Power Kite Forum - Pass the Cooper Kite 4.4m

Pass the Cooper Kite 4.4m

ripsessionkites - 14-8-2008 at 01:26 PM

okay, i got final word on this .. and they should be here in 2 weeks. i have sizes: 3.3 / 4.4 / 5.6

for more information: http://www.cooperkite.nl/

pictures: http://www.siegersvliegers.nl/cooper.asp

click "Specificaties" on the left menu for Specs (for the reading impared) :lol:

i'll also have my own series at NABX, cant wait to Go Fast! :thumbup:

The Pass List:

1. Kite Demon (can) <--- bought one
2. Prairewind (can) <--- Skip, already bought one too
3. speleopower
4. dustin.burch1
5. SCREWYFITS
6. lunchbox
7. dylanj423

andya - 14-8-2008 at 01:50 PM

Bears a resemblance to the new Peter Lynn Racekite ... same designers?

sunset-Jim - 14-8-2008 at 01:58 PM

HMMM, Just in time for SOBB....... :thumbup:

ripsessionkites - 14-8-2008 at 02:03 PM

you noticed that ...

I'm not at liberty to say, but talking with Ruudje (XXtreme Buggies) the designer working on the PL Race Kite is dutch, i believe. I havent asked Sieger about it, but he does produce some nice kites. :cool2:

speleopower - 14-8-2008 at 03:07 PM

I'd love to try one of the larger ones. Looks like a nice kite from the pictures.

Scott

Bladerunner - 14-8-2008 at 03:50 PM

Hey Rip,

I want to thank you for bringing in so many interesting kites and passing them around. We are lucky to call you one of our own :thumbup:

I'm not sure about the big picture but I'm sure you aren't getting much for all your efforts. I'm sure the Folks overseas are happy you help spread their stuff around. I know I AM :singing:

Seems We and They are the BIG winners ! I'm just glad you still have the passion to do so much for everyone else :cool:

ripsessionkites - 15-8-2008 at 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower
I'd love to try one of the larger ones. Looks like a nice kite from the pictures.

Scott

10.2 big enough? its coming just dunno when

ripsessionkites - 15-8-2008 at 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner
Hey Rip,

I want to thank you for bringing in so many interesting kites and passing them around. We are lucky to call you one of our own :thumbup:

i get presented with new kites for different companies all the time, oddly enough. everyone wants a piece of the pie.
the kitebuggying market isnt as big as kitesurfing, but most companies think we're big like them (Euro), which isnt true, well i should say not yet. NAPRKA will put us there soon, fingers crossed.

what do i get out this? is there a hidden agenda? what does it cost me?
I'm just like you, i like to demo everything i can ... why? for the knowledge of trying different kites. we fly kites, not brands. there are a lot of different companies in the Euro, but we dont get to try them, unless someone wants to bring them here, meaning placing a huge order.

I pay the shipping from them to me than me to Pass Person A.

The company giving us the demos gets some public feedback, good or bad or suggestions, they want to know. plus i get to see I should carry their line of kites to distribute to dealers. i'm in the wrong sport if i'm trying to make money from it. my passion is kites (been so once i met Ray Bethel at the age of 12), and kitebuggying with friends, and going fast for miles.

thank you all for demoing, and giving feedback.

dustin.burch1 - 15-8-2008 at 05:14 AM

i would like to be on the pass list for the 3.3 if you dont mind

kitedemon - 15-8-2008 at 07:14 AM

Ricardo,
Yes thanks for all the demos! The people way out here on the east coast sometimes feel a bit isolated and The 'pass' program is going a long way to relieve that!
Thank You!
Alex

speleopower - 15-8-2008 at 03:44 PM

A 10 meter is big enough :smilegrin:

Put me on the list for whatever size comes in but I'd prefer to try something larger.

Thanks -Scott

ripsessionkites - 28-8-2008 at 05:30 PM

the 4.4m is making a visit to SOBB this weekend. after that the passing begins.

enjoy.

SCREWYFITS - 28-8-2008 at 08:47 PM

I'd like to get my hands on this puppy when it's in range of me...

