Prism 4D Advice

[ChessGirl]

I received a Prism 4D today and flew it for a few minutes in very light winds that would not have been enough to launch any of my other kites. I was really surprised at how much faster it is than my other kites. It was also noisy and had a lot more pull than expected in such light winds.

I've seen in some videos and posts elsewhere that people are using all kinds of line length sets, like 20 feet and 7 feet, with this kite, and I was wondering what what these sets are good for. For example, are they just for indoor flying?

As far as tricking this kite, is it necessary to add yo yo stoppers to get it to do the few tricks people say it is capable of doing?

Finally, I like to use tails with my dual line kites, so I am wondering if there are any microlite tails out there that I could look at getting to use with this one.

Any advice?

[SHBKF]

I fly my 4D on 18' lines most of the time. It is a small window but allows you to fly most anywhere. As far as yo yo stoppers I have not felt the need to have them. My tricking is limited but larger kites are better for rolling up IMHO. The short 18' lines have allowed me to experience true zero wind flying & enabled me to do my first ever 360's. Flew all the way around over two times eventually but got dizzy & staggered around laughing, great fun. I will try a tail on mine with 50' lines. I say go for it. Try anything you can. Surveyors ribbon is very light, comes in many bright colors & is cheap. I will try some of that I believe. I fly the 4D more than any other kite because of my inland conditions & the fact that I can leave it assembled in my vehicle ready to go at any time.

[ChessGirl]

Assuming I want some shorter lines, how is the best way to go about obtaining those? Do I have to make them or is there somewhere I can order custom length line sets? Also, the 50 foot lines that come with it are 50lb spectra. Should I use the same line, or a different line?

[SHBKF]

I ordered the 18' lines from Prism back when I did not have many line sets. No kite store close to me so I ordered that set, some spare parts & a 3D case. That case allows you to leave the leading edges assembled. Have not broken a spar yet but I did break one of the end tips recently. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. It will teach you about the light winds.

[ChessGirl]

Thanks! I found the 18 foot lines at the Prism site and ordered two sets, one for me, and one for a family member to whom I plan to give a 4D this year. :-)

[Prawnstar]

i fly my 4d on 50ft of #50 for out door and have a 20 ft set for indoor (made them from another set)

i havent worried about yo yo stoppers as i cant really get it to roll over easily so far. I have read that adding a little weight in teh tail will help with this, i tried a small fishing sinker in the tail but didnt think it helped that much (mind you that was a while ago when i was really just learning, so might be worth a revisit - ill keep you posted)

I can do most other older style tricks with it, they just have to be coaxed out of it in the lighter winds. I actually managed to start half axelling regularly , just today.... and the wind was blowing maybe 2mph at best.....slowest looking half axels ever lol.

[Hadge]

I'm not sure if the 4D would roll up as I would have thought it was far too light - you need a little weight to get enough inertia for it to roll and if you add weight to something like the 4D it would probably ruin it for anything else. More of a no wind rotational kite than a proper tricky SUL. Check out these videos from Alex Belov - if he can't roll it up then it's probably not really possible.

[Prawnstar]

yeah i love those videos - i watched them endlessly when i first bought my 4d - i really like this one too, gives you some ideas on the inputs required

[ChessGirl]

That setup with the custom 3 point bridle looks interesting. It's for use in wind, indoors, or both? Also, I don't think I understand the part about the tension line and the nock ends. Is that part of the custom 3 point bridle setup?

[RobB]

I think Tom's video is filmed using a totally stock setup on shorter lines, but those may be the stock lines, too. I fly mine on 30' lines, I just cut the stock lines down the first time I flew it. The 50' lines were just too long for me to fly the little kite on... It was hard for me to see it all the way out there !

[ChessGirl]

Well, I can now say that surveyors flagging tape works great as a tail! :-)

I just wish I could get it in a transition color scheme. Has anyone tried dying this stuff?

[Prawnstar]

That setup with the custom 3 point bridle looks interesting. It's for use in wind, indoors, or both? Also, I don't think I understand the part about the tension line and the nock ends. Is that part of the custom 3 point bridle setup?

