Power Kite Forum

Bars and leashes

pbc - 16-9-2011 at 07:11 PM

I'm looking for opinions on good leasing systems.

I have been flying a lot with the Peter Lynn 07 bar and love the way the leash connects just above the chicken loop, so that hooking in is a one step operation and my leash almost never gets twisted.

What do you like about your bar/leash combo?

I've looked at the Navigator and it looks great. My one reservation is the Y in the front lines would prevent me from untangling twists while the kite is in the air. I do this more than I like to say. I fear a Y-line would require me to land the kite and fix the problems on the ground where, quite frankly they are harder top manage. As people rave about the navigator I feel like I am missing something here.

Philip

flyjump - 16-9-2011 at 07:24 PM

no phil i used to feel the same way about the navigator. I loved how simple the 07 bar was. its completely self contained, and very easy to learn and use.

It took me a while to get used to the navigator and the Y line set up. but what i came to learn about it was that the Y line helped prevent inverts during a lull in the wind. Also it keeps the tips from flaring open during an extremely tight turn. This helped keep more power through the turns and gives the kite a slightly better low end compared to the standard bar. I've never used it except for on the charger, so i dunno how well it works on any other standard arcs. the chicken loop swivel is also awesome after spins/loops.

my only complaint about it is the foam that it comes with. it tears up fairly easily. i was told my PLP headquarters that they were going to start issuing them with new foam

i'm with you though, im definatly a fan of simplicity and functionality.

g00fba11 - 16-9-2011 at 09:02 PM

So far I have flown on the PL Zero 7, PL Zero4 a PL Zero4/7 and a 2011 Griffin. There are elements in each I like and each that drive me nutz.

The PL depower strap is one that drives me nutz. The depow straps on my FSers are real easy to use. It seem like every time I go to grab the PL strap I am pulling the wrong way......

I am collecting the following parts to try a custom bar and see if I can put something together that will work for me......

PL large 55/65cm Stripped Navi bar
PL Zero7 Chicken Loop/Top Hat Safety/Depow Line/Chick Stick combo
Redline Depow Strap
Griffin Y Connector
Griffin Leash

And some misc parts and a line set to make it all come together........ This will give me the simple release of the Zero7 that I love. A Y connector similar to the Navi (Griffin) and a depow strap I am hoping is very close to my FSer. If it comes together and works I hope to have a bar I will really like.......

Kamikuza - 17-9-2011 at 06:21 AM

Hey how did you like the Griffin kite, goof?

Man I hated the Zero7 red hat ... I liked the concept but that damned hat popped off by itself too many times.
Never had a problem with trim systems, except the under-the-bar ones when I wasn't good enough to bear off to adjust it :D

I reckon the ultimate bar with sensible value would be ...
Switch QR cos it's a good as North but cheaper and more importantly - easily available.
Use the Switch depower line, trim block and the Navigator stopper ball.
PL Nav bar, leaders etc - that's pretty sweet as it is ...
Add a Mutiny swivel and it's done. Easy :lol:

Naish leash cos it's nice and low profile ... Switch is a similar system too but it's white - me and white don't get along ...

g00fba11 - 17-9-2011 at 06:50 AM

Kami,

I was looking at that combo also..... I think the Griffin bar and the Switch bar have a lot of commonalities. I have never had a top hat pop by itself but then again I am not so aggressive yet and I like how simple it is. How is that switch depow/trim setup. It is kinda hard to make out in the pics I have seen.

Only got the Griffin bar. So I can't say on the kite. I got lucky and ran across a 53cm brand new 2011 Griffin bar complete with lines for real cheap so I couldn't pass up trying it out. The guy was desperate for some coin. I really like the bar, but having to go for the trim/clam under the bar is a bit tough at times.

So I am trying to throw together my favorite components and see what I come up with. I wish switch had a 55/65cm bar, but I think their bar is a 45/55. Griffin has a 65cm bar but I never get an answer from either the U.S. or HQ locations as to availability.

You got a link for a source on that Mutiny swivel???

Kamikuza - 17-9-2011 at 08:20 AM

It was things like walking out into the water, the waves bobbling the board around and it hit the top hat and released it. Got so bad, my t-shirt brushing it would pull it up :(
Yes to Switch sizes ... bar isn't long enough for instant swaps :(

http://www.mutinykites.com/content/mutiny-swivel-0

g00fba11 - 17-9-2011 at 08:56 AM

Thanks Kami.....

AD72 - 18-9-2011 at 09:42 AM

I have a North 5th line bar I used on the Pulse (used pulse lines) and now I want to use it for the ARC. The bar came with the 5 line setup rather than the Quad. Just buying the quad lineset from a North distributor is more than what I got the whole bar and lines for. So I am looking to modify the 5 line setup hooking the 5th line to one of the front lines after a ring. However the Y starts at 12M and the Y is 13M (25M back lines). Does this correlate to the Navigator setup or is the Y lower?

On the Navigator how long is the line from the CL to the Y split? What is the line rated for? (North is 800kg)