I have a PL Viper and I'd like to fly it at night, where do you guys put the glow sticks? Any other tips/recommendations?
Thanks!Looking_Up - 5-7-2011 at 08:42 PM
Glow sticks. Ha ha ha ha
That's cheating all u need is the moon and the force Luke
Never thought of using glow sticks before
Just thought it would be really nice to put the kite up so I did
Let us know how the light sticks work
If no Sharp edges just drop them in the cells
Or try attaching at the lark headmacboy - 5-7-2011 at 09:49 PM
We had a night flight during a star party up here a couple years ago. The guys reached in through any openings they could to hang these little red LED
turtle lights inside their kites (mostly Flysurfers). I hear it was a pretty spectacular sight to see. I hope to try it one day here in my
neighborhood....we just don't get many breezy evenings.shaggs2riches - 5-7-2011 at 10:02 PM
one thing for sure is that you really will rely on feel in the dark (no lights on the kite). In day light you have the full ability to see your entire
kite in the air. I found I crashed my access a few times until my eyes kinda came accustomed to the dark, or something like that. The feeling really
reminded me of driving a car with both side mirrors folded in you know where you're going, but it still doesn't feel right. Either way, if you flew in
the dark enough, your skills would be better from it.burritobandit - 5-7-2011 at 10:12 PM
We had a few night sessions during the full moon last month. We bought regular, necklace, and bracelet-style glow sticks. Using zipties, we attached
them to our bridles (all of us were on LEIs), bars, boards, and put them on our wrists/ankles/necks/harnesses so that we could see each other. We
were being sure to use Red/Orange/Yellow for left, and Blue/Green/White for right so we could judge direction from a distance.
The glow sticks didn't really brighten the water or anything; they mainly helped us see each other and our kites. They also helped us easily find our
boards if we lost them. The full moon really helped illuminate the lake and you could still even see where the gusts were/the wind wasn't. What was
really awesome was looking up at my kite and seeing it move around with the stars behind it.
Everything worked out perfectly. We even had lots of people stopping by to see what the lights were about and they were calling us the Tron kiters.
I like to refer to those sessions as The Tron Sessions :bird:
What I'd really like to do is invest in some EL wire and permanently mount it to a kite or quiver of kites and have that quiver rigged specifically
for night sessions.Kober - 5-7-2011 at 10:16 PM
My Tensor 3m have modified christmas LED lights last winter ..... Amazing view when kite is in air ..... I install battery enclosure in center of
tail edge and run wires to the sides with 3 LEDs in each cell ..... 4 AAA batteries weight a bit too much so I modified case to hold only 2 ......
Kite did look awesome and did bring attention of 2 park rangers ....greasehopper - 5-7-2011 at 10:32 PM
Sprang Thang saw a bit of twilight and evening action. Marc was using a blinky diode set up on one bridle for his reference and I stuffed a cheap
charlie Coleman chemlite in each dirt out on my 10m Crossfire, orange on the left, blue on the right. The dirt outs are right on the TE of the
Crossfire and that portion is black on the underbelly so it was a very muted glow, just about right for reference without being obnoxious and
distracting. On the other hand, the rescue strobe on the back of Scout Buggly and the blinky jester hat... Yeah, that might have been just a bit
over the top. Sorry, Marc...silvereaglekiter - 6-7-2011 at 03:52 AM
Wbb last fall led glow sticks in the wing tip cells works really well to.Bambooben - 6-7-2011 at 07:10 AM
I bet the little glow sticks used in night golf balls would work well.
Also, you might could try little LED throwies: http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Throwies/
I have about a dozen or so of those, and each one ends up costing about $1. I even bought some of the UV/blacklight kind and magnets so I could throw
them up and have them stick on metal. They weigh next to nothing.pokitetrash - 6-7-2011 at 07:16 AM
Most of my kites have dirt outs so it should be easy to shove a couple in the kite. Neat idea. I'm gonna give it a whirl!