Bladerunner - 2-9-2008 at 07:49 PM

:wow: ME LIKE, COOPER KITE :wow:

I'm not generally fond of race kites. This is the 1st one I have flown that I totally enjoyed ! Speedy as all get out ! Yet it is very easy to handle. It didn't require the constant attention and timing that I have found with other race kites I've flown ( PKD and JoJo ) Even when I messed up on turns and the kite lost pressure it avoided getting all messed up and recovery was easy. With a bit more time I could really get to like this kite!

Very well made although I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it up close . It was set up for me ! Smart graphics with the racing stripes! Kind of odd that there is absolutely no logo or size printed on it ?

If you are looking for a fast kite this one gets my :thumbup:

speleopower - 10-9-2008 at 07:56 PM

I'd like to get onto the list for the kite no matter what size it is. I've not flown a new kite for awhile and would like to give one a shot.

Thanks-Scott

ripsessionkites - 10-9-2008 at 11:13 PM

added speleopower

kite is leaving this TUE ... sorry for the delay need to use the kite this monday for TV show.

also note, i have included both lines and handles with the kite. they are 30m in length ... yes its a little long for this size, so if you have a set of 20m or shorter it works better in for control. these race kites seem to like the shorter lines. I have the 3.3 and the 5.6 on 20m.

if someone wants to adjust the climax lines supplied to 20m, be my guest. thank you in advance.

ripsessionkites - 16-9-2008 at 05:34 PM

on its way to Kite Demon

kitedemon - 16-9-2008 at 07:26 PM

:singing: whoooohooooooooo I just can't wait! Thanks again Ricardo!

PrairieWind - 22-9-2008 at 09:22 PM

Cooper Kites now isn't only just a Nederlander site....

www.cooperkite.nl/

lunchbox - 23-9-2008 at 08:20 AM

Hey Ricardo,

Can you please add me to the list.

Thanks.

speleopower - 9-10-2008 at 03:49 AM

The kite should be on it's way to me anytime. :wee: Looking forward to flying a new kite.
Scott

kitedemon - 9-10-2008 at 05:44 AM

I posted it out yesterday!

kitedemon - 9-10-2008 at 05:44 AM

The Cooper,
I spent about 10 hours under the orange glow of the new cooper race kite. To really get value from my comments I think that a little background would be valuable. I have been buggying for about 3+ years and have spent most of that time flying a set of Ozone Accesses. I have also been using a Ozone Razor this summer as well. I will use this as a basic comparison, that and a Profoil which isn't a 'race kite' but is a fairly higher performance kite.

The bag.
Yup it is a bag. I would rather have a great kite in a simple bag rather than a great bag and a poor kite.

The kite.
I love the orange and stripes. I know that the way it looks and colours does not effect the performance but it just looks fast. The bridles are sewn and very neat, always a good sign. There is a line that runs inside the internal structure for reinforcement I have never seen any other kite like that, it seems to be effective. The Cooper is quite a well made kite with no obvious defects I could find. All in all a very well made kite. The only thing I noticed that I wondered at was the lack of dirt outs.

In the air the cooper is a fairly forgiving kite I had it out on a cross shore very light winder, a rumbustious cross on day (12 knots with gusts to 18) and light wind cross on day. It the light light winds (less than 5 knots) the 4.4 Cooper flew with enough power to move me and my buggy gently along the beach as long as it was moving. I found a small tendency to snag the tip on the bridles in a lull and have to aggressively shake it out. This was almost completely eliminated in the higher wind.

The power it produced is a smooth even power unlike that of the Razor. With more wind comes more power, a careful launch not knowing quite what to expect. The Cooper performed with the same buttery power it did in less wind. I found it accelerated quickly but with out the rapid 'jerks' that my Razor manages. I felt very relaxed with it in the gusty conditions, having low lift and fast easy turning, I even managed to stay dry! I dreamed of a long runs up and down the beach unfortunately this was not to be. I had a lot of short runs across the beach, short runs... 70 yards (65m). I managed to hit a top speed of 32 km/h not bad in 60m. I found the Cooper pointed quite well, perhaps not as high as the Razor, but respectable.

