makatakam

Forget all the kites, lines and handles coming from China. Cheap knock-offs. The line is dyneema, ok for dual line, not quite so good for quad, binds up more quickly when you twist the lines around each other. Look for Laser Pro Gold. This brand comes with the ready to fly packages from Rev for a very good reason, it works very well. There are other brands that work well, but harder to find. Check by googling "kite store" and look at what all the different shops have.

Chicago Kite, also known as Kite Harbor, in Chicago, at Harlem and Higgins is a brick and mortar store you can visit. The owner's name is David and if he doesn't have what you are looking for he can order it for you. Or, you can order from online stores. Big Mike, one of the members of IKE has an online store, and has just about anything you need available. He will be at a lot of the festivals this summer and fall, and have kites lines and handles with him.

If you are just learning to fly quad-line kites it will be very difficult (not impossible, depending on your level of determination) to learn indoors. I would join others outdoors and at least get a feel for the kite and some basic control over it before moving indoors. But if you have lotttttttttttts of patience it can be learned without wind. Having someone who flies indoors to guide you would be very beneficial. Oh, yeah -- definitely watch the videos!

An EXP has three tubes in the leading edge. The REV II is smaller and only has two tubes in the leading edge. (2/3 size, basically) The basic shape is the same.

I can see from the photos you posted that you have full-sized kites. The smaller kites will pull less in strong wind, and those which are called "ultralight" can be flown in lighter wind. I won't suggest any specific kite to you, there are others here who are more knowledgeable about dual line flying. I'm sure someone will suggest exact models for you.

I was wondering where you guys were! Great pics -- by the way, look closely at the first pic of the clover, can you see the four-leaf? You're visiting some great places -- put a Rev in the air there!!!!! and get pics of ..... (oh yeah, you pitched the tent upside-down). Have fun, don't forget to keep smiling.

My SLE, when purchased about 5 years ago came with both the SLE and the 3-wrap leading edge tubes. I don't know if it is still packaged that way, but it is a great sail to learn on. I did most of my learning on my own, and have spanked the ground until it cried, no broken hardware.

Great flying!!! Please send some of that smooooooth wind to Chicago.

Never saw that one before -- now that is some awe-inspiring flying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take me there, just take me there.

If you can wait, I recommend flying with the people in IKE. You can try some first hand, and see the differences in person before you spend your money.

Check the video library on this forum, and on the rev kite forum.

I think the operative word in this sentence is ONCE. I have a 2-4 coming around Tuesday, so I got the middle covered for you, if you want to try.

Serenity.

Check E-Bay "iPhone wind meter". There is a topic here which discusses a few. I will try to find it for you. Type "wind meter" (without the apostrophes) in the search bar at the upper right of the page. This will show you all posts containing both words. Choose the most appropriate.

Join IKE, Illinois Kite Enthusiasts. You can borrow any of mine and most other member's anytime. Just go to ikeclub.org, and sign up. There are no club dues or any other cost to join, just people who enjoy flying kites. There are about 20 active members who live within 100 miles of Chicago, and many festivals and club flys throughout the year.

The lightest line commonly used is 50-lb Laser Pro Gold. However, if the kite is very heavy, it may not be enough to just use light line. You must have the right combination of line, kite and wind. In wind less than 2mph, I normally fly 50-lb line attached to a kite of less than 4-ounces, with the line length at less than 80 feet. The kite must be able to lift its own weight and the weight of the line. Shorter lines will create less drag also, and keep the kite moving well.

Check E-Bay, and keep checking. Some good ones show up there occasionally. Also check the Revolution Kites forum.

You guys can probably add more brake than you're flying with at this point. With the kite parked inverted, more brake actually makes it easier to launch. Once the kite is up and moving you're good to go. You will get used to it in time, and upright launches will become routine. Keep adding brake each time you fly, push the envelope of what your kite can do!

Another good way to get your inverted hover rock-steady is to fly to the top of the window, turn over and fly down to the ground very, very, very, very, very slowly, or as slowly as possible without wobbling, trying to go slower each time you repeat. If you just do the above 100 times, you should have a steady hover down pat.

A kid walks up to me and says, "Hey, mister, can I try that?". I answer, "Sure, if you have $300.00 in your pocket! -- ok, ok, don't get riled, just kidding, kid." Then I show him/her how to do it, but only after they understand it's not a 5-dollar toy. I have had the kite break several times while showing others how to fly, but only because my modifications to the kite make it more fragile than factory issue. But I still get everyone of them to grin that silly grin. Greatly satisfying..... and it makes me smile. You can't fly a kite without smiling.

I'm in. I can see at least six that I want!

You need to put a kite in the air in front of scenery like that -- sweeeeet.

Empty all the Rev's and send them to me. That should lighten the load considerably.

By all means, don't miss the opportunity! So wish I was that close.