Just a quick and probably a completely pointless review and video of my new kite pump. Yes, I said kite pump!
Including video time trial using a 15m kite.
Review -
Carlson vs Regular kite pump time trial comparison. ..... Music, Insomnia by Al Marconi
The Carlson 6" is a maintenance free hand pump designed for use with rafts and Inflatable kayaks. The pump stands 24" tall and 6" wide and comes with
a 10 year warranty!
The Carlson pump is not intended for use with inflatable kites and does not come with any nozzles. However, a simple modification is all you need to
make it work. Using just 2 or 3 inches from the end of a donor kite pump hose and you're away. I even made a simple mod for my Cabrinha Crossbow which
uses single point inflation.
*** Feeling the pressure ***
However, pumping to high pressures can be hard work using the Carlson 6". This is a characteristic of large pumps because of their increased bore
size. When inflating rafts most people will use a large pump to save time and energy and then top off using a smaller pump for this reason.
Using a regular kite pump nozzle or pumping into a one-way valve with the Carlson 6" also creates some resistance as the kite nears full inflation but
nothing too strenuous. The pump starts to stall at around 6 psi if not going through the dump valve as I have done in the video.
The easy solution is to use 1/2 or 1/4 pump strokes rather than full strokes. On an equal playing field (both using the same inflate valve) the
Carlson pump will still easily outperform a regular pump with fewer strokes, in less time, expending less energy, so the bigger the kite the greater
the advantages.
*** A double benefit of improved posture and less work! ***
My main reason for buying the Carlson is because I suffer from lower back pain which can last for days and sometimes weeks. This pump is great,
there's no impact on your back at all !!
Two sizes of the Carlson pump are available, the 6" and the 4". The Carlson 4" is just a skinnier version of the 6" and both stand 4ft tall with the
plunger fully extended.
The Carlson is also a one stroke pump in the downward direction so there's no resistance on the upward stroke unlike with the regular two stroke
pumps. This eliminates the upward strain on my back and is much more comfortable to use as a result.
*** Secure your kite ***
The Carlson 6" is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of all hand pumps and so not surprisingly it's heavy and bulky weighing in at 12.2lbs. Place this pump on
your kite and it ain't going nowhere.
The 4" on the other hand weighs in at only 7.3lbs, still no lightweight by any means but there's a nifty strap attached to each that makes it easy to
carry. Obviously these pumps don't come with a retaining leash and as this is simple enough to make I won't bother you with the 'how to's' here.
*** Okay, heres the painful bit. Don't Laugh! ***
I bought my pump online through NRS in the United States. All my online searches came up with the same $239 price tag. Yes these pumps are very costly
when compared to the regular two stroke pumps, on average 10x as much and the shipping alone was $135.oo to the UK which was their fastest and most
secure with tracking. Other cheaper options from NRS are available. Import duty got me too, so all in all I paid $480.oo for a kite hand pump.
I SAID DON'T LAUGH!
On an upbeat note for those living in the lower 48, you get free shipping as NSR who stock Carlson pumps are based over there, you only pay for the
pump. Shipping is free. I think that's true for all the retailers I came across online.
*** Carlson 6" vs Carlson 4" ***
I'm more than happy with my new pump but you might consider the smaller Carlson 4" as being more suited to kite inflation as it is easier to top off
with and makes for easier travel being lighter and more compact. The shipping costs should reflect this too. You'll be sacrificing half the volume of
air per stroke compared to Carlson's bigger brother but you'll still be pumping a whole litre or more with each stroke than with your regular 2 stroke
pump.
It's safe to say that I will not be going back to using the regular pumps for which I have many in my garage in various states of repair. Both the
Carlson 4" & 6" are expensive options for the application of kitesurfing but they're built like battle tanks, come with a *ten year guarantee*,
are maintenance free and should last you a lifetime.
*** Security ***
The Carlson is a necessity for rafting but a real extravagance for kiting, so don't leave it on the beach. Two holes in the base of the pump are large
enough for a bike cable lock to pass through. Secure it to something immovable o it might be Hasta la vista, baby.
*** Conclusion ***
The last kite pump you'll ever buy but expensive! However, if money isn't a consideration and you're looking for a monster pump for easy super quick
inflation but more importantly to help save your back, then this pump is for you.
