Best kite brand for the money??

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

wait for a good deal on a used 2012 kite. Look for repairs, tears etc. Make sure they hold air. Stay away from beginner models of kites. Somehow when I buy used equipment the people have taken really good care of it and within a couple of sessions it has scuff marks etc. I have no idea how people keept their stuff in such good condition. Kites will lose at least 30% of their value per year (including the first year). A 3 year old kite is probably not worth much at all. I would stick to kites from last year.

Since you wont really know what you want in a kite, try to stick to brands and models that are the most popular. This will help if you ever want to unload the kite. For example, Slingshot rallys from 2012 and before were extremely popular (kite of the year etc). So you wont go wrong with rallys. Cabrinha switchblades were also extremely popular, but cabrinha crossbows are a lot less popular (and specialized to race kites). Kite brands will have a race kite, wave kite, beginner kite, freeride kite, wake kite and it might not be easy to tell which one is which.

I would add to stay away from models that are new because it is easy to run into a kite that will be an evolutionary dead end. Watch out for older kites that may be evolutionary dead ends as well.

C.Lee · Since 02 Apr 2012 44 Posts Southern Idaho/The Gorge

I like to think I progressed at a pretty quick rate last year for it being my first year and that was on very "well used" kites. If you're trying to progress you're going to beat your kite up and there is no reason to wreck brand new kites.

Sella for president!

Sella · Tue Apr 02, 13 12:11 am

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Hey guys, I'm currently in socal and taking kite lessons this week. Gonna be moving to HR in June.

is this a good deal as a first rig? I'm 39yo, 6'2" 185lbs, experienced sailor & surfer.

"2009 Cabrinha convert 12m kite, Cabrinha prodigy 158 board, with complete rig. Used twice, like new, $750"

any tips on what to look for?

I'd like to spend the next 2 months learning down here before I move to Oregon.

Sella · Thu Apr 04, 13 10:30 am

Shiver, as a complete package that Convert and big board are a solid beginner set-up. Cabs fly so clean with easy relaunch and push away safety (I think???) but that big board is probably the most key to a good learning experience. If it's only been flown twice and it's complete (kite, bar, bag, pump) it's cheap entertainment. The lines should be stiff and feel waxy while the kite is crisp to the touch with no pinholes.

For your size and experience it will be your big kite for the Gorge and for those early evening sessions when the wind is dropping you'll have a blast playing around the Sandbar. As you progress eventually partner it with a 9M, or 8M, and you'll be prepped for battle.

Good call on the lessons.....have fun....good luck.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Sill love those Rooster Easterly days... 28g68.... I've know people that have flown 3m kites and were lit....

12m will get you a lot of action (Jones Beach, Coast, Lighter gorge days/evenings), most people's key kite size in HR is 8m or 9m... Just to be warned, even 8m's get blown off the water in HR some days...

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

The best kite for the money is the one you know the releases and safety second nature and the flight is predictable and stable with full enjoyment and content.

You dont want to worry about gear trustability , there is enough other issues in the world.

From five hundred to a thousand each should get you there plus a grand for a few good boards. get a good harness and great knife and no board leash plus some dog poop bags.

enjoy

PS
Best not to have a grab bag of bars and safety releases ect. on random quiver.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

thanks everyone for your feedback! I had my first lesson today and it was eye-opening. Even though I've raced sailboats and been a sailing instructor at a high level, I'm seeing how different the kite is. I'm stoked. One of the more difficult things I've done in the last 20 years. We'll see how tomorrow's water session goes. Yee haw!

richiethekiter · Since 22 Nov 2012 6 Posts Kook

@Sella, your wish is my command. I got my new kites and I decided to go with one of the brand-direct options, its a bit by principle & a bit 'cause I disagree about buying used kites, oh but let me digress...

First, thanks to all the posters on this thread, that took the time to spell out in so much detail to share their experience with a complete stranger, am touched, very cool.

But second, I don't know if I was not clear in 'splaining my situation or what but am not a complete novice. Have been kiting for 2yrs, grantit not that much, on older used gear (ive been using older slingshot fuels and like them a lot but they are spent). So that's where I am, I'm not that guy that needs the used kites to tear up while he is learning. My skill level is perty-good Smile

already. But I am that very frugal guy (gotta keep the family fed, ya-know) that decided its time to splurge on new gear and want to have the latest kites available where I can progress further. So it's pretty cut & dry, its factory direct brands only for me. Also I'm anal-retentive

Edited at Dangler's request to remove brand references. Sorry about violating forum rules, was answering @sella's question.

So I'm super-stocked!!! I have new kick-ass kites, me the cheapest kiter you ever met, finally.

So thanks to everybody that commented although I did not find the kind of advice I was looking for its my fault for not explaining more clearly my situation.
Richie

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Spotted you from your very first post'

This guy is a bullshit kite pimp.

I say BULLSHIT kite pimp, cuz there's nothing wrong with being a kite pimp, but posing as average Joe off the street, THEN doing a backhand pimp is BULLSHIT!

Just makes me doubt the integrity of this new brand. Way to break the name on a sour note.

Sella · Thu Apr 04, 13 10:20 pm

So funny. Dangler, he deleted his brand purge so what brand was he pimping?

Remember the guy a few years back who couldn't believe how amazing the relaunch was on this new kite he had just tried for the first time blah...blah...blah.....only to find out he was the marketing manager for the company. Shocked

This is my favorite part....

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

He slams all the other direct buy brands as crap that falls apart, then two paragraphs of the beauty of Zian kites, which appear to be another recycled MOMI kite.

Wish I wudda got a screen grab of his original pimp post.

After getting outted, he disappears into the ethereal mists from whence he came, to waylay other gullible neophytes.

WHAT TIPPED ME OFF: second post, "Oh, by the by, these guys just happen to be giving away a free kite, check em out," with a link that routes directly to his sales dept.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

lol another kite company with an absolutely ridiculous name... Zian

Zian, Momi, Zeeko, Monkey, Wild, Twister, SOF-X, Starkites

how many times can you rebadge coca-cola?

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

You forgot to add Epic as the mother of all the rebranding BS, plus the father of the worst marketing BS in the industry.

Chong · Since 21 Oct 2009 27 Posts LA/FL/MX

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I believe Momi is the name of a guy who designs Epic kites. I think he designed for Eclipse before they got into trouble as well.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy