Power Kite Forum - Peter Lynn Reactor II

Peter Lynn Reactor II

ripsessionkites - 24-8-2009 at 05:20 PM

good news, they are coming in fast. estimated arrive is this Friday to us.

demos will be at SOBB event.

:wee: :thumbup:

RonH - 24-8-2009 at 05:24 PM

Sweet!

I have Friday off work :thumbup:

Ron

revpaul - 25-8-2009 at 11:07 AM

Looking forward to hearing all the reviews on the RIIs. Especially the 6.9m

Paul

vwbrian - 25-8-2009 at 01:30 PM

Ricardo
Will these demo kites be for sale at the end of SOBB?

ripsessionkites - 25-8-2009 at 03:12 PM

yes!

since i dont want to fly home with anything.

USA_Eli_A - 25-8-2009 at 03:17 PM

you need a permit for the demo!

contact Jellis!

USA_Eli_A - 25-8-2009 at 04:32 PM

doooooooooooooooooooooooood

i'm totally joking. make sure I get some time on those bad boys, don't want ozzy coming over here and kikin my az for not demo-ing your kites

USA_Eli_A - 25-8-2009 at 07:59 PM

SWEET: DEMOS FOR THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT SOBB THE BIGGEST NON EVENT IN THE WORLD!

-OZONE/WINDZUP/LITEWAVE
-LIBRE/JOJO/KBSS
-PETER LYNN/RIPSESSIONS KITING

please don't bring any PAN#@%$#!e to demo, makes the sport look harder and more unsafe than it should be!
IMUHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BeamerBob - 26-8-2009 at 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by USA_Eli_A
SWEET: DEMOS FOR THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT SOBB THE BIGGEST NON EVENT IN THE WORLD!

-OZONE/WINDZUP/LITEWAVE
-LIBRE/JOJO/KBSS
-PETER LYNN/RIPSESSIONS KITING

please don't bring any PAN#@%$#!e to demo, makes the sport look harder and more unsafe than it should be!
IMUHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I envision guys new to kiting out there looking forward to getting around other kiting people since they've just gotten involved and only have 1-2 kites. They just slumped over in their chair realizing they are unwelcome now because of the brand kite they started on. These guys should be welcomed and exposed to some higher quality kites so they can decide for themselves what is #@%$#!e. If newbie kiters aren't there, then who are we worried about the sport looking harder and more unsafe to?

furbowski - 26-8-2009 at 03:36 AM

I don't think too many people will be lining up to demo panshkites, I have a feeling the pansh guys will be lining up to try everything else!!!

there is one reason to buy pansh: you want to fly something you can't afford.

I'm looking forwards to upgrading mine, but in the meantime I'm jumping on them and learning with them, frustrating as they can be...

-mj- - 2-9-2009 at 02:10 PM

RII, yes available, limited though so be fast or be prepared to wait about 6 weeks.
Looking forward to see some posts and reviews about them.
Look at Euro race results and you´ll find some on there in a short while, first good results (podiumplaces) have already been booked.

@ Eli, I hope you get a chance to fly the Vapor too when its out, will be interesting to hear your thoughts.

USA_Eli_A - 2-9-2009 at 03:52 PM

I don't think anyone is feeling unwelcome.

I got 10 Yakuzas Gt's and Many Libre Spirits and some very nice buggies ANYONE IS WELCOME TO TRY, EVEN YOU BEEMER BOB!

$100 kite vs $500 kite, and it's a free lesson/demo.

I just think it's silly to even compare pansh to any other brand. If it gets you by, great. Good for you.

go ahead, say something about that,

Im totally looking forward to demoing Rips kites, if he'll just get there already!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by furbowski
I don't think too many people will be lining up to demo panshkites, I have a feeling the pansh guys will be lining up to try everything else!!!

there is one reason to buy pansh: you want to fly something you can't afford.

