Alright guys first flight with my new 12m Slingshot Snow Ranger. It is a depowerable foil/ram-air kite meant for snowkiting, landboarding etc. Not
really for kitesurfing. I'll start with the flight conditions. winds ranged all day from 8-10mph in the morning to about 17-20 by the end of the
day. Smooth at first then shifting into medium gusts while the speed picked up. I was riding with some friends on a smooth grass field about 3
football fields in size. No obstacles upwind for about a mile....literally lol.
The kite came complete with an absoultely fantastic bag. The bag is very well built with strong points where all clips and straps attach. It has
numerous adjustable clip straps to tweak your fit i guess you could say. Includes a padded waist belt, and a shock cord type strap across the chest.
Has two straps on the non-wearer side that are covered in extra rugged material meant to fit a snowboard. Haven't thrown my board in there but it
looks legit. Only one zip pocket on the lid that i've found for small items (keys phone etc). Plenty of bag room for the kite and bar + other items
depending on how tight u pack your kite
My bag was all black, not sure if it comes in more colors
Now to the kite
Great color scheme - white red and black. Kite has somewhat of a lower aspect ratio I think for foils. Definitely lower than a peter lynn, but for
those vets out there they know thats pretty much the case. Obviously the bigger the kite, the more bridle work that needs to be done. Can be a
little tangling, so use they came up with a tip to put the bridle knot ends into the velcro dirt-outs on the wingtips to hold things in place one on
top of the next. Well done.
Lines are pretty standard, good quality. However, I couldnt figure out how they wanted to me to attach to the lines to the bridles because i had knots
on the line ends and the bridle ends! Highly confused I searched the bag and found that there are a few little bits of knotted rope that allow you
attach the two. No worries they are in the lid zip pocket. Everything else went fine for setup. The bar looks fantastic and works great as far as
safety and such. If you got more questions about any of this give me a post back as i think im getting to long winded.
FLYINGGGGG
Ok after you set up the kite lifts off smoothly with a tug of the power lines. The kite inflated well but the tips were a little saggy at first
(something i will describe later). The kite turning speed is fantastic, as good as something between 7.5 and 10m. Bar pressure is a little stiff
once you power the bar toward the bottom, but pretty average otherwise. decently stable kite too. It has neutral stability, neither positive or
negative. Meaning it won't auto-zenith like a Peter Lynn, but won't fall away from zenith like some other foils i've flown. Depower is hugeeeeee.
This kite can reduce itself to almost no lift state, and when you power the bar, you can feel immediate reponse, even when the kite isn't moving.
Backstall didn't really happen at all, even with the bar fully pulled. Lift capabilities were pretty much what I was hoping for. I tried a few
static jumps, which weren't too bad, about 10 ft each time at first. Pendulums were usually longer lasting but about the same height. Increasing in
braveness I was able to pull off a few that were pretty up there for standing still. Landings nice and soft.
During the power ups taking the kite from 45 from zenith to zenith during the boost the kite obviously picks up speed. I noticed that the kite's wing
tips will tuck under pretty unexpectedly with the bar 90-100% depowered. So keeping a little tension on the bar was the good solution.
Overall the kite performed well. It does have a tendancy to tip tuck like that and takes a second to reset. Pulling the bar to full power will open
the tips up again in a few seconds.
Rode it around on the board once the wind picked up a little. The foil itself was jerky in the gusts, but the fact that it had such a large amount of
depower countered the jerks. Releasing bar pressure straightens you right out again.
I am very pleased with this kite, i think it will do everything I could ask from it. Can't wait to hit the North Dakotan tundra next season
Thanks guys let me know if u have questionsrevpaul - 6-5-2009 at 08:16 PM
most of the reviews i read mentioned the wing tip tuck issue.
they look like a great kite and the de-power/trim system looks very sweet. i'd like to fly one.lad - 19-5-2009 at 07:01 AM
They're down to $279 shipped now!!! Quite tempting....
My concern is they don't have the "top hat" safety release like my Montana does.
