Here is the 5^th generation of the infamous Beamer series traction kite from HQ.  Ask  any kite shop or experienced kiter and they will tell you that the Beamer is about the most often recommended kite for novice or first-time traction kiters.  A good all-around design, the Beamer is perfect for the new flier, whether they want to recreationally static fly (on their feet), head for the kite buggy, land-board or snow.  It comes with four line handles but will fly fine on a standard control bar (remember, that is not a de-power bar).

The Beamer has evolved over the years from a simple, well-built but basic entry-level quad-line kite to what is now a very sophisticated and refined design with modern features and improved performance.  While still easy to fly for the novices, in experienced hands the Beamer V will deliver the power and performance of a more advanced intermediate level kite.  This is because the kite can benefit from the right touch of brake tension that can produce a surge of power.

The Beamer has a fairly high A/R, or aspect ratio (about 3.6), for a good newbie kite, and this gives it efficient power build up and great light-air performance.  With a higher than average A/R, first-timers will just want to watch out for gusty wind conditions, where the kite could power up quickly.

The Beamer series has evolved so much over the years that HQ has introduced the new “Alpha” kite, which is essentially what the Beamer used to be: a simple budget minded starting kite with good performance.  The Beamer now has essentially created its own class.

While the kite comes from humble beginnings, the new Beamers sport features that used to be found only on more advanced intermediate and expert level kites. Features include…

• Colored bridle segments help keep things sorted out, and sewn loops (no knots) for clean lines and less snags.
• Velcro-closure dirt-outs at the wing tips to evacuate sand, snow or debris
• Pre-stretched. Color coded Dyneema line set (20 meter/ 65’) with numbered, sewn loops.
• Foam padded handles with brake loops and strop leaders, now with a quality Dyneema strop (see below).
• Sewn numbered tabs at the kite toggles (connection points), kite line loops, and control handle leaders make rigging your kite for the first time goof-proof and as easy as 1-2-3-4.
• Included Kite Killers now have improved plastic hardware for terminating the leashes with no stitching to split and fail or metal fittings to corrode.  We like!
• Good quality ground stake with stainless shaft and high-visibility and easy-grip handle. 

A word about the “strop” we just mentioned in the features list above.  A strop is a piece of sturdy line connected between the backs of the tops of the handles (to the strop leaders).  It is in the picture to the left, but difficult to make out, being white on a white background.  The strop is designed to be run through a kite harness hook (optional gear, not included), in order to take flying loads off of the pilot’s upper body.  This is called “hooking in”, is potentially dangerous and should never be done by anyone but and experienced pilot.  The strop, which is easily removable, is still useful to the novice rider though, because it helps prevent the common mistake made by most new riders of trying to steer the kite with the arms too far apart (I call this the “carrier landing approach”).

Rounding out the accessories with the Beamer V are a nice, functional backpack with good features such as extra pockets for accessories, plus a fully illustrated, thorough multi-lingual instruction manual.  

Last, a word about construction and quality.  Any untrained eye can look over the Beamer and see that the stitching is clean, neat and all the seams and panels line up neatly.  A trained eye will notice that reinforcements are added at all necessary stress points, but not so much to weigh down the kite with too much material.  We fly Beamers all the time at product demos and public clinics and watch them get bashed into the ground over and over by first time fliers.  They get sandy and dirty but we have yet to see someone break one.  I’ve seen Beamers come back for repair with burst seams and I’m not sure how they did it.  Most common repairs are for damage from sharp objects like fences, tree limbs and rocks on the ground, and that can happen to any kite.  Beamers are built tougher than most though, and can take a lot of abuse from the first time flier.  Trust us on this one!

Specifications...