makatakam

@John Barresi "Nope. It'd be an EXP or Vertigo, or if they really knew they'd like what they were looking at and wanted to put in the time, a B-Series (best value with 2 frames, etc). The Reflex is not a first kite imho, it's an add on." John -- I'm not so sure about that. At the Elmhurst, IL, 2nd annual kite festival held just a week ago, team 180GO! was flying demos with their team kites and Mike Stephenson had his Reflex set up as well. Two or three people were taught to fly a Rev using a Reflex as the teaching kite on 120's in light very variable wind. From my perspective I saw no difference in the beginners' abilities to handle the kite. I think whatever kite you start with is the correct one to start with. It is not a matter of unlearning bad habits, but a matter of learning new and different habits. Every kite I have flown, either purchased or home-made, is it's own entity and requires a different kind of caress to make it shine. I believe we are getting too myopic and ignoring the fact that there are SOOOO many directions one can go in kiting. My $2-worth (due to inflation) -- YMWV (Your Mileage Will Vary!)(Don't pay any attention to me, I'm crazy)

Hi, lycosa. It's great to have you on-board. Definitely go to the clinic, kite or no kite. Flying OPK's (other people's kites) is how all of us find out what we like and don't like about any kind of kite. That's why we're always happy to let others try the ones we have. Learning is a shared process. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.

And if you make a mistake, repeating it will make it look intentional.

Joan Jett version of Crimson and Clover if you want to win. Jorma Kaukonen's Embryonic Journey if you want to dance. Catching my drift? -- Good luck, make them squeal.

Cool. I'm still afraid of anyone getting my flying on video. Don't want the world to see how bad it is.

@Bill Clay Do what Wayne suggested. Disengage the springs and let the sail rest against the uprights. That will make it fly like a regular Rev. If the person who told you that you were a "natural" is someone who gave you some on-the-field instruction, that person was probably being genuine. I have tried to teach some people to fly a Rev and after 30 minutes or so of instruction felt like telling them to take up basket weaving instead. Then there are those beginners in whom I have seen the "natural" instinct for it and told them that they have what it takes to make it work. Most people fall somewhere in between. Learning more than basic control does take time and effort on the part of the pilot -- think flying an airplane here -- no one can do everything the kite is capable of the first time out. We have all been through what you are feeling, including buyer's remorse. There is some initial frustration, but the ahaa moments that will come soon if you keep flying, will greatly outweigh the grief you are experiencing now. I began by flying on my own for a year or more before I learned of a local club and had some personal instruction. I learned more in two days with a bit of help than I learned in a year of flying by myself. Get together with someone who has experience. Hook up with someone near you. Get out to some kite festivals. Ask questions here. Watch the tutorial videos. Kite flyers are a friendly bunch and love helping new flyers get the hang of things. Try to smile and have fun 'cause that's what it's all about. And don't forget to breathe.

You can just remove the spreaders and leave the leading edges and stack lines connected. That should make it a bit easier.

Oh, oh. If you get her addicted, you're in real trouble! Next thing you know she'll be dragging you out to fly kites every weekend, and even some week nights. That would be SO terrible. I feel your pain, and pray for your survival. LOL!

Slick trick. Great performance.

Wiser words have never been spoken!

I hope my review is not what makes you feel this way. It is not intended as a negative opinion, but only that in my case it will do not much more than the kites I already have. As a starter kite it should serve you well, and even make the learning curve less steep. The overall setup of this kite does allow you to fly in a broader wind range which is a definite plus for someone just starting out on their kite journey. The transition you will eventually make to other quad-line kites, including non-Rev (and there are many) will not be as traumatic as it seems to be described here. These remarks have been made by experienced (advanced) fliers, who can spot and appreciate, or dislike, very subtle differences in flight characteristics which may or may not blend well with individual flying styles or locations. At this point in your quad-life, and I absolutely mean no disrespect, these differences will be imperceptible to you. Carry on with what you have purchased; there are things this kite will teach you that a 1.5 will not, which will serve you well as you progress. The difference is like that between a swallow and a sparrow. For me the questions are: Do I need one in my bag? No. Will I fly one every time I have the opportunity? Absolutely!!! Most importantly, smile, have fun, and don't forget to breathe.

Very nicely done -- looks like fun.

I flew a Reflex (OPK) at the Elmhurst, IL 2nd annual kite festival in low, shifting, unstable wind. It does fly well out to the side of the wind window. It feels "spongy" and a bit slow to react, even slower than a Zen. The inputs for turns and spins require a bit earlier and longer timing, and it has a slight tendency to oversteer. It has slightly more wobble when tracking straight than a 1.5 Rev, I'm guessing because of the movement of the springs which create a "keeled" and then "not as keeled" effect as they move back and forth. I won't make any judgement as far as liking or not liking it, but with 14 real revs and 14 home-made already in my bag, I was not enough impressed by it to add it to my line-up.

After watching your (most excellent) video, I realize that it was not actually a standard sheet bend. Instead it is a variation with a double loop and then the sheet bend finish for locking the knot. Probably the result of a Prusik that went south while being tied. It interests me and may useful in other locations in some circumstances.

Only going to the field. It's much lighter on the way home. LOL -- if not, I can help make it so.

If you can't afford to buy a new one, you can make your own. That's what I did. I had three home-made before I bought my first real Rev. See my avatar. Now I have a dozen(?) of the real thing and a dozen home-made. Just made two more during the winter. Where there is a will, there is a way. You have to want it!

I think you may have missed my point, Wayne. The way I equalize my lines is by tying knots. The thin, or lack of sleeving (my home-made lines have no sleeving), allows me to make finer adjustments than the thick ones would. I haven't undone sleeving to equalize in more than five years -- I'm not willing to spend that much time, and by the time I get home I can't remember which of the dozen sets of lines need what. It's a method that works for me -- YMMV.

I just let the kites wear out and buy a new one.

Definitely, the Sheet Bend is a pain in the bend.

A line that is too long can be shortened on the field very quickly by simply tying an overhand knot in the sleeved loop if the length of the loop is long enough. I like to tie 8-inch loops at the handle end using the thinnest sleeving possible for that reason. I prefer to just tie a quick overhand knot or two because it only takes a moment. Once you play with quads long enough you will develop an instinct for how much of what is needed to keep things balanced. You can also just come one knot in on the leader with the line that's long as a really quick fix in the field, as long as the knots on your leaders aren't more than 5/8" apart, and make the permanent adjustments when you get home. In other words, whatever it takes to keep it flying!

@Mousie It's about time! Good to have you onboard.

The knot you showed us in the photos is called a Sheet Bend, basically a Square Knot with a crossed over leg. It is made to lock into position and stay locked until you put tension on the correct leg. It can be used instead of a Prusik, as long as the leg that loosens it is not the one that carries the most tension. However, the Prusik is much easier to adjust, even though it can sometimes loosen itself unintentionally and should be checked frequently.

Which airport are you flying into? I assume you're not driving there.

Possibly FUBAR.

Seams actually stretch along with the fabric, so it wouldn't really make much of a difference, but sewing in a 1/4-inch strip of Icarex could do the trick. The weight added? Tenths of a gram per strip.