Wayne Dowler
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Posts posted by Wayne Dowler
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Starting to wonder what kite season is like after the Summer winds are gone.. back to RC paragliding and airplanes
That is when indoor kicks in!!! Nothing like year round flying!!!
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He said A quad!!! "snicker"
Most of us that do fly them, have more than A quad!! 
Try 4-5 different sail options to match conditions! Same with dualies - Gotta have several to cover different winds!
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I apologize for being so blunt. I forget that not everyone is so up on what Rev has been using to label their sails.
That said - just by swapping those "inny" connectors to the older cap system, will allow use of all the old frames they make!
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Pardon me asking - but what is a "classic Reflex"? There are Reflexes (2 sizes - 1.5 and slightly larger) and the rebranded "B" called a "Classic", also in 1.5 size. Yes the "Classic" does come with the reflex technology.
Your terminology confuses me!
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I had one person tell me that Rev wasn't too up to date on dealing with the "new" social media that works today. You would think that if they can't do it, they would hire someone that can!
Oh well ....
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Why does my Hydra and my Kymera hum for me?
The Kymera was designed to have it - sort of an old school sound effect. On the Hydra, there is a leech line that will tighten or loosen the TE to your individual liking. You want it quieter - tighten it up. Loose = noisy.
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Forum over there has pretty much dried up, just a few die hard people post there regularly. Do still check in there at times, but not as often as I used to. More info here or on FB.
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So someone tell me I'm not crazy and did see a "new" end fitting that would use both the newer Reflex rods and the older rod sets!! Is it on a different model??
Making me think I have a case of CRS!!
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If I understood the promo materials and pix - the end "innies" are stepped down and will accept both the new and old rods. May need a slight bunji adjustment?
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Aren't the end "innies" tapered or shaped to fit both?
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Just remember that longer lines will give you a bit more time to react to kite actions. Personally think 80' or longer will serve a beginner well. As control improves you can go shorter and shorter.
Indoor - a common length is 10'.
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If all you can get your hands on are the new sails - you can always get a couple of extra spars and use them as verticals without springs! Try looking for used if possible. Might be difficult in your locale.
The classic is a renamed "B", with the same panel layout, dimensions, etc.
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No issues on my desktop.
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Moved knots out = more effort? Exactly!! The reward is in the added control you will gain while airborne! Had to add a step back into my launch sequence, but now gusts don't make my kite go crazy when they hit!
It is all a trade off on what results you get. Leader settings, sail choice, frame choice, etc. Change something to gain something, even if it's just the knowledge that something won't work!
My own suggestion would be to look for a standard sail.
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Start out on the ends also. Most bottom leaders have knots to make field adjustments to uneven lines.
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Just asking - but - are you winding the lines with a simple over the top straight wind? And do you just hold the winder by the center hole and let it rock back and forth as you let out line? I was very apprehensive at first, so I did a 50' set in case I screwed up. That came out fine, so I tried 80', again fine and on to 120's, til now I can do/have done, it in the dark!! Again find that way that works for you and do it EVERY TIME! Establish it as habit!!
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Longer pigtails really help keep things controllable. Put as much "brake" in as you can stand., One test is the "take off" rule. Move your lines on the top leader, out as far as you can - try launching. Keep moving them in til you can just get things airborne, should put you pretty close. You may find you will need to incorporate a step back into your launch sequence. Tames the kite's desire to surge off in gusts.
One way to learn inverted - start with the kite upside down on the deck, with your hands in neutral. Slowly point your thumbs at the kite and watch it rise (you may need to step back depending on wind). Now find a neutral position again and hold that for as long as you can. Things start breaking down, step forward to land and gather yourself. You are only trying for a few feet off the ground to do this, that way settling it back down has no severe impact. Gradually add height as you feel comfortable.
