Thinking about a Rev (Stack Video)

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy

I have the Exp (basic model) and never felt the need for anything better (call me cheap). The "power kite" mindset has to be left in the bag if you are interested in flying a Rev. They aren't a power kite; they require a completely different level of control and attention; there's no "park and ride" rest stop. Bored? Try putting on headphones and flying it to music… I agree with Blade - there's a certain level of finesse that is learned when flying a Rev that just doesn't happen when flying a foil. (Hey, check my sig :D )

Very well put hiaguy! If you ask me, there is nothing similar about a Rev and a fixed bridal kite. Revs are fun to fly in their own right but have their own learning curve. I had lots of FB experience prior to owning a Rev and it still took me a while to learn it's quirks. The flying lines seemed like sewing thread compared to what I was used to. Tangles were sometimes a headache to sort out.

Fly a 2 stack of Blasts and you'll reconsider Revs being used as power kites.. or a 2-4 or 4-8. Those are beasts! I still have to try my Blast 3 stack one of these days.

I have a Rev 1.5 SUL and HQ Mojo I might be letting go of pretty soon here.

PowerBlast 4-8 will rip your arms out and beat you around the head with them... it's a monster.

Other Revs are great, I love them... Leave them in the car and when you got a few minutes, have a play. Can't believe you'd get bored - there's always something to learn.

Buy local made too

yeah, Rev's, hey what can I say they're boring boring boring...............about the same excitement of a single line Snoopy Kite flying on dental floss.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSHLu51TS84

yeah, Rev's, hey what can I say they're boring boring boring...............about the same excitement of a single line Snoopy Kite flying on dental floss.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSHLu51TS84

Rev's are awesome kites. I buggy a lot with my Rev's, plenty of power if you know how to use it. For excitement, try the SuperSonic. If you get bored with that kite you are dead.

I have been flying Rev's for over 12 years now and have been selling them for over 10 years. I own pretty much ever Rev made and they are awesome to fly. The slow motion hover type precision stuff can be boring to some to watch, but flying with some tunes in your ears is a blast. Team flying with Rev's is another level of fun.

I highly recommend getting one, especially if you like static flying.

Quote: Originally posted by Windy Heap

yeah, Rev's, hey what can I say they're boring boring boring...............about the same excitement of a single line Snoopy Kite flying on dental floss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSHLu51TS84

Yeah, Revs are boring to me. Sorry. That team is awesome. It is VERY hard to lock a REV in place like they do and I have much respect, but since I started flying power kites, no other kite really does it for me like one that can kick my ass and drag me screaming down a beach on wheels...

Quote: Originally posted by Windy Heap

Quote "I have been flying Rev's for over 12 years now and have been selling them for over 10 years. I own pretty much ever Rev made and they are awesome to fly........" With so many models and types to choose from with the newer generations of Rev's, what is the determining factor in picking out a new one. Danger Danger, I'm staying at Lincoln City Beach Oregon typing this right now, and a Kite Shop is 100 yards away........must resist temptation........but watching team flying a couple days ago at Rockaway Beach kite festival, has my visa card tempted.

Well...not sure if I want you to purchase one over at the Kite shop....would rather you buy it from me. LOL But I know how the craving goes and if you are there, you can get some excellent hands on training and advice too. Say hello to Theresa for me. She's a great lady and an excellent Rev flyer.

As for which one to buy.... That is a very tough question and one that comes up more often than you realize. Here is a post that I put up on the Rev Forum that goes through all the different models. (with exception to the brand new "New York Minute" model that just came out this year.

http://www.revkites.com/forum/topic/814-which-rev-1-15-2-or-...

Read through that and if you have any other questions, let me know.

nice!

Get the EXP or 1.5 - it's between $100-$150 for a full used set and it'll get you satisfied and probably addicted. Once addicted get a 1.5/barresi and another one vented. One with 2-wrap spars, another with 3-wrap spars (don't get SLE spars). In addition to 80' line set you might want to get 50' and/or 120' lines. Try other Revs, buy them when truly addicted only. Then you'll end up owning them all and many of same type but different pattern/age. Stacks pull a lot, look good and are boring.

I've decided I need a rev for myself and to get the kids flying again. They seem to prefer the stunt kites over the power kites. I know, I've failed somewhere along the line

What type and size for inland flying?

It's a beginning, they'll get there, don't worry.

