Viper kites - anyone?

> 10 years ago
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LookUp
LookUp
WA
124 posts
WA, 124 posts
18 Apr 2005 8:25pm
Challenging the cheaper than cheap Best Kites, is a new company Viper, bringing out two models; the high and the mid aspect: the Venom and the Boa - I have been on line to Kitehigh.com and they can send me three kites for the price of two - but with U$450 postage. for 8/10/14m kites, with one 5-line bar/lines i would be paying A$2080 - seems pretty good to me...

Except...

I can't find any reviews at all on these kites anywhere -

Anyone....
cliffor123
cliffor123
455 posts
455 posts
18 Apr 2005 11:23pm
450 for postage is too high, kitehigh quoted me US$70 shipping for 1 12m kite.
Awaken
Awaken
QLD
128 posts
QLD, 128 posts
19 Apr 2005 3:10pm
They are that new i dont think anyone has had a chance to review them yet.
NSW, 4382 posts
19 Apr 2005 3:22pm
quote:
Originally posted by LookUp

Challenging the cheaper than cheap Best Kites, is a new company Viper, bringing out two models; the high and the mid aspect: the Venom and the Boa - I have been on line to Kitehigh.com and they can send me three kites for the price of two - but with U$450 postage. for 8/10/14m kites, with one 5-line bar/lines i would be paying A$2080 - seems pretty good to me...

Except...

I can't find any reviews at all on these kites anywhere -

Anyone....



G'day

For the same sizes in Nemesis or similar ones in the Yarga model, you can have them here too.
Did you factor in getting hit with GST and duty?
Once you factor that in you can get the same prices here for proven Best kites, including bar and lines.
If these are your first kites?
Do you really want a 5th line?

If something goes wrong with an imported little know branded kite, you are going to be sitting on the beach waiting. Kitepower is Australian owned and provides the unbeatable 30 day, even if your dog eats it money back guarantee. Support Australia retailers, worht the little bit extra you might have to pay, check around there are some great prices on slightly used or 04 stock, without having to risk your hard earned on some unknown brand, with unknown support.

Not saying there is anything wrong with 5th line systems I just don't recommend them to begginers, you must still learn to relaunch a kite the conventional way and also to learn to self rescue using the kite.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack
www.kitepower.com.au
LookUp
LookUp
WA
124 posts
WA, 124 posts
19 Apr 2005 7:22pm
Thanks for the reply guys.

Steve, point taken - I'm actually an instructor, but flat broke, so was looking for a quiver to get me through the winter for the lowest possible price. I had forgotten about the GST and duty, but might well get them delivered to the UK if i'm still here. I'll check your website, but I'm looking for new, only for the resale value. Would you do a deal on 3 kites? Cheers, Nat
NSW, 4382 posts
20 Apr 2005 6:36am
quote:
Originally posted by LookUp

Thanks for the reply guys.

Steve, point taken - I'm actually an instructor, but flat broke, so was looking for a quiver to get me through the winter for the lowest possible price. I had forgotten about the GST and duty, but might well get them delivered to the UK if i'm still here. I'll check your website, but I'm looking for new, only for the resale value. Would you do a deal on 3 kites? Cheers, Nat



Give me a call, lets see if we can work something out, 02 95296894, or e-mail me a number where I can call you. ([email protected])

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack
www.kitepower.com.au
KiteAgain
KiteAgain
NSW
99 posts
NSW, 99 posts
20 Apr 2005 8:38am
quote:
Originally posted by LookUp

Thanks for the reply guys.

Steve, point taken - I'm actually an instructor, but flat broke, so was looking for a quiver to get me through the winter for the lowest possible price. I had forgotten about the GST and duty, but might well get them delivered to the UK if i'm still here. I'll check your website, but I'm looking for new, only for the resale value. Would you do a deal on 3 kites? Cheers, Nat



Don't waste energy on worrying about resale value, there is no resale value with kites, by em as cheap as you can flog them and have a good time, so it doesnt matter
LookUp
LookUp
WA
124 posts
WA, 124 posts
20 Apr 2005 6:46pm
Kiteagain, I have been kiting for four years, and believe me, I have come to learn the importance of resale value - it keeps me on the water, with the right kites. We instructors don't do it for the money, so I have to make some savings somewhere. kite on KiteAgain.
NEWB
NEWB
WA
10 posts
WA, 10 posts
11 Jan 2006 12:18pm
I have just tried buying off kitehigh.com. the kite was shown as $925. I bought it and then came an email saying it totalled $698.90. I was like Sweet, then i replied back to choose the colour. The replied back that the colour was out of stock and because it was a special they had to charge me $150 postage. I said ok because it was still cheaper than what i was going to buy it for. Next the bank fraud section calls me and asks if i purchased something worth $1111. $260 extra than what they lead me to believe. I told the bank to hold the money and i am waiting for a reply from kitehigh. They did the dirty on purpose. WARNING - STAY AWAY......[}:)]
Geeza
Geeza
WA
90 posts
WA, 90 posts
11 Jan 2006 12:37pm
Hey Lookup

Just bought a 11m 05 Best yarga from brownee, and abosulutly love it. Really quick but massively stable. Really nice to loop and great upwind ability.Just an all round great mid aspect kite. Im having so much fun with it.

I highly recommend them and they are amazing value for money. For anyone on a budget I reakon the best yarga's are the way to go.
slyfox
slyfox
VIC
324 posts
VIC, 324 posts
11 Jan 2006 3:44pm
quote:
Originally posted by NEWB

I have just tried buying off kitehigh.com. the kite was shown as $925. I bought it and then came an email saying it totalled $698.90. I was like Sweet, then i replied back to choose the colour. The replied back that the colour was out of stock and because it was a special they had to charge me $150 postage. I said ok because it was still cheaper than what i was going to buy it for. Next the bank fraud section calls me and asks if i purchased something worth $1111. $260 extra than what they lead me to believe. I told the bank to hold the money and i am waiting for a reply from kitehigh. They did the dirty on purpose. WARNING - STAY AWAY......[}:)]



geeez you are broadcasting your ignorance all over the forum arn't you. as per my reply in your other post.

'actually the mistake is yours not theirs. USD700 + USD150 = $850 UNITED STATES DOLLARS which equals $1111 AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS.

now you've on the page with the rest of us who know about international currencies. '
BOOMAN
BOOMAN
VIC
333 posts
VIC, 333 posts
11 Jan 2006 11:07pm
pfft postage whaqts that you get a box put your kite in fill it with crap steel and scrap metal to just cover the kite and send it as scrap my mate got a car here in bits cheap as hell
greenleader
greenleader
QLD
5283 posts
QLD, 5283 posts
11 Jan 2006 11:20pm
if vipers sink.
are they called bottom vipers?
newk
newk
WA
14 posts
WA, 14 posts
11 Jan 2006 10:29pm
For the info of anyone thinking of getting off Kitehigh, if they want to charge you shipping, tell them to cancel the order. More likely than not, they will ship it for free as per what they have said. Any extra shipping the can get off you is eztra profits for them.

I would not advise getting them to ship to Australia as the GST can be quite costly, especially since it is charged on the purchase price and the shipping charge as well (had to pay for that previously for golf clubs bought from US .
Joffa
Joffa
QLD
87 posts
QLD, 87 posts
21 Apr 2006 11:23am
Just bought 3 Viper Venoms (5 line) kites from www.kitehigh.com(Hawai), they were shipped direct from HK warehouse to my door. 16m 12m and 8m for a total cost of USD$1100 ($1550 ozzie dollars)which included shipping by DHL (4days) They arrived clear of any import duty or GST and I have inflated the 16m but not had enough wind to test it yet. First impressions are that these kites are of fair to good quality materials and construction (previous kites were storm 1's)I will post a more comprehensive feedback of how they handle in the coming weeks. I was offerred some 2nd had storm 2's for $500 each and most of the kite shops in OZ couldn't offer 2nd hand kites at the same price that I have now bought new.... Always looking to support local stores but the kiting game seems to be aimed at the trend setters who often are happy to pay thru the nose for gear with large amounts of disposable income to get into the sport... Not bagging any shops or retailers in particular just did my home work and it didn't stack up buying 1.5 kites in OZ when I could get 3 from OS at same price... and yes I'm well aware of the "gee you lucky not to have to pay gst duty etc" and supporting ozzie business's etc... all compelling arguments but only when the price diff is bridgable! safe kiting to all!!
user
user
WA
1140 posts
WA, 1140 posts
21 Apr 2006 1:14pm
You could have bought ONE Bow kite and saved all that trouble !
Adrenalin Rush
Adrenalin Rush
QLD
876 posts
QLD, 876 posts
21 Apr 2006 4:22pm
I taught a young fella a couple of weeks ago who bought a BOA from Hawaii.

The kite is very simple and qaulity is far from BEST and other brands I carry. The stiching wasnt straight and it looked to be slightly out of shape on the leading edge. I decided to teach him on it but soon found out that the kite sucked.

The kite flew soundly but just didnt want to turn. Tried adjusting the lines in every way possible but I would be flat out getting the kite to do a full rotation.

When the kite reached below 45deg on the edge of the window. the kite would just fall uncontrolably to the ground. Some serious issues there. Poor fella seriously bought a dud.

I would be real careful if you are considering one of these kites, infact I wouldnt even go there. Pay a little extra, get a kite that is better qaulity, better performing and that has some sort of back up service. By a Bow kite or WAROO and your problems are solved.

Thats my opinion

Joe Millen
dachopper
dachopper
WA
1802 posts
WA, 1802 posts
21 Apr 2006 2:26pm
well i paid $1050 for a twleve and a 14 meter kite, that was 12 months older model, and brand new from a store in AUS, can't beat that!! Look out for the specials!
gruezi
gruezi
WA
3464 posts
WA, 3464 posts
21 Apr 2006 7:54pm
The price of kites is going down...............duh!
Joffa
Joffa
QLD
87 posts
QLD, 87 posts
22 Apr 2006 9:28pm
Had the opportunity to test the 12m viper venom in 20knots gusting to 25knots (BOM wind report) very gusty all arvo... The kite handled reasonably well and depowered well in the gusts, I flew the kite with control lines completely depowered most of the arvo particularly when the wind increased as it did gradually during the day. I found the kite opened up (flatened) badly when pulling on the bar hard (power up) I assume I have issues with the length of my (new) control lines - too long - as I had the same problems with my old storm 1 so will try using the 2nd knot tomorrow to shorten them a little and maybe even double check their length compared to the outside lines...I am using 4 lines and have heard that a 5th line would help keep the C shape on power up. BTW inflation pressure on the leading edge was very good so would not have been a factor.

Overall I was pleased with the way the kite handled and had a great arvo 3.5hrs non stop kiting with only the onset of cramp forcing me in for my 1st and only break for the day! I have only been kiting since November 05 so my review of the above kite may be laced with board and kite control issues particularly in the gusts and a general lack of experience (blame your equipment syndrome)

:-) Well I survived the session with only a couple catapults out of my footstraps and must say that the kite was powerful and quite comfortable bar pressure. So far I can't complain about the vipers performance and will try a slightly diff setup tomorrow with the line length to improve shape stabilty when powered up. If anyone could give me some tips on line length adjustments they would be welcomed...

cheers from the Joffa.

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