mystainedskin Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 In no way blasting a product at all. Just passing along my views and experiences for others to use in their decisions. I will never own one due to the fact I am not a collector..but a flyer. I only own what I fly regularly. Revs are top of the list...I don't see any other quads that match what a Revolution kite does...and the "feel". But just as I am free to express my thoughts..you deserve the same right. From my post on the forums...you can clearly see I believe in trying things...it was almost a quote in fact. Good day sir.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 In no way blasting a product at all. Just passing along my views and experiences for others to use in their decisions. I will never own one due to the fact I am not a collector..but a flyer. I only own what I fly regularly. Revs are top of the list...I don't see any other quads that match what a Revolution kite does...and the "feel". But just as I am free to express my thoughts..you deserve the same right. From my post on the forums...you can clearly see I believe in trying things...it was almost a quote in fact. Good day sir.... OK, you weren't blasting it... I guess I misunderstood.LOL . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaginCajun Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 So, if you have more than one quad line kite, you're a collector? I guess that applies to most everyone here. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmadz Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I would love to fly one, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 103 responses, hmm, must be a topic of great passion & interest. I'm impressed enough to ponder making some out of numerous broken struts that I couldn't part with as they are part of the kite hoard. But still I resist because of having an aversion to adding weight to any kite, even the tail weights that are commonly added to dualies. But now I am additionally interested in this other kite that seems to be stirring things up a bit. Again I'll be saying, "Just one more kite & I can slack off a bit." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaginCajun Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Even though sticks do add weight to your kite, they keep the sail tight and actually allow you to fly in a lower wind range. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Even though sticks do add weight to your kite, they keep the sail tight and actually allow you to fly in a lower wind range. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk The kit is really light, so the weight is negligible in my opinion. A home brew might be heavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Even though sticks do add weight to your kite, they keep the sail tight and actually allow you to fly in a lower wind range. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk The kit is really light, so the weight is negligible in my opinion. A home brew might be heavier. Yes, I have read these comments but still resist, not logical but I am a SHBKF you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Even though sticks do add weight to your kite, they keep the sail tight and actually allow you to fly in a lower wind range. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk The kit is really light, so the weight is negligible in my opinion. A home brew might be heavier. Yes, I have read these comments but still resist, not logical but I am a SHBKF you know. I think it is important to compare apples to apples, so if one considers trying MS, then in my opinion they should be exactly like the kit, not made of heavier components that might possibly alter the way the kite behaves with them. The weight on the two kits I have is so light, I can't imagine it affecting the flight of a Rev, at all. The $30 price tag of a kit was not a deal breaker for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 I would love to fly one, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. What impresses me the most about it, is the apparent ease with which it flies in reverse at high speed, compared to it's forward speed. Haven't seen that in any Rev videos, that I have viewed, so far. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkieRob Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Magic Sticks, Love 'em or not. Gets kiters talkin'. Just for the record, I've got sticks AND a frenchie WITH diamonds on my 1.5SUL and that combo ain't changing. I've also got just sticks on my B2 Std and I can't see me taking them off either. Doubt I'll be putting them on any others. I got them as a kit from Flying Smiles, I could've made them but I was just lazy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 I'm going to "try" some sticks on my Zen! Flew with several of the East Coast gang at WSIKF, and decided since I usually fly my Zen solo anyway, that it would be a good choice to see how I like them! Got them as a kit from Flying Smiles (thanks Cath and Eliot), installed, now will test!! Couldn't go to a French bridle though, I didn't like that feel on the Zen. So I'll try sneaking up on that! (maybe) Keep looking for a report eventually!! PS: as a test of the sticks and other stuff - I weighed my hybrid frame against a Zen frame. Hybrid = 84 gr Zen = 96 gr! My hybrid consists of 2 wrap center, race wingtips, Zen verticals. I was surprised by the fact my hybrid was lighter! I do know it's stiffer! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbailey49 Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Zen rods baffle me. I love my hybrid frame with sticks. Gives life to that big kite. Good luck with your test, Wayne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 I found them too "bouncy" for my liking! Distorts the sail shape when given any type of hard command, by overly bending! Having the stiffer LE helps make the sail fill quicker and hold longer. I'm one of the few out here that already loved my Zen, we'll see if the sticks help or hurt! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul LaMasters Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 I have no idea what the comparison is between the zen frame and a diamond Rev frame of equal size as a number on the postal scale. When I handed my bride (NOT a sport kite fan) a stick of each she laughed and said "Ah! that's why. This one is much lighter in weight AND costs extra" The magic sticks (or any other modifications for that matter) are just another flavor, you might have to get used to it (or them). You certainly should test by comparison across different conditions before forming a final opinion. Most folks like the difference mods make in flight performance, but it you have ten thousand hours one way, nothing else will ever feel right. I know that's how I am, when on other's equipment! The newer flyers always pick my kites as the best handling when offered a line of kites to choose from. More predictable, no bridle wiggling requiring opposite hand counter-actions, a direct connection, precise and responsive. Lessons begin with the cartwheel first and immediately progress to inverted hover and field recovery techniques. The magic sticks make these actions easier to master and they allow you to risk slack-line techniques without the walk-of-shame if you fail. They're also cheap to build (or acquire pre-made) and easy to install & remove. Compare for yourself and see what you think. Thanks Wayne for carrying on the mission out west! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyHighLer Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Magic Quad Sticks... Steve LaPorte (maker of the Spirit quad line kite incorporating 'the sticks') was flying Rev's with the tension system in sport kite competitions a couple of decades ago... nothing new. I bought the kit way back then, and use a lightened up version on many of my Rev's. Here's the original instructions, and some pics of an UL Rev with 'the sticks' I recently passed on to Roger of the San Diego Kite Club. [/ P1010944 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010954 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010953 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010951 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010949 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010947 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010945 by johnescooter50, on Flickr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Love the old school parts in above instructions. For my made in the basement magic I used a reamed out modern standoff connector for figure five & made my "top hat" fitting (figure 7) out of clear vinyl tube. My main variation was to only use three lines. Someone had previously mentioned you could do it that way. I have two lines going top to bottom over the verticals & one line going from end to end crosswise. Knots were tied for stops inside the top hat fitting trapping the line inside the tube so there are no larkshead knots needed. A little difficult to thread the lines through but made for a sanitary appearance with nothing to come loose. Laid the kite out on a large flat table & carefully tuned the lines so they had slight tension without lifting the sail. First tubes I used for sticks were too heavy & the kite did not balance correctly. When I got the correct diameter the kite loved it. Two wrap frame, SLE sail & sticks, a flailer's delight. Next I will do a B2 & maybe later the Zen. For my Zen I use the same hybrid frame recommended by Master flier Wayne. SHBKF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Yes Ralph - it's easy to do with 3 lines, if done at home. The Shook kit comes with 7 lines, 2 "T" connectors, and 2 caps prethreaded with 4 leads. All the lines were marked as pairs, but the long center one. 2 knots on each cap leg to adjust tension as needed. Yep - no distortion of the sail on assembly. Pretty sure the sticks are .125 hollow tubes, really very small, but plenty strong. Like I said in another post - using them to stiffen up my LE on a Zen and also trying them on an SUL for the same purpose. Jury still out on the SUL - verdict is a positive on the Zen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHBKF Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Yes, everything is in this topic somewhere & I was just "too sorry" to reference properly. In the meantime I measured my current tubes. They are .125" hollow pultruded carbon, very light & all that's needed. A very light line is sufficient as well. Some may use Dyneema kite line, others light bridle line, but I just used some small diameter polyester line I had laying around as there is not much tension on these lines. Well at least I have not stretched them so far. I have heard positive comments on all the Revs they have been mentioned on. The big Revs, with their extra vertical struts, are stiff already with the Power Blast 4-8 being the most amazing glider I have experienced. Four of the six verticals have stand offs that allow adjustment of the air foil shape of the wing plus a spring loading that enable the kite to have a flatter loaded shape when the lines are taut & under power. When the sail is not loaded they spring outward allow a more rounded leading edge shape. Fly it past the zenith overhead as far as you dare then spin a 180 & glide back down wind until the lines re-tension. Really cool stuff. SHBKF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Yes, everything is in this topic somewhere & I was just "too sorry" to reference properly. In the meantime I measured my current tubes. They are .125" hollow pultruded carbon, very light & all that's needed. A very light line is sufficient as well. Some may use Dyneema kite line, others light bridle line, but I just used some small diameter polyester line I had laying around as there is not much tension on these lines. Well at least I have not stretched them so far. I have heard positive comments on all the Revs they have been mentioned on. The big Revs, with their extra vertical struts, are stiff already with the Power Blast 4-8 being the most amazing glider I have experienced. Four of the six verticals have stand offs that allow adjustment of the air foil shape of the wing plus a spring loading that enable the kite to have a flatter loaded shape when the lines are taut & under power. When the sail is not loaded they spring outward allow a more rounded leading edge shape. Fly it past the zenith overhead as far as you dare then spin a 180 & glide back down wind until the lines re-tension. Really cool stuff. SHBKF Be careful not to use line that may cut your flying lines if you want to do any "roll-up" type of tricks. You know how that goes, and if you don't, you're lucky. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skline Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 I think that if they work for you that is awesome. As far as flight characteristics in light wind I have not noticed much, but I'm sure there are. I tried them on a 1.5 SUL with a diamond frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyHighLer Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Here's a heavy, but simple version, using .157 PC tubes, and Rev end caps. The black 'bushing' between the tube and the end cap is a short piece of automotive vacuum tubing, same stuff Rev slices up to make washers to keep the shock cord from pulling through the sail corners, note my mylar washers... :-)) The other end of the tube I use a nylon bushing with the lip cut off, hard to find item... a piece of shrink tubing will do just as well to bush to the Avia APA connector. 135# Spectra, I can tighten it up by adding knots to the keepers at the head attachment points. P1020167 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020172 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020175 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020174 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020172 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020170 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020168 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020177 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020178 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020179 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020181 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020182 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020188 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020190 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020191 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020192 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020197 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020203 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020205 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020207 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020208 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020213 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020217 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020219 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020220 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020223 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1020224 by johnescooter50, on Flickr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystainedskin Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Magic Quad Sticks... Steve LaPorte (maker of the Spirit quad line kite incorporating 'the sticks') was flying Rev's with the tension system in sport kite competitions a couple of decades ago... nothing new. I bought the kit way back then, and use a lightened up version on many of my Rev's. Here's the original instructions, and some pics of an UL Rev with 'the sticks' I recently passed on to Roger of the San Diego Kite Club. [/ P1010944 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010954 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010953 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010951 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010949 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010947 by johnescooter50, on Flickr P1010945 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/22138595@N06/]johnescooter50, on Flickr Thanks for the history! Scott Weider really enjoyed it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaginCajun Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I got my first set of sticks this year at KFL. My buddy Scott Weider hooked me up with a set. Him and Paul Dugard even put them on for me. The pros totally helped me out. I really like using them in lighter winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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