RobB

Referenced above... Into the Wind. I've been dealing with them since the early 80s when I wandered into their store on Pearl St. while visiting my uncle in Boulder. That was my introduction to 'real' kites... I've bought dozens of things from them since (you know, that great catalog that comes out every year) and they have always come through, and dealt with any issues ASAP. The last thing I bought from them was my Kymera... I was hoping the UL and vented derivatives would be available by now... but I've been eyeing that new Manta this year !

I can take a good chop-bustin'. We grow a thick skin here in the NE. Next you guys are going to tell me the brake lines go on the BOTTOM of the handles...

If you're flying in sand, this shouldn't be an issue. Every time I jab my old screwdriver into the sand, the rust gets sanded off... Take a look at the alternative to the Walt stake... should I be embarrassed ?

I wear DT firehose utility pants (google that) when flying (shorts versions in the summer) and the have a perfect stake loop sewn on either hip. I used to have one of these cool marble stakes, but gave it to a new flier. The stake fit perfectly in the hip loops, just like a holster. Yes, pants can be considered kite gear, too. I should get around to getting a couple more of these marble stakes, I've been using an old screwdriver for too long...

Picture perfect tricks ! at ~0:20-0:25 you did a perfect demonstration of the trick I've been working on for a while. I think seeing it done like that from that angle is going to help me finally get it. It helped me understand it better. Now, if I could just figure out the entry to the Tazs & Slots... I'd be a happy guy. Beautiful flying, and those colors are striking. Rob.

Speaking of weight... the 1.5b series has optional weights ? I read that somewhere, I think. Like I said, my Rev came with no documentation, so I don't know much about it other than how to fly it (sort of). What's up with the weights ? I guess someone like me doesn't need them, because I don't do anything fancy with mine.

Are you kidding, John... I am humbled by getting advice from the guy whose name is silk screened on the kite. You've always been a great sport from day one when I found this site, and you gave me tons of newbie advice. Answered all my silly questions, and in a way that was encouraging & informative. Thank you for that, and don't you feel like you created a monster ?

Both kites have the 'kinetic dissipator' that absorbs the impact of nose plants and prevents damage to the spine & nose. So, both are just as tough, and the Hypnotist comes with the Prism DVD to add value to it's package. The Hypnotist is a little more capable in the tricks department, and also is easier to fly in higher winds without the extreme pull of a Quantum. I flew the wings off my Hypnotist (which was called the Mirage when I got it) and I passed it along to my nephew when he flew it at a family outing. He liked it so much, I had to send him home with it...

That might be what I remember... I didn't know that you used to do that manually.

The rods are on the wrong side of the kite, this picture was from the first time I set up the kite (look how new it looks, it is almost a different color now from the water & sun). In my defense, I didn't get any instructions or video with it... You guys busted my chops about it then. I never made that mistake again... Thank you all for the helpful hints, I thought it looked too easy and there would be something that I'd miss, like the little washer... Now, I suppose I need to order some replacements & get busy ! Notice, in a later picture, verticals on the correct side...

Mr. Bailey, your lady luck should favor #1052. Sorry for this inane step, but the subscription process (forum and PayPal) does not have a function to assign and distribute subscription numbers, so I generally update the master records once a week and look up sub #'s upon request. John, didn't this information used to be available in either the member profile or the master member list ? Just wondering...

I like to think of it more as wrenching a poor soul from the depths of the shadows into the beautiful light of day. Yup, dual line is a tough road to travel... lots of frustrations along the way. But that's what makes it so worth it in the long run. I've been recently dabbling in the 4 line discipline, kind of liking it, but only in higher winds. This set would be what I would need to forget my duals at home for a while...

I'm sure JB will be along soon to fill you in on that info... I don't know if that information is available on the website anymore, maybe it is in your welcome email ? Good luck in the draw & welcome to the forum ! ~Rob.

