15 replies to this topic

[Baloo]

If you have a peachy deal on the EXP it is a good starer Rev. Nothing wrong with EXP's.

However if you can run to the cost of a B then that migh be even better for you as you will not outgrow it so quickly.

Whichever One you get, for all thier slightly diffrent qualities, I am sure you will love it.

Let us all know how you get on, and welcome to the Forum.

[Shell66]

Jeepster, on 26 October 2011 - 07:01 PM, said:

Hmmm ... you wouldn't have anything to do with the Keokuk Kite Festival would you?

Cheers,
Tom

Well, yes I did go. I bought a couple kites for my grandsons and my husband and I have more fun with them than they do. I didn't get to check out the quad kites much from chasing the boys but I was definitely watching them! I've always loved watching kites though. When I was little my dad and I would fly box kites out over the river while sitting in the park. I lived near the Milwaukee area for 8 years and went to the kite festival a few times there and was in awe. I figure it's now time to get into doing something that I would really love to do.

Were you there?

[Jeepster]

Unfortunately, I missed the Keokuk festival this year ... we're out west. Attended last year though. The folks flying the Revs were IKE members ... the team was 180GO!. Any one of those guys would have shown you how to fly and then let you fly their kite.

Be sure to tell us what you've finally settled on for a kite.

Cheers,
Tom

[stroke survivor]

Any Rev is better than no Rev!!! Just be willing to put in the time to really learn the ins and outs of quad flying!! Basics aren't too bad, but moving on from there, it only gets better!!

[Hedgewarden]

If you have a choice between a Chevy and a Porsche, consider several factors.

If you are learning to drive, is a Porsche really going to teach you more?

After you learn to drive, and can afford a Porsche, are you really going to junk the Chevy, or use it to go grocery shopping?

EXPs fly pretty well. I put mine aside AD (after addiction) for a year or so to fly my newer (and more expensive) SLEs and B series. Then I broke out my poor neglected EXP and flew it again to become re-acquainted. I now keep it in my car in case of "decent winds" here in the land of very poor winds, and also to let friends and relatives get a taste of quad kite flying, without endangering the kites I cannot afford to replace. The EXP is a solid, decent flying kite that does not have to be relegated to the dust bin AD (after addiction) when you purchase your stable of better kites. But, BD (Before Addiction), it can teach you the basics as well as any of the kites. The fabric also seems more robust (rip-stop nylon?), although heavier and probably less dimensionally stable. Does that all sound like better beginner's kite? Does to me.

So, if you can afford the better SLE, or B, or even B-Pro kites - go for them. But only if you know that you are going to be a devoted quad flier. To sample the experience, and learn the basics, the EXP will do very well.

Myself, I have my original EXP, an SLE, two B's, and two second hand Rev IIs, and one second hand Rev 1. See how that all cascades? For a beginner, I would suggest the 1.5 size (EXP et. al). When you want new experiences, the Rev II (hey, new B-2s look really neat - want, want) are a kick with faster response. As for the Rev I, I'll let you fly mine for the experience.

My personal take on these basic size choices:

Rev II - think (somewhat twitchy) sports car. (B-2 reputed to be less twitchy)
Rev 1.5 - think (great handling) sedan. These are the general workhorses because they work (fly) so well.
Rev I - think 1 ton truck. OK, slow and majestic if you want to think of them that way.

[John Barresi]

Hedgewarden, on 31 October 2011 - 08:50 PM, said:

So, if you can afford the better SLE, or B, or even B-Pro kites - go for them. But only if you know that you are going to be a devoted quad flier.
To sample the experience, and learn the basics, the EXP will do very well.

Almost exactly what I tell first time inquirers out on the field, well said!