Two Manta kites - one new, one old, quite different

My 1,833rd kite video. The Manta kite from HQ Kites shares its name with one from Into The Wind which is quite different in appearance, although both are designed for light-wind flying. The HQ kite is much cheaper, and more interesting-looking, but how do the two compare in the air?
Both kites can be had from www.pictureprettykites.com together with a great selection of other kites and accessories.
Anyone wanting to check out all my "How to..." videos on various aspects of kite-flying can now find them all easily on my Playlist at / jimskitesnz .

[@SingaporeCityWalks]

I see 2 beautiful sting rays in the sky. They are lovely.

[@JimNicholls]

Both are good kites, CM, but quite different in character. We have rarely had light-wind days recently, but I think in the winter they will get more use.

[@MrMulan58]

That new manta kite is really cool looking!

[@JimNicholls]

It's certainly different, and a good light-wind flier.

[@danscrazyadventures4398]

That was some cool stuff Jim awseome

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you liked it, Dan.

[@yvonnem1919]

Just found your channel and and really enjoying watch all the videos.. I haven't been flying kites in years and now seeing all of these kites, takes me back my youth, and flying my Gayla SKY SPY Kite in the 70s .. I think it is time to take up kite flying again ~

[@JimNicholls]

Good to know. There are not enough kite-fliers these days, as most young people are not interested in anything that doesn't have a screen. I'm sure you'll enjoy your return to flying, and there are plenty of kites to choose from. If you don't have a local kite store, try www.pictureprettykites.com . It's the place where I get most of my kites, although I buy others from China which can be a little less easy to deal with.

[@yvonnem1919]

@@JimNicholls Thank You ! I just saw your video on the UFO kite... Love it... I need to get that one to fly here in the AZ desert..

[@JimNicholls]

@@yvonnem1919 I thought there were plenty of UFOs flying around that area!

[@yvonnem1919]

@@JimNicholls lol... somehow I always seem to miss them😆

[@vikramsinghkite4358]

Beautiful kite sir👍👍❤

[@JimNicholls]

Thank you, Vikram.

[@Monika______]

Dear Mr Nicholls, I started watching your beautiful kite videos during the pandemic and got (re-)hooked on flying kites myself (having very fond childhood memories of it). With the current turn of events in Europe and conditions for flying at the moment not being great in Munich your videos are my main means to sooth my nerves. From what I see in your videos the ITW Manta is surely a fine kite but I just love flying my HQ Manta as it floats like the actual animal through the sky. (And if there isn't enough wind I just take the CIM Eagle or Didier Ferment Papillon.) I enjoy being "with you" on the North Beach very, very much. Thank you for all the work you're putting in to let us join you. Rest assured, it is much appreciated. Best wishes

[@JimNicholls]

Hello Monika, Thank you for your comment, and I'm happy that you enjoy the videos. You seem to have some great kites. Yes, the ITW Manta is very good for ultra-light winds, but I think it is over-priced. The CIM Eagle is a more interesting kite at about one quarter of the price, but sadly it seems to be unavailable now. I'm glad that I have mine. Summer is over for me, and spring is arriving for you, so I hope you soon get some good flying weather. Have fun!

[@Monika______]

🙂 you're right and a kite for 340$ is just out of my league. Especially since I recently bought a fair number of kites after seeing a lot (someone says "too many"...) of your kite videos... 😇 I've been lucky finding kites out of production in small "local" online stores and I also ordered at Picture Pretty Kites (thanks for recommending, Helen's been very nice). I never knew a fair number of kite producers have their seat in Northern Germany. Coulors in Motion, HQ, Spiderkites. Sadly they all seem to be more interested in 2-or 4-liners or other products. E.g. CIM used to have great 1-liner and now practically none. Hopefully they'll come round or I have to start making my own kites! You're summer is over, but autumn is the best time for kite flying, isn't it? 😉 🍁🍂🍃🌬happy winds for you too!

[@JimNicholls]

@@Monika______ My videos have been known to have very bad effects on people's wallets! I'm glad you've been finding some good items, and yes, it's a great pity about Colours In Motion. They used to have some great kites, but have cut out almost all of them now. I guess you will have encountered Metropolis Drachen, (also in Northern Germany), which has a very good range of kites and is always adding new items. Some of their listings have my videos linked (with my permission).

[@Monika______]

😅so it hasn't only affected my wallet? Yes, Metropolis Drachen has supplied some of my kites, but I'm uncertain as to whether they actually produce kites themselves. I forgot Wolkenstürmer in Hamburg though (the Eddy Duo is really one of my favorites). They've closed their shop in Hamburg, but I hope very much that they'll keep producing kites (and reopen their shop somewhere). Best wishes

[@JimNicholls]

MD have made a few kites (like my big Revolver), but I don't think they have time for that any more. Their retail trade keeps them quite busy.

[@ronstewart9792]

Love the design on the new one Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

It's different for sure, Ron, and I think it will be quite popular.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

Glad you have cleared up the "manta confusion". Both great kites with different flying characteristics. Not sure I really like all those swirly designs. I am just fussy.

[@JimNicholls]

It's not how I would have designed it, Carl, but everyone has their own taste. It flies well, anyway, which is important.

[@mrlionel1965]

As you said, this one looks to be a bit more “playful”, but, I like the white one.

[@JimNicholls]

Unfortunately, it's a lot more expensive, Ken!

[@fotonmom]

Maybe not up to some standards. But still a vibrant style and color.

[@JimNicholls]

It's a printed design, Priscilla, which I'm not usually in favor of, but it keeps the price down and so I think is OK in this case. It's a good addition to the limited range of low-wind kites.

[@MooCowBlueKites]

I find it rather odd that HQ would to give a light wind kite a tail. it seems like the drag would detract from its light wind capabilities. Is the HQ kite truly being marketed as a light wind kite like the ITW Manta or is it that the wind listing is not high on it? Either way I like the design of this new HQ MANTA it is pretty.

[@JimNicholls]

Mark, this is definitely being marketed as a light-wind kite (not ultra-light, of course), which I think is fair enough. The tail is necessary, as a manta would look very odd without one and the kite is designed to resemble the fish. Also, I think it is necessary for stability. I haven't tried the kite without the tail, and probably won't, but I don't think it would fly as well.

[@kabody]

12👍❤🇵🇭

[@JimNicholls]

Glad you liked it.