Prussik - 23-2-2017 at 09:59 AM
...I have recently received one of them from https://www.dutchflyingobjects-shop.nl/en_GB/ . Another version of Nasa with nose depower similar to Nasa Stars. My intention was to modify it to
optimize performance and fly it on 5 lines just like NS's instead of a bar and 3 lines as intended. The kite seems to be well made, comparing
favourably with NS's with attention to details as evidenced by depower connections. But what sets it apart from other Nasas is the adjustable bridle.
It is a simple and excellent idea that allows for easy adjustment of flying characteristics without the need of splitting the bridles, adding
extensions, etc. (as I had to do with NS's). That makes customizing and optimizing performance and conversion to 5 lines that much easier. It was a
pleasant surprise since there is no mention of this adjustable bridle anywhere on their website.
The one I have is the smallest size Nasa Wing 9 150 listed as 1.84 sq.m. It measures 1.6 and fits nicely below NS 2.5 which measures 2.1. They have
them in 9 sizes up to 12.75. I have flown it in mild conditions and it performs flawlessly but I will have to wait for stronger conditions (and for my
hip to heal completely) before optimizing its performance and making a fair comparison to NS and to 1.5 and reduced 2.0 JoJo.
Here I have to give credit to Dutch guys who (unlike some VAT scammers whose names I won't bother to mention) are doing the right thing and
subtracting 21% VAT from the quoted, already reasonable prices, for oversees shipments. BTW they also have a variety of other kites including Nasas
for 4 lines in sizes up to 32 m as well as an interesting high aspect FB and one of my all time favourite Libre.
There are a few minor complaints that one can have. The bag is way too big for the kite. The manual - for those who need it - needs some improvement
and so does the website to provide clearer description of the two versions of Nasas as well as more complete information on other kites and features
including that adjustable bridle which makes the kite that much more attractive to a potential buyer. I may choose to replace the adjustable bridle
cords with something thinner and more pliable. But overall it looks like an excellent option for those interested in Nasas and inclined to experiment
to improve on the standard performance.
Randy - 23-2-2017 at 01:05 PM
Could you elaborate a bit more? Is the "depower" function nothing more than the Born style "nose pinch" does it also utilize the adjustable bridle?
Prussik - 25-2-2017 at 09:13 AM
The depower function is similar to nose depower of NS with somewhat different nose line attachment. Adjustable bridle - that's what you can adjust on
the ground, not something you can change in flight.
Ed Cline - 26-2-2017 at 01:38 PM
Thanks, these may fill gaps that will be left by Born kite colors that I just can't live with.
The NS 7 and 8. are especially repulsive to me, you gave me a choice. I wonder about the window though, my Chinese 4 has a narrow window compared to
The NS3 Not to judge this one just to say all NASA s are not equal..
Hurry up and heal. Good to know about the tax too, pricing is very competitive.
Randy - 26-2-2017 at 01:44 PM
I wonder if the Dutch charge as much for shipping as the Gernans? It's like $40-$50 to get a kite over from Born. (At least that's what I paid in
2014).
Prussik - 26-2-2017 at 03:59 PM
1. I think you should be able to get a very good window and upwind performance if you play around with the adjustable bridle. This will be at the
expense of power which can be compensated for by a bigger kite. The colours are very nice - none of that white stuff that I dislike in a kite. BTW
all sizes are of the same colour.
2. They charge 30 EUR to ship to North America. I don't think any Nasa would exceed the weight limitation. May be 32 m ?.
Prussik - 12-4-2017 at 12:06 PM
I've had a number of days on my DFO 1.8 ( or rather 1.6 ) and clear and fast ice for which it was perfect. It is very similar to my NS's in terms of
behaviour and performance - that is after adjusting the bridles similarly to NS to reduce AOA and trailing edge pull. The welcome difference being
adjustable bridle of DFO which makes the whole process a lot easier. This alone however was not sufficient to get the optimal performance and - just
like with NS - I had to extend slightly B1 and B2 bridles. One of them, BTW, was was about 2 cm too short on side of the kite. I've encountered a
similar problem with one of my NS. Overall I am very happy with the kite, depower works well and it goes upwind very well - just like my NS's.
oldben - 12-4-2017 at 12:59 PM
Can you explain the method of bridle adjustment. The manual is rather vague/confusing about the slip knots.
Ed Cline - 12-4-2017 at 02:01 PM
Me too, I just ordered an 8m which is more of a 7.
Will it fly as good as my NS3's out of the bag?
Shipping was 30 euros, no VAT. However PayPal rips you a little on the conversion .91 vs .94.
No problem it'll still be less than NS3 in similar size and ugly colors.
Prussik - 17-4-2017 at 10:22 AM
It should fly out of the bag just as well as NS. The bridle adjustments knots should be checked for equal length with respect to the 3 adjustment
points since they could get loose and move before the load of flying would tighten them. This should be done again after the first day or two of
flying. This adjustment setting should correspond to what NS are out of the bag.
I adjust Nasas for lower AOA and less trailing edge pull. The knot closer to you can be loosened and adjusted so that bridles leading to the front of
the kite are shorter which also lengthens the bridles to the back. 1 cm differential is a good starting point. The remaining 2 adjustments closer to
the kite further subdivide the canopy and, again, can be adjusted to shorten the bridles leading to the front ( and automatically lengthen those going
back ) or left equal. 1/2 - 1 cm differential is again probably a good starting point but it all depends on kite size and how you want it to perform.
I adjust them as far as possible before the front of the kite around B2 bridles begins to fold in flight especially when diving. Instead of backing
off a bit I add a little to the length of B2 and sometimes B1 and B3 bridles to stabilize the canopy. All this gives wider window and better upwind
performance.
Ed Cline - 18-4-2017 at 12:34 AM
Thanks, I'm sure this will be easier for me to see with the kite in front of me. Looking forward to a DFO 8 aka 7 this week. I can't say yet how fast
it'll be on my field but they sure got it to the USA in record time. Ordered a NS3 4m a couple of days earlier and it's still in Germany.
Just noticed an npw being used for its intended purpose on the Born site
http://www.venturi-power.de/index.php?cat=c82_Sonstiges-Vide...