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Tell me about Rev 1's


West Australian

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The Rev 1, do you have one? Do you like it?

What are the Frames and Wind Ranges of the Rev 1?

Does the Signature Edition differ in performance to the Regular one?

Anything Else Rev 1 you can talk about to someone considering getting one?

Thanks in advance for you input. :)

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Others, with much more experience & skill, will undoubtedly have many answers to your questions. But I do have a Sedgwick edition that I have flown a bit. I think it is a natural progression to try all the Sportwings eventually & I will as time allows. It is the third Rev I bought of the four I now have. The big Rev is a different bird compared to the sporty 1.5's. I like a big kite & how it looks in the sky. It's a bit slower than the smaller kites & will smooth out your technique if you are a twitchy flier like me. I plan to go to the beach shortly & I believe the Rev 1 will be the first up. It's kind of the old school kite & I always want to honor the roots of my interests. Many veterans on this forum flew them for years early on & I am an very interested in hearing their comments too. I love mine, many smiles while flying will continue to be my joy.

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I've got the same kite marked 1997 in the Rev header, only different colors! 7 panel layout! My first "real" Rev, I've flown the crap out of it! Still in great shape almost 15 years later!! If I'm not mistaken, you can get 2, 3, 4, and Black Race rods for it easily and the new "Diamond Sticks" from Ben at Rev! I even think the SLE tubes are out there (looking for the Rev police)! I'm using a Black Race most of the time and still have my original 4 wrap as backup!

Yes, it's slower, but just as precise, as any of the smaller models, and will quickly show you any mistakes in technique (bowtie, wing flip in a heartbeat), but a fun fly on a lazy afternoon! I pull mine out every now and then just to enjoy flying something different than my 1.5s! :ani_yahoo:

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I likewise had a Rev I Lee Sedgwick "signature edition". Mine came with a SLE, which I eventually replaced with a regular 1/4" 3-wrap LE. I always looked at the Rev I as a good light wind kite, and I believe it is about the same size (108"), as the Zen (?). The Rev I does fly, somewhat slower, but is very precise, just as it's little brothers are, but maybe a bit more graceful (smoooooooooth). I think that the Rev I was basically the original Revolution Kite (I might be wrong), but I definitely wanted to try one. After a few outings, and not being much on light wind flying, I eventually let that one move on. I do most of my flying at the coast, and the strong winds there, didn't seem to go so well with the larger sail area. It is definitely a beautiful kite, and for sure, if you are looking for something for lighter air, it will fill the void. Oh, and as Wayne mentioned, "it will definitely do a wing flip on you, in a heartbeat", but still, it's a wonderful kite. I think everyone should try one, at least once........... :)

post-4670-0-94250700-1373490233_thumb.jp post-4670-0-27154800-1373490254_thumb.jp

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Random thoughts -

The main thing I find with the Rev I is that due to the high cut of the center "V" (just below the logo), there is less center pressure, and the wings tend to feel more independent.

A local flier in my area, Chuck Wiley took his 1.5 bridle (different specs) and up-sized the proportions for the Rev I...

Handled better, imho, more centered.

Full sail Rev I... Race rods, 2 wrap and 3 wrap are all pretty solid.

I wouldn't generally put 4 wraps in a Rev I full sail, that's more kite than I like in high winds.

It is a solid kite though, with a lot of fans. ;)

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Thanks for all the Input Guys.

I plan to get a couple of framing options, then Experiment in different winds.

Mostly interested in the lighter winds, But the Rev website does say 20-25mph as max.

So I will have to try that out. :)

What Handle size and line strength is commonly used on the Rev 1?

