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Looks like the new TICA 2020 is available on the kitesandfunthings.com web site. What are you thinking about this one? It is a big kite and very tempting!! I have spoke to Jon a couple of times regarding it and he seems very excited!! Just curious what you are thinking?

Hey guys, Let me start by saying your resources here are amazing. So I am a single line flyer at the beach. Basically I tie a big kite to the bed of my truck so I can see where I am when boogie boarding in the Gulf. I was looking for new single line kites online and the next thing I know there is a Revolution ad on my facebook feed and I'm like what the heck is that and how does that work. So I buy one. So cool. Anyway I have flown 3 times now, maybe a total of 2hrs with it after the first outing where it just spun right and crashed and had to figure out that bridal was a little off but I have a few questions and what to know what you all think. I can fly it no problem, I can control it pretty good. reverse launch, hover upright, right and left, inverted for a little while. I feel like I can make it go where I want. I am on 65ft lines that came with it and it came with the standard handles with only one knot placement. I ordered some of JB's pro leaders and will do the snagless conversion. Good idea right? Should I get different length lines? Easier to fly? I fly at some soccer fields near me. Its like a park with 8 or 10 soccer fields and a couple baseball fields. Of course all the fields have light poles around them so the 65' fits well. I do notice that the one time I flew when the wind was blowing probably 10-12mph with some big gusts (its always choppy) that the kite will pull hard after a spin and catch a gust. Not as smooth as all the videos ive seen. Probably me over correcting and adding drive but if I have more brake adjustability from the JB leader this should help Right? I'm going to use the method of start all the way out and see if I can launch and go from there to adjust. Im also confused on the kite size. Is the exp the same size at the 1.5 or B Series or the rx xx they sell now? Its my understanding the exp is built to take a beating and is maybe a little heavier that some other kites so it doesn't want to fly great in low wind if I get another kite what will the frame from the exp fit?. Typically we have 4-7 mph wind here inland (im in Houston). Also should I take out the reflex springs? are they like training wheels? seems like some of you old schoolers think they are gimmicky? Im sure I have more questions but appreciate any advice. Learning this thing on my own. Well that not really true, all the reading on here and the videos ive watched I feel like you all and JB are my personal coaches.

Thanks Breezin, I hope the Christmas wish list works out!! As for the Wolf, it will be a few because I think they are going to have to order it from Premier in the color I wanted. No biggie. Have not had any wind anyway, but they are saying we may have some in the morning. So maybe I can get out a bit before I have to go to work. Good idea on holding the handles. Its been awhile since I have crashed, but I am not going to say that it can't happen. Thus far I have always wrapped the straps around my wrists, but i have noticed in the Dodd Gross videos what you are referring to. I can say, I usually do have fun if I have enough wind to fly and I would love to live closer to a beach!! One kite not mentioned that I have is a Slingshot B3. It is a 3 Meter, 2 string, foil lite that will flat drag my ass around the beach if the wind is up. Earlier this past summer we were in Lincoln City on a fairy windy afternoon and it got the best of both my son in laws, my son, myself and sadly my daughter before were were finished. But we were all smiling and had stories to tell. And in some cases, video😂

ok let's break the answer in multiple topics. before to start fly when you connect the lines check the bridle,all different sections to be symmetrical and equals between them. if you see length difference that means is something wrong and make sure to repair before to fly. check the lines to be equal especially if they are the one sold with the kite, most of the time right out of the package you will find 1-2 inches difference Line length: 65 is a good one but most of the flyers use 85 or 120 when they fly together or in team. longer lines give you also a bigger wind window and some more time to avoid a crash. shorter lines 30-35-40 for light wind, urban fly or small spaces. your choice and preference. JB leaders: yes they will help you to gain more control of the line length and smoother mouvement how long you are in control. kite size: the confusing is starting when you throw in discussion reflex technologie kites versus old models. EXP is having the same dimensions like 1.5, B and B-Pro and is smaller then all reflex technologie on the market now except new rebranded 1.5 Classic witch is the old 1.5. Yes, is a entry level for taste of fly quads but is breaking on the same way like all others, difference is the starting price because of the sail fabric and number of stitches. springs: being a beginner is hard to fly in less than 5-10 MPH and springs are adding some weight but also help to recover or a flat launch. if you pass the frustration of low wind test to fly with and without and you will feel the difference yourself. springs are not training wheels at all even if they advertise to be like. they making the sail to have a different profile on low pressure making the kite to act differently.IMO when you have some experience that springs are just dead weight. accumulating experience will not make to much difference if they are or not there but will give you the chance to try more complex maneuvers without to overcontrol hope this helps