Three point set up is easy to do, just loosen one of the knots ( cant remember which on- there's a guide out there for this) and slide it over to make three point. Gives a little more direct feel, I suppose is the way to put it.

The tension line I think he has installed a leech line, can be done, but rather fiddly with such a small traing edge. Again obviously can be done and there are tutorials out there on how to do it.

[ChessGirl]

Here is a short video of it with the tail made from surveyor's flagging tape.

[Joespickles]

Prism sells a tail also, bought it for nexus, but have used it on everything, Not sure of weight ,, it seems light though

[Prawnstar]

careful with the higher wind ranges on the 4d .... i bent and broke my centre that way.

Only fly mine in the lightest of winds now, more challenging

[ChessGirl]

I've decided that I am going to experiment with tieing pieces of flagging tape together of different colors. Is there any reason that wouldn't work well?

[RobB]

I would try taping instead of tieing. Also, a thicker tape like 'crime scene' tape might show up better. I don't know about how that would affect the low wind capabilities of the kite, though.

careful with the higher wind ranges on the 4d .... i bent and broke my centre that way.

Only fly mine in the lightest of winds now, more challenging

I think that Prism revised the center T on the newer 4Ds to overcome that issue. Mine is one of the first 4Ds, and I haven't had an issue with the center T... yet. The spine has poked through the nose, but that's from my son learning to fly dual line on it.

[Prawnstar]

I think that Prism revised the center T on the newer 4Ds to overcome that issue. Mine is one of the first 4Ds, and I haven't had an issue with the center T... yet. The spine has poked through the nose, but that's from my son learning to fly dual line on it.

Yeah I heard that too, mine would only be twelve months old if that, and it broke in the middle of where the metal goes through the plastic. Lks replaced it for me though ..... Haven't managed to break the new one , touch wood

[Hadge]

Just ordered myself a 4D in purple! We've had a lot of really weird wind days lately when it just drops away to nothing - even my HQ Shadow can't get off the ground so hopefully this might do the trick!

[SHBKF]

I would try taping instead of tieing. Also, a thicker tape like 'crime scene' tape might show up better. I don't know about how that would affect the low wind capabilities of the kite, though.

careful with the higher wind ranges on the 4d .... i bent and broke my centre that way.

Only fly mine in the lightest of winds now, more challenging

I think that Prism revised the center T on the newer 4Ds to overcome that issue. Mine is one of the first 4Ds, and I haven't had an issue with the center T... yet. The spine has poked through the nose, but that's from my son learning to fly dual line on it.

I've had my 4D six months & have flown it in parking lots quite a bit. The abrasive surface has been hard on the nose & the leading edge where the spars join. I have had to sew the nose closed & then coated it with black Plasti Dip to reinforce it for more abuse. I have sourced some black "moonie tape". I will put some on the leading edge very sparingly to repair that area. When the kite starts shuddering in stout winds I fly to the side, land, & get out the little Micron as it flies on the same weight lines. I will try some 30' lines soon as they sound like a good idea.

[ChessGirl]

Well, I broke my first ferule. It bent and I tried to bend it back and it snapped. None of the parts in my kite repair kit helped. I ordered a new leading edge and a couple of extra ferrules from prism. Meanwhile, I took the leading edge out, flipped the upper half around, and reinserted it. Then I used epoxy to connect the two parts of the edge inside the remaining half ferule. Seems to have worked great as a temporary fix. I just can't fold it up for travel until the new leading edge arrives.

[Wayne Dowler]

When I flew dualies, I never broke my LEs down, always left them together! Never had a problem with them!! If you have "O" rings for tensioners, you should release them, but don't have to break down unless you need to!

[rexracer]

If you want colorful tails, how about trying ribbon for wrapping presents. I've seen many ribbons including real fabric in widths from 3/4" to over 2". I've found the local dollar store to be a good place to find kite decorations.

[ChessGirl]

Thanks for the idea!

I have found I can order the flagging tape in all kinds of checkered and striped patterns as well. There is a lot more variety than I expected.

[SparkieRob]

I always have a roll of surveyors ribbon (pink) to put on my stakes if I suspect the bright pink golf ball isn't going to be enough! I've been known to put a length off a bridge rail as a direction indicator. Using it for a tail could be fun.