Anyone got a large Blade II ?

[schmik]

Guys, I'm thinking of a Blade II 7.8. Anyone got one ? (or a similar sized one)

I know that it will have beast power but is it ok to fly ? I'm worried that it will be super slow and cumbersome to move in light winds and in strong winds it may be too much power ?!?!?! I don't want something that only comes out of the bag on rare occasions ? Would a frenzy be beter due to the depower ?

BTW, i'm 85kg and want a light wind kite for when the Blade II 4.9 isn't enough. It is for use with an ATB.

Any thoughts ?

thanks
schmik

[Gav]

Hi Schmik,
I used to have the 7.8m blade 2 on vps but have since upgraded to the 8.5 blade 3.
I did find the 7.8 quite slow, but was a very stable and predictable kite. After a couple of months I took the vps off because I couldn't quite get used to it. I found the handles much more suited for me.
Anyway, I then upgraded it and haven't look back. The 8.5 is quicker and produces its lift when you move it more than the 7.8 did. And it has heaps more lift. It is one of those kites where if it is windy enough to fly it, then it will drag you. Hang time is huge. I love it!
I did find that the brake lines are more sensitive to adjustment than the blade 2 however. Once I worked this out it flew much nicer.
There is quite a gap between the 4.9 and 8.5, but I have never found it to be a problem.
The 7.8 is a good kite, but not half as good as the 8.5.
Gav

[schmik]

Thanks for the reply Gav. Can you tell me how much a Blade III 8.5 costs, with lines ? I'm looking at $1000 for the 7.8 with lines. Thats brand new, just old stock.

I'm pretty sure that this kite will be a handful!... hmmm that should be 2 handfuls!

The blade III aside, was the 7.8 OK in the turns ? Will it make a good low wind ATB engine ?

I did also see a blade II 9m second hand but i think that would be too much power.

Geez i'll have a huge smile when i have a kite for all winds !

schmik

[Gav]

The 7.8 was a good kite.... the 8.5 is just better that's all. I bought my 8.5 new when I was in england and it cost about 480 pounds ($1200AU). http://www.trick-of-the-eye-kites.co.uk sell them for 400 pounds ($1000AU).... sometimes gst is slapped on to this when it comes into the country though. And they don't often reply to your emails which is a bit useless really.
Not sure how much they cost in oz ...
Gav

[schmik]

Ok... so 400 pound is about $1000+ lines + postage + the off chance of getting slugged with GST. I did ask trick-of-the-eye a while ago about shipping an it was another 60 quid or $150.

They are good prices but there is the chance of GST... and I don't even have the $1000, the blade II 7.8 is going on lay buy.

This raises another question : internet shopping or supporting the local kite shop ?!?!?

I used to be purely a net shopping person due to price. But that was with a different hobby. Kiting is something that i would like to do with other people... but most importantly I am so sick of big corporations and globalisation that i would rather support the local guy. I'd rather keep the $1000 in Australia.

I have nothing against net shopping (frankly the prices can't be beat but and I am no money bags) but I live in the hope that the local guys can survive, thrive and put something back into the community. I know KP do events in VIC. Hopefully there will be events in NSW too.

Having said all of that (on my soapbox), if I do find retailers that are purely in it for the money and they have no product knowledge then they will not get my $$.

my 2c worth.

thanks for your replies Gav.

cheers
schmik

[Gav]

This raises another question : internet shopping or supporting the local kite shop ?!?!?

Very true! I would personally like to keep the $s in australia too.

[kitebuggykev]

good on you scmick support the local retailers...I would definately go with that statement too :-) :D

[goshen]

Schmik, the 7.8 is a great kite - you won't be dissapointed. Before the blade 8.5, I thought it was the best low wind ATB kite around. It's still really good, and is probably more managable than the 8.5 - ie, doesn't pull like a train, which could be a good or bad thing...

Thanks for your support.

Goshen