I tried the Cooper with a range of lines and control systems. I tried it as I received it with the 30m lines and handles, with plenty of break input. This worked really well in lumpy cross shore winds, as the wind dropped the Cooper seemed to take to a lighter break pressure. I have been plagued with a pinched nerve in my wrist of late and handles have been problematic for me. I switched out the handles for a bar... I can just hear the comments a performance kite on a bar? What was he thinking!!!? Ok, to be fair it is a home brew pulley bar. I was surprised by the result. The Cooper handled the bar exceptionally well. In fact I rather enjoyed the feel of the bar with it. I ended up spending quite some time with the bar set-up.

The only complaint I have is about dirt-outs there aren't any! Where I am the sand is soft and blows around a lot I stopped for a bit of lunch went to re-launch the cooper and so much sand had blown in it just bounced the process of flipping it over and shaking out the sand and trying to work it over from the edge is a frustrating one.

I really enjoyed this kite, in fact so much so, that I would like to buy one... This is a fast kite, a race kite. I am not sure it would be the first choice for a serious racer it is missing that aggression, the instant ON power. I do think that for a new racer or someone looking for a faster kite without the twitchy nature of many other high performance kites, the Cooper is a perfect choice.

speleopower - 9-10-2008 at 02:53 PM

Thanks for the review. I hope we get some decent onshore winds for some runs down the beach.

Scott

lunchbox - 9-10-2008 at 03:59 PM

Great review kitedemon...Thanks!

speleopower - 20-10-2008 at 04:28 PM

I can't wait to try this kite. I'm hoping it will be here soon.

kitedemon did you send the kite with a tracking number?

Thanks-Scott

speleopower - 22-10-2008 at 04:59 PM

I recieved the kite today. I'm impressed. Very well constructed and flew quite well. The wind was somewhat strong maybe 15+mph. The waves were a little large and I didn't want to take the kite onto the water without some flying time on it.

2 things I noticed very quickly is 1) if you let off the line tension quickly the kite wants to flip over. This is dealt with by applying brake tension when tension is let off. 2)there are no "dirt outs" near the wing tips or on the trailing edge.

When I got the kite there was quite a bit of sand out in the wing tips. It took some 25 minutes to get most of it out. The kite needs some sort of velcro flaps on the trailing edge on the wing tips.

Looking forward to trying this kite with my ATB or surfboard.

Scott

speleopower - 14-11-2008 at 07:59 PM

Hey! I still have the Cooper kite but the winds have not been good when I get a chance to fly!! Gettin' kinda bummed.

Who is next on the list?

Scott

Bladerunner - 14-11-2008 at 09:15 PM

Great review and a great summary ! I agree with you totally!

I never looked for the dirt outs when I flew it but agree they are needed.

I found that even if I lost it on a corner in too little wind as you described that it was sort of my fault and I could have / should have flown it more aggresive. Good training for an entry racer! It was still FAR more forgiving than the few racekites I've flown + always shook open !

I understand they are a pretty reasonable price !

The only other thing I find I'm not fond of is all sizes look exactly the same. None have ANY writing on them and they are all the same colour scheme ? I like the No writing part and the retro race stripes but would like to see each size in a different colour or something !

SWEET KITE in ANY colour! :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally posted by kitedemon

I really enjoyed this kite, in fact so much so, that I would like to buy one... This is a fast kite, a race kite. I am not sure it would be the first choice for a serious racer it is missing that aggression, the instant ON power. I do think that for a new racer or someone looking for a faster kite without the twitchy nature of many other high performance kites, the Cooper is a perfect choice.

speleopower - 15-11-2008 at 08:46 AM

Yeah, no dirt outs suck. I spent the better part of an hour shaking sand out.

I'm hoping there is some wind tomorrow. Today the wind is blowing but it is in the wrong direction.

Scott

speleopower - 16-11-2008 at 08:51 PM

I don't know if I'm going to get much more good wind for flying the kite. Who's next?

dustin???

I'll ship out when I hear who I need to ship it to.

