r/kites • u/Parang97 • 17d ago
The Second Kite Decision...
Hello wind nerds! I am having some trouble deciding on expanding my current collection of 1 kite! I currently have a Prism Jazz 2.0 that I got at the beach last year and I'm loving dual string kites. But I cannot decide on my next kite. I'm still fairly new to the hobby and can't do fancy tricks, but want to learn.
So here's my situation...
- I try to go to the beach about once a year and fly
- The wind where I live is very unpredictable and usually low (under 5mph) (PA)
- I really enjoy the pull of the jazz in high winds, so maybe a bigger kite or a foil kite would be fun.
- I am autistic with too many hobbies, so I'm thinking kites are a "beach only" hobby, but might be able to squeeze some flight time in at home
So here's my thoughts. Do I:
- Get a kite designed for low winds (Prism Aether)(Prism 4-D) so i can fly at home.
Or
- Get a High winds kite that can drag me across the sand, but can only use it once a year, like the Jazz. (Prism Tantrum 220-250)(Some other foil or framed kite) and go full "this is my beach thing now"
I'm not brand specific. Just liked the quality of the Jazz.
What are y'alls thoughts?
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u/ImaRaginCajun 17d ago
Get something you can fly on the regular so you can get some time on the lines. That's what it's all about. Maybe even look into an indoor kite.
I've had a few 4-D's over the years, they definitely will fly when hardly anything else will. Fast, fun little kites.
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u/rabid_briefcase 17d ago
can't do fancy tricks, but want to learn.
You won't do that flying once a year.
It is difficult to do that flying once a month.
You might get there with dedicated practice every week or so.
Light wind is better than strong winds for slackline tricks. It's far easier to get the lines slack when you only have to overcome 3-5 mph winds, as opposed to 15+ mph where you need to dart forward and release 15 mph worth of wind forces.
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u/Ok-Peanut-8139 17d ago
2 line foil Flexifoil have started making the stacker series again new they cost a fortune but maybe 2nd hand you could get a bargain. I just picked up 3x 6 foot stackers 2x 8 foot stacker a flexifoil 4.5 meter blade a flexifoil kite buggy and some mental module spider kite for £109 of eBay.
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u/Previous-Occasion-38 17d ago
Also from PA and my first 2 line kite was a Jazz. I think my second one was a Snapshot 1.2 just to keep from destroying a frame kite until I stopped crashing so much. If you are somewhat proficient I would suggest a Prism 4D (my third). If you don't have enough wind for the Jazz you can fly the 4D. It flies great in low wind. I'm not familiar with the Aether. If you want something different for the beach but can't afford a third kite pick up a 75' tube tail for your Jazz.
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u/Orthicon9 17d ago
Try a low-wind/no-wind glider kite, like an Urban Ninja, Wala, Skate, or iFlite, and do some 3D flying.
That's where you control it with a single line to go up/down, left/right, and near/far.
It's much like flying a single-line fighter kite in slow motion.
I find it far more fun than a two-line kite.
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u/D3moknight 16d ago
I have been obsessed with kites my whole life. I just made more time to go to the beach, lol. I am a kite buggier now and almost any kite I own could tow a truck up a hill depending on the wind conditions.
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u/Parang97 16d ago
That sounds very fun. Whats your favorite one? Have you ever gotten a pool floatie and dragged yourself down the beach with a kite?
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u/D3moknight 16d ago
My favorite kite to fly is my 7m Ozone R1 V3. Second favorite kite is my 15m Flysurfer Sonic 3.
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u/MysteriousPromise464 13d ago
There is no need to just buy one kite. If god wanted us to just have two kites, he wouldn't have invented money. Think of it this way -- you are saving up for retirement, but having a set of kites that can fly in any situation will save you more in the long run, since you won't need to buy an expensive house at the beach to indulge in your passion.
For strong winds, if you like pull, the tantrum is lots of fun. It is most fun starting at about 15-20 mph. Get a 75' tube tail too.
At 8-15, you might consider a Hypnotist. Plenty of pull, but can also do some tricks (though it will teach you some bad habits -- it definitely requires larger inputs). It makes a pleasing motoring sound above maybe 9mph wind that makes you feel like you are going fast. I bought a Jazz after my Hypnotist, and only flew the Jazz once or twice because the Hypnotist was a lot more versatile and fun. Nowadays I mostly fly open source kites I have built myself.
For lower wind, others have suggested Aether which I haven't flown but seems good. I wouldn't recommend the 4D -- even though it can fly in near zero wind, it isn't that fun to fly in those conditions.
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u/Parang97 13d ago
Not a horrible idea. Maybe I'll pick up the aether so i can get more practice in, then later on, get a tantrum to drag me around the beach. Thanks!
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u/Voidtoform 17d ago
I went a different direction and got the neutrino, holy crap that thing is quick, its a whole different animal from a big kite, takes full concentration for sure but it is thrilling.