Dang I'm excited for you. You got 3 way different kites and with hours of practice they'll all fly in 3 mph. IMO wear out your stock dyneema lines. Widow with the 150# and Wolf with 90# is enough at the start. Had Laser Pro pretty early on but it was months before I could really feel a big difference. Quads is a different deal. Somewhere in the back of my mind I think I try to destroy my Nighthawk so I can get a Wolf. Remember that it won't be as stable as the Hydra or Widow. It's more twitchy and if you use the same type of inputs the oversteer will be quite dramatic. It doesn't take long to figure out. At the start it's one you should hold onto the straps instead of looping them around the wrist for sure. When the crash is coming let go.Yeah it's been said before but it is extremely important for confidence. The first breaks rattled the heck out of me. For now that should be the way for all your kites. As I developed I ended up wrapping around my wrist and doing a lot of inputs with my index finger. In higher winds I add the middle. As you get better no way is right except what you like. Dodd Gross in his videos just grips the straps and I think he might be a pro. I have a tendency to be a little kite snobby but that's not my intent at all.I've got 5 high end kites that are the bomb. Been at this 2 years next month and doubt anyone would outgrow a Hydra, Widow ng or Wolf. Yeah the feel of the high end ones is better. Tricks seem smoother and can be more rewarding. No they're not as well rounded as a Tekken(favorite). My boutiques have a more airy feel to them. The dance is more elegant. Can't really see it but you can feel it.If you get a Tica it won't take long to get the drift of what I can't really describe. Here's the thing though the high end ones have never exceeded the FUN factor of my other kites. Having fun is the most important point of all this kite stuff anyways. PLUS ya got quads too!! WOW did you jump into the deep end of the ocean. Hey that's cool I didn't drown and neither will you LOL.

The Sync Bridle is tailored to the Djinn specifically and I wouldn’t vouch for transfer to another kite - there is just too much going on - even changing the length of one bridle leg by half an inch changes performance and sail pressure, the impact of different vertical spar location and kite proportions on the center portion of the bridle would be massive. To this end, the complete Sync Bridle isn’t available for purchase except on a Djinn, though the bridle components that wear out are available - as mentioned above, both the French and 1.5 style bridles transfer pretty well from kite to kite.

Your funny and I enjoy reading your posts!! And I mean that respectfully!! Right now I am just sitting here wishing that the wind would pick up a bit so I could get out and try flying. Perhaps in another hour or so. I have not even pulled the Widow NG out of it's bag yet as I have been playing with the hydra, but suppose I should just to see what it is like. If I were to get a Wolf NG, it would be from Jon T at kites and fun things since they seem to have the best price on the kite. But then you mention the addiction, so I will give it a bit of thought since I will only get one right now and I leaning towards the Wolf. Perhaps I can drop a hint to the wife regarding a TICA for Christmas. And I know what you are saying, if she knew how many I have recently purchased, I could possibly be sleeping with them😉 I don't really have that many, but several new ones in the last month or two. What part of the country do you fly in? I sure hope someone will scratch that itch!!

Well I'm on a blather this morning. Late spring Devon announced the Tica. Been extremely interested since. Nator has gotten me really interested in big kites and for a trick kite 102" seems pretty big. Had a12' and 19' single liners but I got back issues and couldn't safely handle them myself. I've been wanting a Benson Superfly for along time to replace my Hydra. Think it would be more durable for the way I fly and very similar. Been really wishy washy on it cause I still gotta Hydra. Beat to hell but far from destroyed with some TLC. It's on the ragged edge of destruction though. Really like the kite so for money spent it's making more and more sense to get another.Restore the one I have for grandkids and newbies. Beef up the new one for me .Wife is not very sympathetic to this kite addiction thing so treading carefully is a must. She's got a point cause I've acquired a few and saying I NEED another is kinda pathetic.Biggest kite I have is a Condor from the 90's. Not a trick in it but dang good at precision. Doesn't fly much because tricking is my thing.Had a Hawaiian Team but I can handle the Condor a lot better. I'd really like to get a Level One Badass and 0ne Eleven but can't justify a spot in the bag. Looking at the differences in the keel and wingtips of the Hydra, Jinx(Esingers photo) and Tica I get a sense the center mass of the Tica would make it more predictable/stable. In 15 mph the narrow wing tips make me think dumping the wind would be pretty easy. That'd make tricks fairly fast so very doable in moderate winds. My guess is above 12 mph quite a bit easier then the one eleven. Thinking it'd be very different than my other standards and one I really want to justify having. The red just looks freaking cool.By the way since you're talking to Jon T get a Addiction. Tricky, tough and FUN, FUN,FUN. Trust me I'll keep bringing it up. Kite is just a absolute blast to fly. If you're not into fast, twitchy, adrenalin fueled flying nevermind. You should be though. OOPS that's a bit snobby but hey what the hey we all got differing opinions around here.At the start I learned the most on a Addiction. Kite still makes me laugh till my eyes water at times.Sold my first one to get the WMP. Got a Psycho to replace it. It didn't but the Psycho in 20 to 25 mph is just stunning at what it can do. Quicker tricks but has a slower straight line speed than the Addiction.Very similar wingtips to the Tica.C'mon, c'mon some of you folks get a Tica and let us know all about it. Got a AWFUL itch. I KNOW Rob B and Esinger NEED another kite LOL.