@ Kitewin, I think you bought the wrong one. Have been on LEI kites for the better part of the last 17 years. All manner of board, including foil. You can't in good conscience judge any kite model properly based on the larger sizes. An 8m Peak is to the 5m, what a 12m LEI is to an 8m. Drastically different. Remember the Peak was not built as a hydrofoiling kite. The 5, 4, and 3m emerged as a surprise discovery and the 8m was pretty much universally panned by the early adopters. It only came into this thread wayyyyyyy later as those looking for sub 10 knot riding have flooded in and seem happy to put up with a slow kite for the relative safety of not dropping it. That was never part of the early conversation, their speed, handling and depower were the primary highlights.... all of which are lame by comparison in light air sized kites.
The small peaks are simply the easiest kites to fly for anyone with any sort of kiting experience. Takes no time to get them to work, and only a little longer to get them to shine. The 3m is the most sublime trainer kite in novice hands and light winds I've ever seen, even when compared to purpose built trainer kites. It behaves exactly the same in 30 knots as pictured below. The power production is a bit different from LEI, I would argue better, but no bigger difference than the variability among the broad range of LEI kites out there. Certainly a lot more like an LEI than a close cell foil, that does things like accelerate and pull harder when sheeting out in some situations. No, the peak is dead simple and user friendly to fly. Take the overwhelming advice that has been repeated many times in this thread. Start with the 5m.
I've never tried the 8m. Probably won't, unless your looking to sell cheap.