Scott

tridude - 17-11-2008 at 10:36 AM

hey if not Im not out of bounds on this one and its going north, Ill fly it a couple times and then pass it on. I flew Rips 6.9 Nitro Evo 2 on the landboard. I was honestly getting a bit #@%$#!y/over confident with my flying till I put that monster up. Kick my ass static in 8 to 10 mph winds.................. :yes:

BeamerBob - 17-11-2008 at 10:39 AM

If you get it and could hang on to it till the Folly Beach event, lots of hands could get on it. I'd pitch in on some shipping to get some buggy time with it.

tridude - 17-11-2008 at 10:40 AM

looks like it was going to Dustin but I havent seen or heard from him since HQ demo day. Did he deploy? Either way Im in between he and Scott, then off to Screwyfits I believe..................

BeamerBob - 17-11-2008 at 10:43 AM

He hasn't been on the forum since Sept. 15th. Must be on a little overseas trip. Best of luck to him if so. Great guy for sure.

tridude - 17-11-2008 at 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob
If you get it and could hang on to it till the Folly Beach event, lots of hands could get on it. I'd pitch in on some shipping to get some buggy time with it.

true if thats cool with Screwy and Rip................

ripsessionkites - 17-11-2008 at 02:12 PM

tridude and BBob it is

fire it off in their direction ... keep it for the event

speleopower - 17-11-2008 at 04:14 PM

Tri send me your address via pm and I'll get the Cooper kite off to you in a few days. I'm thinking I'm going to keep it for this weekend. We might have some ok winds.

Plus my friend's last name is Cooper and he really wants to get a picture of himself and his wife flying a Cooper kite!

Scott

BeamerBob - 17-11-2008 at 05:30 PM

Man, the Folly Beach event just keeps getting better and better.

ripsessionkites - 17-11-2008 at 05:53 PM

BBob, and Tridude ... can you please try and see if Angus can get a run on it too.

thanks in advance

tridude - 17-11-2008 at 08:17 PM

sure will Rip, we'll hold his reactor and neo at knife point until he flies it and thanx for the demo opportunity...................

tridude - 17-11-2008 at 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower
Tri send me your address via pm and I'll get the Cooper kite off to you in a few days. I'm thinking I'm going to keep it for this weekend. We might have some ok winds.

Plus my friend's last name is Cooper and he really wants to get a picture of himself and his wife flying a Cooper kite!

Scott

PM sent

SCREWYFITS - 18-11-2008 at 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob
If you get it and could hang on to it till the Folly Beach event, lots of hands could get on it. I'd pitch in on some shipping to get some buggy time with it.

true if thats cool with Screwy and Rip................

It is great with me... I have no wind :mad:

And it sounds like Rip is cool with it so get your kite on and give us a solid review/opinion... I have high expectations for this kite... I'm hoping it lives up to these expectations... :wee::wee::wee:
Orange happens to be my favorite color too...
I'm gonna have to start traveling to get some wind, anyone need company... :singing::singing:

ripsessionkites - 18-11-2008 at 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCREWYFITS
I have high expectations for this kite... I'm hoping it lives up to these expectations... :wee::wee::wee:
Orange happens to be my favorite color too...
I'm gonna have to start traveling to get some wind, anyone need company... :singing::singing:

hopefully not too high ... i wouldnt want to let you down. i know already - the dirtouts. i've spoken to the designer and hoping he will add it.

cooper kite is like a poor-man's race kite = high performance, minus a few features at a reasonable price. its doing very good in the racing curcuit right now.

let me know what you think screwy when you ride it.

speleopower - 22-11-2008 at 03:57 PM

A friend came over today with a buggy and he was able to use the Cooper kite for a few minutes. He's never ridden with a high aspect ratio race kite before and had issues with curling the wing tips. Plus the wind was straight down the beach which isn't good for riding.

We had fun with it but I can't say it was a good test or good conditions for a full review.

I had no issues with the kite other than it needs some sort of dirt out on it. Wish I could have had some good straight onshore winds for a nice long run down the beach.

