Electric Pumps?

Just wondering why more people don't use those electric pumps to inflate their kite. I've seen probably 1 out of 30 kiters use them.

For me the price is an issue - at often greater than $200 bucks a pump, its money that I don't have and kiting is almost out of my affordability as is. I guess it's possible they get stolen also?

However I was thinking of building one out of separate parts from China myself. Just a small unit that would probably cost $100 bucks to put together. I do like the idea of having the kite inflate quickly, as a beginner it takes me about 2-3 times as long to setup as the regular guys so any time savings in setup means more practice on water.

If you have one how much did you pay? If you use a manual pump - what's stopping you buy an electric inflater?

Simple ; money and they are bulkey and heavy . But I would have one in a hart beat if I could as the manual pumps design is stupid unless you are a dwaft the handel is way to close to the ground and hurts your back even with bending your knees .

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suface2air said..
Simple ; money and they are bulkey and heavy . But I would have one in a hart beat if I could as the manual pumps design is stupid unless you are a dwaft the handel is way to close to the ground and hurts your back even with bending your knees .

Yes, the one that I've seen was very bulky. I assume some are made as general inflaters and allow you to inflate lots of things without having to recharge the battery.

I'm 6'2 and manual pumps also seem to kill my back, whether I bend at the knees or not.

Efilnikufesin - what size is the naish pump?

I'd like a smallish pump like this one below (but for less than $300)

On a normal 8-12m kite i'm yet to see genuine proof they pump quicker, unless the pump attachment is the thin one. It's just pure laziness for people with too much money.

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scotteth said..
Just wondering why more people don't use those electric pumps to inflate their kite. I've seen probably 1 out of 30 kiters use them.

For me the price is an issue - at often greater than $200 bucks a pump, its money that I don't have and kiting is almost out of my affordability as is. I guess it's possible they get stolen also?

However I was thinking of building one out of separate parts from China myself. Just a small unit that would probably cost $100 bucks to put together. I do like the idea of having the kite inflate quickly, as a beginner it takes me about 2-3 times as long to setup as the regular guys so any time savings in setup means more practice on water.

If you have one how much did you pay? If you use a manual pump - what's stopping you buy an electric inflater?

You say price is the issue and then you say you are time poor as well because your not on the water as quick as the other guys.

I have been kiting for about 10 years (try pumping a 17 Fuel as a first kite), im slow at setting up, or more to the point im not in a hurry as I have plenty of time on the water.

IMO the time you spend stuffing around building a pump and then stuffing around with it at the beach is a "woftam"
Think about other areas of saving time, drive faster to the beach, knock off from work early (or school) apply sunblock at traffic lights (or while driving if running red lights), leave some air in kite from last session and make sure you roll lines up neatly from last session as running out will be quick without tangles.

If you work it out a good hand pump will come out on top every time

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Craig66 said..

You say price is the issue and then you say you are time poor as well because your not on the water as quick as the other guys.

I have been kiting for about 10 years (try pumping a 17 Fuel as a first kite), im slow at setting up, or more to the point im not in a hurry as I have plenty of time on the water.

IMO the time you spend stuffing around building a pump and then stuffing around with it at the beach is a "woftam"
Think about other areas of saving time, drive faster to the beach, knock off from work early (or school) apply sunblock at traffic lights (or while driving if running red lights), leave some air in kite from last session and make sure you roll lines up neatly from last session as running out will be quick without tangles.

If you work it out a good hand pump will come out on top every time

I live about 2.5 hours away from the beach so I'm usually in a rush to get out once I'm there (usually a day trip). My main lack of time and experience is because I don't get out there as often as I would like. I do have the time to spend a few hours at home trying to make something that might be useful. I guess its a side project that will keep me interested in the sport while not being able to get down as often as I can.

I'm totally jealous all those that can knock off work to hit the beach when the wind picks up. I do try keep my lines wrapped well.

But I guess my main curiousity was why others don't buy them - I mean judging by the cost of owning a decent quiver of kites, plenty seem to be in a good financial position for the hobby. I was wondering if there was something wrong with them, poor value for money, no advantage over manual pump, like the warm up etc.

Sometimes I have to inflate/deflate my 12m 3 to 4 times as I'm currently having issues with the bladder poping out past the valves. Electric pump would be awesome but too $$$

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MDSXR6T said..
On a normal 8-12m kite i'm yet to see genuine proof they pump quicker, unless the pump attachment is the thin one. It's just pure laziness for people with too much money.

Lazy people are responsible for some of the worlds greatest inventions, microwave ovens, gas/electric cooktops, electric windows, power steering, email.........

Don't suppose you use any of those???

Thanks Efilnikufesin - some very amusing comments on the Naish Pump review page.

Hey Wellsy - how long does it take your pump to fill the kite (and what size kite)?

As I'm 90 percent of the time on 13m kites and bigger, plus they are non one pump, I use an Island electric pump.

I keep mine in a back pack with a kite attachment on the top the back pack (Don't use the bag it comes in). Make it very portable and it just sits on your back if you need to walk somewhere.

provides Exactly the same pressure everytime.

But they are a first world luxury that's for sure.

mate probably takes about 2-2 1/2 mins to fully inflate.. just gives you enough time to run your lines out or quickly get the rest of your gear out of the car and set up to take it down to the beach, depending where you set up. That's with a 17 zephyr or 11.. the 9 blows up pretty quick so you have to hot tail. The only problem I've found with them is you have to anchor the pump when the winds really up as the kite can get some lift under it and will sometimes start dragging your pump as the pumps aren't that weighty.

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Mark50 said..
Complete waste of money IMHO. It takes a couple of minutes at most to pump a kite up (even my 17m Zephyr) and as others have said, helps warm you up. Just adds more junk to have to take kiting (board, kite, harness and hand pump is so simple and light) and something else to maintain. Prefer to spend my money on other more useful things.

So take it you've owned a decent one and never found it useful. Would you like to sell it to me then if you were not using it?

Well coast flyer that just looks like the island pump but hell of a lot cheaper. Im sure someone may chime in as to why you would pay another 150 to 180 for the same looking unit. maybe the moving parts are gold encrusted or something.

So 120 bucks (plus delivery of course)...how much would a kite or even a bar depreciate in a year. Even if it lasted only a year, it could be seen as a wearable cost if you were so inclined.

Trick is is always charge them after every use. Batteries don't like being run down low/ and left low in charge On any device.

Amazon is $208 delivered to my door, have to assume it's in USD which puts it at $275 AUD depending on the exchange rate. almost cheaper to buy here right now and you know what you are getting...

If wrong that would be quite a saving though

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scotteth said..
... maybe some sort of anchor on the pump for when the winds are heavier

I've recently started using a tent peg plus some string when rigging up on grass. Works well.

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loopers said..
Amazon is $208 delivered to my door, have to assume it's in USD which puts it at $275 AUD depending on the exchange rate. almost cheaper to buy here right now and you know what you are getting...

If wrong that would be quite a saving though

Well ya might as well get it local then if that's the case. I know the shops near but zero margin on them...apparently.