4.5 Vapor for the whole day i'm pretty sure he wouldn't of enjoyed himself as much as he did on the Method as he likes to cruise up and down at a fair speed. Not get yanked, and not have to ride a kite that needs his control over the kite like the Vapor does. At some point you need to accept that not everyone has a desire to be the fastest, simply cruising does them just fine. Even John himself said to me that the hype around the kite is ridiculous, especially some of the claims made by team riders. However he also stated it's a lovely kite that he enjoys flying. Speed and Power are only two measurements of a kite, and only two factors of suitability for an individual. More speed & more power != better suited kite. Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 Joel... I don't have a problem with Johns preferences, if hes happier with the Method over the Century II then thats fine, and I thank him for being the only contributor this over bloated thread of partisan bullshit to give the only useful and non partisan information, and that is whilst the Century may be more challenging to fly it is the more powerful kite, I (and indeed others) can now use that information to inform future kite purchases, which for me is ..... Don't bother with the Method, its over priced and lacks power...... and because of this thread....throughly over hyped! On the other hand, if other individuals want a lower powered easy to fly kite then there are already plenty of MUCH CHEAPER choices out there, and indeed a number of new choices on the horizon. Quote
.Joel Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 The issue with the "hype" is quite simple, Team Riders are given a kite with a pre-defined opinion expected of them and work backwards on the review from there (ala AccessXT). On the other hand, if other individuals want a lower powered easy to fly kite then there are already plenty of MUCH CHEAPER choices out there, and indeed a number of new choices on the horizon. Once again truth based on subjectivity. No 2 kites fly exactly the same, and no 2 kites behave exactly the same, if they do then they're obviously the same kite! Now sure there are kites out there that offer better value, however again you don't always shop on "value." Secondly, whilst you may fly 2 kites that cover the same purpose, one may be cheaper however the other may feel better to you. Where is the "value" in buying and flying a kite you don't enjoy the feel of? Your whole argument now is coming solely down to price as your underlying denominator between the Method and other kites, in other words you're creating your own race to the bottom. Sometimes you purchase based on your preference to what you enjoy the feel of or you are more compatible with. Quote
BGKD Posted March 17, 2011 Report Posted March 17, 2011 OF course the hype is down to the team riders, they are trying to promote a certain product in order to preserve their status, its called BIAS, and its normally considered correct practice to ensure that you clearly state your interests in order for others to understand that you are promoting a Biased opinion..... something thats clearly missing from this and other similar hype threads! And you are completely wrong in believing that PRICE is my bottom line, were that true Id be flying busters, VALUE is everything, I myself use multiple 'formulae' to assesses value, because I buy kites to suit multiple needs. Quote
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