I picked up a Premier Wolf from Steve on the Swap Meet. I actually bought it not for myself, but for a trick trainer. I run into people that want to learn tricking and I have a friend that wants to learn. I thought this may be a nice trainer for my buddy or to keep in my bag for others to try, we will see.
Anyway, of course I needed to try it out for myself because I'm a hopeless kite nut
and I like to fly just about anything I can get my hands on.
First of all, the kite seems very well made. I didn't beat it into the ground or anything but it does appear that it will take it's fair share of abuse. I own or have owned 4-5 Premier dual line kites and they have all been sturdy and set up well. They do seem to be one of the better made economy kites out there.
Compared to the Acrobatx Standard = The Wolf is a spinny kite and exhibits a bit of oversteer but is much easier to control than an Acrobatx standard, not the UL, which is very nice. The Acrobatx is a similar style tricky beginner kite but with a wild or sloppier feel compared to the Wolf. The Acrobatx will do a lot but the Wolf will mostly match it with better control.
Compared to the Quantum = The wolf feels lighter on the lines but is maybe not quite as precise or smooth feeling. But where the Quantum needs big inputs to get it to trick, the Wolf is ready and willing with more normal inputs. Overall it will out trick the Quantum in every respect. The Quantum is built very sturdy though.
Compared to The Hypnotist = The Hypno Fades beautifly and Flic Flacs & Cascades are nice and easy. But the Wolf matches it and has a superior Turtlle Position. Where the Hypno won't sit on it's back the Wolf will with ease. I like the Comete better on the Hypno but not much else and if you want to roll up, the Wolf comes out on top there too. The Wolf feels more modern to me.
Compared to the Nighthawk = Right off the bat I compared the Wolf to my recollections of the Nighthawk (my 1st slack line kite). It needs a bit more wind than the Nighthawk on the low end but nothing unreasonable. I was flying it in 4-5 mph Saturday easily. I feel the Nighthawk is easier to Backspin and rolls up quicker. The Wolf is easier to Pancake which is nice for beginners or when the wind is up a bit. It will Backspin and roll up, just not as easy as the Nighthawk, which excels at these. I feel the Wolf is at least as good a choice as the Nighthawk for learning tricks and with the easier Pancake, maybe a better choice.
The Turtle, Fade and Pancake are all good on this kite. I've tried many of the other beginner trick kites and most seem to come up short in one or more of these positions. I feel the Wolf compares very well here and is superior to many. These are all important positions for learning to trick and this is were this kites has an edge over some of the others. I really like the Turtle on this kite, it goes on it's back easy and it'll sit back nicely without popping out, giving the pilot extra time to hit a Lazy or Jacobs Ladder etc. This is especially nice for beginning tricksters.
I'm thinking in this price range, it's $109 retail with line set, this is one of the better choices for learning tricking and I like it better than several costing more too.
Now go get tricking
