Farewell...

After having a 3m HQ Toxic on loan, so that I could review it, unfortunately it's time to wave it goodbye and return it. In the few months I have had it I have only had the opportunity to fly it once due to the absence of decent wind...

HQ Toxic 3m - first flight from Mark Crook on Vimeo.

My initial impressions after the first flight...

"I took the 3m Toxic out for the first run in the buggy yesterday, the wind was pretty off and on with the occasional gusts.

The kite preformed really well, it turns quickly and felt pretty stable, it definitely inspired confidence and I would be happy to take it out in much stronger winds. My main concern about the Toxic is that all the blurb you read says it is a "lifty" kite - there were a few occasions when I shoved it to the top of the wind window and there wasn't any lift. Which is what I want in a buggy kite.

It does need brake input to keep it happy and in the zone, as you can see by the position of my hands in the video...

Overall a great kite, well made and nice to fly - I will definitely looking at taking it out in higher winds and will write a proper review when I have had more flight time."

Video - HQ Toxic 3m, first flight

I took the 3m Toxic out for the first run in the buggy yesterday, the wind was pretty off and on with the occasional gusts.

The kite preformed really well, it turns quickly and felt pretty stable, it definitely inspired confidence and I would be happy to take it out in much stronger winds. My main concern about the Toxic is that all the blurb you read says it is a "lifty" kite - there were a few occasions when I shoved it to the top of the wind window and there wasn't any lift. Which is what I want in a buggy kite.

It does need brake input to keep it happy and in the zone, as you can see by the position of my hands in the video...

Overall a great kite, well made and nice to fly - I will definitely looking at taking it out in higher winds and will write a proper review when I have had more flight time.

Now I am working on my wife for a 6.5m Toxic!

6.5m

I am after a big, low wind kite, a 6.5m would do me nicely!

But Ozone Method...

Or a HQ Toxic...

I love my 4m Ozone Method, but the 6.5m Toxic is about $120 cheaper than the equivalent method - the Toxic also has a slightly higher aspect ratio (4.5 compared to 4.2) so potentially will be faster!

I have a 3m Toxic to play with and my first impressions around the build quality of the kite is good - it's German engineered, it's a very nicely put together kite, definitely on a par with Ozone. I am hoping that I get to fly the 3m Toxic over the weekend then I will know which way I'm going to jump!

Mind you there is one major stumbling point before I get a new kite - and that's my wife...

Deadly?

We will soon find out...

I have been lucky enough to be loaned a 3m HQ Toxic to fly and review.

What's in the beanie?

If anybody wants a free XK kites lanyard/bottle opener let me know?