What is in REV series?

[intrance]

Hi guys...

Im looking at a quad but kind of confuse on so many series, the Rev have.

Can anyone throw me a link as what a series in Rev all about.

Many thx in advance.

[John Barresi]

Lots of great information here...

http://www.revkites.com/forum/index.php?/forum/27-buying-your-first-rev/

Really friendly folks as well, just ask anything you can't find answers for.

[Hedgewarden]

Intrance,

I'm barely beyond newbie, but from the information I've gleened...

The 1.5 series, including the EXP, is the most popular size by far.

In this series,

1. The EXP is the least expensive (good beginner) kite, and should come with handles and lines, and a DVD to get you started.

2. The 1.5 SLE is the middle kite in this line, and will usually not include handles, lines, or DVD unless the merchant has a package deal. (The expert [JB] advises getting the 1/4 inch leading edge rather than the SLE leading edge. - There is some confusing labeling here, the SLE kite can come with the SLE leading edge or the standard 1/4 inch leading edge. The sail is the same, the difference is in the frame (set of spars.)

3. The Barresi (or "B") series is for more serious or experienced fliers. It usually includes handles and advanced techniques DVD, but no lines. It also includes two frame sets, for different wind strengths. A good buy overall, if you know you want to pursue quad line kite flying.

Besides these three basic choices, there are also the weight/wind strength choices. Check the Revolution site for specific wind ranges.

1. SUL (Super Ultra Light) - I think this applies only to the 1.5 SLE. Lighter sail, lightest frame. Probably not a good choice for a first Rev.

2. Standard (EXP, SLE, "B") - full sail - standard kite for most wind conditions. Note: the EXP comes only in this configuration, as far as I know.

3. Mid-vent - single vent panel on each side. (SLE and "B") Handles greater wind, and gusty winds better. May be harder to find than standard or full?

4. Full-vent - two vent panels on each side. (SLE and "B") For windier, gustier days.

Review the above choices for your first kite. I suggest an EXP for $$ considerations. It is a good kite. But it will probably be only your first kite. Still the handles and lines can be used for an SLE if that is your second kite.

I have an EXP, an SLE mid-vent, and a "B" standard. I still do not have the experience to tell the difference between the EXP and the B - that discrimination will come I am sure. My SLE mid-vent definitely handles gusty and higher winds better than the EXP. But I have flown the EXP in winds higher than Revolution suggests (14 mph) without disaster.

If you are the type who wants a Ferrari as your first car (umm, ok who don't) then the 'B' standard should be your first choice. If you are on a budget, or want to dip your toes into the stream first, the EXP is designed for you. In between, the SLE series will be a kite you will not outgrow.

The above is entirely a personal opinion and should be considered along side other opinions. (OK, a few facts are sprinkled around in that also.)

Now, if you are into power kiting - than nothing of the above will be any use to you. I'm totally not into kite boarding, kite surfing, kite buggying, etc. So I cannot provide any valid opinions there.

P.S. My picture shows me with my SLE mid-vent. The color is a custom color called "Black Rainbow", sold by a very good vendor. The panel layout is standard for the SLE, the vertical stripes are the vents. The "B" series always have 4 vertical stripes which may or may not be vented - the purpose is to provide a constant design in standard, mid-vent, and full-vent sails. The SLE series has vertical stripes only where the vents are. The EXP has no vent options (as far as I know.)

Fair winds,

-Howard

[Guru4tru]

Wow!! Howard---That was really good!

If one has the money... ...I'd suggest the "1.5 B-series standard" mainly because I bought one and it's a great kite---it also comes as a package: of the kite, handles, 2 frame sets for different wind conditions, and a DVD instructonal video on the basics of flying. All that is needed is a quad line set, which will also cost another 50 to 90 bucks (depending on the type line one buys), but it's well worth the money if one is serious about Quad-ing! (All of this Howard already mentioned, but I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in!)

Keep It Up!

Duane

[intrance]

Hi guys.. many many thx for the reply..

