Prism Tensor Convertible Dual/Quad-line Power Kite

Ok, I'm going to review this kite from a few different perspectives, and hopefully it will be helpful.For starters, I'm 6' 00", and 190lbs. I've been power kiting now for about 2 years, and I've used Prism's 1.5 and 2.5 snapshots. I finally upgraded to this about a year ago.Overview:While this can still be considered a "trainer" kite, I would say it's pushing the boundary of trainer, depending on your weight. If you weigh less than 170 or so, this is a full up traction kite that you can use land/snow kiting.This kite pulls very hard in 12-15 mph, and you will get lifted totally off the ground in 15+. (My biggest air so far was getting lifted about 5 feet off the ground and 25 ft forward. Winds were about 18-20.)The lines are all solid, and they've taken some abuse over the 100+ times I've flown and they are still going strong. The kite itself is pretty bullet proof, and there are no tears/rips even after crashes and a few trees. (As long as you are methodical in getting it down).The convertible bar works as advertised, and I've used it both ways several times. You get plenty of control in quad mode, and it's very responsive. The bar can be a bit sluggish for turning, but it's fine for traction sports.On my kite, the brake lines from the bridle of the kite are a bit long. It took me a while to figure out that I needed to tie the brake lines higher up on the knot ladder, especially in the bar mode. With the bar, I tie the brake lines to the very top knot on the ladder. The quad handles seem to feel right on the second knot, but your mileage may vary.The kite advertises an adjustable bridle for power control, but I would say this is one of the weak areas of the kite. I've used all 3 power settings in various winds, and honestly, neutral is the most useful setting. That being said, I've been flying on the strong setting for my last few sessions because I'm landboarding now. While it does give you more pull, you make a pretty big tradeoff to steering control. Steering becomes extreme- either very difficult to start a turn at all, or you'll get a sudden turn and get yanked pretty hard. The light pull setting is essentially useless in my experience, turning became almost impossible, and it luffed almost every time it got near the edge of the window.Steering was only smooth and continuous with a natural pull on the neutral setting.Speaking of luffing, that's another big complaint I have with this kite. It's not a deal breaker, because it's otherwise very solid, but this kite luffs pretty easily in winds less than 10, and at the edge of the window in any winds.I actually don't fly this kite unless the wind is 12+, because it's just not fun to constantly be managing it's altitude.Also, if your intent is to use this kite with a harness, keep in mind you will need to get a kite harness loop (Approx $30) to attach to your control bar, along with whatever harness you purchase.It is NOT harness ready out of the box. Again, not a deal breaker, but certainly something to be aware of.Here's my verdict for each group of pilot:Beginners/looking to upgrade from a smaller kite-You will have tons of fun with this kite! It's very well made, and all of the components work reliably as advertised. This will pull you harder than any of the smaller parafoils, so definitely learn on it in light winds. The turning isn't very snappy but it's manageable, and it takes more work to stay airborne in winds less than 10-12. However, the massive pull and potential for catching air make it worth it!If you weigh 170+, this will be a beefy trainer, or good traction kite in 15+ winds.If you weigh 170 or below, this is really more of a traction kite, and I would start with something a bit smaller if you've never flown before....or start only in light winds for a while until you get used to it.Kitelandboarders/Snowkiters-It's a useable kite. It will definitely pull and get you going, but the winds really need to be steady at 15+ to have any fun on the board. Also, the adjustable bridle just isn't executed very well, and you'll probably find yourself staying in one setting most of the time. As I said earlier, the luffing is starting to get irritating after flying this for over a year...but overall I'm still having fun. I am ready to upgrade within the next few months, but this will always be a useful kite in higher winds.When you do jumps, you really need to be comfortable with controlling your landing, since there is no depower. I've had a few boosts that got a bit tricky when a gust of wind caught me. You just have to ride it out and steer the kite to slow your decent...but it would've been a lot easier with depower. Then again, that's why this kite sells at such a reasonable price.

