8.6m PL Reactor II: busted bridle update

I recently got the funds and the clearance from ground control so I was able to grab a used 8.6m PL Reactor II. I got with Angus with the intent of either a new 8m Toxic or a used Reactor II if he could locate one. Angus just so happened to have one of his own that he parted with for a reasonable price (unfortunately since I live in GA I had to pay sales tax ). It's the blue, gray and white model, and it is HUGE...
Many many big thanks to Angus for all the help and thanks to Beamer Bob for his advice and experience.










The first shot is in my living room, and the other two are taken in one of the larger gathering rooms at the church where I work. Many of these rooms are big enough that I can lay out a new kite (on my lunch break) and attach the lines and pack it up in my preferred method. You can really get a good perspective on its size in these pics.

I know theres really not a great deal to telling you all about a kite that is no longer in production, but I wanted to share my impressions and tell you all my thoughts in case anyone out there has the opportunity to grab up one of these monsters. Plus it's fun to show off my new toy

I had my first static flight with it on Thursday and I don't have to tell you that the RII is awesome. In spite of its size, it still turns relatively fast and pulls like a truck even in 4 mph winds. I could just kinda tell that the wind was somewhere between 0-6 mph, and even in that light wind, i was still scudding 10-20 ft. I could feel it lifting with the gusts but it was a relatively light lift and easy to manage. This kite is really a work-out in every sense of the word, and I can tell you that even 2 days later I can still feel it in my upper body. Much like my 5.5m, the 8.6m is primarily front line biased, but it does seem like the 8.6m tolerates the brakes a little more... I can't wait to try it out in the bug.

Angus gave it to me on a set of Flexi Pro-Links, and sent along a set of PL Longhorn handles if I wanted them. Flying them on the Pro-Links I'm not sure I like the extra weight, and am thinking I might try the PL handles. As much of a bear as it was, I didn't think the extra weight of the Pro-Links to be beneficial, plus the extra leverage of the Longhorns seems like it would help out.

I'm not sure how the RII compares with the Reactor 2013, but it seems like there's not a whole lot to improve, so maybe its just new graphics,... Maybe someone can chime in on what makes the newer version different.

Thanks for reading along gang,
Spencer

Thanks for the review bro! Can't wait to get my same color 6.9 in the air beside that one :D
The 6.9 is no joke with the freight train aspect. I can only imagine the 8.6 :o :tumble:
You might as well snag up BigMike's 10.8m RII as well :evil:

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Thanks for the review bro! Can't wait to get my same color 6.9 in the air beside that one :D The 6.9 is no joke with the freight train aspect. I can only imagine the 8.6 :o :tumble: You might as well snag up BigMike's 10.8m RII as well :evil:

Actually, I've been told by both Angus and Markite that the 8.6m has almost the same wind range as the 10.8m and works a little quicker, so I'll likely forego that size.

Maybe eventually I'd get something in the 6.9m or 3-3.5m size but that is yet to be seen. And it will be a while yet.

I hear ya! I've had to hold back hard on a few killer deals here. Really wanting something in the 5m ish range as a higher performance engine. Trying to save all my extra cash for the end of the year buggy upgrades
Hope you get a good wind day soon to catch some vid of your new baby

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob

I've ridden with Angus at Jekyll using our 8.6s and they are awesome kites. You will have lots of fun with this one. Getting the 10.8 will only really come into play if you only have a steady 4 mph and not 6. The 8.6 is more fun to fly too.

HAH... We don't have steady ANYTHING around here

1st time in the bug... DRAT

So I had the 8.6m RII out in the bug for the first time today and had a few good runs:







The wind fluctuated between nothing and somewhere around 6-7mph. With a lot of lulls. It really performed very well. I moved the lines onto the PL longhorn handles like I mentioned, and I really prefer those. I was able to get a few runs back and forth across my field in spite of the cruddy wind and with the RII's GREAT turning ability I was able to do some very effective down turns even in the lighter winds as well as some downloops as well for that awesome power boost to get moving. So the 8.6m RII gets a BIG A+++ on performance and ease of use, as I never really fought with the kite, only with the poopy wind.

Unfortunately, there was a lull where the kite sank to the ground in a wad. I was able to get it back off the ground with a great deal of back stepping.But during my efforts to recover the right wingtip collided with the buggy where it caught on the front fender which cut the bridle ending my day on a sad note.




It looks like an easy replacement job, I just have to locate or have someone reproduce the right length and weight of bridle material. I've contacted Angus who is going to get in touch with Peter Lynn and I also have an email into fixmykite.com, so we'll see what comes of it.

Please feel free to leave suggestions on the bridle replacement and thanks for reading.

Spencer

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Do you think there will be a difference in each side from any stretch? Just curious.

I don't think Angus used this kite so much that it would have stretched. I spoke on the phone with him this afternoon and he made no mention of concern over it. He said he would contact the folks at Peter Lynn on Monday morning and find out if they can either get a new piece of bridle or send us the specs for fixmykite to reproduce one.

Thanks Kevin, I'm going to see what Angus can find out for me.

Quote: Originally posted by DAKITEZ

I would be more concerned about the other bridles on the side you broke. When it hooked the buggy that put alot of force on the bridles. Compare the bridles you have left to the bridles on the other side. Just make sure one didn't stretch almost to breaking point but didnt actually break like the one did.

I don't think this is an issue, it all happened in a split second. That said, I think the bridle in question caught the edge of my front fender (which looks relatively sharp) and was CUT rather than snapped.

We'll see what happens.

@ Jeff,... Thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure this kite was in really good condition cuz it was Angus's kite. Hopefully I didn't wreck it.

I've seen that kite up close and personal. It was tip top when I saw it. Angus takes excellent care of his kites

Glad to hear this is going to be an easy fix Spencer!! Those RIIs are sa-WEET!!!!!! I still love mine

Yeah, just exchanged a few emails with Angus yesterday. He has been in touch with the designers ect. at Vligerop and they should be making/sending a new bridle soon. I will be on Jekyll Island next weekend and I told Angus if he gets it before I get there, to just hang onto it and I'll get it then.

Really still just waiting

Good news. One step closer to relaunch