Just put in my first session with the big cheesburger wrapper....er, I mean the Peak 2 - finished in the dark after a couple hours in the paddock.
With a big smile on my face....which is probably THE most important thing. There are some really nice features - particularly the bar which is top
notch. It has a nice wide double opening - with the power lines running smoothly through it regardless of how much you turn it. There is a fair bit
of bar pressure once the kite starts to pull - but the little stopper ball that you can slide down the line to take the pressure off the bar is
genius. Every kite should have one of those. Kite launched and landed easily and didn't misbehave in the two hours of going around in the paddock.
Started off in probably 12 knots and the 6m makes a shirt load of power pulling me uphill and into the wind with ease. Even when the wind died to
around 6 - 8 knots I was surprised by the ease of which the kite can still park and ride producing lots of power from the apparent wind. Excellent
depower. It still gets all 'flappy' when you let the bar out and when turning, one of the corners of the kite flaps around a bit but pull the bar in
and everything goes taught. Once or twice I had too much bar out and the edges of the kite folded in towards the center and it took a little while to
properly re-inflate the kite but that didn't seem to happen later in the session as I got used to handling it.
Seems to have quite good upwind ability too. I was originally thinking the 6m should be good from 12 - 20 knots but after seeing how light the wind
got today, I would say the low end would be more like 6 knots or thereabouts.
All in all, a very satisfying two hour session in the paddock (which is only 150m or so on it's longest edge so by the time you start doing 30kph, the
fence is coming up fast). In fact, one of my most satisfying sessions at home.
John - makes my day to hear that you enjoyed your first session with your P2! Nice stuff. Interesting that you thought of the stopper ball as a lock
of sorts to take the pressure off the bar. I agree that it is a great little ball, but I for one always thought of it as a "range limiter" of sorts
should you want to decrease the amount of DP throw to the bar. Interesting. I'll have to experiment with it with your line of thinking.
What you described was the much discussed "tip tuck" when the edges folded in. As you may well come to find, it seems to happen (in my hands) in two
settings; first, a pilot error of sorts when you allow the kite to get deflated, often in a turn in lighter winds (sounds like what happened to you);
and, second, when the kite is in very powerful winds for its size, particularly during take off. I'm convinced that the first is mostly pilot error
(mine) and to an extent the second scenario is too, but to a lesser extent. Both can usually be remedied by pumping the bar and signing the kite for a
moment. As you gain more experience with the somewhat unique flying characteristics of the P2s tip tucks will get less and less frequent; you just
intuitively learn to avoid them. Your kite skill far exceeds mine so I have no doubt you will master the P2 in no time.
Cheers Steve Yeah, I think the stopper ball is definitely a 'cruise
control'. I only got to use it fleetingly in the paddock but on the beach or a longer run it will be the best thing since sliced bread allowing me to
set the bar where I want it and then fly with one hand and wave the camera bout with the other regardless of bar pressure. If I wasn't having so much
fun with the cheesburger wrapper, I would've put the 5m Longstar up for some comparison.
The P2 seems to combine the light wind ability of the NS2 with a more functional depower and decent upwind performance in one package. A bit quirky
for sure but it's performance left me really impressed. And if the 6m can generate that sort of power in 8 - 10 knots, sheesh, what does the 12m do??
I think the 4m will be next.....
John, this summer at JIBE I got to fly the 12m P2 side by side with the 19m Speed 3 Deluxe. The 12m P2 is much easier to keep in the air in light
wind. I can say that. However, the 19m Speed 3 rewards a good pilot that keeps it moving and will generate usable pull in an extra 1-2 mph less than
the 12m P2. I was able to park and ride upwind in 3mph and less of wind while the gentleman on the 12m P2 would sometimes be stopped and have to work
the Peak pretty hard to get moving again on very hard packed sand.
I can say that the 12m P2 is much easier to fly in light conditions, even when it isn't pulling, it is always flying. You could probably just stand at
the end of the lines blowing over the bar and get the thing to fly. It is freaky how it just hangs in the air, no matter how still it seems. The
Speed3 I was having to fly my ass off to get it to stay in the air.