I like this kite. It's a beginner's kite and handles quite nicely. The lines are easy to sort if it gets messy. The break system or depower system works well. I have had to use it a few times in strong winds. The bar is not so ok for the first few times. Then, especially if you snowkite, it's not ideal. If you attach a harness loop it gets in the way of the depower/brake system.regarding the size. I'm 6'2" ~215lbs. I would not be afraid of the size of this kite. You will get used very very quickly to the size and think that you should have gotten a larger kite. This is my situation, I'm snowkiting on frozen lakes in Maine. A bit larger kite could make it easier to snowkite better. I will not sell this kite, but probably use for the few times I need a smaller kite due to high wind. Again, don't be afraid of the power, you will be able to handle it very quickly due to the easy handling.overall, the price and the easy handling of this kite make it a great purchase

UPDATE: I've had this great kite for over a year now. I still love and use it often and have had no problems with the lines or chute yet. I have had one buckle on the bag break off, though. Not a big deal. I've used this kite over a hundred times now with great results. I have had some pretty awesome lifts off the ground (up to 15 feet) and some great beach drags. I've put this kite through a lot and it is still going strong. Took it down to Panama with me and almost lost it when a big gust took me and the kite into the ocean. Was very difficult to pull it out and save it. Also, some of the color has faded and/or dyed some other parts of the kite. This was one of the best purchases of my life and I have gained a lot of grip and whole body strength. I've recently started learning to kite-surf with a 14meter behemoth. The principals I learned from this kite have made it come easy. I still love to just use this kite, though. And it can be taken anywhere and people love to stop and watch!Happy Flying!********************(Original Review)I've been eying this kite for a while and when it went down in price I got it. I've used a friend's 4.0 meter kite before and learned with the quad-line handles and it was a blast and one hell of a workout! I received it in less than 24 hours on the 1-2 day shipping method which was great. The first day out was annoying. I was really stoked about getting it up but it kept failing to launch properly. After about 20 minutes of trying to figure out if the beginner bar was so different or if I had forgotten how to fly it, I inspected the lines and wing. Turns out the manufacture had tied the left break line with the left control line and vice versa. So I learned to tie and untie these knots (which I needed to know anyway) but didn't get a chance to launch it again because the winds were gone and it was getting dark. Next day I took it out (quad-line handle config) and had it up and flying. Was a blast and I got a feel for this kite. It's powerful and dragged me around in 8mph winds (I'm about 170lbs). I've since taken it out several times in some light winds 4-6 mphs and one day in very strong winds 12-20mph. The strong winds were extremely fun but dangerous for most who are not prepared for the pull. I land-surfed on my heels for 20-50 yards with a ground speed of 5-8 mph! Also, when I was taking a quick breather I had it parked in my Zenith (right above your head) and a sudden gust gently pulled me up off the ground and I hovered for a few seconds. This was two days ago from writing this and my entire body is sore from tug of warring with nature. This is one of the most fun ways to work out and build upper and lower body strength. I can't wait for some snow so I can get my snowboard out and go through some fields!!So, although this kite wasn't flight ready right out of the bag for me (just bad luck) it's of amazing quality with a handsome backpack and its loads of fun, so I still had to give it go.

This isn't a stunt kite so flying it takes a little getting used to if you're already used to smaller parafoils.The backpack it comes in is nice, keeping everything together and the control bar is good quality as are the lines and bridle. In fact, everything about this kite is high quality, it's just not an agile kite (it turns slowly). I haven't yet reconfigured it to a 4 line, I've only flown it as the 2 line with control bar as it ships, and to be honest, it's been a bit frustrating. The controls seem to be reversed, but to be fair, I've only flow it twice on very light wind days and it was 'wallowing' so I may bave been trying to over control it and dumping the wind instead of turning it. Hopefully I'll get it to a beach or get it out on a windier day and be able to update this review.

Wow... beware it's not for beginners... Get ready for some intense action. Note wear the safety on every use and enjoy it. Take care.