Well, I noticed the new member, wanjia, had some kites I've never heard of, so I contacted them. It turns out that wanjia is a kite factory in Shandong province, mainland China. The representative I contacted (Derek) said that they would be willing to let us do a pass of their 4.5M Albatross. I told them that to earn a place in our market, they would have to pass your critical review. Anyone interested in doing a pass around on this kite, and post a review of it when finished? When I get a list of people, we shall proceed.

Count me in! I'd love to take part in a pass-around. How should I proceed? U2u my address?

Yeah, I'm not yet in posession of this kite, but I will fly it when I receive it, then pass it along to the next person on the list, and post my review in the review section. Will try to make the list go from one coast to the other, so shipping shouldn't be too bad. Wanjia, ( or Derek, whichever you prefer) Do you understand how a pass works on this forum? If not I'll e-mail you with the procedure used here.

holy ebay style ... here we go again.

China Rev: http://albatrosskite.en.alibaba.com/product/202887150-200099...
Real Rev: http://www.revkites.com/main/Supersonic

China Pep: http://albatrosskite.en.alibaba.com/product/213582369-200098...
Peter Lynn Pepper: http://www.powerkiteshop.com/kites/peterlynnpepper.htm

China Sport Kite: http://albatrosskite.en.alibaba.com/product/202860640-200098...
HQ / Invento (cant remember name)

Given all the complaints of late, I'm thinking a "Pass the Wind" might not be a bad idea ... beans, anyone?

Sorry, didn't know about this. I stand properly corrected. If you knew this when 'wanjia' started posting, it would have been helpful to us newbs if you had just revealed the 'rip'off nature of their business. It's getting so it's hard to tell the real dealers from the copycat ones!

AHHH yet another ripoff company.

yeah, i checked out their website and as soon as i saw the imitation REV's that was enough for me....

So this has gone from Pass the Albatross to a pass on the company.

Right on. Good to have knowledgeable folks here to keep an eye out for all of us.

I believe it is a branch company, or sister company, or Pan, (Pansh) himself.
Stay away from the imitations. The handles and line sets are the copy's also.
Biggest clue on the kites/lines/handles, where they are made and where they come from. And they look a lot like other kites.

oh yeah and when flying, don't bother connecting the brakes...they don't give you honor!

http://cgi.ebay.com/large-4-Lines-Control-Power-kite-free-ha...

note the pics

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites China Sport Kite: http://albatrosskite.en.alibaba.com/product/202860640-200098... HQ / Invento (cant remember name)

Doesn't have the leading edge color band, but very similar to an Invento-HQ Tramontana.



ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by art_lessing oh yeah and when flying, don't bother connecting the brakes...they don't give you honor! http://cgi.ebay.com/large-4-Lines-Control-Power-kite-free-ha... note the pics

The Rev style handles worry me more

ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid I believe it is a branch company, or sister company, or Pan, (Pansh) himself. Stay away from the imitations. The handles and line sets are the copy's also. Biggest clue on the kites/lines/handles, where they are made and where they come from. And they look a lot like other kites.

its the whole damn province ... in china. there is like some 50 kite factories there.

how did they obtain similar designs to the production kites?
at some point certain brands must have requested samples / building quotes.

also if one factory is behind schedule they send patterns to another factory.

@indigo_wolf : thx :tumble:
bonus question: what was the smaller version called

I guess in China , things like patents ,copyrights, ensuring product safety,and making a quality products are just suggestions. And we don't even want to talk about their enviromental standards.

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites @indigo_wolf : thx :tumble: bonus question: what was the smaller version called

The Babytana.

Do I win a prize? :singing:

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites[ how did they obtain similar designs to the production kites? at some point certain brands must have requested samples / building quotes.

I believe there is also a lot of "reverse engineering" from many, many photos taken at kite festivals.

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites[ @indigo_wolf : thx bonus question: what was the smaller version called

you mean the Babytana? ;-)
always intriqued by those because of the micro carbon frame, but not a fan of white sails. Do have a Vented Tram in purple/gray..... very cool the way the venting was done.

ATB,
Sam