Hey there... I've been flying the cr@p out of my 1.5b full vent whenever the wind's too high to fly my duallies. The kite's taken some serious abuse in the last couple of years since I got it, I hadn't flown a 4 line kite in over 5 years when I got it, so I was pretty rusty, and if you've seen my beach, it's pretty rough on endcaps. The beach is more rocks than sand... So, the last few times out, the caps on the LE have finally split. I've been taping them, just to get another fly out of them, but I was wondering how hard it is to replace them. I notice the bridle and bungees run through them, and don't want to just jump into this without some experienced advice. So yeah, after flying the Rev for a couple of years, I understand the appeal, and am ready to fly four lines when the wind is less than double digits, too. I guess the obvious choice is a 1.5b standard, but should I get it with race rods or 2 wraps ? I never have to swap the 3 wraps out of my full vent, so I figure I wouldn't consider 3 wraps in a standard, and if I did, I could always steal the ones from my vent... BTW... I wish I had a picture, I pasted my Rev to a flag pole ~30-40 feet up, THAT was pretty cool... yeah, I'm starting to get it !

Wow, Scott, you fly like a New Yorker on speed ! How high were the winds ? Nice inverted hover half way through... I'm used to the way my Rev looks when flying, the only one I have is a full vent, and it flies in slow motion even in 20mph winds. Thanks for posting... ~Rob.

Congratulations, Scott. I wish you smooth winds and warm sun to fly the SE. Post some pics when you get a chance...

Yup, this would be a great way to convert a die-hard dual liner to the dark side...

I don't name them, I just fly them ! I think it has something to do with developing the kite in the winter that influenced the name ?

What color? I'm pretty sure you'll be able to name your colors. There are only supposed to be ~20 kites in the first run, and it sounds like they're almost 3/4 spoken for. I asked to put my name on one...

Well, if you don't win this one... I've heard from a little voice in the wind that there's an exciting new kite to be made by Dodd, available in the next few months called the Black Ice. A handmade, individually produced kite by Dodd himself. He will actually be tying the bridles and sticking the kite himself, with Heads Up sails doing the sewing. Nothing for nothing, just a little tidbit to munch on while we're waiting for the drawing of the SE ! Good luck all ! ~Rob.

Yeah, padded straps... here's a photo representation of why...

Hey Ian, let him keep the Quantum. If you like Prism kites, you should get yourself the Hypnotist. It's just as tough of a beginner kite as the Quantum, but offers a little more in the tricks department. Then you two could fly side by side & trade off from time to time. My son 'adopted' my Prism 4D. He's a little guy, and it was the only little kite I had with me at the time. A full sized kite would've sent my little boy flying. BTW, tell him 14 is old enough to get a job. I used to mow lawns, clean yards, and shovel snow when I was younger than that. I used to make more $$$ than a kid should have...

That's some really nice flying, Spence. Wish I had an indoor venue to try flying like that. When I did have access to a huge indoor space, I had never heard of indoor kite flying, and we used to play indoor frisbee... great fun, but the space we had (large gym at UMASS) you could've used 50' lines. Have you ever flown a larger space like that ? Hey, smooth sailing 'til May, best of everything ! I got out at the beginning of February on a nice, almost zero wind day to get some footage for the upcoming Virtual Freestyle 25 contest with my new 'Snow Devil' kite from Lam. Here's an out take from the day...

WOW, Peter. Absolutely stunning. The contrast of the hot colors and the cold, snowy scenery was spectacular. The picture perfect execution of so many tricks with flawless transitions was very inspiring, I will be watching this video MANY times over. Thank you for watching ? NO, THANK YOU for posting this ! ~Rob.

I have to say something about this... I would love to fly it ! I was hanging out with Dodd a few years ago when this kite was new, and watched him put it through it's paces. Pretty impressive, he was working on some advanced fllppy-floppy Euro tricks like the Comete and whatnot. But when he went back to some old-school tricks, the kite was magical. Effortless, it seemed, for him to transition from one trick to the next. The only regret I have is that I didn't get to fly it then, he was too interested in flying the kite that I brought out to the field. I got a lot more out of watching him fly, anyway. Well, whoever wins this is in for a real treat ! Good luck all... and watch out, I think my lucky number is back in the running !