I'm looking forwards to upgrading mine, but in the meantime I'm jumping on them and learning with them, frustrating as they can be...

BeamerBob - 2-9-2009 at 06:08 PM

Oh, it's the 3000 miles that keeps me away, not any inferiority complex about my quiver. It's shaping up very nicely. I was just afraid that someone that owns Pansh kites might have felt excluded by an earlier comment. Don't count me out next year though.

revpaul - 2-9-2009 at 09:31 PM

Quote:

all sounds very accurate to me.
the one thing that i always wonder about, and maybe i'm just lucky with all my (and my brother's) Panshes is the 'frustrating' bit Pansh users sometimes mention.
All of our Pansh stuff (not our go to kites anymore but well used last summer) does what is expected. The only one we did not like at first was the our first Pansh, a used 8m Ace. It was on a bar and took the whole sky to turn. We put the 8m Ace on handles and that did the trick. I can turn it on it's wing tip. I have found all the Aces (6, 7, and 8 meters) to be more powerful than other med AR kites in same size and they all fly consistant to each other. There are a few Legends here and I bought a 5m Sprint mainly for giggles. We haven't had a problem with any of them. The 2.5m Legend was badly abused in 73kp/h wind and survived. I couldn't believe it. We untangled it and all was fine. The big Aces are slow turning and pull hard. Like most mid AR big FBs, no? The Sprint pulls real hard. I usually fly all my adjustable AoA FB and depower kites set to low AoA. The only gripe about the Pansh is the Sprint's AoA isn't as easy to adjust as other's so I never bothered. It has a little too much factory AoA for my taste. I fly inland in tight quarters. I have to maneouver kite/buggy a lot.
The Aces and the Sprint are best suited to beaches is what I've read and I believe so. When we were on open 1/4 sections we rode the big Aces with strops and they were great.
Paul

acampbell - 3-9-2009 at 10:05 AM

I got the RII 10.8m last week, but with the bad weather and other things , have not been out to the beach in a while. So I unfolded it and looked it over for the first time yesterday.

All I can say is that it is breathtaking; I literally sucked air. The primary bridles are impossibly thin, like saffron threads. And there are so few of them. In several places on the sail, the designers have spanned three cells without bridle points. Yet the head on-photos of the kite indicate no deformation of the kite's shape. Slender and elegant bridle toggles make the earlier versions look like big grappling hooks. Yeah I saw the prototypes at NABX but did not take notice of all the niceties with all the distractions around. Here is the full write up that I posted for product description on my site...

The Reactors have always been our most reached-for fixed bridle kite when we go for a ride in the buggy, and the new Reactor II's are here to make the ride even better.

We first saw the prototypes in April 2009 at NABX (North American Buggy Expo), where they were flying in league with the Libre Spirit and Cooper race kites. At the same event that Dutch rider Arjen van der Tol ("Fast Arie") set the world speed record of 77 mph, he ran the Reactor II 2.2m at over 73 mph!. And these are not even full-blown race kites!

The Reactor II is a moderate aspect ratio kite built as a stable yet go-fast buggy engine. The aspect ratio varies over the range of the kites, increasing with size in order to preserve power in the large sizes and maintain stability in higher winds with the smaller sizes. Like other buggy engines, it features low lift overhead and gets its power flying fast down low in the window. Up-wind performance is spectacular. We are comfortable handing this kite to anyone with a little experience with any fixed bridle kite, yet experience riders with the right touch on the brakes will get a lot more zoom out of the kite. This characteristic makes it a great kite to tune your skills for an all-out race kite (like the Peter Lynn Vapor, coming out late 2009, early 2010.

Just about everyone who has bought a Reactor from us has come back for more in different sizes. I am comfortable with the 4.9 Reactor I in up to about 20 mph without feeling overpowered or lofted, and am just about to replace it with the 5.5m. The 10.8 can easily achieve speeds of four-times the speed of the wind and I have been able to maintain speeds of about 10 mph in 1-2mph of wind after launching in a puff of 3-4 mph.