Hope the kite doesn't feel too violated though...:shocked2:Pulsar - 6-7-2011 at 03:45 PM
I've used those glowing bracelet things a couple of times. I usually just toss them down a few cells, glows more then enough to see through the
fabric. I've also circled them around bridle lines, using the bracelet clip to make them round. Moves a lot during flight, but works nicely too. They
cost 50 eurocent for a 10 pcs tube here, so they're really cheap.ChrisH - 6-7-2011 at 04:43 PM
Wow, thanks for all the ideas everybody! The Viper has dirt outs so I'll just try putting them in there. Supposed to be 10-15mph winds tomorrow night
so it should be fun!ripsessionkites - 6-7-2011 at 04:45 PM
photon lights in the dirtoutKamikuza - 6-7-2011 at 05:28 PM
Krug a la Feyd
burritobandit - 6-7-2011 at 05:51 PM
Wow that looks awesome. Reminds me of those LiteBrite toys Drewculous - 6-7-2011 at 05:53 PM
Did that once...,got the cops called on me
Not one... But per the cop "several ufo calls"
Ahahahaha! We had a good laughChrisH - 8-7-2011 at 12:54 PM
Went out at 9 last night, not enough wind for any real fun so we didn't try the glow sticks. Played around for an hour and left. Today is looking
good, though! Will have to see what happens later on tonight, hopefully the wind cooperates.Benevolence - 17-7-2011 at 10:14 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Kamikuza
Krug a la Feyd
Wow! How did you get that effect? That's not just glowsticks, is it?ChrisH - 3-8-2011 at 07:43 PM
I'd also like to know what you used to get that effect, Kami. I don't know what "Krug a la Feyd" means.
Went out a couple nights ago and put glow sticks in the dirt outs. They actually worked pretty well, although they weren't all that bright. I got one
green and one red, the green was quite a bit brighter so next time I'll just get two of them. Had a good time, though!22bene - 3-8-2011 at 08:57 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Looking_Up
Glow sticks. Ha ha ha ha
That's cheating all u need is the moon and the force Luke
Never thought of using glow sticks before
Just thought it would be really nice to put the kite up so I did
Let us know how the light sticks work
If no Sharp edges just drop them in the cells
Or try attaching at the lark head
Jedi is the best way!!! Makes a person enjoy a good day sess much morePHREERIDER - 4-8-2011 at 05:23 PM
oh yes nothing ! is the way to go
very small on YOU if others are in the mix , a small light ( most cell phones glow is ample)
ANY light will lesson your night vision. the kite? you KNOW where it is! tiny finger lights on the FRONT line leaders for reference can help
you get started.
for light i recommend the moon! and know your spot !labrat - 4-8-2011 at 05:41 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by ChrisH
I'd also like to know what you used to get that effect, Kami. I don't know what "Krug a la Feyd" means.
Thanks labrat! Those Cyoglite Millions sure are expensive, damn! Looks awesome, though.Proletariat - 27-10-2012 at 12:39 AM
I've been looking for glow-in-the dark ripstop for a while now to make my own night npw. I haven't had any luck, but I love the idea. Does anyone know
if this stuff is even made anywhere?Bladerunner - 27-10-2012 at 11:01 AM
Slightly off topic but Mac' filled his Phanny and set it in his front yard with a light behind for halloween a few years ago. Looked cool. I'll ask
him to repost the picture.heliboy50 - 27-10-2012 at 12:34 PM
Led finger lights X4, one at each line/bridle connection. Works great. I even made my own with batteries that I could change.
bigkid - 8-12-2012 at 09:57 AM
Buggeyed flew his Rev at Alvord with a strip of led lights he pinned to the leading edge of his kite with my blinking dog collar in the center. Looked
like a plain coming in for a landing.bigkid - 4-2-2013 at 07:16 AM
I was thinking about and awesome setup for night. 2x 3 watt leds on the leading edge faceing forward and 2x 1 watt leds on the sides facing off the
sides. You should be able to see pretty far in front of yourself and the wind would cool the leds. A small wire could be ran to the leds along one of
the lines to prevent the kite from becoming too heavy.bigkid - 5-2-2013 at 08:12 AM
I got out yesterday in zero wind at the park and did a little R&R with a 3.3 Buster with 175'-53.34m lines and the EL wire lights.