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For full disclosure - I do a lot of what I do because I am a recovering stroke survivor. While not OCD, patterns and doing things again and again, over and over the same way, help me feel confident in what I'm doing. I can say this without any question - once you find a way that works - DO IT THE SAME WAY EVERY TIME - from then on!
I can say that JB's method works - I just tweaked it to suit my tastes. The color code suits me, knowing I'm doing things the same way every time. Removing the handles frees me up to switch between the 3 different sizes I have - 13", 14", 15". All depends on wind conditions, which I use.
Have any questions - feel free to pm me.
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1 - Lines: I also follow JB's method, but with a few personal twists. A. - I color code all 4 lines with a Sharpie,. Hook them to my handles the same way everytime, same on kite end. Tops and bottoms, left and right, all have their code. B. - Now I am one of the few that still use Joe H.'s original method of putting the kite over your lines. Reason is that the sides line up, right is on the right, left on left side, in relation to my handles. I also use 2 stakes, one for each handle, separating them a foot or so apart. Are you "pairing up" each side by larksheading? I have a saying that helps me - at the kite it is bottoms thru tops and at the handles, it's tops thru bottoms. Everytime!! Reason is I take my handles off every time I fly. C. - Try putting a finger between the pairs as you unwind. Again keeps the sides separated. D. - When you get the lines laid out, if still twisted - open your arms as far as you can and shake them. Most are just false twists and fall right out. At the worst, go back to where the lines are clear and walk the pairs out, a pair in each hand. Reading your description - I would bet that your handles are twirling around and doing those "pass thrus" you're describing. With my methods, the lines never have to leave the ground except to larkshead them together as pairs. Taking down is the reverse - land inverted, stake each handle, walk up to kite, turn it right side up to clear lines, lay on top and disconnect (being sure to larkshead those pairs together), roll up kite, roll up lines, disconnect handles (remember to larkshead here too), gather my stuff and leave.
2 - Recycling your ground: A. - a trick - try marking where you start and where you want to stop. (My 2 stakes were handy for this!). Launch and fly til you run out of space (your rear mark). Take your kite up as high as you can, invert it, and riding the brakes as much as you can, start walking forward towards your start mark. With a bit of practice, you'll find the correct amount of braking and speed of walking, to regain most, if not all, your original space. May take you more than one go! But learning to "recycle" your ground will go a long way to helping you discover that control so sought after!
3 - Can't help you on that, still walk myself at times!! (SHHH - don't let anyone hear that!!!) LOL!! Remember to land inverted as much as possible - easier position to recover from IMHO!
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All Revs so far:
2 Indoor
1 Zen
2 SULs
2 std Pros
1 mid Pro
1 f/v Pro
1 x/v pro
1 100% Shook #6 in their pix album
1 SUL, 1 std Pro, 1 mid Pro are in my street bag (included in count) - beat up badly and borrowing a team mate's mid Pro til I can afford/decide on a replacement!
Total = 11
On this earlier post I forgot my oldest Rev - a Rev 1 - list = 12
Just added 5 Phoenix sails = 17
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Unless schedules change, several should be in that area on Saturday. Exactly where I'm not sure, but I think they go just north a bit from the turn around (main beach), to avoid the crowds. I'll see if I can get clearer info and get you all together.
Slightly on the north end of town - look for Manhattan Beach State Park. People should be there around noon til ?? Looks to be anywhere from 4-6 people coming!
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I have several sets made by Mikey D., from 180GO. You might get some info on the bending angles and point from him?
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Andy can take care of any repairs needed on the kite.
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For those that like a more "active" glider - the Urban Ninja is pretty hot. Open plans to make them yourself or if you know someone that will make one. Kind of a mix of fighter and glider, you have to fly it all the time. No "set and forget" kite !
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Mid vented wind range
in Quad Heads
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I think you will find weight to be in the equation too. Lighter lines (50#) even in longer lengths come out to still be lighter. Sometimes the winds come in as layers, short lines may never reach them, long will! Sometimes short works fine - just gotta try stuff!