So the only safety is to release the chicken loop and then pull it back with some kind of leash? (Maybe the big depower range comepensates for this?)
How does the depower/trim knob thingy right on the chicken loop actually work?Jason-G - 19-5-2009 at 08:25 AM
I added 13 cm extensions to the leader lines and my 9m ranger flys much better than stock setup. The below the bar trim works by pulling the knob in
to shorten the power lines and then you hook the hanging rope into the clam cleat to hold the trim at the desired setting.lad - 19-5-2009 at 08:30 AM
"I added 13 cm extensions to the leader lines and my 9m ranger flys much better than stock setup. "
Interesting...better in terms of speed, turning or less tip folding?flyboy15 - 19-5-2009 at 09:26 AM
Hey Lad, The safety system works much like the depower hat of your montana. I used to fly an apex myself with the same setup. What happens is there
is a leash attached to your brake/reverse launch handle on the brake lines. You simply kick off the chickenloop using the regular chicken loop
release and the handle moves away from you while the leash pulls the brake lines. It literally works just as well as your depower hat on the montana,
except for two things, the chicken loop is obviously closer to you and i find that easier to reach in bad situations, and second the bar moves away
from you, which isnt as convinient as the montana, but works flawlessly. The montana just lengthens the leading edge lines using the hat and that
pulley system until the kite flops backwards. The ranger ejects the handle which "lengthens" the leading edge lines while holding the brake lines in
place.
However, I have never had to use this while riding. Ive deployed it about 10 times for practice and to make sure it works. When the kite starts to
pull hard, simply let go of the bar. If the kite is moving slowly it will just reduce pull to about 20 lbs or less (literally its nuts), and if the
kite is moving fast, it will depower as well as tip tuck reducing the amount of wingspan creating power (its actually really awesome to have the tip
tuck feature, i was discrouraged at first but found it very helpful). then when you regain urself, just hold the bar down, and the tips will
reinflate again.
Love this kite, i cant say how much of a steal it is for the money.
I will look into those 23cm extensions too, thats a very interesting idea!
Hit me with a U2U if you post more questions. That will alert me to head on back here
Thanks guys!flyboy15 - 19-5-2009 at 09:29 AM
O yea, forgot the trim, as Jason said its down by your waist next to the chicken loop. Its a cleat pulley system. As you pull rope through the cleat
down there it reduces power. Then u just cleat it down when ur happy.
So far i havent messed with the trim much, i find the depower capability so wide that i can create any amount of power i want through bar pulllad - 19-5-2009 at 11:55 AM
flyboy,
Do you think lengthening the leader (middle bar ?) lines would also improve the 12m performance? (or would the bar range compensate?)
You mentioned this kite in the "low wind engine" thread, but I read a review that said it's wind range was limited. What is your take?
Sorry for more Qs - I think the bargain price has me over-stimulated :roll: I'm guess I'm just sorry I missed out on the 12m Montana offered here a
few weeks ago.Jason-G - 19-5-2009 at 01:10 PM
Search for feyd and you will find this post and the reason I added 13cm. I added them at the bar end to the center power lines. It gives even more
bar throw - the kite did seem to keep shape better with less or no luff/wing tip curl in winds that normally would cause that.
Jason
Ranger
I own both the 9 and 12m Rangers. I've flown/owned several other depower foils and I can say they are really in a class of thier own. I picked them up
to fill the foil gaps we have.
Let me start by saying that they flew like junk right out of the bag. The trim made the kite fortune cookie and it turned like a dog. Especially if
you tried to trim it. The overall sense I got flying it in the beginning is that Slingshot wanted to get into the snowkite market and rushed the
Ranger to production before really working all the issues out of it.
The bar with the stopper ball works great but to get it to fly well you had to pull the bar way in with just a few inches to sheet with. Really
impractical. If there was a lot of (steady)wind this wasn't as bad. We live in the mountains so steady winds are pretty rare.