I didn't have a lot of time as I was waiting for a phone call and decided to wait for it at the park.
I inserted the battery packs and the wire coupler thing into the dirt outs and left the wire/lights hang free, kind of like a ribbon from the wing
tips and flew the kite to see how it would handle. Not bad for no wind, forgot all about the reason I was there and wished I had the buggy with me so
just enjoyed the time to fly. Upon receiving the call I was waiting for, I put the kite away and started thinking about different designs I can make
on the kite with the lights, a few safety pins and a couple of blinking LEDs, should produce a good show.
The light from the wire is not visible in the daylight, so a night fly is definitely needed. I should have a few ideas by the 16th at Sunset Beach.
Short lines on the kite with the lites will be OK, but with 200'-60.96m it should be spectacular, with 300'-91.44m it should look like a real UFO.(I
may need a bit of help with the long lines in the dark) Baluk - 5-2-2013 at 01:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
Slightly off topic but Mac' filled his Phanny and set it in his front yard with a light behind for halloween a few years ago. Looked cool. I'll ask
him to repost the picture.
That's a brilliant idea. Too bad the Guerilla would just look like a giant 'U'. Is there a holiday that either starts with a U or involves a giant
half-eye?Snake - 6-2-2013 at 08:01 PM
I could make a flameing eyeball in my front yard. HELL YEAH!!!!
Reflective Vinyl??
crazyherb - 7-2-2013 at 08:33 PM
I've had an idea of using some of my reflective vinyl that I use with my CNC cutter...and a high-intensity LED flashlight mounted low on my lines
(about where you'd mount a go-pro) only shining up at the kite...instead of looking at the rider...
I think it would make for an interesting site with a big old 18M inflatable....may induce some REAL UFO calls... beam shooting up to glowing
kite...eerrriee looking...
Whaddya think??
Something like this: bigkid - 8-2-2013 at 12:07 AM
what size of lines do you use on the car kite? Bet it looks great in the daylight also.kite killer - 12-2-2013 at 09:24 AM
Can't believe I missed this thread...How about Fiber optic thread! (Kieron? Glow ripstop is available in 40 colors, about $1000 to get the yardage
needed for a 10 Manta. Oh well, I love the dog necklace blinkers. Seems like neon doesn't travel that far at night. Everyone should have valve stem
blinkers to avoid the (phantom riders) at night. Had some close calls.Proletariat - 13-2-2013 at 04:18 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by kite killer
Can't believe I missed this thread...How about Fiber optic thread! (Kieron? Glow ripstop is available in 40 colors, about $1000 to get the yardage
needed for a 10 Manta. Oh well, I love the dog necklace blinkers. Seems like neon doesn't travel that far at night. Everyone should have valve stem
blinkers to avoid the (phantom riders) at night. Had some close calls.
Link to the glow in the dark ripstop? You could just do a handful of panels.bigkid - 14-2-2013 at 02:44 AM
I got a set of the Born-Kite NPWs and looking at the way the bridles are attached would make using the EL wire quite nice. May give it a try before
this weekend.volock - 12-8-2013 at 01:04 PM
A bit surprised no one has mentioned GlowWire (I first heard of it at IntoTheWind, an awesome Boulder kite shop), Amazon amongst other places sell it
these days. 5' of it it, battery and the little adapter between the two is 3.7 ounces, and you have essentially a string you can put anywhere on the
kite. We've done it along the tubes / struts of an LEI (a few sections) and it came out awesome looking... Able to do an outline on your kite running
it in the velcro on the back edge for letting sand out (on foils) and a little braiding into your bridle.
