KiteJan

The new kite on the block (May 2003). I had been considering a parafoil kite in the 2m size for a few months for the stronger wind. My C-Quad 3.2 is fine for 'normal' use - but when the wind gets strong I find it's power a bit too much for my liking (that is for static flying - i.e. no boarding or buggying). Also the C-Quad bag is difficult to transport anywhere. So after considering the current range (Ozone Little Devil, Flexifoil Bullet, PKD Buster, Rhombus Firebee) of 2-ish meter entry level kites I happened upon this second hand Airea Raptor II 2.5m in my local kite shop, Five Forty.

I liked the colour & graphics (sad I know) but also I was attracted to the speed and agility of it. The Raptor series are Buggy race kites - they are designed for speed and movement whilst being pulled in the. Upward lift isn't as extreme as the Flexifoil Blade II - but from today's experience they can lift...

I have flown the Raptor in a moderate wind (18ish I think) and a light wind and it is a really nice kite - everything is fast, smooth and strong. Just avoid the extreme left or right of the wind window...........

Purchased: May 2003

Details

Good Things

• Very fast.
• Quick turning.
• Huge pull for such a small kite in a moderate wind.
• Large wind window.
• Different - i.e. it's not what everyone else has!

Bad Things

• Not over keen on gusts, especially at the edge of the wind window.
• Can get stuck in a 'bow-tie' when it does get caught by a gust.
• Speed too fast sometimes......
• The bag is, shall we say, basic (no fancy Flexifoil rucksacks here).
• Not a Blade II - not the same upward lift so not the best for kite jumping.
• Not a beginners kite.

Final Thoughts

So far - excellent! I have to admit I felt much more in control with the Raptor than I would have done with the C-Quad in similar - but that's why I wanted a smaller kite anyway. Possibly the only problems are that a) the power could be similar to the C-Quad 3.2, and b) I would like the full range please!