Beamer or Buster?

[bashdem]

Hi

I am relatively new to power kiting although I did catch the kiting bug last year in Devon after picking up a cheapie delta kite. I'm now looking for a bit more fun as the delta, as nice as it is to fly, is lacking a bit in the adrenalin stakes.

After reading lots of reviews I've narrowed my choices down to a Buster or Beamer. As I'm new to this all I'd prefer not to spend too much hence my choices. I guess I'm looking at a Beamer 3.6m, a Buster 3.0m or a Buster 4.0m.

I'm 6'2 and 12/13 stone and want a bit of fun with this kite. I really don?t want to be outgrowing this kite after a few months so would prefer to get the choice right first time. I'll be aiming to fly it on the beaches of North Devon next week and after that, providing all goes well it'll be the local park in London. I'm initially just looking at recreational flying - a bit of scudding and a little bit of jumping (although I read these aren?t the best for jumping, but I cant find anything better for the price).

I'm leaning towards the Busters as I've read about a few issues with the Beamer over flying at the Zenith. I had decided on a 3.0m Buster but am worried this wont be powerful enough for someone of my size - I read about kids (8-10 yrs old) buying a 3.0m and they don?t mention it is too powerful for them.

So, after all that I guess I would to know your thoughts on the kites mentioned, and if I go for a buster, should it be a 3.0m or a 4.0m.

Thanks in advance guys - can?t wait to get out flying!!

[schultzie]

it all comes down to what winds you expect to be flying it in... having never flown eithor of the kites id say the buster because it sounds cool...

a good stable kite is impoortant.. i have heard the beamer to be good but yeah i dont know.. a 4m kite is what you want that wll pull you in 5knots and u can comfortably fly it till around 20knots...

how much are you looking at spending?

[schultzie]

if u want to jump u may need a bigger kite but i dont know what 12 stone relates to in kg...

[nigel]

The skill that all kiters must learn, is that you have to match the kite to the wind conditions that you are in.

Flying a very large kite in strong winds will drag anyone around, but a smaller kite of only two square metres can still get you in alot of trouble given enough wind.

I have flown both, but only for a minute on the Buster while a good fifteen minutes for the Beamer (two sizes the 3.6 and the 1.8).

The Buster did what it was supposed to. Which was provide a nice pull with friendly handling. The same can be said for the Beamer.

If you can test fly both.

I have heard reports of each one having some minor flaws but 9 out of 10 people who get one seem to have no problems at all.

With kite size you will find that on some days the kite will have no pull, and on others its too scarey to even launch!!!
Each kite size has a wind range that it will work in for traction activities.
The bigger the kite the less wind required, while the smaller the kite the more wind required. This is why most kiters have several kites of different sizes.
I see no problem in either of the sizes you have listed, in fact I would even consider getting a smaller kite (say 2-3m) as a first kite as you are less likely to get injured.
With a kite of this size, you can just learn to fly it with little or no pull in under 10 knots (4 Beaufert SP?), over this it starts to get very interesting!!!
You can even fly it in winds upto 25 knots (7 Beaufert)if you are very brave, or very foolish. Infact there is no limit you can fly in, just how soon you break some thing or which part of you, you break :shock:
It might take a while but we all find the limits that we will take a kite too!!

What are the wind conditions that you are most likely to use the kite???
This would help us advise you on a size.

Overall, nothing wrong with either of the kites, just realise that if you want to kite in different winds then you will need different sized kites. This is why both companies make other sizes.

Good luck

[bashdem]

I've no idea the wind I expect to get on the beach. But I would like to fly the kite in as wider range of conditions as possible as I dont plan on buying different kites for different conditions.

12 stone is about 75kg.

I'm looking to pay between ?100 - ?150 (250 - 350 AUD).

Cheers

[bashdem]

Just an update....

Judging all the feedback and research I had opted to go for a Buster 4.0m but at the last minute someone mentioned an Eolo Radsail Pro 4.0m. I have found one of these reduced from ?220 to ?120 - this seems like a good price and with a higher RRP than the Buster I'm guessing it's a better kite? It also seems to be good for scudding AND jumping.

Has anyone got any views on the Radsail Pro?

Cheers

[schultzie]

yeah i like them, i have flown the whole range and really they are nice in their lower wind but in their upper range they are realyy stable and yes u can do fair jumpsbut the skill at the important bit before jumping...