I have clip on lights that illuminate the face of my 2M CrossfireII. I've only used them once though. I've been thinking about adding motion LEDs to
spice things up. I intend to put them on clips so that can attach to the cell opening and run down the seam on the outside of the kite.
I'll try to get some video next time I fly it.
spikes2020 - 19-9-2013 at 08:30 AM
This sounds like fun, might have to try getting some UFO calls on me =P
also found this and use them on my dog at night in the dogpark.
They come in colors and been using these for the kites and Levi for some time. Still like the 6', 12' neon stings with the battery packs the best.riffclown - 6-11-2013 at 05:22 PM
Jockey's Ridge in NC Nov 30. Kites with Lights celebration..skimtwashington - 6-11-2013 at 05:48 PM
Seeing the kite is not as important as seeing where YOU are going in buggy!
But it can be pretty to see a well lit kite.BEC - 6-11-2013 at 06:58 PM
Seeing the kite is not as important as seeing where YOU are going in buggy!
But it can be pretty to see a well lit kite.
I agree...man those were some awesome pics of kites lit up.. this year we went out at night till about 1am...kites looked cool, but it was a little
nerve racking not being able to see the person on the buggy...It was like driving in fog...you couldn't see till the buggy was right in front of
you...I would run some lights under your seat in the buggy so it glows....head lamps were OK if you were the one wearing it, but played tricks on the
eyes to other buggy pilots...safest is to light the buggy 1st and do the kite for fun....
A pre-warning to local officials too will help your case when they get a flood of calls...they will know what is going on...that's all they want..
A couple of glow sticks on the ground too so you can do laps..then everyone kind of knows what direction you're going.
Again....those were some awesome kite pics...
Rods and cones
skimtwashington - 6-11-2013 at 07:53 PM
The Night flying with onshore strong winds at WWBB was fantastic. I was happy just under the moon w/ no lights(headlamp). I only turned it on when the
other riders got close so they would see me and not hit me.
I found it easier to see around without headlamp on- just using moonlight. Headlamp screws up the scotopic(night) vision.
Better if you use a red light headlamp.(rods do not perceive the color red: a room with red light does not impede our night vision, which is why many
dashboard lights use red lenses so that we can see the darkness outside our vehicle as well as the lights inside.)
riffclown - 7-11-2013 at 02:41 PM
I'm still static but really like lighting up the kites..bigE123 - 8-11-2013 at 06:27 AM
Damn these threads!!! :D I hadn't even thought of this, have just received two El wire 3m length neon blue sets. The battery/control weighs in at 80g
with the batteries, just need to find the best place for it, the light line should slip nicely down through the wing edge bridle points, now to light
a kite-up bigE123 - 8-11-2013 at 06:28 AM
Damn these threads!!! :D I hadn't even thought of this, have just received two El wire 3m length neon blue sets. The battery/control weighs in at 80g
with the batteries, just need to find the best place for it, the light line should slip nicely down through the wing edge bridle points, now to light
a kite-up riffclown - 25-11-2013 at 02:27 PM
Dollar Tree has lots of book lights. Personally, I like the ones they have that are like these. I buy colors to match my kites. Four will light up a
kite very well. Just clip them to the openings at the leading edge of the kite.
Hmm, the little book lights look like the ticket for a single skin as they clip on. And for a buck there is no crying when they inevitably fall off!
No clipping to the LE of a NPW (nose flexes too much) but shining up from the TE may do well.
Have to check out the dollar store. I would love to find some small lights that take a AAA as the coin cells don't last and cost more than buying a
whole new light usually!
Winter has long dark nights here, so aside from the weekends, I will be trying to do a lot of night flying this year I think... Canada gets the snow
and ice, but we also get the dark (not so great)riffclown - 25-11-2013 at 07:03 PM
The dollar tree also sells the cell batteries (at least for the book lights) AG10, AG13, CR2032 etc..rectifier - 28-11-2013 at 10:54 PM
So I got out for some night flying tonight! Brought 2 of the book lights at dollar tree, thought I'd try just 1 at first. Not enough ice to ride so I
was just flying my 2.6m NPW, it's small and bright white so it lit up great with just one, parked on the ground. Those things are amazingly bright and
cheap.
