been kiting for 14 years and surprised to see that new kite prices are now $2,000 to $3,000 each!
would have thought with time/innovation the price of kites would have tended to around $1,000 which seems plenty for some sail, strings, stitches and a carry bag.
anyone know of any brand/shop/online whatever which produces reasonable gear for $1-$1.5k.
I want a small kite for my gf to learn on...around 7m she only weighs about 45kg
Check the Griffin website: http://www.griffinkites.com.au
The Griffin AX (ArgoX) is an affordable all round kite for all rider levels with good reviews on the gear reviews section.
You can source a 1-3 year old new Rpm for great price's and you really can't go wrong with 1... But I'm sure there's different opinions out there. On here! Good luck..
I'd suggest dropping into any kite store local to you. Shops like mine have some older model kites still brand new and going for a song. Easy to find kites under $1000 if it doesn't have to be latest model.
who knows? You may even forge a relationship with your local shop and they may be able to help you in all sorts of ways you're not aware of, like warranty, tidy repairs, clinics, loan kites, demo gear, rigging and tuition and much more...
DM
Takoon kites look cheap if you sign up for the family discount scheme. No idea what it entails but they are a known brand.
I second the switch element 5 7m. I've owned 5 switch kites including element 5m and 9m kites I surf and foil with. I've rolled my 5m more than any kite I've ever owned and it's still going strong. Build quality is great, although at times I wish they'd sacrifice some durability for lightness but they are comparable weight and performance to other brands so that's me nit picking. They also have quick and personal customer service if you have any issues; I had a valve delaminate (admittedly probably from hot sun car storage) on a Saturday, had a response within hours and warranty replacement including spares received that week.
www.panshkite.com/index.php?gOo=goods_search_list.dwt
Check out these prices mate. Im thinking about getting an Aurora 2
Interesting ...
there seems to be a bit of a two tier system thing going on.
All the "brand" name kites like North, Ozone etc, etc ( it's a long list ) that are now charging $2000 or more for a kite. Then there's a few other brands that are mostly not in shops and a little harder to get your hands on, that are charging $1500 or less !
If you're running 2 or 3 kites, that's WAY too much money to be out laying every few years!
Gotta admit I LOVE my Ocean Rodeo kites that cost me $1450 and $1550 complete.
I've had them 3 years now and absolutely ZERO signs of wear and tear. ( and they get a good flogging )
Sounds like these switch kites might be worth looking into, or really anything you can find some good reviews on.
There is a kite brand called Adi Kites which you can get in Mui Ne in Vietnam which is into there 6th season now,they are very cheap but good quality kites and there are DSD Intel and Ilokano Kites from the Philippines which are very good cheap kites,they only make wave specific kites,I have had Adi kites and have a 5.5m Ilokano kite which I bought this year for $400 US,crazy paying 2 grand for a kite
+1 for Switch Kites,I have never owned one but have demoed a couple and they are great and a very good price
i have 2 switch kites 15 metre element and 12 metre nitro . both great kites . i cained the 15metre while learning to kite and it's still flying 18months on. both kites cost me less than $1000 each. i also use the switch bar which is about $350. You have to order them from there website . I think it took about 10 days delivery. Spare parts for their kites and bars are quite cheap also. the only thing you need to worry about is the taxman when they come through customs. A friend of mine had to produce his invoice to prove that his kite was less than $1000. Both my kites came through customs without a problem
Don't touch Pansh kites. Barely reasonable quality but none....absolutely no after sales service.
I decided to give them a go about a year ago. A 12 with the super light fabric and lines. First fly the bridle lines (and there are a lot of them on the foils) separated. Kite was at 12 then on the water a second later. Many separated bridle sewn joints and torn canopy. Pansh basically said tough. Refused to honour their warranty.
Applied for a refund thru Paypal. They said no. Kite was as advertised. I needed to get warranty from Pansh.
Ended up disputing the transaction through my VISA card. Product was not fit for purpose. Visa agreed. Full refund.
I know you said new, but there is a massive oversupply of 2nd hand kites advertised right here on seabreeze, page after page after page full, many of which are in great condition. Find one you like and offer them 50% of what they're asking. It may seem rude, but there are pages of kites that have been for sale for months - supply-demand balance has to kick in sooner or later.
Last summer I saw one of these no-brand Chinese kites down at my local. Quality seemed OK, flew well, but you would be on your own with warranty, and I'm guessing, resale value would be very low.
www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Professional-kite-surf-kitesurfing-made-in_60592906216.html
Kiterboy - if I owned a shop you would be last on the list for any killer specials. Need to learn how the world works, rather than how you think/hope it should work.
That make sense to me kiterboy it's the way people want to do their shopping now days. I think if your in retail you need to keep up with how people are shopping and it seems to be online