midibot

I got a set of Matrix (this very size) when I bought my Badass and have been generally happy with the string, so far. Haven't used the line extensively yet, but have noticed that the orange has faded a little in the higher friction areas, and even leached somewhat onto the white sleeving a wee bit. Performance-wise, I rarely twist it up more than 3/4 times. May be some binding noticeable with max twists. For the price, not a bad line. (I do have to ask: whadja get for the sons from Level One? Any new kites? Hunh? Hunh? 😉 ) .

A few largish stitches with a needle and light thread would help reinforce either the sticky-back velcro or glue methods I should think, eh? Add a tinsy drop of glue to the stitches as well. (Weight c/b a factor, however.) .

Guessing HQ Jam Session, early 2000s. Possibly the 2001 or Millenium versions. Or some such. Good 'old skool' stunt kite! But I get the need for 'change'. You may be getting hooked. If you are lucky🙂 I am sure that there will be some suggestions... .

While the Deep Space may not track like a train as a Mamba might it can certainly fly with some precision if you want it to. Much smaller hand movements but quite capable of square corners. I begin many of my sessions with The Dice and variations as a warmup and the Deep Space ain’t too shabby at it (even in my hands). Mr Benson even uses the word “precise” in describing the kite on his website. As has been said, the DS is a freestyle kite. It is not an unfriendly kite. It will open up doors. It does really depend what you are after however. But a DS may surprise you. In a good way. Just my view. Perhaps the OP may have a thought on it. ~~~~~ The Dice courtesy of STACK . .

Another take on the Dead Launch by the great DPMama74. With a bonus Sleeping Beaut thrown in. I am almost never in these sand conditions: .

The HQ Obsession was a cool little kite late 1990s that could dead launch easily. Had a bowed spar that ran down the middle from the nose, propping the nose and thus facilitating the pop-up. For any wondering about it and unaware, Mark Reed does the dead launch in the early Prism videos, did he not? The curved leading edge and the right ground helps. Oh yeah, here's the clip - an excerpt from one of the Way to Fly vids: I am with Rob however. I don't do them. Too hard on the kite. Contemplate the walk .

Looking closer at mine, all four are snug - I was thinking they may have gotten loose but the way the screws seem to almost self-tap loosening seems less likely. Another alternative is that yours may have been over-tightened, and this could lead to a split of the upper washer, and eventual breaking off and loss. The remaining standoff assembly would then just fall out. I suppose excessive lateral forces on the standoff could also result in such a split... At any rate replacements, if not from ITW, are also available at other sources such as Kites 'n Fun Things (Skyburner) and FlyMarket kitemaking supplies. And probably others. At least you are up and flying again. . .

Hmmm. Have not experienced it with my Hydra. Trying to picture it. Did the standoff rods fall out of the sail stays? In which case a glue job perhaps? Or the sail stays themselves become dislodged? On mine they are the screw type. (Note to self to check mine for tightness of the screws). Any other info might help. Or pics. .

I have a couple of EXPs and while I am not an expert, in my opinion you have a fine kite that will give hours of fun. As has been pointed out, setup and configuring the line lengths including leaders is a key to success, and I defer to the other comments in that regard. (Hands on help is useful if you can get it, but flyers are often few and far between.) As far as wind: I, too, fly in shifty (with an ‘f’!) inland winds and in my experience the sweet spot of winds for a current EXP, until one gets more familiar, is approx 5/6 mph *minimum* to 9, maybe 10 mph max. The actual range of the kite is much broader, but will complicate things for you early on. You want the ‘drive’ the wind provides, but not too little or much. You have enough other issues on your hands. (The lower end can be further extended with a lighter frame.) It may be that you are familiar with wind from other kiting, but if not, and if it assists, there are simple charts which may help give a visual on winds that you might encounter, such as the one below. Hang in there. Keep at it. And the 3 Ps: practice. Practice. Practice. .

Assuming you are still waiting for yours, Andy55, I have posted images of my Std and UL DSs in the gallery to give you some interim pleasure... 😉 .

Had seen the site a ways back but a few months or so ago bookmarked it for the Le Quartz plan. Not an expert but the Wayback Machine or other similar may help on that if needed. Version history? .

Try this link (useful for would-be trick kite builders if others are interested): http://tom.tweelijners.be/tomskitesite-en/home.html Some day. .

Coincidentally, I was flying my NSE Nirvana (Low Wind version) just this morning. Lovely kite. And I lusted after a Jam Session when it was first introduced in the 1990s (1996?). Dodd Gross helped with the design I think. Eventually got one. I know exactly what he means about the hand movements. Same experience. The three Ps may help with getting used to that DM. (Practice. Practice. Practice.)...😉 Will have to look into that kite. It's all fun! .

Good news, Kite Girl. Be interested in knowing how he likes flying it. By the way - was it an old kite or a new model Dream Machine? Inquiring minds want to know! Cheers.

Ouch. The Hydra use Dynamic spars? Wonder if Paul might be able to help? Flying Wings and some HQ kites also use Dynamics. As does Lam I think. (Or did.) Think the Kymera used Skysharks iirc, fwiw. A feasible alternative and yeah that money would go a long way towards that. And a fun lil project. May need new connectors, too, but if so not a biggie. .

The UL, in its intended winds, will also tend to Slow. Everything. Down. Not that the Mamba is a fast kite. But I have really come to appreciate slow and steady and the flight unfolding in more than a blink. That said, it is just as easy, or should I say easier, to bust a UL kite if it is flown in more wind than one should... .

Yeah, some of the newer kites have the extended leaders now. Part of the reason is to take the knots outside the bridle area for manoeuvres, to reduce places for lines to catch, and arguably to insulate the flying lines somewhat from wear and fraying during roll up moves. When you get that far A larks head knot attaching the flying lines will be just fine with the tiny knot. Have fun. .

Welcome, Rickie. Get ready for many hours of fun with your new kite! Any Qs or problems, there's lots of help available here. Share the joy. .

If I remember correctly (less so with time) the ITW Hydra has long extended leader lines -- so just attach your flying lines to the ends with the knots, and fly! Let us know how it goes. .

I may have jumped to a conclusion as there are a bunch of videos with the name Dream Machine in them in recent months. That includes the one on youtube below posted by Lam and which contains that very name as a label in the early frames of the video itself. He also refers to the short form, DM and DM Std, DM SUL and DM Vented kites in other vids. I am a subscriber. However, the videos are my only source. “2020 LH” seems like a signature. Youtube: https://youtu.be/cuW-qQYsXu0