Launch, make one turn and zoom! Off flies a little comet, destroyed on impact of course. Didn't feel like needlessly killing the other one, so I just
flew in the dark...
luckily my favourite kite spot is practically in the middle of a city, and the glow of the streetlights made it easy enough to see the kite. It's
actually quite nice, flying in the dark
So the little clips are inadequate on a single skin as the LE shouldn't be clipped and the TE is too slippery! I have a plan though, to sew in a
little pocket or tab to clip the lights to.
I like the Christmas lights idea, I want to work them along my bridle points. But they were sold out already? WTF, not even December!?
My one real night issue I found was that I have dark lines on that kite so I couldn't see if they were twisted up after a few loops or a gust attack.
Are white lines more visible or do you just have to count your turns (or spin the bar religiously with the kite)rectifier - 5-12-2013 at 10:31 PM
Now that they have the Xmas lights in at Dollar tree, I grabbed 2 sets, ripped the coloured lenses off to get the white LEDs (cheaper than coloured
now?) and installed them down the A bridles of my 2.6m NPW. Just need to get out and fly it now and get pics! I think it's going to look pretty neat.
Those are a great deal for a prewired small set of LEDs, I can't even buy a battery holder for $1 any more...
The battery packs are a little heavy, I think I may wire both strings to one pack and relocate it to the middle of the kite, or swap for them out for
a lithium or something. Turns out AA batteries weigh a lot (almost 1oz each!) which with 4 of them almost doubles the weight of the kite, by feel.
Hope it doesn't affect the handling.indigo_wolf - 6-12-2013 at 07:42 AM
The battery packs are a little heavy, I think I may wire both strings to one pack and relocate it to the middle of the kite, or swap for them out for
a lithium or something. Turns out AA batteries weigh a lot (almost 1oz each!) which with 4 of them almost doubles the weight of the kite, by feel.
Hope it doesn't affect the handling.
CR123 batteries weigh in at 0.6 oz and CR2 batteries weigh in at 0.39 oz. They can be spendy, but if you get rechargeables they will eventually end
up saving you money.
Now the important part.
CR123/CR2 batteries are more energy dense than their AA counterparts. They also run at 3 volts vs. 1.5 volts for AAs. Rechargeables will run at an
even higher voltage rate. Make sure the LEDs you are using are rated for the higher voltage. Otherwise, you won't need to worry about the LEDs or
batteries for long, illumination will be provided by flames.
If you decide to use multiple batteries, make sure they are matched to avoid problems.
ATB,
SamLooking_Up - 12-12-2013 at 02:11 PM
Hobbyking.com under night flying accessories high intensity led strips 1 m in leangth for 5 bucks 12v lithium battery to power 12 or less rectifier - 12-12-2013 at 08:59 PM
9 grams, that sounds nice and light. They look durable, too. I might have to get some of those! 5v supply is a bit of an issue but maybe a AA and a
switcher might do it.
I crashed my NPW pretty hard last night and now there are 4 AAs and 2 battery covers lying somewhere out on the lake... but at least the LEDs are
still attached Looking_Up - 16-12-2013 at 08:54 AM
Hobbyking.com under night flying accessories high intensity led strips 1 m in leangth for 5 bucks 12v lithium battery to power 12 or less LoPan12 - 22-12-2013 at 01:23 AM
Haven't had a chance to night fly my kite, but I plan to put them on the tips and maybe 1 or two in the center. They can also strobe Or change colors.
Should be awesome. Going to either use clips on the tips or trailing edge, or super strong magnets (one taped/glued to the light) and one inside the
cell. That way I can put them where ever. I'd use various supermagnets I have, some scavenged from broken hard drives.
They're really lightweight, so they don't affect disc flight...probably could just get a bunch and drop on in each cell...that'd be pretty cool.
