Rider: 65kg, beginner
Style: no style - want to get up and go
Weather: not too hairy to start with
My Comments:
I'm keen to know if a 10m Griffin TRX is a good starting point for me as I'm being offered one for a pretty good price. Had a few lessons but need to work on kite control and still not stood up for longer than a few seconds as yet. Any advice is much appreciated.
cheers

TRX 2012 or 2013??

TRX 2013 is faster and has better low end.

In general, TRX is recommended for intermediate/advanced riders (comparing to the Argo) basically because it is a fast turning kite and need more input (than the Argo) to get a better low end.

Turning speed can be adjusted to get a slower turning. Turning speed can be reduced also using a shorter (smaller) bar.

Adding extensions (longer lines) will reduce turning speed and will give you better low end.

If you had some lessons I suppose you used smaller than 10m kites, possibly turning much faster than a 10m (but pulling less).

The Argo would be easy for learning, but I???m pretty sure that with the TRX won???t be much more difficult.

The Argo can be easier to re-launch, but TRX 10m is also easy. Normally, small kites are easy to relaunch. More difference could be appreciated in bigger kites

About the size, will depend on the predominant winds in your area. Try to know wich sizes are using there other riders or wich are the average winds there.

Your wind range will be reduced when you start (while you are learning), but with some practice will increase a lot. TRX has a great wind range.

Sure when I learned the kites were not the best for learning (old C kites)... and I'm still here

Always try before decide if you can (even on the sand). Don't buy it if you don't have a good feeling with it or you don't feel comfortable.

Ren, yep suitable kite for any level.
I started with a 10.5 Griffin Chimera in winter in WA. Needless to say it coped a flogging but hasn't let me down, still using it.
Just got a 2014 TRX 14m, very happy with it. On a surfboard good to go first sign of a white cap.
Griffin do the job for a very good price.
Mate all the modern kites are good, griffins are just one of many.
If you can support your local kite board business in your purchase then you'll get lots more than just the kite.
Just a thought from an old hack

the year is important as the 2012 have less grunt, the newer versions were upsized so you may need a larger size but as a beginner you will feel this way as this kite does need to be worked for low end, so if you know someone where you kite check their weight/ size and maybe get a comparison

Sounds like its 2012 if its 10m 2103 is 10.5m ,for your weight it will be a sweet kite my mate loves his 2012 10m he's 75 kg I prefer my 2013 as I'm 95 kg we are fairly close riding together with the weight difference.

I've had my 10m for about a year and really like it when it's really windy. You don't need experience for it, just like Catalaussie said it turns quickly which you will come to appreciate when you have a bit more experience. I'm thinking of getting a 7m for when it's really windy. I do seem to develop alot of pinholes in the canopy of my griffins though, anyone else have the same thing. They still fly ok but still...

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pilotbc69 said..

I've had my 10m for about a year and really like it when it's really windy. You don't need experience for it, just like Catalaussie said it turns quickly which you will come to appreciate when you have a bit more experience. I'm thinking of getting a 7m for when it's really windy. I do seem to develop alot of pinholes in the canopy of my griffins though, anyone else have the same thing. They still fly ok but still...

Hi, I have not heard of any one else having a similar issue over the past 3 years, the kites use the same top quality Teijin canopy T-96008 as most of the other top brands and not the cheaper materials. The factory the kites are made in is the same factory as many of the top brands also. Give me a call, even if its out of warranty I will see what I can do for you... You can get my number form the website, if your on a 2012 or older model I can do a trade in for you.

Re TRX for beginners, the TRX 2013 - 2014 is a good beginner kite because its stable, handles gusts excellently, relaunches well with the curved leading edge, has a lot of depower and wind range. In the smaller sizes 7m 9m some beginners may find the fast turning to fast, but you can reduce turning speed with 3 turning speed attachment points, but for the smaller kites the argo may be better for beginers. the 2012 and older TRXs need alot more wind to get going and have less wind range and stability, so I would suggest a 2013 or newer TRX, or trade the 2012 or older for a newer TRX.