Well I've given up making my own LEI, was quite keen but
the cost of the materials were quite close to buying a second hand kite.

I want to know from different people what the percieve the advantages of
a kite like the guerilla to a lei. Shops will give their biased opinion,
now I want your biased opinions. I'm looking at a high wind 18-25kn kite, have a 16m already.

Marnis

In that wind range I love my 12m X2...... perfect in that wind range...

Hi Marnis,
I'm a Guerilla owner and get the odd try out on inflatibles. The main things I like about the Guerillas are:

1) Portability - easy to travel on planes with and carry to the waters edge without having to pump up first.
2) No pumping.
3) Longer lasting and more easily repaired if holed.
4) Solo landing is much easier.
5) Very stable and forgiving in the air.
6) Softer feel when hit by gusts.

Overall a very user friendly, cruisy kite. Guerillas need to be in the top half of their range to jump well and it takes skill to get good height but the float is pronounced.

You didn't state your weight but if over 80 kg the G13 would be the kite for 18 to 25 if you are used to powered up riding. The G10 only gets exciting around 25 knots for me (80 kg) but will handle well over 30 knots.

Jim

Last post was from Arcprof

Hey arcprof are you still in Brisbane or are you back in Auckland?

I'm 75kg and just beginning. would that mean a g10?

marnis

I'd say the G10 is the call. You'll get going in 18 knots and you won't get spanked in the strong stuff. Bear in mind you won't be jumping well until 25 knots but I still have a lot of fun on my G10 around the 20 knots and only smile when I see the next big gust coming. Launching and water relaunching/landing techniques are all different to the LEI kites. If you go the G10 route be sure to check out the yahoo ARC group for advice. By the way, Lee at Anabatic shows a pre-production G10 for sale on his site at $999.00 I recall. I've got the same kite and I reckon they are as good as the full graphics version.

Jim

Message for Blown Away. Back in Auckland early December. No doubt I'll see you over East some time.

I should point out that there is a big gap in the top range of a 16m LEI and the bottom of a G10. Unless your wind is either light one day and nuking the next you will need a kite around the 12m size. Most people have kite sizes with some overlap in wind range. You stated you wanted a high wind kite for over 18 knots hence my recommendation for the G10.

Jim

Will do....

If you are looking for cheap LEI kites try au.geocities.com/chinakite2003/

They have dacron leading edge inflatables, medium aspect and high aspect kites, I believe all the kites are priced under $AUS 700 inc bar and lines.
You can order them from Australia.

Ps. not pimping for them, just heard it on the grapevine :idea:

concept air also have "self inflating sleeping bags" disguised as kites if you have to persist with your i wanna be different out there kitesurfing attitude...... www.conceptair.com..... no worries about landing hard eh lucky if you get off the water!

concept air also have "self inflating sleeping bags" disguised as kites if you have to persist with your i wanna be different out there kitesurfing attitude...... www.conceptair.com..... no worries about landing hard eh lucky if you get off the water!

checkout kiteforum.com,

they don't get good write ups. theres a post from a guy whos mate
bought one in china, find it its worth reading

marnis

yep china kite probably as good/bad as a wintools bursta

I'm actually quite happy with the booster, made well and of quality materials, only dated technology. opposed to newer tech bad materials
I suppose there are parallels.

what do others think would you rather spend $700 on a 2002 peter lyn / wipika or $700 on no name china kite? give me your opinions

marnis

It was just an idea, the latest China kites got good reviews, they don't sound any worse than a well built 2002 medium aspect kite, I'd rather have a new 2003 China kite and put my own signwriting on it, like a sponsor or something, than have a worn out no lift 2001-2002 tube kite or a old out of date no lift PL Arc....
I would definately consider a 8m china kite for high wind or someone learning, I believe the 20m GIV Chinakite is AUS$ 700, so the 8m would be cheaper than you could find a secondhand 8...
Or if you wanted a good waveriding kite, but didn't want to fork out big money for something that could get trashed out at Murawai in 6 ft waves!