The Reactor II is a member of the "Pro-Range" of kites in the Peter Lynn line up. While all Peter Lynn products are known for high quality construction, the Pro-Range kites are built in an entirely separate factory where the grade of materials, the craftsmanship and the construction tolerances are all dialed way up. Look at the perfectly straight rows of double needle stitching and the precision matching of color panels in the sail. Everything is laser-cut for exact accuracy and consistency. There is no overbuilt construction to hold the kite back with un-needed weight, yet there is thoughtful reinforcement built in at all the right places.

The new Reactor II's feature a refined profile for even better upwind performance while maintaining its legendary stability an ease of flying. The profiles are made of a special 70D coated fabric for dimensional stability and strength. Diagonal ribs are used throughout the kite to support the sail between bridle points. Using the D-ribs, the designers were able to span three cells between bridle points in some sections and still keep the kite's shape! The bridles are even thinner than before, almost impossibly so, like gossamer threads. They are spliced and stitched at the loops, and reduced in number, so drag is cut way down. The bridle toggles have been slimmed way down too, reducing the chance of snagged lines and bridles. Internal reinforcements are made of Porcher marine fabric for added strength. The top and bottom skins are made of light weight Mirai Ripstop fabric, coated for water repellency. Mirai fabric is chosen for the perfect combination of rigidity needed to retain the proper aerodynamic shape, and suppleness needed to form complex curves without creasing. The smaller sizes also feature more cells than the first Reactors for added rigidity and accurate shape. Peter Lynn's 15 years of R&D into materials, construction and engineering shows throughout the kite.

Feature list...
· Medium - high Variable Aspect Ratio (AR)
· Precision designed and Laser cut panels
· Double cross-vented profiles
· Diagonal ribs and minimized bridle pattern for reduced drag
· Porcher fabric reinforcements inside the kite
· Double needle stitched seams
· Mirai fabric for top and bottom skin
· Profiles made from 70D fabric
· Dyneema bridles spliced then stitched at the loops
· Velcro dirt-outs in the wing tips

Package includes...

· Reactor II kite
· Reactor II backpack
· Full-color instruction manual
· Peter Lynn sticker & key ring
· Peter Lynn 4-line handles
· Peter Lynn high quality Dyneema kite lines
· Peter Lynn ground stake

Note: Kite Killers are not included with the Pro-Range kites

revpaul - 3-9-2009 at 12:09 PM

Angus,
For buggy purposes how do you rate the RII to the Core?
Rip sent me a 6.7m (demo) Core. We've only set it up twice here. Once with the PL handles/20m lines it came with and once with Flexi's Pro Link handles and 25m lines along side a 7m Blurr with same lines and handles.
The wind was on the low range for the kites the second day. I can not say which I prefered more. We were out for about 1.5 hours and swapped out kites about every twenty minutes. The 7m Blurr's AoA was set to low AoA.
It was very close call between the two regarding turning speed and pull.
However, at the end of the day(wind poofed) the Core and I were riding upwind back to trucks and Derek was walking back. (I have -40lb advantage)
I was most impressed with the upwind performance of the 6.7m Core.
It did take some getting used to, for both of us, to keep the Core from luffing in the corners. Seemed like the Blurr held it's form a little better so as not to luff as easily in the lulls. Again we had very little wind and were working the kites the whole time with only a couple of quick, short 'park and ride' runs mixed in. In better wind I'm sure the Core isn't going to luff.
Paul

lunchbox - 3-9-2009 at 12:34 PM

I actually didn't like the Core in the buggy...too much lateral pull for me and not enough bite into the forward part of the window.

Although my Reactor I is not as good as my Yak for going upwind which is to be expected, it goes upwind very well.

If the Reactor II is even better than the RI for going upwind, which it sounds like it will, it will blow that Core away ;-)

acampbell - 3-9-2009 at 12:43 PM

Sure, the Core will not touch a Blurr or Reactor in the bug, never mind a Yak, but it was not meant to.