However, after some expirementing we found that just by maxing out the pigtails on the kite and adding 13cm extensions to the center line leaders the
things really sorted out. The trim works WAY better, no tip curl, good depower. Turn rate is way better and the sheeting action is on par with my
Frenzies, Sabre 2, And Peter Lynns. It actually flies like I would hope that it should.
If asked what it flies similar to I would say it's very similar in handling to the Flexi Sabre 1 with more lift and less tip curl.
One thing about these kites that always blows me away is the amount of raw power they produce. They aren't fast kites. The more wind you get the more
grunt but not much excelleration. A Frenzy or Sabre or Montana or FLysurfer all seem to go faster across the window and pull you faster as a result.
The Ranger maxes out and just starts yarding you off your edge.
At least that's been my expirience.
The other thing about the Ranger is the lift. They have amazing lift. And its smooth lift with really good glide. They are probably pound for pound
the liftiest kites I own.
The down side of all the lift is if you get in trouble you can't safely put the kite overhead to get to the edge of the window because she will just
pick you up. This also translates to pulling you sideways at the edge of the window. In high winds they become almost too much to handle. Even with my
fat 210# backside.
But if you like to jump or need some extra pull in the deep stuff the Ranger kicks. In 20mph the 12m will throw you 20 feet up with hardly any effort
at all.
The kite is super stable and sucks up gusts really well.
I throw my Rangers up when I'm in too much of a hurry to air up my Peter Lynns. The build quality is rock solid.
My only gripe at this point is the safety system. The chicken loop release is great but the leash system is years behind everyone else. If you spin
the bar much it wraps the leash around everything and can even hamper the depower if you use the chicken loop release. The bar is 5th line compatible
and I'm working on a 5th line system for it. My Sabre 2's 5th works awesome and I would like to have that same piece of mind for the Ranger.
I guess the bottom line is they are nice kites with a little work. Especially for the money. The bar is nice. Build quality is top rate. Tons of power
and lift. Handles well and turns as well as anything out there in the same sizes. The Safety sucks.
Hope that helps.lad - 19-5-2009 at 01:36 PM
ah jeesh...my unemployed, kite-buying trigger finger is spazzing out now...:karate: do you have a pic of you line extension on the bar?flyboy15 - 20-5-2009 at 12:12 PM
the lowest wind ive used it in so far is about 10 kts. It certainly wasnt the lowest i could fly it at either. I think it can drop down maybe 3 more
kts. The kite seemed to turn fast enough to figure 8 "pump" it on low wind days but i havent had to yet. Im riding on an ATB board right now, and
there is more drag there than on my snowboard for sure. This kite can get me moving in almost all conditions. It also has a large wind window range
too, i remember flying it in as high as 20-22kts for some static jumping. Let me know if you have more questions about this.
I agree with jason on the disadvantage of the leash system. If you spin yourself, or loop the kite, and need to spin the bar, the leash will
definitely get wrapped around the whole line setup. Kind of a bummer i spose. I usually zenith the kite, and unhook the leash for a second or just
do some ground-style 180's till the system is back to where it should be. if ur not a big spinner or kitelooper, it didnt seem like much of a problem
at all.
I think the lead line extensions has serious validity. The kite does seem to handle just a bit funny but i couldn't put my finger on it. I would
change the trim settings around and never really found an answer and just got used to it. What i notice is that when you pull the bar to full power,
the kite won't come even close to a back stall (even with fully powered up trim settings on the bar and knots). this leads me to believe that the
leading edge lines are too short, or vice versa the brake lines are too long. Lenghtening the lead lines would theoretically improve turn handling
while increasing overall power capabilities i suppose. Definitely a quick, cheap, reversible fix
let me know if u have more questions, glad to helpJason-G - 20-5-2009 at 01:25 PM
Flyboy 15
Although I agree with the leash having the ability to get caught up on things, the above post about the 9 and 12m rangers under my name was a post by
someone else (feyd) that I copied and pasted.
