That's a nice video. The location is outstanding. I've seen that kite crop up a bit in some videos. I'm curious if it is a demo or pre-production
prototype; definitely not standard colors.
So Windstruck... on that vid I noticed the trailing edge wingtips seem to be pulled in a lot - I would imagine that helps with steering (akin to
steering FB on brakes), but it looks like they're both curled for a lot of the ride. Do you notice yours riding that way? Any pros or cons to that?
So Windstruck... on that vid I noticed the trailing edge wingtips seem to be pulled in a lot - I would imagine that helps with steering (akin to
steering FB on brakes), but it looks like they're both curled for a lot of the ride. Do you notice yours riding that way? Any pros or cons to that?
I'm heading up to Fall SOBB in a couple of weeks. I'll check out what you're talking about. I just had a chance to fly lately.
Thanks for a heads up Steve, I lurk there occasionally but would have missed it.
We are going to need a bigger boat.
If people keep coming onboard.
Proprietary coating on bridles can only be better.
Less bridles can only be better.
31cm diff in the backlines? I guess Mr Born adds this onto the bar or lines.
Aren't most kites set up for equal lengths?
I am so glad this thing does better on the long and flat.
I have never been on a long and flat.
Safe. For now anyway.
Flying mostly single skins, with some orphans, the American flag, and a PL buggy. US01
No I wouldn't think there was any strategy to it. A number of kites need pigtail adjustments to fly right, usually a few cm is enough.
If the steering lines are a foot short You wonder how it would fly at all, not just choked a little.
Did you put these on your kites Steve?
I have brand new Born-Kite bars as yet unflown. I believe the new bars are set up with the correct length pigtails to fly correctly without 31cm extra
lines. One set of pigtails are extra long on my RS kites but I don't remember which right now (brake or power). I'm guessing the correct ones.
I'm in Bend, OR now, 3/4 of the way to SOBB holed up for the night after many hours. Should have kites up tomorrow.
Holy frijoles, I was sure we wouldn't here from Steve for awhile, damn technology.
I've been wondering about forum traffic being low, and trying to contact a member or two about kites and duhhh, they're all in Heaven for a week or
so..
Drive safe Steve. At least till you get there. Then drive into the ocean you lucky devil
Flying mostly single skins, with some orphans, the American flag, and a PL buggy. US01
Got 27+ miles on my 11m RS today! Love, love, love these new RSs. A lot "friskier" than the LS2s, that's for sure. Really shine in upwind
performance. Not faster in Park and Ride, btw, than 12m Peak2s. Wind_dog and eric67m had a matching set of peaks today and I couldn't quite keep up.
12m of P2 seems at least in my novice hands to beat an 11m Racestar. Likely a better pilot with grooved tires could have kept up but they were just a
percent or two faster than me on a long ride on the beach. Would be interesting to go head to head on the playa with, say, 9m RS vs 9m Peak.
The above post makes perfect sense, or maybe Steve's just off his feed in a foreign country.
I betcha if he keeps his Quiver intact and flys the Racestars for a good while he'll be looking a rematch.
Flying mostly single skins, with some orphans, the American flag, and a PL buggy. US01
Already in production and to be commercially released in October is the RaceStar+, a matching 5.0, 7.0, 9.0, and 11.0m quiver to the original
RaceStar. A forthcoming video will explain the nuances, but the principle difference as Steffen explained it to me is the addition of some flexible
vertical spars in the trailing edge to keep the shape of the kite more complete during jibe turns.
Gotsta love how Steffen keeps on innovating in the SS DP world! I'm really loving the RSs and now have a complete quiver. For my needs the RS+ is
overkill but I can see how this refinement could be important in racing and other maximum performance conditions. A small weight and packing penalty,
but these SS DP 6:1 AR kites still come in way lighter and pack more compactly than comparable traditional race kites with their (unnecessary) extra
skin.
Born-Kite is shortly coming out with a 3.0m RS+. Daddy's psyched. I sold my 3.5m LS2 to our very own MadHungarian last year in anticipation of
reloading my quiver with a small SS DP and this will be my new baby!
I was going to ask if you are getting one of these puppies, but you beat me to it.
I see now I'm just a pawn in your diabolical plan...
You betcha. Actually had some back and forth email with Steffen this morning about the 3.0m RS+ vs the forthcoming 3.5m LS3. Both would have the new
BODAPRE bridle material. The "+" of the RS+ line involves some flexible stiffeners running perpendicular to the trailing edge of the kite, something
that doesn't exist in the standard RSs that I have. I don't know if the fabled LS3s will have them or not.
What Steffen told me to no surprise is that the 3.0m RS+ is highly active in the sky in strong winds, turns very quickly, etc. I bet it will be a
proverbial "wasp on a string". 3.0m and 6:1 AR. Whupp! He further told me that it flies best if you move the stopper balls down the trim line to
somewhat shorten the range of bar travel. Again, not surprising, and this is something I found to be the case with both the 3.5m LS2 and earlier with
a 4.0m Peak2 I used to have. In my clumsy hands I would sometimes over DP these small kites and collapse them in the air only to have them burst back
open and nearly pull me out of my buggy. Thank goodness for that little drain hole in my buggy seat, just sayin....
So... I'm going a little back in forth in my mind with getting a tamer 3.5m LS3 when it comes out or pull the trigger now for a wildcat. No immediate
need to decide as neither are currently on the market.
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