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Here you can post comments for article: HQ Montana IV – 7m, 9.5m, 12.5m Review

Hi Jolli,

Thanks for the detailed review!

Regards,

.Joel

Nice reveiw Jolli....

you've tempted me now to get on the demo list for this kite...sounds great

Andy

Nice one Andy,

Don't take it from me try one out, they are worth it!

JOLLI

hi ya jolli, mate i am so tempted to get hold of one of the montanas to demo, trouble is, as i've found with the last 4 kites i've had to demo, i just never get conditions to fly them enough and end up sending them on, feeling like i've just wasted the postage and not gotten a good fly of the kite.

i'm looking at moving over to Kite Landboarding, and away from buggying, just due to always buggying alone (nigel no mates up here) and the fact that i'm just getting bord with ripping up and down the beach day after day, doing the same old thing, and i'm looking at putting another demiesion into my kiting, and that is verticle.

how would you rate the montanas for a first time jumper, sure i've done static jumping, but not done any intentional jumping while moving.

i'd be looking at the 9.5 as a first, due to it being middle in the range.

what are your thoughts mate?

Hi Peter,


From my point of view the Montana is a great first time jumper kite as i have mentioned previously they and not prefect
and if you read my reviews of the kite you will see why, it’s mostly with the finishing touches on the bar that let them down. But overall they are very good Bang for the buck!

As a buggy engine the 9.5 was my first kite and had heaps of lift and float for a kite of its size, quick frankly I was amazing at the stuff I could do with it compared to my HAKA 7m in the same wind. As you know I have all three kites and the 9.5 is the pick of the bunch.

From a land boarding perspective you will have no issues with this kite, with even less weight to lift compared to a buggy you will have no issues getting into the air. They are very responsive for such a large kite. As a comparison I have flown the Ozone 9 m FYX and the Montana side by side and the FYX is faster in the turns but think the Montana has more lift and a nicer feeling bar pressure wise, more positive. Saying that the kite has always been there for me on the redirect and landings have been smooth most of the time. Overall I think you won’t be disappointed, but that’s just my opinion.



JOLLI

Just putting things in the 'right' spot
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=12205

Well ... I dipped my toe into the 'dark side' yesterday and grabbed the HQ Montana IV from Jason.
Now keep in mind I am not a twin skinner .. I'm a blower upperer

Wind was crappy inland 5 - 15 ish.
Flew kite for about 1/2 hour. (Static then buggy)

First impressions .....
The bag/package was very stylish and neat n' tidy.
The fabric of the kite feels good, crispy n crunchy, strong enough without compromising weight.
The kite looks very nicely made with re-enforcement wherever it's needed.
I like the color scheme.

Set up .....
It was super easy to unpack ... and seeing I haven't set up a bridled twin skin since October last year I felt this was well worth mentioning. I also feel it worth mentioning I am a left hander, and EVERY time I get a kite I haven't wound up myself I get that song playing in my head "Let's twist again' ... lol. Point being ... lines were nice and stiff, color coded and having only 3 made it a pearl to unpack (Note: I am SURE Jason is a right hander ... lol) Bar is clean and basic ... no frills would label it well.

Self launch .....
Ready to fly, .... tugged gently the front lines for about 30 seconds to let the canopy fill a little. Once it looked semi-inflated I sheeted out, stepped back and she went straight up. No deformation or folding tips ! Wow .... My (limited) experience with twinskins has always been .... "The first 15 seconds are hit and miss" until the canopy is fully inflated. The kite was stable and filled quickly. It was a little doughy but still responded to my input.
Impressed

Flying ...
10 mins static. Plenty of power in light winds .... I did a few 100m bum drags and feet slides. She does not trend towards the edge too much, and when she does she does not tend to overshoot. Easy to turn, easy to loop. De-power is there but 'always' a constant pull.

20 mins buggy. Once rolling I took a few dives in the turns getting used to the kite ... mainly cause my style and her style didn't match. Light inland winds didn't help old tube boy either
Powered up and rolling at about 40 - 50 and the canopy goes from light orange to dark orange quite quickly (If ya know what I mean ) I found the kite reasonably responsive and easy to loop both down and up. The clean bar = limited twists and stuff between ya legs. She was lifty so you have to be mindful of 'where' she is. Gusts were soaked up more than sudden shots of forward movement.... though you still have to fly her.

Self landing ....
Wind became solid 15 + the moment I went to land (Murphys law)
Grabbing the self landing strap was not quite enough so I grabbed a little past it and found the kite VERY easy to steer on the way down. It did the usual left right left right pivots but as no problem to keep under control. The only assistance I has was Sluggo came over and threw a bag on the canopy rather than me walking down and doing it myself.


Would I buy one ...
Well ... no. ONLY because the kite doesn't suit me ... I like a hyperactive kite, fast fast fast and very responsive. Jason told me that she would not be anything like what I was looking for but I wanted to have a look/feel anyway. Jason told me she would be slower than what I am after. I WOULD however recommend her for someone who is looking for a well priced quality mid range kite. In light winds she would very much suit a novice and in moderate winds the experienced. My guess is that in 18 + she would suit a surfer



Marty