A while back this site had generic leader line sets for $4 so I bought a few sets. I also have the B4 set as a spare for my B4 kite. The generic and
the B4 sets are almost identical so you could use the B4 set. Each leader line in the set has a hoop on each end. I cut one line in half to make to
separate lines with a hoop on one end. I larks head those to the existing center lines and tied a knot 13cm down the line on both of them and then
attached the flying lines by larks head to those knots. I am still a beginner but the other day I was out in 15-20 mph static and ran a little to the
right and pulled the bar all the way in. It was my biggest pop ever and I floated at the peak for what seemed like a long time. I was looking down
most of the time and the kite felt right over head. I kept the bar fully in (maybe shouldn’t have done that) and slowly came down like a balloon with
a hole in it. I landed softly but dropped the kite behind me. I am assuming the extensions are strong enough based on that but I may be wrong.
Jasonflyboy15 - 21-5-2009 at 08:30 AM
jason, im down with your idea about the leading extensions, and that seems to be a pretty safe way to go about making them. I was thinking about
actual line extensions (smaller versions of the usual spectra 100ft line pieces i mean), not the thicker line sections that attach to the bar. I
agree with your technique completely, nice work. You could even add more knots to play with line length if u really wanted to. What you have created
is a good reversible engineering solution. Im most likely going to try this, thanks for all the posts.
And congrats on the nice pop, I've had some pretty good ones as well with only the stock setup, im excited to see what these extensions can provide
for me.
The post i put in was about how the kite handles now, pre-extensions. So i was trying to say that i think the kite will handle a bit better with the
extension set.
Last thing tho, does the kite lose any depower cababilities with the extension mod?lad - 21-5-2009 at 09:36 AM
I'm still having a little trouble visualizing just where these extensions go. Here is a linked pic of the Ranger bar (where they're still asking
$389.99 for it separately, BTW!!!):
I'm also wondering if you could add or splice an HQ style Primary Front Safety Release near the ring where the lead front lines split off (maybe just
add a slide/pull-release Equine Panic Snap).Jason-G - 21-5-2009 at 10:11 AM
See if this attachment works - Your photo does not include the connection point where the kite lines attach. Those are all still leader lines.
Jason
lad - 21-5-2009 at 01:40 PM
Jason-G . -
thanx, now it is clear. From my linked bar pic, I thought those were the kite lines that were coming right off the "surefire ring" just above the
reverse-launch webbing.
Well...now...temptation is creeping over me...:evil: heck, I haven't even gotten my Montana II 9.5 really going - yet.
But, the Ranger price is unbeatable and they probably won't stay in stock too long...heck, I could buy 2 and find who out there is paying $389.99 for
the Ranger bar alone...:duh:jaymzmn - 15-6-2009 at 11:56 AM
I have just bought one for 199 dollars with free shipping from Backcountry.com. I mean, 200 bucks shipped for a 12metre kite RTF in NEW condish is
UNHEARD OF! Guys, i'll be wanting to pick your brains about the trimming if you don't mind....kiteNH - 15-6-2009 at 12:00 PM
Crazy deal. Looks like they are sold out.....guess I'm glad since I really don't need it with my 11m Frenzy, but I was tempted at that price.jaymzmn - 15-6-2009 at 10:24 PM
sorry
it was backcountryoutlet.com
not backcountry.com
they still have 14 kites at that price.andrewbanandrew - 18-6-2009 at 05:50 PM
Are you sure that the B4 leaders are strong enough? There's no strength rating info for them and I know that the line used for the Ranger differs from
the B4 line.lad - 18-6-2009 at 06:29 PM
I intend to use Q-Power line, just to be safe!flyboy15 - 19-6-2009 at 01:38 PM
yea I was thinking the same, the idea is good but i think i might shop around for some stronger line. It is a 12m after all lolandrewbanandrew - 19-6-2009 at 03:52 PM
Does anyone have an extra Ranger that they want to sell? It would go to a poor college student...lad - 19-6-2009 at 04:16 PM
Should'a jumped on that train when you saw it leavin' the station! flyboy15 - 23-6-2009 at 07:14 AM
Is this andrew that posted on our Club site on facebook?