Thanks for passing the kite around!
Scott

speleopower - 28-11-2008 at 08:38 AM

I mailed the kite off to BeamerBob this morning.
Scott

RonH - 28-11-2008 at 07:41 PM

I flew the 4.4 for a very short time and the tips did fold in when the wind lulled for a moment. Nothing worse though :thumbup:

I have also had the chance to fly the 3.3 and 5.6?. No folding with these ones:tumble:

I think this kite is well behaved for such a high aspect ratio. Most kites would snap shut while these just keep going in conditions that are not ieal. :thumbup:

RonH

BeamerBob - 4-12-2008 at 09:56 AM

Just to update, I have received the Cooper. It is certainly orange and it must be the highest AR kite I've ever flown. I gave it a front yard static flight with houses everywhere and a much less than optimal wind. If I was rough with it, I could get it to tuck a tip or both, but that's not the kite's fault. I can feel that it has loads of power. Interesting handles out of cpvc. I guess these are just mule prototypes but the padding on them is just right. Nice touch with the orange lines as well. I'll get it to Folly beach next weekend and we'll pass it around for all the buggys and boards to take it for a spin down the beach. We should have several opinions after that. By the way, Speleopower you pack your kites exactly the same method I use. You could sneak out and fly one of my kites and I wouldn't know anything was up when I unpacked it next time.

speleopower - 4-12-2008 at 05:21 PM

hehehe. I pack my kites correctly as it seems you do to:tumble:

I do not think I'll make it to SC. Not enough money to get my car all fixed nice for a long ride.

Scott

ripsessionkites - 11-12-2008 at 12:07 AM

glad your enjoying the Cooper ...

good news, is that Team Cooper from Holland is coming from NABX 09. there will be some more demo sizes there, and also a proto kite for the coming season. come by our camp and visit us.

tridude and bbob, can you please CONTACT ME by U2U. The cooper 4.4m (found a new home) is going to stop, BUT the cooper 5.6m is going to countinue the rest of the list.

THANK YOU! =)

BeamerBob - 24-12-2008 at 04:16 PM

We didn't have enough wind at Folly to fly this kite, or so I thought. I flew it today with 6-11 mph winds. I was impressed with how stable it was. Low lift as well. This kite doesn't power up slowly at launch like the Blurr does. It scudded my about 10 feet in a sand pile while launching once. I had short runs but whenever the wind picked up slightly, this kite was ready to roll. I really can't believe how stable the kite is with my inland winds huffing and puffing. If it did fold a tip, just a shake and it is ready to ride again. I'm back to the beach in the Tampa area all next week so I should have a great opportunity to put it through its paces. As it stands, I would buy one if it is at a cheaper price point. How do these stack up retail? I'd take one without lines/handles right now. My alma mater is orange/white, so I'd almost have to have one just based on that alone. But this kite would get flown. I hope for an up and down the beach opportunity to let this baby loose. Let me know if it has a pressing destination that I should ship it off to instead of keeping it for 10 more days. I could ship from Florida mid week if that would be better.

dylanj423 - 24-12-2008 at 04:33 PM

Is it too late to get on the list to try this kite out?

ripsessionkites - 24-12-2008 at 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob
We didn't have enough wind at Folly to fly this kite, or so I thought. I flew it today with 6-11 mph winds. I was impressed with how stable it was. Low lift as well. This kite doesn't power up slowly at launch like the Blurr does. It scudded my about 10 feet in a sand pile while launching once. I had short runs but whenever the wind picked up slightly, this kite was ready to roll. I really can't believe how stable the kite is with my inland winds huffing and puffing. If it did fold a tip, just a shake and it is ready to ride again. I'm back to the beach in the Tampa area all next week so I should have a great opportunity to put it through its paces. As it stands, I would buy one if it is at a cheaper price point. How do these stack up retail? I'd take one without lines/handles right now. My alma mater is orange/white, so I'd almost have to have one just based on that alone. But this kite would get flown. I hope for an up and down the beach opportunity to let this baby loose. Let me know if it has a pressing destination that I should ship it off to instead of keeping it for 10 more days. I could ship from Florida mid week if that would be better.

can you U2U me in 10 days ... i have a different address for you to send it to. however i'll need you to keep the lines and handles and i'll be sending a 5.6m down to you. doing a kite change :roll:

thank you for testing out the kite ... call Angus i believe he has the Cooper Pricelist. if not he/you should contact me.

ripsessionkites - 24-12-2008 at 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dylanj423
Is it too late to get on the list to try this kite out?

added to list

dylanj423 - 24-12-2008 at 09:38 PM

thanks a bunch... looking forward to it