Previously, I was given a full 5 min session with a quad, by one of the flyer here.

I have no problem in basic maneuver the quad. Reverse, forward and loop.

Its the same hand movement as powerkite. The only different is, flying a quad stunt kite need alot more gentle wrist movement

Thats, i need to get hang of it.

As the field I frequent has a very low wind + gusty too, is SUL right for me?

Howard, could you elaborate why SUL is prob not good for first REV? difficult to learn?

TIA

[BillLamm]

Hi guys.. many many thx for the reply..

Previously, I was given a full 5 min session with a quad, by one of the flyer here.

I have no problem in basic maneuver the quad. Reverse, forward and loop.

Its the same hand movement as powerkite. The only different is, flying a quad stunt kite need alot more gentle wrist movement

Thats, i need to get hang of it.

As the field I frequent has a very low wind + gusty too, is SUL right for me?

Howard, could you elaborate why SUL is prob not good for first REV? difficult to learn?

TIA

define very low wind?? for power kites or less than 5 mph gusting to ?

The SUL has a lighter bridal and lighter leading edge... if you get a standard SLE with race rods (price jump) you will have the lightest and strongest frame I know of... the stronger leading edge and bridal will hold up better for you... the race rods are light like 2 wraps and strong like 3 wraps... next step up would be the REV1 or Zen the bigger sail will help in low wind... the REV1 probably will be less limited by higher winds

There are more knowledgeable people in this conversation than I so I may be wrong...

[Hedgewarden]

Hi guys.. many many thx for the reply..

Previously, I was given a full 5 min session with a quad, by one of the flyer here.

I have no problem in basic maneuver the quad. Reverse, forward and loop.

Its the same hand movement as powerkite. The only different is, flying a quad stunt kite need alot more gentle wrist movement

Thats, i need to get hang of it.

As the field I frequent has a very low wind + gusty too, is SUL right for me?

Howard, could you elaborate why SUL is prob not good for first REV? difficult to learn?

TIA

Intrance,

OK, so you have experience. That is important. You may want to go with the better kites then, like the "B" series.

I did not recommend SUL because about a year ago I asked basically the same question, and was given some great advice - race rods.

Like BillLamm advised, a standard weight sail with Race Rods really covers most of the lower wind ranges that an SUL will, with much more robustness and a greater upper wind range. I put race rods in my EXP (and will be able to use them in my other 1.5 series kites) and really found they help greatly in lower wind ranges. So, as suggested by BillLamm, my experience would suggest Race Rods added to a standard 1.5 (EXP, SLE, or "B") to capture the lower wind ranges.

If that does not do it for you, then you need to look at indoor-windless revs.

P.S. There are some new rods (Zen?) that are more expensive and reportedly even better than race rods. If you are a Ferrari type of guy, they may give you some great bragging rights on the kite field.

[intrance]

define very low wind?? for power kites or less than 5 mph gusting to ?

...

Hi Bill..

On my inland field, we get a 'good' gusty wind (5-13mph) during Dec-Feb, where usually i do powerkite..

Else 1-3mph throughout the year..

i want to kite during the 'no wind' days.. thats why im thinking of SUL..

Guys.. will ponder the 'standard sail + race rods' stuff..

many many thx

[BillLamm]

Hi Bill..

On my inland field, we get a 'good' gusty wind (5-13mph) during Dec-Feb, where usually i do powerkite..

Else 1-3mph throughout the year..

i want to kite during the 'no wind' days.. thats why im thinking of SUL..

Guys.. will ponder the 'standard sail + race rods' stuff..

many many thx

that is low wind....

[intrance]

hi again guys..

Im still saving for my Rev SUL.

Now i was offered with a used twice, full package of Rev JB series, RTF, minus the DVD for $275.

The package come with 150# lines.

Im wondering, if i use the 2 wraps spar with a lighter lines, will it perform like SUL kite? i meant, can it perform say, in 1 or 2 mph wind?

If yes, what is the line weight and length recommended.

Thanks in advance.