Because it is an "all-around" kite, it will not excel at any one discipline, the Like the Reactor will in the bug.

It is a step way up in elegance, performance and engineering from other all-arounders such as the Hornet, Beamer or Flow. Customers that like the Core are the ones that want a step up from these venerable entry level kites but do not like something too aggressive like the Twister, Blade, or Crossfire.

revpaul - 3-9-2009 at 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lunchbox
I actually didn't like the Core in the buggy...too much lateral pull for me and not enough bite into the forward part of the window.

Although my Reactor I is not as good as my Yak for going upwind which is to be expected, it goes upwind very well.

If the Reactor II is even better than the RI for going upwind, which it sounds like it will, it will blow that Core away ;-)

I guess i need to really try the Core in it's decent wind range to see what it's really all about.
thanx all for the feedback.
Rip did say to try the Core but wait until try the RII before commit $$. Cool guy eh?.

awindofchange - 3-9-2009 at 03:28 PM

Comparing a Core to a Yakuza is kind of a stretch. The Yakuza is an all out full race kite designed for speed and speed only. The Core is not a race kite although you can get some fairly respectable speed out of it when you want.

Myself as well as our local Peter Lynn team rider prefer the Core for freestyle riding or cruising. It has a very solid and natural feel anywhere in the wind window as well as plenty of down to earth grunt force when needed. It stays put and doesn't rocket out to the edge of the window unexpectedly. All of these are wonderful blessings when performing upwind turns, suicides, 540's, two wheelin', 360's, riding backwards, etc... The Core excels in this type of riding and is an awesome kite. Very stable, hardly ever collapses (and if it ever does, recovers almost instantly) and delivers good solid feel and power....not to mention the high quality of materials and excellent build quality.

A lot of people have compared the Core to the Yakuza and other ultra high aspect ratio race kites - this is like comparing an Indy car to a high performance Baja style trophy truck or off road dune buggy. Both styles of vehicles are professionally built for maximum performance. The Indy care will obviously blow it away in an all out speed run - but put the Indy car off road across the desert and see which one handles better.

For racing and all out speed, keep an eye out for the coming of the Vapor and even the newly released Reactor II (which recently matched the previous buggy speed record at NABX earlier this year and was a prime candidate for setting a new speed record - if there were more sizes than just the one prototype). For freestyle and all-round awesome fun, the Core is the perfect machine.

Brian (our local Peter Lynn team rider) is rumored to be heading to SOBB if his plans work out the way he is hoping - so you will be able to see him putting his Core's through their paces and showing off some pretty awesome freestyle buggy moves. Get with him and he will be more than happy to give you some pointers.

Hope that helps.

macboy - 3-9-2009 at 07:24 PM

What's the $$ spread between the RII's and the Cores?

acampbell - 4-9-2009 at 06:46 AM

RII 5.5 = $550 complete
Core 5.1 = $485 complete

RII 6.9 = $600 complete
Core 6.7 = $519 complete

tdmc96 - 4-9-2009 at 10:09 PM

I had a brief chance to fly my 10.8 Reactor2 today before the rain.
Holy crap does she pull!!
I think what amazed me the most on this trial flight was how fast she could turn for a kite of that size.
I look forward to a low wind day to try her out in the buggy.

Ken

acampbell - 5-9-2009 at 04:54 AM

Taking mine out this weekend now that it has dried out here. I have not flown in weeks. At least I will be well equipped if the winds do not pony up to the 10 kts as advertised.

ripsessionkites - 6-9-2009 at 10:28 PM

Having fun with the RIIs at sobb.

