Wayne Dowler

If you can - test it on that specific model first! Some times the headphones for the walkie are not universal, but dedicated to that company's stuff only! Just a warning!! My Uniden radios are using a universal headphone I got from a local retail store, separate from what is available online!! Sometimes one size doesn't fit all!!

I get tired of all the floating you have to do in light wind, so.... out comes my Zen!! I want that powered up feel, something solid in my hands!! I didn't buy it just to decorate my bag, but to fly the thing!! Just can't understand the comments of - It feels different!! Really!!?? No duh! But if it can't fly, ain't much else will either! Whether it's on 50's or 120's, it's my light wind choice!!

I think John is using P90 rods in his B2! Gives him a bit more flex than any of the stock rods! Not even Rev2 race rods seem to have the flex needed for him~

Look for good wind, about 8-10mph! Easier to learn in! Nothing worse than trying to fly in what amounts to no winds! Welcome to a life long trip of enjoyment, with some frustration along the way!! Study the tutorials on lines, winding, setup and basic moves!! IMPORTANT - if the kite is gonna crash - GIVE TO THE KITE!! Step forward, throw your hands forward! Pulling back only drives the kite harder into the ground!

Talked some to him about it - I know he was looking to get very precise cornering out of it, while still maintaining trickability! And as a tribute to the "old school" - LOUD too!! He would have more details on it!!

Several people have something made up, but are looking at ways to refine it! It usually mixes the music in while locking the leaders mic on open. Anyone else on that channel can listen in on the music, but also the calling! I'm sure you can find a person who can do what you want!!

You get it!! Think of how good you'll fly at a beach, if you can deal with less than perfect winds inland!! Remember nothing replaces - Time on Lines!! Period!!

Maybe get a Wala or something in that style.for those days with almost no wind! The Wala is built like a tank, but can be used in or out, depending on how it's setup. It can be a simple SLK with tail either run long or looped tip to tip. Or you can set it up as a glider and still get out and fly! I have one of them and an Urban Ninja that I use on days with less than Zen winds! I like the Ninja, it's an active flier, so it appeals to the Rev flier in me. Not a set and forget type, you must fly it at all times! Cross between glider and fighter, lets it use light winds, but highly steerable! Horvath gets good money for a factory one, I got mine made for me locally. He also sells kits with what looks like everything needed but the fabric and some line? Might consider adding to your bag??

Andy from Ocean Shores Kites is planning to carry them. Haven't heard any prices yet. Wondering where it might get made if mass produced and will it still keep quality up to Lam's standards. I plan to go to Ocean Shores this weekend, if Andy has one, I'll report on construction. Don't know if it'll be used for a demo model or not, we'll see!

To paraphrase Ben D. - it looks like a mix of 3 different kites. A copy of a copy of a copy. He left it at that. I agree with the "stiff" comment and haven't seen it's hover ability demonstrated, just the flight while moving! Having seen some of Lam's work, I would guess that quality will be no issue.

A little trick for any glue used. Measure the ferrule and mark the center. Put the ferrule into the spar up to the mark. Then wrap the ferrule with masking or duct tape, right up against the spar connection. Make sure you get the tape nice and flush to the spar. Glue as you would, let set up. then remove tape. All the excess glue should come off on the tape and leave you with a nice clean joint, rod to rod! if there's any gaps. use sandpaper or even an emery board to clean it up! You want a nice tight rod to rod connection!

I've been using Loctite super glue in the gel style. Take a few seconds to setup, giving you a little time to arrange things! Twist it in, seems to fill any grooves and holds fast!

I think that over the last 4-5 years I've done some maintenance, but not what I'd call excessive!! Think over it as pre-flight inspection, you want to check out it everything is good to go! Things like extra washers should be in your repair kit to fix the kite on the fly! Maybe even have a spare bridle. Rips or tears in the mesh are indeed another issue, needing reasonably experienced repair! Buying a Pro solves the fraying issue! The "B" series is the top of the line production kite, but Bazzer's Pros are yet a step up in quality! But it's all the price we pay to enjoy this!! I like the car analogy - anyone buying a Ferrari isn't balking at the $100.00 oil change!! Or the $300.00/tire!! Yes they can be a pain, but rarely unfix-able or fatal!!

Happy Birthday John!! See ya when you get back!!

I had converted my SUL into a street kite and put some diamond rods in the LE! I had been using 2 wraps in it, but I too, really liked the response of the diamonds!! The rods were traded with a friend of mine that had broken both verticals at once, flying in way too much wind! Unfortunately they were from the original run of diamonds, and one snapped up near where the ferrule ended, not at the end! I wasn't flying in too strong conditions and the break was in an odd area! But they did have some problems with layup on the first run rods! Confirmed with Ben D.! Overall, I liked them in light wind!

My son has an older Rev 2, but it doesn't use the clips and has a new style bridle! 2 pc, 3 wrap leading edge! Careful with that sail, it's fast, depending on the weight line you decide to use!!

No squeaking on the soccer field!! One of the advantages of indoor flying for me, has been that I've learned to trust my feet for balance! Stopped looking at my feet and started looking up at the horizon! Balance has dramatically gotten better!!!

Or 5 days during the summer - or 4 days fall through the holidays??

Making me jealous!!! But is it available twice a week?

Place looks to be as big as the soccer field!! Higher ceilings too!

The usual "standard" length sold with Rev kites is around 80'! The team standard is 120' for a bigger window! I would say 80' would get you started!

Just something as simple as adding a tail can throw things outta whack!! I put a tail of "bird scare" tape on, about 30' long, off one wingtip, and made the kite seriously unbalanced! You could really feel it! I would think that adding that much fabric would definitely affect flight in a not so good way!!

IMHO? I have 13", 14", 15" handles and use them to match the wind conditions for whichever kite I'm flying at that time. 13" are considered "standard", that is, they'll work in just about any situation! 15" is most commonly used in light winds, they give you a little more leverage on things in those conditions. I settled on the in between length to get the best of both worlds. But I also had them custom made for me too! Not something you just ring up your local shop and get off the shelf! Getting back to different lengths for different sails: In really light winds I like my 15"s with my Zen, but if the winds pick up a bit, then my 13"s are better, again IMHO! The Zen is a totally different animal from any 1.5 sail and wants to be flown very smoothly. the shorter handles give smaller inputs that can smooth out your technique! Too long handles will feel "twitchy" in your hands! But some like that too!! It all comes down to what you want from your own personal flying experience! You can ask for all the help, ideas, etc, here, but until you put handles in your own hands and get out there and fly, well you won't learn to "feel" what works for YOU! That is the beauty of this Rev thing. Everyone can develop their own style or flavor. What works for me, you may hate. What works for you, I might like! See? It's an individual thing, there is no one perfect setup that works for all, only some guidelines that we can either accept or reject based on what we feel as we fly! Too many times I see people get lost in stats and numbers, just get out there and fly!! Develop your own unique feel and style! If you see something, try it. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. Easy enough to switch it all back! As I said in another thread - There is no substitute for Time on the Lines!!

There are indoor gliders available for about $30.00 on up! Look at ITW's (Into The Wind) catalog. They carry iFlites in 3 varieties ranging from $38.00 to $65.00! They also carry the Skate at $139.00. I personally own 2 iFlite classics and an iFlite II, and find them highly enjoyable! You can see pix of them here on KL in the 30 days of May gliding thread!

I also believe that the fishing line has a coating that the kite line doesn't have! And that might be why people don't like the (mixed) line concept! Good spectra based KITE line plays well together, whether Shanti, LPG, or Skybond!