Power Kite Forum - Born-Kite StreetStar

Someone needs to buy one of those and send it to me for a few days. I'm starting a new company called "Air Piracy Kite Designs". I'll return it quickly and never fly it......

Randy - 6-16-2017 at 09:11 AM

Haha! Not serious. I would imagine it is very hard, if not impossible, to copy ribs and panel shapes without taking the whole thing apart. I have used the "Single Skin" program for a few prototypes now. It is fairly easy to use and create templates. Now that the wind is taking the summer off I might try to do something like Ian's "Little Hammer" using the program.

ssayre - 6-16-2017 at 09:13 AM

Someone needs to buy one of those and send it to me for a few days. I'm starting a new company called "Air Piracy Kite Designs". I'll return it quickly and never fly it......

Deleted. I see Randy replied

This would be a great challenge for you Randy

Windstruck - 6-16-2017 at 10:51 AM

Someone needs to buy one of those and send it to me for a few days. I'm starting a new company called "Air Piracy Kite Designs". I'll return it quickly and never fly it......

Deleted. I see Randy replied

This would be a great challenge for you Randy

I agree with the good Mr. Sayre. I'd love to see some of your designs up close and in flight.

adambweird - 6-16-2017 at 01:10 PM

I wonder if that bar would work on a NS3... could be interesting...

Windstruck - 6-16-2017 at 02:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by adambweird

I wonder if that bar would work on a NS3... could be interesting...

Steffen teases us for about 5 seconds in his first-peek video starting at 1:50 with a look at the bridling and bar setup. It would appear that the kite gets some continuous support coming from bridle lines originating from the center of the bar and then separate and unique bridle sets at both bar ends. There is a DP action to the rigging that seems to work by pivoting the bar from the center such that flexing your wrist one way puts the kite into a power position and flexing it the other way "depowers" the kite.

Pretty cool design from what limited info I can glean from the same video we are all looking at. At first blush I'm thinking the bridling looks highly purpose-built for this specific kite/bar combo and I for one would suspect you'd encounter issues trying to retrofit the bar to existing NS bridling. Someone like Randy or others with actual NPW kite building experience (I've got zilch in that department) may be better able to speculate.

In case you didn't know this, I love this sort of stuff!

Bladerunner - 6-16-2017 at 03:14 PM

Looks like he is using a similar control system to Paraskiflex.
A pretty popular way to go in Quebec.

Steffen may not be the 1st to use each of his designs but he certainly improves on one's that exist.

dirt face - 6-17-2017 at 02:37 AM

Paraskiflex has less lines , but along the entire leading edge, a rod is inserted. Just as at the C-Quad by Peter Lynn. Crash risk on hard ground.

Randy - 6-17-2017 at 04:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by adambweird

I wonder if that bar would work on a NS3... could be interesting...

NPW's like the NS3 don't really have a useful depower capability. Normally depower works by changing the angle of attack of the kite which isn't very effective for NPW's. The NS3 kites "scrunch down" the nose of the kite to reduce the area and lift of the kite. You don't need a fancy bar to do that - a simple 3 line bar works fine. However, that method is not particularly useful in limiting power. It's been discussed (and debated) in other threads, but no one really seems to use the NS3 (or NS2) kites as depower and mainly uses the 3rd line as a kite killer.

Windstruck - 6-17-2017 at 09:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by adambweird

I wonder if that bar would work on a NS3... could be interesting...

Check out this video of an NS2 with a "paraskiflex" bar:

Randy - 6-17-2017 at 02:42 PM

Someone needs to buy one of those and send it to me for a few days. I'm starting a new company called "Air Piracy Kite Designs". I'll return it quickly and never fly it......

Deleted. I see Randy replied

This would be a great challenge for you Randy

I agree with the good Mr. Sayre. I'd love to see some of your designs up close and in flight.

Well, Steve, you asked for it. Here are my latest prototypes.

Windstruck - 6-17-2017 at 06:40 PM

So Randy, that was a super cool video. I felt like I was getting a stealth look at an original Twilight Zone episode. Very nice designs indeed. That must be a fun hobby to go from start to finish with all the various designs and then get to actually fly them. Thanks for the share buddy.

Randy - 6-18-2017 at 05:10 AM

Thanks Steve. I decided to make the pictures B&W and then saved it in low resolution to give the grainy look x-files theme seemed like a perfect fit. The first one (with several pictures) is the kite I made using the single skin program. I made another but later, but I don't seem to have any pictures or video of it. The second didn't fly as well anyway. The others are all variations on other plans.

jrhook - 6-18-2017 at 10:20 AM

with acres of empty parking lots around here, this is VERY interesting!