Quote:
Originally posted by andrewbanandrew
Does anyone have an extra Ranger that they want to sell? It would go to a poor college student...
Feyd - 24-6-2009 at 08:07 PM
Hey everyone-
First let me say I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to everyone who PM'd me with questions about the set up I've done to my Rangers. I've been very busy
lately and slowed down by a cast on my left hand. The cast makes typing a little more of a pain in the backside than normal and there may be some
typos so bare with me.
So here's my current set up. I flew this one for a season and a half and it's been awesome. I'm still going to work on tweaking but I'm definately
in a sweet spot handling wise.
First we'll cover the 12m Ranger.
1) On the center line leaders at the bar I settled on 17cm extensions.
2) At the kite I installed the 10cm long pigtails with the 3 knots on the front line. I usually run the knot at the end but ocassionally move up if I
want the kite to be more responsive.
3) I removed the pigtails on the back lines and connected the steering lines directly via larksheads.
This set up has several effects on the way the kite performs. First it changes the bar throw so that you don't have to fly all "T-Rex" style. Since
the kite is designed to use bar throw as it's primary method of depower the stock set up requires you to pull the bar in really close to get good
power. Does this set up change the amount of depower available? I assume so but there is so much depower to spare I never found it to be an issue.
I can let the bar out to depower and it is still within reach.
We use seat harnesses so the reach thing was a major issue. I have not tried it with a waist harness so I don't know how this set up would work with
that.
The second thing this set up does is all but completely gets rid of the tip curl issue under normal powered flight and reduces it considerably when
trimmed. You will still expirience some tip curl under heavy trim but we're talking really heavy trim in conditions that a little tip curl would
probably be the least of you worries. You definately won't see the wing "fortune cookie" like it does with the stock set up and won't see any unusual
curl under normal flying conditions.
The last improvement I saw with this set up is it also improves the steering rate quite a bit. I'm not sure why the Ranger comes with 20m lines but I
suspect it was to help the turn rate. Unfortunately it also limits the amount of power available and the ability to make the most of the airspace.
With this set up the Ranger turns faster even on longer lines.
I found the optimum line lenght was 25-30m. I prefer the 25m for a little faster turn rate but the 30m is nice on the lighter wind days. Beyond 30m
I find is too sluggish to make use of the wind window especially if the wind is really shifty.
Note: I fly with the long Ranger bar. The closeout Rangers apparently come with the short bar that the 9m comes with so you may notice a little extra
bar pressure.
Now you may have asked "why 17cm at the bar and 10cm at the front lines?". I don't really know why for sure but the it works. I originally ran longer
extensions at the bar and direct connect at the wing and the results weren't great. All I can guess is it has something to do with the leverage on
the pulley system. Whatever it is I don't care because my current set up works damn sweet!
On my 9m I have the same basic set up as the 12m but with 13cm leader extensions. Same improvement in performance.
Bare in mind that these mods are very subjective. Handling and depower characteristics that work for me may not be what you're looking for. Fly the
kite with the stock set up and see what you think.
The only other chnage I did to my Rangers was add a 4.5line. Basically and over powered brake actuating line that connects to you like a 5th line.
It pretty much doubled the wind range I felt comfortable flying the Rangers in. It's easy to set up and just takes some leader line and 2 stopper
balls that you have to install on the kite. I'll explain more on that later but right now it's time for bed.
For everyone that scored one of the $199 retared best deals on a kite ever the Ranger will blow your mind when you get it dialed in. I fly Peter
Lynns mostly but for open foils the 12m Ranger has totally been my "go to" kite.
L8R.flyboy15 - 25-6-2009 at 10:02 AM
Feyd Fantastic post,
I started this thread for a review on the stock setup. I will surely look into these mods and Im sure they can do some help. I do notice all that
stuff that you mentioned and lengthening the leading edge lines would certainly help. I think that the ranger bar was designed for LEI kites instead
of the foils since slingshot is a mostly water company i think. I think thats why this kites line lengths are so off. Anyway, Im also working on a
way to modify the bag because i think its designed to fit a wakeboard, not a snowboard or landboard. Let me know what you think as far as ideas...Feyd - 25-6-2009 at 04:51 PM
Thanks!
I agree with you on the bar thing. I'd never flown an LEI before I got my Ranger and was used to flying Frenzies and HQs so the bar positioning
seemed really messed. All I could figure was that as a water kite company and probably to make things simple they just threw on a pre-existing bar
system.
This last winter I got to fly a SS Diesel (?) and it was exactly the same kind feel as the stock Ranger set up so that pretty much confirmed it.
I wonder how a 12m Frenzy (I'm thinking '05) would fly on a Slingshot Diesel bar. (with the steering dampeners off)
Lad asked me what the difference in bar lengths are between the 9m and 12m. I don't know off the top of my head how long the 9m (17 or 20 inch)
bar is but the 12m bar I got is 23inches.flyboy15 - 26-6-2009 at 08:11 PM
yea no kidding, i wonder what would happen if we put a frenzy or hq bar on one of these bad boys lol.
I only got to fly a lei kite once, and come to think of it it did respond a ton like the stock ranger does.
And dido on the bar length, i got mine on steepandcheap (backcountryoutlet) and its 23 inchesflyboy15 - 28-6-2009 at 06:29 AM
hey guys, i had an idea when feyd said he removed the pigtails from the trailing edge of his setup.
For those interested in trying these modifications but want to test it out before you go spending money on powerline, etc, try this...
Take the pigtails off the all the lines and bridles, and add them all or some of them to the leading edge bridle knots. It takes a little plannig to
make sure you get the order and knots right, but using larkshead knots you should be able to get most of them on. I personally stopped at 3 and
thought it was good enough to try.
Just a thought.
And PS. my pigtails are starting to fray their inner cores... The outer braided covering is intact, but i can see the inner core poking through, does
anyone else have this?Jason-G - 28-6-2009 at 03:41 PM
My SS Ranger 9.0 bar is 21.5 cm end to end and
20.0 cm from the bullhorn winding spot.
I agree with the above post about getting all your pigtails out and see what combos are available.
JGandrewbanandrew - 3-7-2009 at 06:29 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by flyboy15
Is this andrew that posted on our Club site on facebook?
Quote:
Originally posted by andrewbanandrew
Does anyone have an extra Ranger that they want to sell? It would go to a poor college student...
Yeah, that's me. My friend really wants a Ranger...andrewbanandrew - 3-7-2009 at 07:51 PM
Has anyone tried modifying the safety system by running a leader line around the 'brake strap', down through the bar and past the small hole next to
the trim line cleat?
This would prevent twisting
see pics:
lad - 3-7-2009 at 08:19 PM
What kind of line did you use?
My center lines are very snug and don't slide too easily thru the bar's center hole.
A brake-strap connector line would have to be some thinner, smoother spectra to comfortably slip in there.andrewbanandrew - 5-7-2009 at 01:36 PM
I'm running 5mm ldiameter line and it works great. I also added a crossover up by the ends of the leaders and attached it there. So I have the
original brake line for grabbing to land or reverse launch and the 4.5 line to totally kill the kite.
It pulls the trailing edge so much it even collapses on reverse launch.
There is an issue tho. If you're using this mod in winds 30mph+ the load on the back lines can be enough to pull the split in the bridle through the
pulley and lock it up. It's a simple fix to just install some stopper balls on the split to keep it from going through.
My new 12m did come with the short bar. I ordered up another couple of 24" bars from SS for $10 each. Short $ for a little extra leverage.
I'll find out when I get home and switch out bars.lad - 6-7-2009 at 11:36 AM
$10 for extra bars alone?
What length?
I had a 29 incher sitting around for awhile that I now wish I didn't sell!Feyd - 6-7-2009 at 06:57 PM
I compared the bars and they'll work. The ctr grom on the Ranger original is a bit nicer but for $10 I can't complain.
