Flew in some very gusty; wind all over the place type wind today. This wind chart doesn't even begin to show all the lulls and pauses and times when
the wind would nearly disappear before a gust hit.
Flew from 2-8pm. Flew most of the day with a 5m Octane. Felt underpowered and just seemed to putt around. Only got really powered up during a gust.
The gust though are why I was leary of the 5.5 Reactor. Finally got it out at about 6pm. First time out in that much wind with it. It was bit of a
terror to fly in the gusts. Each gust would start to slide me sideways. Thankfully this kite isn't the least bit lifty(I don't like lifty kites to
buggy with).
In the summer; this is the only kite I have that gets me around in the light wind. Today reminded me why 5.5m is the largest size I fly(the lulls and
dealing with a kite during that).
The gusts had me thinking about the 4.4 size.
If a 5m Octane isn't moving me fast enough; is a 4.4m Reactor going to?
At 7 when the wind started to pick back up; I got the 4m Octane out instead of getting the 5m back out. Figured just fly it harder and more
aggressive to make up for the meter difference. I have to say; the 4m was much more relaxing to fly.BigMikesKites - 17-5-2014 at 03:57 AM
I find the Octane tough to get going on grass which is where I fly most of the time. A 4.4 Reactor will run circles around the Octane...its a much
more advanced kite. rtz - 17-5-2014 at 07:35 PM
I had the same situation again today. Putted around with the 5m Octane; then if I got out the 5.5 Reactor; each time it would gust; It would slide me
sideways for a foot or two or three. The upwind of the Reactor is just unreal. It had no problems at all staying upwind. It at times seemed or felt
like it was going straight into the wind. I'm going to have to try out the 4.4pyro22487 - 18-5-2014 at 12:18 AM
I'll take those crummy octanes off your hands so you don't have to look at the disappointing kites anymore. :DBeamerBob - 18-5-2014 at 08:27 AM
I feel like I'm properly powered up if the kite can slide me sideways a bit.ssayre - 18-5-2014 at 09:36 AM
Quote:
I feel like I'm properly powered up if the kite can slide me sideways a bit.
I would rather be well powered as well. I'm completely worn out today from trying to work my viper in winds that were around 8-10 yesterday. At
least I got a good workout. rtz - 20-5-2014 at 08:07 PM
Got the 4.4 today and tried it out. Works great. When the 5m Octane is too little and the 5.5m Reactor is too much; the 4.4m is just right. And
yes; it would absolutely both outrun and run circles around the 5m Octane; but I supposed it's apple/oranges comparison.
