Thoughts on the 17.5 machine.

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

I know that there are smaller SLE or bow kites that have a bigger range, relaunch easier, and turn faster. Very Happy

But, I'm broke as a joke, and machines can be had for CHEAP! Twisted Evil

I don't want to start a vs. thread. I just want to hear from people who have actually USED machines and what their experiences were.

Mark · Fri Apr 10, 09 7:28 pm

Great old style light wind kite. That and a glide made you " the Sauvie killer"

If you don't have the resources for new technology, the Machine is a Machine!

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

I have one - you better run the fifth line or it's terrible to relaunch in lightwind when the LE fills w/ water. Huge leading edge. Slow, but stable. I really like the kite overall, but a 13m SLE will outfly it by about two mph.

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

I don't agree with the Reaper- my 13 Rev won't fly in as light winds as the machine. The machine is slow and stable and the size gives it that. . I sold mine after one trip- it worked for what I wanted- but not for what I thought I wanted.

try a T2 14m. its a light wind machine, especially with a surfboard. you can find those cheap too.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

somewhere around here theres a great pump post ...

you will want a good pump.... Laughing

I personally have not seen many bows keep upwind of a machine ( most bows are not built so large ) if on equal area boards and equal skilled riders..

no race car

the whole baton thing makes them harder to babysit in life and keep them large and obvious..

and the oneline must be modified.....

what your budget I gots me a few on the wall.. Rolling Eyes

big kites glide better for the extra hang to clear the inside shop...

it has by far the most miles on the snow of any one of my kites.

When buying a kite , resale is usually considered , another year and they are going to be obsolete Laughing

dude look for a HELFISH that was the mack daddy ..

Sol-flyer · Fri Apr 10, 09 7:46 pm

my opinion,...It sucks.

I have the 20.5m machine, bought it because it was a killer deal and you cant beat a brand new kite for $300.00 complete....Then I go to use it and it comes in this overgrown dufflebag, that can't fit anywhere. So i drag it down to the beach and pump this thing up for over an hour. Went out in 8-10knts with a friggin surfboard and still could not get up on a plane. I was naturally confused and wondered why so much surface space just cant give me enough pull. (i weigh 165pnds).

So I came to the conclusion that because of the weight of so much material, And the lack of turning speed the kite will always climb to the edge of the window before you have a chance to get enough speed up to ride, And if you try to loop the kite for a better chance at getting on a plane then make sure your prepared to go downwind.

My lightwind kite now is a 12m Thruster. I can fly this kite down to the same range (8-10knts) with a surfboard and all because the kite turns faster, and is less weight, possibly newer technology. Dude, not trying to pimp but there is some great deals on 08' Thrusters left over from Eclipse. You could pick one up with minimal impact on the wallet. But what ever you choose, The newer kites utilize more surface space and turn faster, Which means less kite size.

I hope that helps,
sol

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

make me an offer on a 17.5 with bar and I will throw in a 20.5 only flown once and to the beach(out of the house 3 times)

17.5 was the only machine that worked sort of.... Twisted Evil

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

Seriously though I am in the middle of choosing between 2 kites to use for the extreem light wind I must endure. A 2006 Machine 17.5 and a 2007 Ozone Instinct Sport 13.

So far the feedback is what I expected. I had to ask though!

Sol-flyer · Fri Apr 10, 09 8:12 pm

I think this song is fitting to the Machine. Just imagine what fun you can have while listening.

Link

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

That song makes me cry, but I loves me some Twitty!!

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Not trying to disprove you sol but I would like to see you ride a 12 in 8-10 knts and have fun on the water. In my opinion unless your a big dude, there is no reason to own a 17.5 in the gorge. The wind will rarely ever be light enough, and when it is, I dont even think you would have much fun schloggin around on any kite. Better of just saving the money to put towards a kite that you will use more often.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I don't even want to launch/ land a kite that big. I have never ridden it but I don't ever want to relaunch it on the water.

Sol-flyer · Sat Apr 11, 09 9:22 am

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Dude I owned a 17.5 Machine back when it was thought to be the shit. It wasn't. Get the Ozone 13 2007 if you can afford it. Basically any 12-14m Bow will dance rings around the Machine, and Ozone has HUGE range and is very safe in Gusty conditions.

If its more than 50$ for a Machine your getting taken. That thing is worthless.

Geno · Since 07 Apr 2006 64 Posts

Had a 20.5, it was an awesome kite to where you could ride in 8-10 and be powered enough to throw some tricks in 12. when they first came out the line length were screwed up(factory f-up) so you lost all the low range, perhaps thats why some people were disappointed with their performance. in 2006 many of the kites also had valve issues, so anyway unless you're itching to ride in 10 mph there isnt any point in having them in the gorge , you can always get by with a12-14 m kite