The bars I got also are rubber coated on the ends.lad - 6-7-2009 at 07:39 PM
$10 per original SS bar is pretty good!
Ever see the bigger 29" ones around for cheap?lad - 7-7-2009 at 04:58 PM
Okey Dokey.
FINALLY got some lines prepared, and now a little wind to try Feyd's suggested mods.
The line lengths were approximated, but all-in-all, it seemed like a new kite! The tip folds are all but gone, and my 20ft extensions seemed to help
keep it up in really light (4-7?) winds to at least test it out. Heck, I might even keep this kite now! :tumble:
I don't know how the extended center lines will do in a gusty or higher wind situation where I'd need to use the depower, but the Rangers has one long
bar range for sure. I hope to get some kind of thin brake-strap line added just in case of flying overpowered.
KUDOS TO FEYD FOR FIGURING ALL THIS OUT FOR THE REST OF US AND TURNING A GOOD BARGAIN INTO A SUPER DEAL!Feyd - 8-7-2009 at 05:40 AM
Thanks Lad.
I'm glad you tried it pre modded. I think it's a good idea so the rider can see the stock set up performance and then see the difference the mods
make.
The mods turn it into a totally different kite in my opinion. And it is a pretty stout light wind machine. Mine easily goes head to head on the snow
with smaller riders on 15m P4s and holds it's own no problem. As far as the horespower vs. $ amount goes it is unbelievable!
I still shake my head at how much of a deal they were, so much fun for so little money.jaymzmn - 8-7-2009 at 09:12 AM
well, im dfntly going to try them out now. I believe some are going on ebay for 350 shipped.lad - 8-7-2009 at 10:09 AM
jaymzmn , did you mean try out the extensions, or get the kite from ebay (I see one already listed in your quiver). I have an extra, unopened Ranger
12m, which I intended to sell, but now I'm wondering if I should hold on to it for a spare!jaymzmn - 8-7-2009 at 07:39 PM
hey lad, if I were you, i'd hold on to that kite until winter starts coming in...those rangers will be hot! especially with the mods. they do have
loads of potential!lad - 8-7-2009 at 08:08 PM
Winter heck, we don't get enough snow here anymore for snowkiting. The Ranger's going to the beach and fields.
(I really can't understand how people can even put up with flying the un-modded Ranger). :dunno:jaymzmn - 9-7-2009 at 08:22 AM
I was meaning, hold on to it until winter gets to the US as a whole, then stick it up for sale. I'm pretty sure a modded Ranger will be quite
desirable when snowkiting is back on peoples minds and the water is very very cold... Doesn't necessarily have to be snowing near you...anyways lad,
ill let you know in the next 7 days how the mods went as the winds in denver suck. 4mph average this week...can you believe that?!lad - 9-7-2009 at 02:18 PM
Ah...I figured you Coors Staters just assumed everyone got loads of snow! :bisou:
I predict that you will definitely post back here after your first modded flight...and in excited tones too!andrewbanandrew - 9-7-2009 at 02:25 PM
yo lad wanna sell that kite?lad - 9-7-2009 at 02:41 PM
tee-hee...I'm really thinking of holding on to it as a spare now. :saint:
It may possibly be torn from my sweaty palms by an enticing offer of a decent PL arc (phanny, vortex, etc) or a very newish MBS Core 95 or similar
super-light and nice board. (or not-so-newish + cash)
:ticking:
Well gotta go now...I see some leaves movin!!!!!!:roll:flyboy15 - 12-7-2009 at 07:56 AM
Wow I'm so glad i put this thread out there, you guys have done some amazing work with the rangers.
Thanks to all you guys
3 of our club members picked up rangers when i told them how much i got mine for, it was a crazy deal.lad - 12-7-2009 at 08:51 AM
Just static flew my modded ranger out in relatively higher winds yesterday. I don't even know how high I went a few times, but it was definitely the
loftiest session ever. I also gave the safety system a few drill sessions (and a real one too!). I was definitely sweating and a dog-walker came by as
said "That looks like a lot of work" but he probably didn't see my grin.