Windstruck - 6-18-2017 at 11:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jrhook

with acres of empty parking lots around here, this is VERY interesting!

Agreed. Steffen let me know via email that there is a street kiting scene of sorts emerging with young folks in Europe and that the StreetStar was designed in response to that.

Be the first on your block!* Said to be available in August. :karate:

*...or Continent for that matter...

adambweird - 6-18-2017 at 05:11 PM

Id love to get one, but my vacation and sons bday are coming in 6 weeks, plus i think my wife will literally kneecap me if i buy another kite before replacing a window or two on the house, lol.

Windstruck - 6-19-2017 at 03:40 PM

More StreetStar Born-Porn!

lunchbox - 6-19-2017 at 04:54 PM

yeah...love the born porn!

So I'm wondering, if this is a 'depowerable' kite will the 6m be more like the 4m Nasa Star 3?

And will it sit as deep in the window because it looks like it might sit more forward and probably provide better upwind?

So Windstruck....you making the first purchase

B-Roc - 6-20-2017 at 09:25 AM

With a longboard and some slide gloves, a one handed control system could allow for some nice hand-down power slides. I'll be keeping an eye on this one. Thanks for sharing.

Bladerunner - 6-20-2017 at 04:23 PM

It looks like he has the front bridles middle bridle and back separated with the middle going to the middle of the handle? This is how I think he has redesigned the Paraskiflex bar? Perhaps Paraskiflex also uses a 3 line set up? I may live in Canada but have never actually seen one. I don't see any pulleys but you must get some form of depower separating the middle like that?

ssayre - 6-21-2017 at 06:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc

With a longboard and some slide gloves, a one handed control system could allow for some nice hand-down power slides. I'll be keeping an eye on this one. Thanks for sharing.

One handed control is already easily achieved on the nasa stars. With more skill, I'm sure I could have made that happen with the nasa's. I never bought protective gear or gloves so I never tried, but with your equipment and skill, it should be a breeze on a star or possibly this new kite.

alf - 6-24-2017 at 04:54 AM

Nasawing slides.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLLaR2IQI7s

Windstruck - 6-24-2017 at 06:03 AM

Yet more StreetStar Born-Porn! Now showing all three sizes (2, 4, and 6m). This video is a set of stills that allows for clear views of the bridling. Everything a growing boy needs Randy!

Randy - 6-24-2017 at 07:31 AM

Born is the master of Youtube marketing! Almost as innovative as his kites.

dirt face - 7-13-2017 at 10:37 AM

BORN KITE has released three videos for handling of Streetstar, in the next days there is more on the Facebook page.

Randy - 7-13-2017 at 01:11 PM

Very clever bar system. I may try something similar on some of my x-kites.

B-Roc - 7-13-2017 at 04:19 PM

Pretty clever for sure and nice to see the continuous innovation in this niche area. I struggle to accept that kite as a depowerable when it seems all that really happens is traditional FB braking. I don't see the AoA or wing profile changing. But that's just semantics. One of the limitations of this is that the kite seems to be designed to act more like a sail than a power kite meaning you can't fly super powered with only one hand so that may make hill work a bit more challenging if flown on trails or open roads or sloped parking lots. Again, no big deal for the niche market, just an observation.

Bladerunner - 7-13-2017 at 04:36 PM

I expect this to have a bit different response to standard front line, back line control of a FB. The AOA should adjust to some degree with the middle lines in the middle of the bar staying somewhat static.

I had similar feelings about holding down power. I am pretty sure you can hook it to Paraskiflex bars? In my little mind a CL in line with the center lines would work?

Looking forward to Steve's 1st hand review.

dirt face - 7-20-2017 at 10:02 AM

The guys of BORN-KITE probably have a new hobby .....video production .

adambweird - 7-20-2017 at 04:47 PM

I wish theyd put some pricing on their website... kinda like to know if i can swing getting a brand new kite for the first time, lol.

B-Roc - 7-23-2017 at 04:14 PM

I do appreciate how much thought he has given to his line of kites. He is very dedicated to innovation in a niche market.

ssayre - 7-30-2017 at 09:37 AM

Thanks to steve I got to test this out. My initial thoughts on the link. its easier to post pictures over there.

http://www.extremekites.com.au/topic/16799-born-kite-streets...

Windstruck - 7-30-2017 at 02:42 PM

Thanks to steve I got to test this out. My initial thoughts on the link. its easier to post pictures over there.

http://www.extremekites.com.au/topic/16799-born-kite-streets...

Happy to help a brother out. Steffen most kindly sent me one when I completed my LS2 quiver purchase. I'm not 1/8 (read 1/16) the street kiter Sean is so I lent it to him so he could give it a proper test drive. Good write up by him on the Down Under site.

