riffclown

Fun to watch and enjoy..

I can't imagine anyone telling you different.. The amount of work is the same..The difference may be "awesome kite" vs "Wasted time AND money"

The new prototype has been a topic for discussion among the Reflex threads here for a few days now.. Thank you for providing a picture.. Resizing it to the 1.5 does mix it nicely with the other Rev 1.5's and resolves the biggest issue pointed out by several reviewers, BUT also removes some of what made the Reflex unique in the lineup. It's "another" Rev now... I'll be interested in flying one but I won't be in line to purchase this particular Reflex. IMO and my OPINION only Rev may be exploring filling the vacuum left in their lineup by the end of the B-Series. The timing of this kite is consistent with the feedback from the original Reflex and also curiously aligned with the @John Barresi announcement which you haven't seen on the Rev Site yet..

Maybe I should have flown mine a few times with the Springs disengaged before I let it go.. It does regain ground better than ANYTHING I've ever flown.

I also plan to do the "spring thing" on a few of my sails to give me some of those flying characteristic in low wind. The Ghost is probably going to get the sail shaping treatment..

My opinion only and yours may vary greatly.. Reflex is a great sail. Also a great teaching tool. It is also a very forgiving kite and easy to learn on but then at that point you've only learned the Reflex. If you start with any other Rev 1.5 sail, you'll be able to adjust your flying either way, up and down the Rev Line to include the Reflex.. You'll also be able to better understand and appreciate the sail AND frame differences. If you've ONLY flown the Reflex, you might be in for a surprise when you grab the handles on an SUL or 1.5. It is different.. You might just yank a normal 1.5 out of the air before you adjust and get the hang of it.. The cost factor applies here as well. There's a reason there's so many threads about Rev Alternatives. You have to scroll down the page if you look up quadline kite on Amazon. I bought a HQ Kites Mojo trying to avoid the investment of a Rev. I still fly the Mojo because its twitchiness makes me correct my flying before I go between the Foils and a Rev. That being said, learning on one of the highest cost kites in the current production line is kind of like taking first driving lessons in a Corvette ZR6. Maybe not the best of ideas Face it, replacement rods and parts for the Reflex aren't nearly as easy to locate as the standard 1.5 stuff. It takes a bit for anyone "even a natural" to get the hang of it and most of us have cracked a spar at some point haven't we?.

100% Concur

Lolly did share with me at the Rogallo that there would be a vented version. IMO, In a kite with the Reflex's flying parameters, it seems to me it would almost be like venting a Zen. I did sell mine but it was to help pay for 5 other kites including the Shook Mesh #206 I flew it a lot over the few months I owned it. No complaints on the way it flies except for the catch and throw..

Agreed on the nice work.. Very nicely done.. Anyone have links of info on the Reflex Resized sail they can share??

@SHBKFNice use of the truck.. You know the kite fits back in the sleeve I sent it in right??

Was very nice chatting with you lycosa. Welcome to easily the best resource I've seen for our hobby.

My wife swears I just like to be on people's vacation videos..

Look up John McEuen - Return to Dismal Swap.. You'll love it and you will get attention.. If Kitebus is there, he has my disk with it on it..

There is a facebook page for them but I'm not sure how much is public yet. From what I'm told there are a few already in the wild.. Kite is high on my want list.. Actually the link is here on KiteLife..

Love it.. He does awesome work..

@Bill Clay There is at least one master flier that prefers the Reflex. I know that for a fact because he borrowed mine for a recent competition performance. He also is moving from the Experienced Class to the Masters now so I can assure you, it's not a bad kite by any stretch of the imagination.. The things that make it different might not appeal to everyone but even those that it doesn't appeal to still have generally good things to say about it.. It's still a relatively new kite and still in demand.. I haven't seen many on the secondary market and those that do get offered get snapped up fairly quickly. Take your time, decide what you want and throw it into the mix for a possible trade if you must. Before you do that though, my offer to fly my kites stands. Let's get together and fly. I'll bring anything form the small dual lines to the Big Fixed Bridle Foils. Talk to me about what you like or don't like. I'll gladly help you understand your flying. (at least what knowledge I have to share) You might even change your mind about the Reflex..

Maybe.. Your Price??

I'm sorry you feel that way. No one should ever feel that way about a kite purchase..

I put a review out in May on the site (where you purchased your kite from.) I also had put up somewhat positive reviews on this kite at the Rev Site and other forums as well ahead of the curve (May).. I also didn't like the lack of interchangeability. The different size rods coupled with the new design for end "caps" seem to be steering you more heavily in the Revolution direction for parts. I did like the way it flies but as you said, you only have what it came with.. The other option is to fly with the springs disengaged. That makes it more like a regular Rev but still some differences.. It's a very nice kite but with limited options.. I'd still give it the same positive review. I'm just not sure the marketing is properly aimed.. As you said it's almost geared to a newbie but the issues there are a newbie could easily miss the differences. It's a forgiving kite but if you've only flown this kite you'll probably severely over-correct on a standard 1.5 sail. We do need to get together and fly some before you buy more kites.. I'd rather you know what you want before you lay down the hard earned cash.. I have many options for you to try. You can then hit the store KNOWING what's important to you.. That's also why clubs are so important..I took mine to ODSKC and hardly flew it.. Others were trying it (with my expressed approval of course.) The 40 Minutes Paul mentioned above with the Reflex was most likely there.. Most of us will gladly share our handles with someone to help each other make informed choices.. Shoot we'll share handles on a kite to figure out if we like the color better.. That's how i knew I wanted a Shook so badly, a friend let me try his.. Find some fliers to hook up with before you get your next kite...

In low wind, I enjoyed putting it at the very edge of the window and flying it with just the top (uppermost) handle.. Bottom handle lines can be totally slack and you still have control. Not a functional trick or anything, just a fun thing to do... You can also dive stall it.. Quick dive acceleration, then totally slack and the kite will dip out. Lather rinse repeat, and you can make the kite almost "stair step" away from you.