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dmcneil

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Everything posted by dmcneil

  1. One of the techniques mentioned in the Prism video is backing the kite down from the top of the window while keeping it pointed straight up and steady. They say this will give you the touch to control a slide. I practice it when I am out. It can be harder than you think sometimes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  2. Any time I get out I work on slides a little. Such a graceful move. Nice counterpoint to all the spinning, flipping, and flopping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  3. Wish I could slide like that. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  4. Congrats. I have this kite and love it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  5. Looks like we have something in common. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  6. That's one of the nice things about kiting - it's easy to make it all new again (2 line, 4 line, foils, etc.). Can get expensive though [emoji12]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  7. The entire thing (Freestyle Pilot) is on You Tube in sections. "The Way to Fly" is the older version and is on You Tube in its entirety. Freestyle Pilot is on Amazon for $17. It also comes with certain Prism kites [emoji1]. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  8. Rob makes a great point. Micro adjustments on the trailing hand. Another way I learned to maintain a slide was to start a stall on the upper part of the side of the window and let the kite fall into the slide. Then work on seeing how far you can keep the slide going. I found this way much easier to start a slide. Once you get the feel for maintaining a slide, entering it from the downward turn becomes easier. I can only hit that about 1/3rd of the time. But I couldn't do it at all until I got the feel for maintaining a slide. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  9. The best tip I received on the slide was that once you attempt the stall you should maintain constant/consistent tension with the "leading" hand, and only make adjustments with the trailing hand. By "leading" I mean the hand on the inside of the window. To keep consistent tension may require walking forward Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  10. Sounds like my session with my Zephyr today. While difficult conditions to fly in they pay dividends when the smooth winds come. If you can hold a fade in those conditions you can do it one handed at the beach. Sometimes keeping it in the air is the exercise of the day. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  11. Of course Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  12. I have seen so many "Welcome" posts from JB I did a quick count - 45 in August. That is freakin' awesome. Glad to see so many people taking an interest. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  13. Another kite that has received good reviews here is the Skyburner Nik Nak. Captain Bob preferred it to his 4D. Search this forum and read his comments. Size-wize I think it's a six footer, right between the 4D and Zephyr. Others say it flys more like a full size kite. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  14. For the Zephyr the tail weight helps me with the flipiness of the kite. Makes it easier to roll up, back flip, etc. For tighter turns adjusting the bridle to a nose back in higher winds helps a lot. Then I have to actually correct for oversteer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  15. The absolute low end for the Zephyr is achieved by removing the upper spreader, removing the tail weights, and adjusting the bridle. Before doing all that I find that it likes > 4 the best. That's why I like having the 4D also, for the 0-4 days, much less low wind skill required to keep it in the air. In the right conditions both hold a fade well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  16. I have both the 4D and Zephyr and fly inland a lot. Love them both but they are totally different kites. Of the two I would recommend looking for a used Zephyr and save some cash. While you are getting good on that you can take your time researching more expensive boutique types. That is what I am doing. The Zephyr has tons of tricks in it. Check out the vids on you tube. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  17. Thanks. I keep hoping to make it to Newport but family related events end up scheduled on top of it. I will check the dates of Hammonasset. Backup is good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  18. Thanks for posting these pics. It's nice for folks like me that don't travel much. Motivating as well! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  19. dmcneil

    Quad Bench

    This is in the lobby of the building where I work. I don't fly quads yet, but the signs are everywhere. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  20. That's a good point. The part that receives the screw is nylon and the screw felt like it was biting into something when I put it in. My Hypnotist has the same type and are still tight after 2 years and quite a few temperature swings (32 - 90 degrees F). One thing to note: the standoff and retainer were sold separately. Had I only purchased the retainer I would have been ordering a standoff today and paying for shipping twice (about $14 in this case). Glad I looked at my Hypnotist first. I figured since it was much newer things might have changed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  21. Here is what I received from Prism today. Looks like the screw-in type has replaced the snap-on type. This is the same as on my newer Hypnotist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  22. I think so, but now that you mention it, I can't be sure. I will double check that and let you know. It's definitely an older model Zephyr. It came with the hard case. Also the handles/sleeving are grey and red, not blue and red. and the sleeving color at the kite end is mismatched from the handle (red handle as grey sleeving at the kite end). The first time I used this set of lines it took me a minute and a couple of failed launches to figure this out. I have been meaning to switch it up, but once I am at the field I just want to fly.
  23. Damaging the sail using some kind of glue would be my concern as well. I have owned the Zephyr since Christmas, and bought it second-hand, and this is the first issue. It happened following a bizarre incident. I was flying in high winds (approx 16 - 20 mph), and did not have the bridle adjusted enough. Suddenly the larks-head knot on one of the tow-points let loose. First time that has ever happened. So the kite spiraled downward as I ran toward it holding the remaining line to minimize the impact. The impact on landing was no worse than anything else, so I wonder if the sudden action on the kite due to the line coming off caused the sail to warp in some weird way. The sleeving on the lines I was using is not like my other Prism lines, I believe it is something older. It is thicker and sewn together so you can barely get a finger through the end. My guess is the wind was too much for the setup (sleeving combined with poor bridle adjustment). Anyway, I put the kite and lines away, and put up my Hypnotist with a better bridle adjustment, and a longer, heavier lineset. Had a blast regardless.
  24. No doubt, as many here have pointed out, that flying in crap wind forces you to focus on flying as much or more than tricking. It's nice to enjoy the payoff. I was stunned to see my kites hover motionless in the fade position just like in all the Prism videos. I am so used to seeing the wings wobble. It took me a while to get used to it before I realized "hey, maybe I should try to do another trick from here!" - Still no luck with a backspin, but I did manage to pull off one rung of a JL more than once. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  25. Just got back from a week at Cape Cod. I guess all my struggling with inland winds paid off. I was able to fly 5 out of 6 days and still cannot get over how much smooth consistent winds help improve flying. I have been working on holding a fade forever. 10 seconds is about my best inland. I probably hit the 20 second mark almost every time while on the Cape. I was able to get into a fade from a flare, a spin-axel, a half-axel, and the fade launch. I can't wait until our next vacation next year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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