Bladerunner - 7-30-2017 at 10:12 PM

Great read.

I still wonder about the changing AOA?
How does the depower work?

ssayre - 7-30-2017 at 10:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Great read.

I still wonder about the changing AOA?
How does the depower work?

ill take a closer look and better pictures next time I'm out but the front line bridles attach at the top of the handle, then there are a middle set that attach at the middle of the handle and back line or steering line bridles attach at the bottom. I don't recall any pulleys but I don't remember. It definitely changes the angle of attack when you tilt the handle to and from. Rotating the handle is how it steers. Flying one handed your thumb is pointed up on the handle to use as leverage for more power or was off for less. It works but is pretty difficult while holding all the power in one hand. Depower would probably work better hooked in which you can do but I have not done. I would really like to add a 2m line set to see how it would do. I have always had an easier time street kiting with some lines versus straight off the bridle.

ssayre - 7-31-2017 at 04:33 AM

The funny thing is when I would be going into a turn with the handle in my dominant hand, it would be a smooth transition, then I would switch to my left hand to go the opposite direction. I kept failing on the transition initiated with my weak hand and I was cussing the kite. However, the kite was performing as it was designed because I had no problem with the dominant hand transition. So it was ME, not the kite. It took me an hour to program some finesse into my left hand. It was like a stranger was flying the kite

Windstruck - 7-31-2017 at 04:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

Great read.

I still wonder about the changing AOA?
How does the depower work?

Did you have the chance to watch the video series? Some of them show the DP action. That being said, I too have similar questions.

Prussik - 7-31-2017 at 09:09 AM

The concept is the same as in Paraskiflex. Looking at the design prior to testing it years ago I was expecting some AOA control by tilting the bar but I quickly discovered why they never mentioned this feature - it just simply would not work with the given bar length, very low AR and bar being too close to the body when hooked in. The "steering wheel" steering was very sluggish and extremely dependent on lines tension and length so at the edge of the window where you want to turn the response was terrible as it was in the lulls. Now, this Street Star version looks better with higher AR and wisely specified very short (or no) lines.

ssayre - 8-1-2017 at 06:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Prussik

The "steering wheel" steering was very sluggish and extremely dependent on lines tension and length so at the edge of the window where you want to turn the response was terrible as it was in the lulls. Now, this Street Star version looks better with higher AR and wisely specified very short (or no) lines.

It could be just a learning curve, but steering does feel sluggish as opposed to nasa. Do you think the addition of 2 or 5 meter lines would have a negative effect? I don't have near enough time on this kite to form a well rounded opinion but initially, I'm struggling to find an advantage to this kite versus a nasa in terms of unhooked one handed flying other than easy landing / reverse launch

Prussik - 8-1-2017 at 09:05 AM

Any additional distance between the canopy and the bar can only make steering response more sluggish. The longer the lines (and the less tension on them) the less of the torque of the bar is transmitted to the kite - and this is the major problem with this design. The potential advantage would be a simple AOA control by tilting the bar. As for other things - not so much. You can just as easily fly any FB one handed (with much better control) and land and reverse launch easily on 4 lines and even have some "nasa depower" on 5.

dirt face - 8-1-2017 at 01:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Prussik

Any additional distance between the canopy and the bar can only make steering response more sluggish. The longer the lines (and the less tension on them) the less of the torque of the bar is transmitted to the kite - and this is the major problem with this design. The potential advantage would be a simple AOA control by tilting the bar. As for other things - not so much. You can just as easily fly any FB one handed (with much better control) and land and reverse launch easily on 4 lines and even have some "nasa depower" on 5.

Look here from minute 1:10 to 1:30 .
That does not looks like a problem!
This looks really fast.
Perhaps there is a special control technique?

ssayre - 8-1-2017 at 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dirt face

Quote: Originally posted by Prussik

Look here from minute 1:10 to 1:30 .
That does not looks like a problem!
This looks really fast.
Perhaps there is a special control technique?

It works as advertised imo. There is definitely a technique to it but it does work well. Flying any kite straight off bridles has always been a challenge in my wind. a few meters of line allow me to work a kite just enough to work through a lull. You must have decently clean wind at ground level to fly any kite without lines. I hope to get the opportunity to try it out with some short lines added and see how that goes.

dirt face - 8-5-2017 at 07:19 AM

About my BORN KITE Youtube subscription came just now this video.
Here the change of hands is beautiful to see.

Windstruck - 8-14-2017 at 02:08 PM

The StreetStar is now available on the Born-Kite website!

StreetStar

Randy - 8-14-2017 at 02:44 PM

It comes r2f and costs less than I thought it would, although the euro is now up from where it was in past year.