If you liked the RIs you'll love the new version. They just scream up upwind compared to a u-t nitro and super fast and stable too. Even with the wind blown sw or nw I was able to make it back from the shipwreck no problem. I even had to tow Grant back because his ozone flow couldn't reach as far. My kite review will follow after I return from Portland at monty's house in Portland.

tdmc96 - 7-9-2009 at 07:35 PM

All I have to say about this kite is its AWESOME!!! :thumbup:

I went to our local park today and the wind was low so I pulled out my smaller 4.9 Reactor1 first which was ok static but I really wanted a ride in the bug.
Soooooo...out comes the 10.8 reactor2 and man that thing rocks.:wee:
I flew the first hour (hooked in) in the PL comp XR+ bug but was getting a lot of sideways pull so I pulled out the Apexx and that made a HUGE difference (can't wait for the big front end to arrive to match my rear beach racers)
The wind started to pick-up and the others that were there were flying their 7 meter kites but I kept right on for the next 4 hours straight with the 10.8
This kite is so stable and fast...it doesn't collapse in the corners like others do and is super upwind.
I only had one OBE due to a one liner I had to avoid as it unexpectedly came down in my path (yes I had my helmet on)
I can't wait to try the other sizes.

Cheers
Ken(K3)

ripsessionkites - 14-9-2009 at 02:32 PM

http://vimeo.com/6579409

fast!

BeamerBob - 15-9-2009 at 04:35 AM

Wow, the difference in AR is very apparent in the video. These kites look much more on the racy side of things. Mine were delivered yesterday and I pick up at lunch. I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform.

BeamerBob - 15-9-2009 at 06:56 PM

Well, I got to hook up the Reactor II's tonight. I have heard other comments but they didn't sink in till I was looking at my 8.6m. 3 cell gaps without a bridle attachment in places. That bridle must be close to the raciest of race kite bridles. It is very minimal and the bridle lines are very thin but stiffer than on the original reactors. I saw several cues that these kites come from the same pro group of kites as the synergy. The line attachment points on the kite look like the ones on the synergy and the stitching is razor straight and even. I didn't think I would like the red/orange color scheme but it is very striking in the flesh. The bag must be the nicest bag I've ever seen. It has a little zipper pouch by the grab handle for your keys and phone, the usual pocket on the front, a sleeve pocket inside the back of the main cavity for the manual I guess. Very robust and well designed graphics too. Great session to get the lines all hooked up and ready for a session with some actual wind. I'm saving my money for the 10.8m right now. Then my fixed bridle kite bag can be stable for awhile. Expect to see great things from these Reactor IIs. They are the business.

RonH - 15-9-2009 at 08:17 PM

I had a chance to fly the 10.8 R2 for a while...

It pulled enough for a ride when my 8.3 R1 would only pull enough for static. When the wind picked up just a bit the kite just jumped forward wanting to go. I would guess the side pull is more like my smaller R1.

I was able to fly without being hooked in too. that says lots right there.

I now have the 5.5 R2 but no rides yet so no review. Soon I hope.;-)

Ron

BeamerBob - 16-9-2009 at 03:23 AM

Wow, when I flew the 10.8 R1, I did an out and back and stopped to get a strop because of the side load. This was in winds between 3.5 and 4.5, not quite enough to roll with the 8.3 R1. That is encouraging that side load is reduced in the R2.

RonH - 20-9-2009 at 05:36 PM

So I got about 4 hours in on the new R2 5.5

What can I say about it...

Nice improvement over the R1
Still handles very well
Faster than the R1
Goes upwind nicely

I got to the park and looked at the whitecaps on the water and wondered if I should put up a 5... I did and I was nicely surprised at the reduced lift with the kite at the zenith. For about the first hour the wind was about 15mph, nicely powered without feeling like there was an obe coming up. The one thing I did notice was that the kite was a little slow to go straight up. Is this bad? No. Probably reduces the chance of obeing on a turn. Now this kite is not slow going across the window. Is it a race kite? No. It will not keep up with full on race kites but it's stability could come out ahead as this kite is very hard to have it snap shut in gusty wind.

Ron