Depending on how much you want to spend obviously but here I'd put 11 years of revs experience condensed:

- rev 1.5 is ideal size and shape. Rev I and Power Revs pull too much to fly them really sharp. Rev II is to quick and too small to fly sharp. They fly but not as precise, not as much fun. The Zen is too much money for the lightwind
- out of Rev Exp / Rev 1.5 / Barresi / NYM - pick what you can afford, they're all pretty close. I started with Exp, I consider 1.5 golden, it's a bit lighter
- if you can afford two kites, get one regular 1.5 and one vented for high winds
- if you can afford two sets of spars get a 3-wrap for regular and 2-wrap for lightwind. 4-wrap for high wind maybe as the last extra, maybe. Even with two wings regular/vented don't overload the kite - rather fly vented with 2-wrap spars but don't do regular with 4-wrap. Don't bother yourself about green race spars or SLE spars.
- a regular, 90'x90# set of spectra lines is default good. A 50' would be handy to fly on a tiny beach or in a street. 120' set is competition set, not sure if needed at all, maybe for flying through a dog stake, but nah, why. Oh, don't get the "sport grade" lines which used to come with the EXPs - those are a bit springy, comparatively.
- get 13" handles right away. The usual 10' is kinda ok, but deficient once you try the 13"

It's really hard to break a rev - give them all to try it and get more addicts to the sport please!

So minimalistic but great set - rev 1.5 regular with 3-wrap spars, 13" handles and 90'x90# lines
Extra buck spent - 2-wrap spar set for lightwind
Extra buck spent - 50' lines for flying small spaces
Extra buck spent - rev 1.5 vented

I've had so many of them and I'm down to
Rev 1.5 regular, rev 1.5 barresi full vented, 2-wrap/3-wrap/4-wrap spar sets, 13" handles, 50'/90'/120' line set.

I also keep prehistoric SLE 3-wrap LE set but it's as useless as 120' line set. These two things would be gone first if I had to free up space in the bag. Next thing to go would be 4-wrap spar set.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

I've decided I need a rev for myself and to get the kids flying again. They seem to prefer the stunt kites over the power kites. I know, I've failed somewhere along the line What type and size for inland flying?

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

I've decided I need a rev for myself and to get the kids flying again. They seem to prefer the stunt kites over the power kites. I know, I've failed somewhere along the line What type and size for inland flying?

First Rev.. EXP is a good start.. Can be had for under $200 new. I bought my first Rev from Bladerunner. An SLE.

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

I truly don't do anything special knot wise that I know of.. Standard larks head. The same way I attach the power kites to the handles.. When it comes to the Revs, I still consider myself a novice ot intermediate flyer.. Kitelife has a lot of nice tutorials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ9acIB-sWM

Each handle has a 6" line at the top with 6 knots. These are adjustment points which affect the handling of the kite.

The first 2 knots nearest the handle provide the greated drive.
The middle 2 knots provide a balanced tuning between forward and reverse.
The last 2 knots furthest from the handle provide the most reverse.

I saw the video.. How John handles the kite at the 10 second mark id what I'm having problems with. I'll get there some day

Quote: Originally posted by riffclown

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre   I've decided I need a rev for myself and to get the kids flying again. They seem to prefer the stunt kites over the power kites. I know, I've failed somewhere along the line What type and size for inland flying? First Rev.. EXP is a good start.. Can be had for under $200 new. I bought my first Rev from Bladerunner. An SLE.

Thanks riff. I've got to figure out a way to make this happen this year. I think I would really like one and hopefully the kids as well. They are both decent 4 line foil fliers so hopefully that will help a little with the learning curve.

just a Rev

Hey Smeag!

I think we should get together and stack your two Blasts with my three blasts!

You remember seeing me fly the Blast stack at IBX2016?

Fun stuff!
Paul

Quote: Originally posted by Smeagol

Fly a 2 stack of Blasts and you'll reconsider Revs being used as power kites.. or a 2-4 or 4-8. Those are beasts! I still have to try my Blast 3 stack one of these days. I have a Rev 1.5 SUL and HQ Mojo I might be letting go of pretty soon here.

Your attachment in the above post is very helpful chock full of information & recommendations. I have followed a similar path but not in that exact order. Here in the mountains of Virginia I find I like the mid-vent 1.5 for it's wide range & ability to absorb gusts.
Thanks for the fine read. I am going to print it out & put it with my kite documentation. Have most of the Revs mentioned except for the NYM & no indoor yet. Don't have a place to use one. Got interested in power kites & side tracked by Revs for a bit.

Just out here in the sticks flyin, SHBKF