Windstruck - 8-25-2017 at 04:16 AM

StreetStar has been reviewed. Can anyone translate?

German StreetStar Review

Suds after thuds - 8-26-2017 at 12:49 PM

The 4 m kite starts flying in 2 Beaufort really comes alive at 4 to 5 you for three starts to get a little more fun it's a lot of work in the buggy but perfect when you're riding on a longboard the unhooked the power sensation on the joystick gives you the freedom to look at the road and forget about the kite you can fly it on a bike, too... and there's a photo where it looks like he's slacklining with it!

The depower works without any crumple and gives a wide wind range.
Best with a longboard.

Basically it does everything Born says it does really well. That's the gist of it.

Windstruck - 8-27-2017 at 06:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Suds after thuds

The 4 m kite starts flying in 2 Beaufort really comes alive at 4 to 5 you for three starts to get a little more fun it's a lot of work in the buggy but perfect when you're riding on a longboard the unhooked the power sensation on the joystick gives you the freedom to look at the road and forget about the kite you can fly it on a bike, too... and there's a photo where it looks like he's slacklining with it!

The depower works without any crumple and gives a wide wind range.
Best with a longboard.

Basically it does everything Born says it does really well. That's the gist of it.

Thanks Suds! Greatly appreciated. A German/English speaker Down Under also took a swing at it:

http://www.extremekites.com.au/topic/16799-born-kite-streets...

Windstruck - 11-14-2017 at 11:11 AM

Some new Euro Born-Porn!

ssayre - 11-14-2017 at 12:07 PM

did you get your kite back Steve?

Windstruck - 11-14-2017 at 12:40 PM

did you get your kite back Steve?

Not yet Sean. I did receive word on September 25th that they had received it but since then it has been radio silence. If I were to get lucky and get it today through Saturday then I could bring it with me to Ivanpah next week. If not, then I suspect I will next be able to give it a proper test flight at IBX2018 next Spring. Fingers and toes crossed!

Windstruck - 12-9-2017 at 07:10 AM

A nice new video from Steffen showing off his new StreetStar (SnowStar?). :thumbup:

Randy - 12-9-2017 at 07:40 AM

Born sure does nice videos. He looks like a pretty big guy - kite was only 4.0 M. I'm impressed. Ironically, today we actually have several inches of snow here in Atlanta. So much in fact, that when I got back from the airport last night, the Lyft driver had to drop us off a half mile from my house (roads closed) and we had to carry our suitcases the rest of the way. Several cars abandoned on the road into our subdivision. If only I had some skis and a snow board.....

Windstruck - 12-13-2017 at 02:07 AM

A tad more Born-Porn shot from a drone!

Randy - 12-13-2017 at 06:09 AM

I love that one armed bar system he's made. I need to try to cook up something like that for my NPW's or PL Skins.

Windstruck - 6-4-2018 at 07:50 AM

Nice application for the StreetStar! :saint:

Randy - 6-4-2018 at 08:34 AM

Cool! Our friend ALF is always trying new ideas.

alf - 6-6-2018 at 06:45 AM

not as much as you do

alf - 2-10-2019 at 01:02 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ-d9X-IvS8&t=168s video360 i bought the street star for this kind of use

Doing a treck on fat bike with kite is doable

mougl - 2-21-2019 at 02:15 PM

WOW!!!! This is particularly interesting to me since conditions to kite on the beach are slim to none, this could be the cure. I have a lot of parking lots nearby. This could be a day saver for me in the future. Makes me wish I still had the Trampa :lol:

Randy - 2-21-2019 at 02:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mougl

WOW!!!! This is particularly interesting to me since conditions to kite on the beach are slim to none, this could be the cure. I have a lot of parking lots nearby...

You might consider something like this.

mougl - 2-21-2019 at 02:30 PM

I have considered NPW in the past and I was able to try one out one day with a local guy a couple of years ago. I had a blast flying it but I do like the 1 handed flying of the Born. I have also considered getting some short line sets for my Frenzies but I hate to imagine crashing those on asphalt.

Randy - 2-21-2019 at 05:58 PM

Steve (Windstruck) used to have one. I don't know if he still does. I know Sean flew it for while with his longboard as well. There is a thread here about the Street Star. It seemed like such a cool kite I made my own version from plans for another single skin kite.

https://vimeo.com/261744147

alf - 2-23-2019 at 06:48 AM

good imitation with 3 lines on the bar !

i hav tried the peak 3 9m no lines , the bridles are very long, that s less convenient than street star but very powerful

the design of streetstar is also simpler , that means offen better

kayak paddling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbbH6WN4Dks
the bamboo is 3O cm to shoort for this use , so i hav to slalom to touch the ground

Windstruck - 2-23-2019 at 09:20 AM