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Showing content with the highest reputation on 03/04/2019 in all areas

  1. I'm going to refrain from commenting on how much I like the minimalistic look of the kite. Not going to say how well the colors match up. Not going to speculate at all how good it's probably going to look in the air. Nope not going to say anything at all cause every new kite that you build I seem to start repeating myself. So here's to nothing 👍.
    3 points
  2. Edge Binding and Framing remain.
    3 points
  3. Another tip - NEVER have someone else wind up your lines!! They are a mess? You are to blame! Not the wife, kids, or guy you just met on the field!! YOU!! Here's a bit of a chuckle for those reading and know the pain: I used to wind my lines on a single winder, but as separate pairs. I would larkshead the left pair together, then straight wind them on, Go back to the kite and larkshead the right pair and figure 8 those over the others. 2 trips. One day, I'm at a clinic of John's and it's time to pack up. So I start my routine of two lines and look over to see John. There's just the hint of a smile creeping into his face as he sees me doing my thing. I yell out - " I know this works!" to him. He looks at me and says - "But I know this works too!" Anyway we all pack up. So the next time I'm alone, I decide to test his method. I had some 50' lines and figured - if they get in a mess, it's only 50', not 120's, so let's try this. So I tried and it worked! Next time I tried it on 80' - it worked again! Finally I used it on 120's - yes!! Now I have some very minor differences that are my own, but all the basics are still in use! I prefer to use 2 stakes. After hooking up lines to handles, I separate the handles by a couple feet. Then I unwind to the kite end. If you have wound them before, there should be 2 pairs. Take a pair in each hand and spread your hands apart. All the wraps you saw unwinding, should fall out. If you are like me and my color code, you can trade hands around to end.up with the sets completely separated, using a little pressure on them. Hook up your kite and ready to go with just a twist in a pair or so - no biggie. Another way is to stick a finger between the pairs as you unwind. If they haven't passed through each other, you should be able to end up with pairs again. No matter what method you end up using - IF IT WORKS and you're comfortable with it - DO IT THE SAME WAY - EVERY TIME! Make it habit. The less you mess with the process, the better off!
    2 points
  4. I went ahead and ordered a Rev EXP a few minutes ago. Pro Kite USA had a 15% off coupon so it was a good price I could afford. I think they have already shipped it so maybe the weather will warm up and I can get it out sometime this week. In the mean time ill keep watching videos! Looking forward to trying it out.
    2 points
  5. Watch John's line management tutorial til you're sick of it - then watch it some more!!! That will save you so much aggravation - guaranteed! Carry a Sharpie if need be, to mark the lower lines. I myself use a 4 color code to separate the top/ bottom, left/right sets I had a stroke years ago, it keeps me sorted out. But I use John's system and it is tried and true - it works, trust it!
    1 point
  6. I would recommend that if possible - get 2 kites - a full sail and a full vent. Lines and handles of course. The 2 sails will cover the most wind range. Maybe not the extremes at both ends, but can handle everything in between. Used is a good way to go. Most of us use a number system to indicate condition, 1 being beat to heck, 10 being brand new condition. Decent used kites fall into the 7-9 range mostly, all depends on how each person views it. The biggest thing to look for are tears or splits in the mesh on the leading edge. Another are little cracks or splits along the vertical shafts. Usually either give a good idea on how much it has been flown. Stock handles are fine to learn on, so to most lines. Usually 80' or so, give or take 5'. 120' is the standard for team flying. Not needed to learn on if not readily available. Also, until you are pretty confident, I would stay away from really short lines. I know they have their place, but things happen pretty fast the shorter the line. Stick to 75'-85' to start. If there is one piece of advise I can give - learn to "Give to the Kite"! Don't pull if crashing is inevitable. All pulling does is drive the kite harder into the ground, increasing the chance of breakage. Just let your arms out, step forward a step or 3, worst case - drop the handles!! This takes all the drive out of the kite and lets it fall more gently. Welcome to the fun!!!
    1 point
  7. @gmrviper Actually you are fine. You have the topic over in Quad Heads which should give you some good feedback. We've all gone through varying stages of learning what we want.. The best advice you'll get is to fly other people's kites (known as OPK) until you have an idea of what would be best for you. As a group we can work with you over there and return to this topic when you are ready. I'll create a link here and lock it down for you.. Hit me up via PM or Chat when you'd like this unlocked.
    1 point
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