NAPKA US8008
Kites:
Ozone R1 V3 7m
Flysurfer Sonic v3 15m
Flysurfer Speed 3 Deluxe 19m
Peter Lynn Charger 2 12m
Ozone Access Reride 6m
Peter Lynn 2013 Reactor 5.5m
Peter Lynn 2013 Reactor 8.6m
Prism Tensor 5.0m
The P2 seems to combine the light wind ability of the NS2 with a more functional depower and decent upwind performance in one package. A bit quirky
for sure but it's performance left me really impressed. And if the 6m can generate that sort of power in 8 - 10 knots, sheesh, what does the 12m do??
I think the 4m will be next.....
I couldn't agree more. The peak takes what we like on the nasa stars and excels with depower and performance. Stopper ball sounds nice although I
doubt I would be able to use it much in my wind. Some days I'm forced to kite a wind range that can vary from 7 mph to low 20's. Peak really comes
in handy on those days.
I think the stopper ball is definitely a 'cruise control'. I only got to use it fleetingly in the paddock but on the beach or a longer run it will
be the best thing since sliced bread allowing me to set the bar where I want it and then fly with one hand.....
Alrightythen! This reinforces my previous comment about Steffen using a stopper ball instead of his new fangled thingy for the 5-line LongStar bar.
The pressure on the Born bar is higher than the LS bar to be sure, so it would likely need to be larger, stouter, etc. to withstand the force. Maybe
he tried things along this line but abandoned this solution due to the pressure just being too great.
I'll try the ball as a cruise control stopper next time I'm in the right conditions. If we get a lot more snow I could do this here during some big
ranging snowkiting sessions. Otherwise, I'll try it at Ivanpah at IBX in March. Whupp!
Cheers guys. Demonknight - great info about the 12P2 v Speed 3.
3shot - no video or piccies yet but I might get the right wind conditions this evening with a bit of luck.
As John mentioned the stopper's primary purpose is to set the cruise control. It's especially helpful on the Peak where the optimal powered point of
the sheeting is in pretty close and a PITA to actively hold for long duration. So you can set the power just on the edge of the flutter point in the
wing. But as Steve mentioned it can also be used in conjunction with the clam cleat trim to adjust the power/depow range on the kite on the fly. The
downside of the stopper is it has near zero "push through" and if you are using it and get hit by a gust you cannot disengage the stopper and push the
bar out fast enough to avoid getting OP'd.
Locally we rarely get to use the stopper for any length of time. When we do, we tend to keep a hand centered on the bar and the stopper.
With practice you learn to slide you fingers quickly between the bar and stopper and push or pull the stopper as needed on the fly and with relative
swiftness.
Chris Krug-Owner @ Hardwater Kiting. Authorized Dealer of Ozone, Flysurfer, HQ kites. www.hardwaterkiter.com 603-986-2784
As John mentioned the stopper's primary purpose is to set the cruise control. It's especially helpful on the Peak where the optimal powered point of
the sheeting is in pretty close and a PITA to actively hold for long duration. So you can set the power just on the edge of the flutter point in the
wing. But as Steve mentioned it can also be used in conjunction with the clam cleat trim to adjust the power/depow range on the kite on the fly. The
downside of the stopper is it has near zero "push through" and if you are using it and get hit by a gust you cannot disengage the stopper and push the
bar out fast enough to avoid getting OP'd.
Locally we rarely get to use the stopper for any length of time. When we do, we tend to keep a hand centered on the bar and the stopper.
With practice you learn to slide you fingers quickly between the bar and stopper and push or pull the stopper as needed on the fly and with relative
swiftness.
Most excellent! I got a quick Snowkiting session in yesterday with my 12m P2 and fiddled with the stopper ball some. I was on some athletic fields
behind a school so I didn't have long to fly before turning, but nonetheless I was able to appreciate how the stopper ball could be used as described.
I completely see how having the ball choked in as a stopper could lead to an overpower situation in the right (wrong?) conditions.