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Posted wind ranges are just that - suggested! I wouldn't even think of setting it up in wind over 10-15 mph!! Remember - it's almost 9' of LE you got there!! Especially with RR in it!! That size wing will load so fast, you could break something before you even get it airborne!! I only have 4 wraps because that's what came with it, along with - wait for it - 11" handles!! I fly it on 13" mostly now with either 90# or - wait - 50# lines!! It did come with 150#, still got them, only now in 2 sets!! Pretty good light wind setup!! That's why it was used as the Zen's basis, big wing!! Never have put the SLE tubes in it!!! RR and 3s sound like a good combo, just don't try it in big winds, it will stretch!! :ani_idea:

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Yep, Wayne's right...........that's a lot of sail, for big winds. I did fly in 10 - 15 mph winds (closer to 10-12), on occasion, but very cautiously, I might add. I was also using the SLE leading edge, along with 100' x 150# line..........All was well (other than the frequent wing flip), but again, as Wayne said, I don't think I would push it much past that 10 - 15 point.

:rev_clockwork:

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Just for sxxts and giggles - would you fly a standard 1.5 in those winds? Or be looking to go mid/fv ? If you're thinking about switching, leave the 1 in your bag!! :ani_idea:

If you're talking to me, I'd be going to a mid......... But back to the Rev 1, again, I had in an SLE & 150# lines, plus I was pretty new to flying Revs, at that time. I was basically trying to avoid, "unscheduled landings", but heck, I'm with you on this, but he was talking about testing 20 - 25 mph, and I would think that would just be crazy, with a Rev I (IMHO). That's just too much sail, if you ask me, but to each his own. Live and learn, I suppose........... :cowboy:

Oh, and I don't have a 1 in the bag, any longer. It flew off to Okinawa..........

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Hmmm, as the newbie I am I flew in winds well past this 15 mph maximum. Threw caution to the wind I guess. My Rev 1 experience has mostly been winter conditions with gusty winds. You know, I did break a leading edge so maybe it is a consideration. At the same time I don't want to limit myself too much. Still learning to fly & so on. But I might add too many cautions could influence someone not to try one.

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Revs, of all kinds are great, BUT, at the right time, and at the right place (wind conditions). However, as Ralph clearly stated, we surely don't want to influence anyone, NOT to try a particular Rev. They are all great...................... :ani_smoke: (just great) (just great)

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Yes, the B2, gotta have the little bomber before winter comes again. Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard sail, screamin' across the window, in the dark, by the light of the moon, sounds like me for sure!

B2 might make a better avatar image with the old rod too! There's a good excuse to get one, right?

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Not wanting to scare anyone off, but why do all of the "B"s, B-2s, even Rev1s come in vented models?? Wind range!!! Right tool for the right conditions! Not saying things are not possible, just saying there is a sensible limit to everything! Proper adjusting of equipment to conditions is part of the learning process, IMHO!! Just because you can put something up there doesn't mean it's right! I know, my opinion is biased, I have balance issues! But I also know that I still have my Rev1 from the late '90s, because I didn't abuse it! I look to put something vented on faster than most do, but that is MY personal preference!! Your mileage may vary!

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Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard sail, screamin' across the window, in the dark, by the light of the moon, sounds like me for sure!

Hmm! :g:

"Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard vented sail, screamin' across the window," :ani_rtfm:

Now that might be a better choice, AND, "there's a good excuse to get one a set, right?". :rolleyes:

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Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard sail, screamin' across the window, in the dark, by the light of the moon, sounds like me for sure!

Hmm! :g:

"Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard vented sail, screamin' across the window," :ani_rtfm:

Now that might be a better choice, AND, "there's a good excuse to get one a set, right?". :rolleyes:

My strategy for Rev purchases is to buy the full sail first especially because of the inland winds. I usually can only cough up enough for one high end kite at a time so sets come slowly. Traveling & other toys drain the mad money funds. But in the winter I work two jobs so I have less time do other activities & more funding for the KiteLife. But I could sell the old Plymouth & buy a hundred kites... But the Dark Side hasn't pulled me that far, yet.

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Down coat, thirty plus winds, standard sail, screamin' across the window, in the dark, by the light of the moon, sounds like me for sure!
My strategy for Rev purchases is to buy the full sail first especially because of the inland winds.

Just worried about you "blowing" a sail, in freezing temps, with 30+ winds, in the dark, with only moonlight........sounds like a rough night ! :ani_wallbash:

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