I'm a beginner and i'm trying to get an used kite but i don't know which year can be considered as safe ? is 2005 ok or to many changes since (depower and security)?

thanks

2005 is not OK. Some 2006 models are fine (ie Cabrinha Crossbow), but your better off getting a 2007 or up.

Look for bow kites.

Cabrinha Crossbow/Switchblade
Ozone Sport/Light
Slingshot Rev/Turbo Diesel
Best Waroo
North Rebel

Probably about 10 more I have forgotten also.

the first crossbow came out in 05. its ok for a learner, and cheap.

you don't need to go new, especially when learning

stamp said...

almost any 2nd hand kite will beat a new eclipse in my opinion.

Why? because it's cheaper than your over priced kites?

What would a beginner wants that Eclipse can't provide?

You know and I know and every one knows that all the kites in the market are 80% similar to each other. (I'm not comparing C kites with SLE or foil kites)

Idiot said...

What would a beginner wants that Eclipse can't provide?

customer service and honouring warranties.
both seem to be too hard for eclipse to manage.

in 2005 people actualy did learn to kite.and, correct me if i am wrong, they didnt learn on a 2007 kite.Infact i think it would have been impossible for them to learn to kite on a 2007 kite. unless they were a Goobak.Then they probably would have bought a 2015 model kite back with them.If they came from 2015.If its in good nik it will serve you well.You can get new bladders made for them.

Of course you can learn on older kites. Some people learnt on two line kites and you could also do this. However, it is not recommended and can be quite unsafe.

For the price you can get an older beat up 2007 kite, why risk your safety?

Smedg said...

all the people who replied first and got red thumbs have given the best advice for a beginner imo.

Yep Smedg, I was thinking the same thing myself, the first reply stating 2007 on was right on the money IMO and couldn't believe it got red thumbed.

Thanks for all advices

dutchy1985 said...

p.s. unfortunately I can't tell you where any of the good spots are because I hate you.

obviously :p

LordAaron said...

wow im new too, am i already hated as well?

Your ability to truck upwind with that massive doona is sure to generate some hatred my friend

Blownaway said...

LordAaron said...

wow im new too, am i already hated as well?

Dont take it too badly its only a faze you go through....
Its not like surfing where your hated all the time if your good you get too many waves
an if your a gumby your hated cause you get in the way!

Once you get competent the haters will tolerate you an may even start talking to you
that is if there head isnt so far up there ..... where the sun dont shine.Ha ha

Hehe well that's a good thing, at least i got something to look forward to in my journey. This sport look's awesome i just hope i can pull it off as well as you guys can, then i too can be a hater

tmiddled said...

2005 is not OK. Some 2006 models are fine (ie Cabrinha Crossbow), but your better off getting a 2007 or up.

Look for bow kites.

Cabrinha Crossbow/Switchblade
Ozone Sport/Light
Slingshot Rev/Turbo Diesel
Best Waroo
North Rebel

Probably about 10 more I have forgotten also.

Good advice here in my opinion.

Also add F-One Bandit and the Best Kahoona

Only corrections are to stay away from the 2006 Turbo Diesel. The T2 and T3 are excellent learner kites.

All the North Rebels (2007 to 2010) are great but dont relaunch quite as easy as a pure bow.

If you get an 06 Waroo, make sure it has had the stoppers put on the bridle or it can invert. The 06 and 07 waroos also dont relaunch as easy.

I've heard the crossbow and switchblade 2s had duribility problems but cant confirm. The crossbow and switchy 3s are excellent tho.

Many other good brand kites out there too but I'm not familiar with them so can't comment.

You are probably best to spend atleast $600 for a kite and lines. Any less and the kite will be most probably be flogged out and old. I can't stress enough how much better an 08 kite will be compared to an 07 or 06. The extra money is worth it.

Hope that helps a bit. If you think you will be a gumby, get a BIG board like 135 and up

I have an 07 Naish Boxer SLE which I have learnt on and it has been a really good bit of gear. I reckon you wouldn't go wrong with one if you could find one second hand.

The thing you need to check aside from the general kite condition is the condition of the bridle and the pulleys. There is one line on each side that wears out due to a pulley running on it. I had to change these lines out on the bridle last season and get some silicon spray in the pulleys to free them up.

Looking to upgrade this season, but I reckon I will keep the Boxer in the cupboard for any times when I go out in big waves.

dutchy1985 said...

More important than a good kite for learning is a good spot!

You will get better so quickly if there aren't hard objects in the way and people who are already good who hate you

If you can go away somewhere over summer and get two weeks in, then you'll easily be able to kite anywhere and go upwind and noone will hate you.

Can you imagine learning how to surf on a sharp reefbreak with 200 people out?

You'd be much better off at a sandy bottomed pointbreak with noone out (even if your board was totally wrong for learning)

p.s. unfortunately I can't tell you where any of the good spots are because I hate you.

I totally agree.
I'm still new too and working my way up to being able to fly with the big boys/girls.
Assuming you've already had lessons (and annoyed them enough already), find a spot and a mate and practice practice practice.

Get friendly with your local kite shop. Most of them have second hand / ex-demo / previous year models for cheap - and I would assume that they won't sell you anything dangerous/dodgey/wrong-sized. Some also bundle boards/wetties/harnesses/lessons in with it which can save ya a bit of dough.

That's just my opinion from a fellow noobs point of view.

In addition to my first post (sorry about the duplicate), I use a Flexifoil Ion2 (2008 i think).
I don't know if it's designed to be a good beginner kite, but it works well for me and if you can get hold of one they're probably fairly cheap - being that there's an Ion4 now.

Please tell me to shut up if info from other beginners is a waste of space.

Why is that andyy?

My mate started out with 05 C kite in 2006 for a full season. He said he progressed more in two weeks when he bought his 07 bow kite.

I've never tried a C myself so can't comment, but what makes them better for learners?