I actually had a slightly different problem yesterday. I was dealing with light winds and relative underpower much of the time. I backstalled the kite
to the ground twice before I could fiddle the ball back out. Agreed that this could become a smoother action over time. Slightly harder in large mitts
being worn against the cold. Had I not had the stopper in I would have simply pushed the bar all the way out to get the kite to rise. It wouldn't have
pulled me, but at least it wouldn't have been on the ground.
It's all good, and I'm glad these kites have this feature. Once out in some wide open spaces (like Ivanpah! :D ) this will be a dandy feature!
Nice Vid John! I've yet to get moving with my 6m. Anxiously waiting for the ice to get thicker here. Gotta love the fact that no snow or sand will
ever get in your kite :D
SS Turbine 17m
SS Rally 14m
SS Rally 12m
SS RPM 10m
SS Rally 8m
SS Rally 6m
FS Speed 3 15m dlx
FS Peak 2 6m
Ozone Frenzy 9m
Ozone Access XT 6m
PL Farc 1200
What I ride:
Home brew buggy
Volkl race tiger DH 210
Dynastar DH 218
Blizzard Cochise 185
Steepwater 179 twin tip
Aboards Reverse 161
Gotta love the fact that no snow or sand will ever get in your kite :D
Gotta say, I've been digging the single skins in the snow for precisely that reason. Pile 'em high with snow to secure them while you play out your
lines and off you go, clean as a whistle! :karate:
Cheers guys. Off to Kingston tomorrow morning for a couple weeks of beach and claypan buggying. Hope to get LOTS of miles on the Peak 2 and the
Longstars.
Hey guys I want to add a crossover to the rear lines of both my peaks, to make it easier to reverse land with one hand and also to keep it down when
staked.
I know some of you have already done this, how did you go about it? Not sure what to use (webbing, dyneema?). And how long, just a little longer
than the bar?
Thanks for any tips!
Rev 1.5 SLE
PL Pepper 1.5m, Twister III 3m
Flysurfer Peak I 6m, Peak II 12m
Ozone Access V6 6m, 4m incoming!
Arcs Venom 13m, Synergy 15m
LEIs Slingshot Rally 7m, 9, 12m
Kheo Flyer Landboard
PTW SuperBug II
Nobile NHP Carbon Split
Hey guys I want to add a crossover to the rear lines of both my peaks, to make it easier to reverse land with one hand and also to keep it down when
staked.
I know some of you have already done this, how did you go about it? Not sure what to use (webbing, dyneema?). And how long, just a little longer
than the bar?
Thanks for any tips!
I installed a cross over strap on all four of my P2s and strongly recommend it. I got my straps from Chris (fewd) at Hardwater which is where I got
my P2s. Nothing magical about his straps of course; I suspect you could find something local in the UK.
As for installation, I disconnected the lines from the bridles and threaded the straps over the brake lines. Yes, I know I could have fiddled with
the connections under the foam rolls but it was just simpler to go from the other end. You can use a combination of simple overhand knots and the
little plastic balls to position the cross over strap at the desired distance from the bar. That took a little launching, testing, landing, and
fiddling for me to get the distance from the bar where I wanted it. Good luck!
I used some 1" webbing and two plastic tri glides to form the loops - didn't have to undo anything. Not exactly professional looking but it's easy to
get on and off. It's possible for it to slide up the lines but so far it's stayed put.
It's possible for it to slide up the lines but so far it's stayed put.
I had that problem too at first and the strap did slide up my lines. Ended up nestling the cross strap between the balls and a simple overhand knot I
formed on each bar pigtail. Yes, I know that changed the length of the brake lines just a tad, but it didn't seem to affect kite performance so what
the heck...
Steve, take a look at the stall handle on your Access. That is how we install them on the Peaks.
I need to post some instructions on the site.
Will do. Still haven't had the chance to use the Access under moving conditions. Winds have been such around here that I used the 12m P2 or 12.5m
NS3. There were some days a few weeks ago that might have been right but I was trying something different those days. In retrospect I should have
pulled the Access out just before Christmas. Have to wait for the next big Front to push through.
