Power Kite Forum

Phantom Phlying

Drewculous - 10-7-2009 at 11:06 AM

Just gotta say, the 15m Phantom is a phreaking jumping machine!

FINALLY got some decent winds with the phantom, and man, 10 footers are easy as can be with this kite! Gotta work on my landings a little, seems like i come down fast, but not hard (i dont get it either)

But if you have the opportunity, i strongly reccomend a walk on the d'arc side :evil:

just had to throw that out there lol, had the kite for a week and havent been able to get any use out of it, until last night, and it was shweet! :thumbup:

carltb - 10-7-2009 at 12:04 PM

glad you're enjoying the kite.
a good tip for jumping is pull bar in - go up - let bar out - redirect - start coming down - pull bar in again just before touch down.

kitejumper - 10-7-2009 at 02:32 PM

im so glad you can jump with these arcs--ive got a lesson coming in a week or so, then its off to try some jumps with my psycho 12.5--should be crazy

Drewculous - 10-7-2009 at 04:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by carltb
glad you're enjoying the kite.
a good tip for jumping is pull bar in - go up - let bar out - redirect - start coming down - pull bar in again just before touch down.


ok!

i think i just had the bar out, jumped, redirected, and pulled in during the process... it just all happened so quick and easy, didnt really have time to focus on a more in depth tek... i barely had enough winds, so i had the kite fully powered, so if i pulled the bar in at all, it'd stall the kite enough to kill my chances at jumping... man i hope i could get some gravy wind and can really tear it up with this kite!

thanks for the info carl!

PHREERIDER - 10-7-2009 at 08:05 PM

phantom is supreme

macboy - 14-7-2009 at 10:48 AM

Were you flying static? If so, what were the winds like?

acampbell - 14-7-2009 at 10:54 AM

Put a local on the Phanny 18 this weekend. Smitten with auto-zenith. Now he wants to demo the Synergy. One more for the d'ARC side.

kitedog - 14-7-2009 at 11:03 AM

I'll bet the winds were decent this last weekend, huh? Who did you convert? Robb or Johnny?

Drewculous - 14-7-2009 at 11:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by macboy
Were you flying static? If so, what were the winds like?


pft... kinda crappy winds to tell you the truth... 10ish mph... barely enough to keep the kite up, but when i got a little gust rolling thu, id try for a jump, and actually got pretty high a couple of times, just no consistancy in those winds

Yeah it was static, i have a soccer field that i fly in, and im kind of a big guy, so i need some good winds to get rollin on the board, and i just havent really had the good-wind-day i need yet... but it was still fun:thumbup:

acampbell - 14-7-2009 at 11:08 AM

Winds were light but on-shore. It was Toby, a local German ex-pat. He goes back to Germany this weekend but will be back next year. He rides land and water.

But I still gotta get Robb on an ARC

dylanj423 - 14-7-2009 at 09:07 PM

just spent the afternoon beneath my phantom 15.... such a nice ride... smooth, controllable power...

tobytobsen - 16-7-2009 at 08:41 AM

Yeah, it was me. I am hooked. :singing: I hope we will get some decent wind to test fly and enough time, need to say goodbye to everyone before the plane leaved on sat morning.

acampbell - 16-7-2009 at 08:53 AM

Toby and I were out for a Synergy demo the other day. Thunder and lightning to our south a few miles, but looking like bright thin overcast overhead. Toby was holding the center lines and just about give the launch tug and BOOM! Thunderclap overhead.

Nice thing about ARC's is they pack up real fast when you leave the sticks in.

BeamerBob - 22-7-2009 at 05:37 AM

I've spotted Toby on another forum trying to pick which arc he gets first. The net is cast. :singing:

acampbell - 22-7-2009 at 06:18 AM

Two days before he went back to Germany he had a successful land board session with the Synergy. Hooked for sure.

tobytobsen - 23-7-2009 at 05:33 AM

Hehehe....

I just got off the phone with the old owner of my new kite... will pick it up this afternoon. Its a Venom II in 16m^2. I think this will help me in the next one or two years with the landboard and the kiteboard, and then maybe buy the 2011 charger 2 oder venom III or whatever their new one will be named :Ange09:

I just prefer for now a more stable, easier to fly PL, instead of the Synergy/Charger till i am a little better and saver, especially on the water.

The d'ARC side won... again ... thanks to Angus!

tobytobsen - 23-7-2009 at 11:55 PM

It's at home, it's at home! Can't wait to get out with it on Sat.

Drewculous - 24-7-2009 at 02:30 PM

so, i grew some balls and pushed myself with my phantom today at lunch... well woth it... oh yeah... when the lines are a singin, im screamin down the field... What a riot, that was such a blast, i havent had a chance to really see what the 15 could do, but i got a good taste of it today!