Ranger safety mods
lad - 2-8-2009 at 05:45 PM
Okee doke,
Here is my experiment with the Ranger kite, where I kill two birds with one shackle, so to speak.
The center powerline at the left normally has the round, steel "Sureshot ring" at the end of the loop, (seen loose on the line, above the black
stopper ball).
I replaced this with a 2 3/4" swivel shackle release from eBay. It was reasonable cost and rated at 1,000 lbs. The release arm goes thru the loop,
(so I didn't have to take the CL and line apart). It's pull-trigger, spring release is seen on top in this photo (it normally hangs from
the bottom when in use). The little ring loop it came with is flimsy, and one end started to bend away. But I found the ring was also WELDED at a
small point when trying to remove it - I need to find my bolt cutter somewhere.
For a little irony, I hooked my Ozone keychain to the loop for added grip area! :ticking: But, I think the best solution will be replacing the rings
with a thin, but strong, zip tie and attaching the old, longer stunt kite strap - partially shown left of the Ozone swag ring.
Now, instead of adding some 17cm extensions onto the Rangers center pigtails, I replaced the whole mess with 6' of 7/64 Blue Amsteel line, rated at
1,300 lbs. (I originally got it to experiment with the 4.5 safety line mentioned in the thread - but it's too thick.) I didn't have any
tubing or sleeving, so I just wrapped some black Gorilla tape around the middle for added strength and grip, then larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s headed it
around the shackle's swivel end post. I kinda roughly measured what the original ring, lines and extensions added up to, and calculated in the
additional length of the added shackle to the new lines. While it's not clear in the photo, there's TWO blue line ends coming from the black
taped bundle at the far right. I placed a few knots at the two line ends (not shown) so I can still have some flexibility with the center line length
and not fool with the clam cleat trim.
The swivel, while not too spiny under high-load, is better than nothing. I larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s head-looped the lines on it so they would only twist
and screw the little cross-bar in the clockwise/tightening direction. I can easily reach up and turn it to straighten out the center lines (not
that I'm doing too many loops with a 12m kite to begin with - now my 6m Access is quite another story!)
The one problem I see is the widened shackle arm tip can sometimes become caught on the center loop if released accidentally. One time I saw it just
barely hanging there when flying, not realizing it had been released - glad I wasn't jumping at the time! But with an actual downward tug that you'd
give it in an emergency, it clears it fine and zips some 10-20 feet away towards the kite and flags the kite totally (no pulley recovery here,
folks - you gotta walk it in!). When I add the longer strap to it, is should hang down far enough that I can reach it under reasonable
circumstances. If if flaps around too much, I will weight the bottom. It remains to be seen if a longer strap will get caught or tangled in the
network of lines and webbing. It's still be a reach tho - compared to the red hat safety.
The extra LONG depower length, and even the extra LONG CL is an arm stretcher. So, I've taken to actually attaching the CL under and around the center
webbing of my Ozone XC harness for a much closer reach. The Ranger's simple CL mechanism reloads quick and releases thru the harness webbing just fine
(no laceration of the twig n berries...so far!)
Soooo....it's not as elegant as a custom, hi-load swivel, nor a real "red hat" safety release. But it is some added peace of mind. Until I'm more
certain of it's usefulness and safety, I will probably keep adding that POA leash to the brake line (I will next try Big Earls braid spectra as a 4.5
line someday).
As said before, this is one great kite with Feyd's suggested mods. I'm still hanging on to my second, unopened one, and will probably only trade/sell
it to help score a semi-recent, used Lynn Arc.
--------------------------
(PS: Thumbing thru the included Ranger manual, I see they offered an additional, full 27m line set (rather than smaller extensions) for "added low end
performance." My added 20' of Q-Power line definitely helps performance in general, and even seems to make it turn faster than the unsupplemented 20m
lines.)jaymzmn - 5-8-2009 at 10:19 AM
excellent write up and mods mate. after carefully looking at the picture and your explanation, i have now ordered the same!
