kimbo - 15-5-2009 at 07:56 PM
Been having some good flights with the new Beamer 111 dispite the line twist frustrations.
I am looking to find a certain "buzz" from flying different kinds of kites. I'm not the most patient when I get hold of an obbsession. Wanting
instant gratification is a shortcoming of mine.
I want a kite that can fly in lower winds and still produce that quick shot from one end of the window to the other and be fast running South to
North and back again.
My Imp 1.0 can move pretty good, but is a little "stubby" in dimensions it seems for the quick moves I'm after,
Can the HQ Symphony "Speed 2.5" get the job done, or am I just a dreamin Noob??
DonaldLL - 15-5-2009 at 10:26 PM
kimbo.... sounds to me like you're talking about a Rev kite. I just bought one a week ago. it's a way different animal than a foil but fast in all
directions and technical is the way I'd descibe a Rev. I am new at this too so don't place alot of weight on my opinion. I am following your post
because I want to see what the experienced flyers suggest for a fast kite going left to right, right to left, north-south, south-north, AND capable of
flying in lower winds.
It's the low wind capability that throws me off. Let's see what the gurus say
awindofchange - 16-5-2009 at 01:38 AM
If you want speed with power possibilities, the Revolution Blast and Power Blast 2-4 are pretty awesome. They are different animals than the foils
but have all the speed and the 2-4 will fly in winds down to 2-3 mph with some work & 10+ mph will start to give some serious power. They will
also stop on a dime, spin, and rocket back through the window with a flick of the wrist.
kimbo - 16-5-2009 at 07:44 PM
Well Donald you've don't it. Got me hooked on the Rev idea. Seems after doing a ton of YouTubing on Rev's, this will be my next purchase.
I did not think to much about Revs since I thought they would take much more time to learn them and the price seemed a bit high for something I'd
probably crash and wreck it before getting the hang of it.
The Rev does all the stuff I could hope for and more. I watched the demo vid done in San Diego, my home town of 50 yrs before moving to North Dallas.
I'll be asking more questions and shopping the web for a deal if I can find one.
Thanks for the prod towards the Revolution.
Kamikuza - 17-5-2009 at 06:17 PM
Our own Kent (hope he don't mind me using his real name) is the cheapest I've found on the net, and no doubt will be the best service 
and very fast reply to my email - which is important 
http://www.awindofchange.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&am...
I'm waiting on a deal to make or break before I buy a new one though if it breaks I'll be on that like a shot
kimbo - 17-5-2009 at 09:26 PM
Doing the research on entry level Revs. The Blast has been suggested for intermediate to advanced flyers.
As a trainer to start out on the SLE seemed the only entry level kite.
The ballet/finese style stuff looks great, but I really just want to zip around with some good pulling now and again if the wind comes up.
Vented looks like the ticket as well.
Any ideas on the SLE or others that can be flown by Noobs?
Kamikuza - 17-5-2009 at 09:36 PM
I thought the EXP was the learner kit?
kimbo - 17-5-2009 at 09:49 PM
You're right about the EXP.
It looks easy enough to get the basics down.
Kamikuza - 17-5-2009 at 09:49 PM
Yeah but the Shockwave looks cool as
DonaldLL - 17-5-2009 at 10:19 PM
Kimbo.... again, I am more noob than expert but here's my 2 cents.
As for the rev kites, the 1.5 SLE was recommended by many people as a good place to start but it is not the only beginner Rev. I believe the EXP is
another as Kamikuza asks/suggests. The Blast originally caught my attention too but as you know already it is not the recommended kite for a first Rev
kite. As for vented or not vented, that's a matter of how much wind you'll fly in. From my experience with my 1.5 SLE, the Revs are very different
from the foils. I think if you start with the more advanced Rev kites you stand a chance of becomming discouraged and may turn away fron the Rev
experience for the wrong reason(s). They are amazing though. I think my next Rev will be the Blast 2-4. I think I want everything that makes the Rev
kites unique but add in the grunt of a 4m kite; so that would be a Blast 2/4 or so I am told. I happened to be browsing from Rev information and found
the site "A Wind of Change". I wound up talking to Kent and he spent a good amount of time answering the same old newbie questions from me. He was
patient, knowledgeable, and his Rev prices seemd to be the best so I bought my 1.5 SLE from him. He's in Las Vegas. I spoke on the phone to him on a
wednesday and I had the kite in my hand in Miami on friday.
Let me add a couple/few other comments that helped me make my decision....
1) I knew up front that I'd probably buy more than one Rev kite, therefore I had no 'rush' to over buy on the first.
2) I was told that the 1.5 SLE is tough enough to handle newbie crashes; I have proven that to be true, and so has my S.O. The SLE has survived us
both.
3) I like to introduce people to my hobbies and passions. I feel better about letting a friend try my 1.5 SLE than I would a Barresi or a Blast
Fun stuff, huh?
awindofchange - 17-5-2009 at 10:19 PM
The EXP is the basic Rev designed to help people on a budget get into Rev flying. It is capable of all the stunts but is a basic Rev. It comes with
the standard leading edge and the sail dimensions are just about the exact same as the 1.5 SLE and B-Series Rev's with only a tiny alteration in the
center "V" cut for difference. For beginners, I always suggest the 1.5 SLE as it has the "Super Leading Edge" which is extremely durable and can take
some major ground smashing.
For something with a bit more pull, the Blast and Power Blast will do that. The EXP and the 1.5 will have almost zero pull unless you fly them in the
very upper end of their wind range (usualy 15mph and more which isn't always recommended).
The speed series such as the Shockwave and Supersonic are total rush kites that will keep you on your toes constantly because they are blisteringly
fast. The sonic will fly in reverse faster than the EXP will fly forward. They do have some power in them but not anything like a foil power kite
does....but man are they fast!!! Because of their speed and such sharp control-ability, they usually aren't recommended for beginner Rev
fliers...they even come with extra spars just because they know you will probably go through one or two as you fly them over time...even if you are
experienced - did I say they were fast!!
The Vented models are awesome in the stronger winds and make inland flying smooooooooth and fun, even in the gustiest nasty winds but because of the
vents, they have pretty much zero pull for power, even in the strong winds.
For speed and power, I still recommend the Blast or the Power Blast 2-4. Easy to learn to fly in winds under 10mph but become power monsters in winds
over 10mph.
Hope that helps give you some more ideas on the Revs.
Kamikuza - 18-5-2009 at 12:12 AM
I want a Rev for when there's wind but not enough to do anything with a foil and board ... SLE it is then!
[waits no so patiently]
kimbo - 19-5-2009 at 05:52 PM
Ordered a Rev EXP. Then did some reading on the "other" kite sight and stopped the shipment and got B series "night vision"
Not enough wind today fly any of my stuff. So I practiced winding and unwinding set ups. Think I go it now.
Rev should be here on Friday. 3 day shipping.
WOW I got this sh#t bad!!!!
Kamikuza - 19-5-2009 at 06:35 PM
The "other" kite site?
kimbo - 19-5-2009 at 08:19 PM
revkites.com
I hope it's not a "Hatfield vs The McCoys" thing. Just another way to fun with the wind.
Kinda like snowboarders and skiers or "2 plankers" all in good fun.
Kamikuza - 19-5-2009 at 08:46 PM
... or twin-skins and inflatables :o