Phantastic Phun

lad - 13-8-2009 at 09:21 PM

Phinally got my triple passed Mark>Todd>Lad 12m Phanny up in good wind at Wildwood.

Launching off the damp sand was a b!+@# - in fact, a non-existent one. A couple came over and said "we've been watching you trying to launch that for a half-hour! I want to see it fly!"

So he helped me after a little shouting from across the beach.

From there it was all gravy.

No mega-jumps in the brisk 14-<20mpg wind, but nice and smooth mini-lifts nonetheless. My sore knuckles can really appreciate the light bar pressure and the smooth powering was quite nice too.

I could almost park it 90 degrees to the window's edge, and pull the bar as it moved over to scud right along with gentle control.

Getting #@%$#!y, I started to dip it into the powerzone for more dynamic scudding. Well, that light bar pressure can be deceiving and I did my first Damp Sand Superman impression, with no time to even consider the safety. Once I stop grounded, I saw the kite gently begin to auto zenith - looking down mockingly after it just spanked me.

Landing by using the safety near the window's edge was a cinch. If only I can get the launching down as easily.

Now, I'm on the prowl for a used, reasonable 16-18 Synergy/Vortex/Venom/Phantom (in that order?)

I may soon have to contact Arc Anonymous...any one here need a "sponsor?"

kitejumper - 13-8-2009 at 09:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
Phinally got my triple passed Scott>Todd>Lad 12m Phanny up in good wind at Wildwood.

Launching off the damp sand was a b!+@# - in fact, a non-existent one. A couple came over and said "we've been watching you trying to launch that for a half-hour! I want to see it fly!"

So he helped me after a little shouting from across the beach.

From there it was all gravy.

No mega-jumps in the brisk 14-<20mpg wind, but nice and smooth lifts nonetheless. My sore knuckles can really appreciate the light bar pressure and the smooth powering was quite nice too.

I could almost park it 90 degrees to the window's edge, and pull the bar as it moved over to scud right along with gentle control.

Getting #@%$#!y, I started to dip it into the powerzone for more dynamic scudding. Well, that light bar pressure can be deceiving and I did my first Damp Sand Superman impression, with no time to even consider the safety. Once I stop grounded, I saw the kite gently begin to auto zenith - looking down mockingly after it just spanked me.

Landing by using the safety near the window's edge was a cinch. If only I can get the launching down as easily.

Now, I'm on the prowl for a used, reasonable 16-18 Synergy/Vortex/Venom/Phantom (in that order?)

I may soon have to contact Arc Anonymous...any one here need a "sponsor?"
as you have told me a few times........PICTURES!!! NO STORIES!!! JK:smilegrin:

macboy - 13-8-2009 at 11:13 PM

hehehehe....gotta love opening your eyes, orienting yourself only to see the kite making it's way back to the zenithh.......sometimes you can even hear the cells laughing :lol:

Todd - 14-8-2009 at 04:42 AM

Glad you're having fun with it Lad! The launch will come in time (something I don't completely have down yet) however I have had a few re-launch success go figure. I think it's time for a sig change for you no? :yes:

BeamerBob - 14-8-2009 at 04:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad

Now, I'm on the prowl for a used, reasonable 16-18 Synergy/Vortex/Venom/Phantom (in that order?)



tridude has a 19m venom for sale here on pkf. Buy from him with confidence.

Edit: I saw you are already vying for that one if you get the chance.

acampbell - 14-8-2009 at 04:51 AM

Congrads.
I would pull the Vortex out of the mix if your intention is for land use. It's like one of those test questions, "which one of the following does not belong in the picture?" (apple, banana, peach, Walrus). The Vortex is designed as an entry level water kite that will stay over the rider and not fly too fast to the edge of the window. As such, on land, it will have a lot of side pull when in motion and not go upwind as well as the others. OK for water or snow where you can hold an edge, but not so great for land.

BeamerBob - 14-8-2009 at 05:37 AM

What kind of trouble are you having on launch? I haven't had much trouble with my 15 so let us know and maybe we know a trick to get you up and flying with ease.

acampbell - 14-8-2009 at 05:54 AM

I always tell people to watch the video until they cannot stand it any more. If done like that it should go every time with one yank and two steps back.

Only trouble I have had is snagging the sandbag on the rear line. Solved that by folding over more wingtip before placing the bag on it. that way the bag is on the ground and off the kite (and under it) by the time the rear line is tight.

lad - 14-8-2009 at 07:42 AM

Yes, I was getting some lines and kite body flapping around in the wind - my initial launch lessons w/ Todd were in low wind, so it behaved itself nicely then.

