Thanks to a fine contribution to FB Land by our very own Chris Krug of Hardwater fame I came across the soon-to-be released Ozone Explore V1, the latest entry into land-based SS kitehood.

Ozone Explore V1

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It has the venerable Ozone Re-Ride 5th line installed standard. From my snowkiting days with Ozone kites I can attest to Re-Ride's sweetness. I'm pretty excited to see a company with the quality and reputation of Ozone getting into the land-based SS kite game.

Taking a look at the spec sheet there seems to be both similarities and differences between these Explore V1 kites and their cousins the Flysurfer Peaks, Born-Kite LongStar-2s, and Born-Kite RaceStars. As a similarity, they all have battens in their leading edges to maintain shape absent a (unnecessary) second skin. A difference is the Explore V1 has lines running horizontally along the kite's inner surface to distribute load. Interesting concept. Sounds like one more thing to get snagged on stuff, but maybe it really does help.

To Ed and others that lay in eternal waiting for me to sell my kites, if you're going to wait for my RaceStars you better pack a lunch as they aren't going anywhere. Once Steffen perfects a 3.5m LongStar3 with his RaceStar bridling I'll be first in line for that and will sell my 3.5m LS2, but until then my quiver is staying just the way it's built. My final RaceStar (5m) arrives this Monday. Whupp!

Oh Mr Steve, It's not like we stalk you, or covet our neighbors kites.
More like checking the coin return on a pay phone.
Revealing reference huh?

She's a pretty one, nice clean bar, big wide sweet spots, and single (unfinished) skin.
I'm too poor to look, but I looked, luckily I still like my own better. Whew!

Could you tell me where FB land is?
Or even what it is? Not joking, i dunno.

Quote: Originally posted by Ed Cline

Oh Mr Steve, It's not like we stalk you, or covet our neighbors kites. More like checking the coin return on a pay phone. Revealing reference huh? She's a pretty one, nice clean bar, big wide sweet spots, and single (unfinished) skin. I'm too poor to look, but I looked, luckily I still like my own better. Whew! Could you tell me where FB land is? Or even what it is? Not joking, i dunno.

I definitely related to the pay phone reference and remember only too well the small jolt of excitement upon hitting pay dirt as a kid.

"FB Land": lowly FaceBook. :duh:

Thanks, and yet another wrinkle appears.
:embarrased: