khooke - 6-8-2007 at 10:35 PM
Just received a sweet 2.5m PKD Century from Pablo - very cool looking kite. Was a little larger than I thought it was going to be, since I was looking
for something in between my Q2002 2m and my 3.7m Skytiger 40. It's significantly larger than my Q2002 (which I since found out is only 1.5m), and has
about the same wingspan as the Skytiger 40 but obviously a lot higher aspect ratio.
Kite takes off very well and soars up to the zenith. Didn't seem to need and side to side to get it inflated like my larger 4.5 Century does, it
inflated very quick.
Flies very steady and haven't had any luffing yet. Holds its shape very well at the edges of the window.
As a small kite this kite is QUICK. It darts around like a maniac. Note to self - don't take your eye off this one...
Flew in 15mph to 20+ gusting wind. In 15 to 20mph this is a great kite for high winds, but in the unpredictable 20mph+ winds that I was flying in this
kite kicked my butt. In the gusts the power came on so quick, like a sudden surge that it pulled me way clear of my buggy and dragged me like a rag
doll.
Looking forward to flying in some more predictable winds, but overall, this is an awesomely powerful kite - I'm going to have some fun with this one
:-)
flyhigh142 - 7-8-2007 at 08:56 AM
I was hoiping to snag that kite from Pablo but obviously vacationed too long. Enjoy!
elfasa - 8-8-2007 at 11:39 AM
hey...newbie here...
that does luffing mean ?
thanks
tim
Pablo - 8-8-2007 at 02:52 PM
If you have a kite that will accelerate fast in gusty winds, when a gust hits with the kite near the edge of the window it'll accelerate hard, right
to the edge, then if the wind drops the window will get smaller and the kite will be too far forwards and effectively out of the window and collapse,
quite often followed by it falling back into the window and popping open again.
Usually it's not much of a problem with the beginner kites, but as the kites get more and more aggressive the problem becomes more noticeable in
unstable winds, the really aggressive race kites can be a hand full to the newbie pilot.
khooke - 20-8-2007 at 09:55 PM
Had a long buggy session with the 2.5m Century this weekend in winds 15mph gusting up to 20mph. On concrete I felt way overpowered if I had the kite
down in the power zone, but in a couple of runs I could really feel the power building up.
On grass in the same winds though it was completely awesome. Swooping it up and down got some awesome power and loved it. When the wind was constant
it was great to hold it in position and just cruise.
Had several bow-ties though and complete collapses when the wind died. The wind really was up and down and gusting all over the place - when it's
constant the kite is great, but if it gusts and immediately dies the kite either bowties pretty quick or completely deflates and falls to the ground
in a tangled pile. Happens extremely quick as well, so not sure what you could do about it.
All in all though, very pleased with this kite - hope to be able to get some cruising in with it up and down the beach at SOBB in a couple of weeks!
Thanks Pablo!
WolfWolfee - 23-8-2007 at 07:20 AM
I too have a 2.5 Century and love it. It will definitely kick your butt if you don't pay attention but will become one of your favorite kites with
time.
Cheers