The launch assist tabs found on newer arcs: is this a partial velcro "sandwich" or just one tab of the "sticky" velcro that is enough to hold the lines lightly? (I even tried throwing some sand over the lines where the tab would be, without much success!)

ac: thanks for the Vortex info. I thought they were sorta all-a-rounders that are good for beginners - but they seem rare on the used market to begin with.

Actually, I will eventually want to move out into the water, but probably next year. If the arcs are as generally versatile and confidence-inspiring as mentioned here, I'd want a larger, amphibious one. (some here seem successful with Phanny surfing, so I still wouldn't rule out trying a larger one if am confident w/ the relaunch situation.)

as you have told me a few times........PICTURES!!! NO STORIES!!! JK:smilegrin:
heh heh...Touche'. Well, I will try to bring the camera along when I manage to do something more interesting than get the usual IBDP (Intensive Beach Dermabrasion Procedure!) :smug:

acampbell - 14-8-2009 at 08:03 AM

The launch assist is a little folding flap about 3/4" square with Velcro to hold it shut when you tuck the lines in. The lines pull out with the first tug.

The phanny is meant as a land kite only becuse the high a/r can
make it tricky to water relaunch but it can be done.

acampbell - 14-8-2009 at 08:16 AM

All the ARCs are all arounders to a degree but the earlier ones were designed with a bent towards a particular discipline. The Syn and Chargers ar purpose built as true all arounders off the drawing board.

BeamerBob - 14-8-2009 at 08:50 AM

I've used both my synergy and phantom in the buggy and love both even though there is some overlap in wind ranges. The lift is not an issue so far. I never have been in a situation where it was lifting me out of the buggy. It has the capability but as long as you don't do anything stupid, it just pulls and pulls and...................

lad - 14-8-2009 at 03:28 PM

BTW, speaking of my small Phanny lifts...(yikes, this is starting to sound like Joan River's blog!):shocked2:

I came across this old Kitecrowd posting by Mark about his mod on this very same kite.

Essentially, he said he brought the brake lines in 2 inches and it made a dramatic difference in how the 12m lifted and floated.

Gonna hafta try that next time! (and hope the depower stretch is still sweet)

markite - 14-8-2009 at 06:12 PM

One tip for getting good air on the Arc's - you want to have the kites riding fast and solid power so when you have the bar OUT you are feeling solid pressure, now when you send the kite it will turn at a good speed and when you pull in on the bar you'll get the nice boost because you already have pressure with the bar out - so pulling in now is the elevator ride.

lad - 14-8-2009 at 06:30 PM

Yes, I would squat and feel the tug at one-twoish w/ the bar out for speed, but I guess my timing seems off. It seemed like it'd tug, I'd pull, and get little lift - then, when it seemed over, I'd start to feel a little secondary lift as it redirected and apexed. Seems like the strongest bar-up tug was further over and back in the window - which tended to drag/land me fast and lateral more then lift me straight up.

Drewculous - 24-8-2009 at 02:11 PM

Thought i'd bring this thread back rather than start a new one on the same subject....

no, this is not me.... yes i want to do this!

15m Phantom At its best!

lad - 25-8-2009 at 01:13 PM

That's a classic - but to add to another controversial thread, I think this guy is now on Vimeo and converted to LEIs!

Drewculous - 25-8-2009 at 02:29 PM

too bad, he seemed to do well in the darc side... damn jedis, lol!

Drewculous - 25-8-2009 at 03:55 PM

I've found a how-to type help section on the phantoms somewhere, i thought it was here; concerning adjustments, line lengths, basically the instruction manual for the phantoms, but now, i cannot find it... can someone shoot me a link... thanks!

Todd - 26-8-2009 at 06:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Drewculous
I've found a how-to type help section on the phantoms somewhere, i thought it was here; concerning adjustments, line lengths, basically the instruction manual for the phantoms, but now, i cannot find it... can someone shoot me a link... thanks!


Is this the one?

ARC FAQ

Drewculous - 26-8-2009 at 10:18 AM

DING!!
Thats exactly it! Thanks!

lad - 26-8-2009 at 10:35 AM

WOW - That's a super detailed ARC FAQ -thanx for the link! :thumbup:

Todd - 26-8-2009 at 05:32 PM

No problem.... Google is your friend :bigok:

PHREERIDER - 26-8-2009 at 06:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by markite
One tip for getting good air on the Arc's - you want to have the kites riding fast and solid power so when you have the bar OUT you are feeling solid pressure, now when you send the kite it will turn at a good speed and when you pull in on the bar you'll get the nice boost because you already have pressure with the bar out - so pulling in now is the elevator ride.



right on , when the bar is slammed tight and all wicked out. quick turns in the full OUT bar position and full on juice when you pull it in. when the bar SNAPS against the top ball with a thump YOU KNOW its gonna be a solid session.