Got a chance to snowkite in a wide open space today and had my 12m P2 up. Following the fine lead of Mr. Holgate, I experimented with choking down
the bar with the little stopper ball. As he would say, BLOODY BRILLIANT! Takes all the pressure off of having to hold the bar in on long hauls,
leaving you to focus on fighting the force of the kite and really angulate against the kite and rip. You need to remember to release it before making
your turn though, since if you are like me, you want to use the DP around the corner to scrub speed.
Got a chance to snowkite in a wide open space today and had my 12m P2 up. Following the fine lead of Mr. Holgate, I experimented with choking down
the bar with the little stopper ball. As he would say, BLOODY BRILLIANT! Takes all the pressure off of having to hold the bar in on long hauls,
leaving you to focus on fighting the force of the kite and really angulate against the kite and rip. You need to remember to release it before making
your turn though, since if you are like me, you want to use the DP around the corner to scrub speed.
Really, really nice feature!
Sweet. I read about your intentional jumping on the other thread. Gives me a new goal
Does your wife like drying kites out as much as mine does? They don't feel wet when you pack them up, but once you bring inside they are half soaked.
Got a chance to snowkite in a wide open space today and had my 12m P2 up. Following the fine lead of Mr. Holgate, I experimented with choking down
the bar with the little stopper ball. As he would say, BLOODY BRILLIANT! Takes all the pressure off of having to hold the bar in on long hauls,
leaving you to focus on fighting the force of the kite and really angulate against the kite and rip. You need to remember to release it before making
your turn though, since if you are like me, you want to use the DP around the corner to scrub speed.
Really, really nice feature!
Sweet. I read about your intentional jumping on the other thread. Gives me a new goal
Does your wife like drying kites out as much as mine does? They don't feel wet when you pack them up, but once you bring inside they are half soaked.
I have certainly brought home a few kites this winter with stray bits of snow in them and have had to dry them out. Haven't pulled off that trick
though (living room drying). As I've mentioned in other threads at other times, I'm on my second and final marriage and have no intention of being
single again. :karate:
Truth be told, I've often landed my kites in the snow, wound my lines, done a crude fold up and put the kite bundle into the back of my rig. The
following day I've spread it out on the driveway and then folded it up properly. This has been with my Peaks. The NS3s are so easy to pack up that I
put them fully away in their stuff sacks right in the field. My Peaks though (particularly Session Saver; 12m) is so much to handle out in the wind
that my pack up becomes more of a M.A.S.H. unit.
Got a chance to snowkite in a wide open space today and had my 12m P2 up. Following the fine lead of Mr. Holgate, I experimented with choking down
the bar with the little stopper ball. As he would say, BLOODY BRILLIANT! Takes all the pressure off of having to hold the bar in on long hauls,
leaving you to focus on fighting the force of the kite and really angulate against the kite and rip. You need to remember to release it before making
your turn though, since if you are like me, you want to use the DP around the corner to scrub speed.
Really, really nice feature!
Sweet. I read about your intentional jumping on the other thread. Gives me a new goal
Does your wife like drying kites out as much as mine does? They don't feel wet when you pack them up, but once you bring inside they are half soaked.
Sigh..... Man I want a.9m:sniff:
Cross Kites Sonic 3, 5m
Ozone Flow 2, 3, 4, 5m
Ace II 4, 5m
NAPKA-US24
4, 5, 6m ATB landsurfer. Custom longboard deck
Buggy: VTT Black Widow v2.0
![[*]](images/perspective/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
Yeah, I think the stopper ball is definitely a 'cruise
control'. I only got to use it fleetingly in the paddock but on the beach or a longer run it will be the best thing since sliced bread allowing me to
set the bar where I want it and then fly with one hand and wave the camera bout with the other regardless of bar pressure. If I wasn't having so much
fun with the cheesburger wrapper, I would've put the 5m Longstar up for some comparison.
