Sorry for the overlap on the on the thread but I thought that this should start a new thread.

There has been a lot of talk about the original HQ Neos, compared to the new Neo 2 and the new 5th line safety, the TDS, or "Total Depower Safety" as the they call it. Several original Neo owners were not happy with the original Neo's unwillingness to de-power when dumped to safety, especially in high winds.

After extensive testing here in the Coastal Wind Sports Skunk Works, we have determined that the cause is neither a problem with electronics, the bar itself nor a sticking floor mat.

My 11 m Neo is off to Jeff Howard and the guys at ProkiteSurf / http://www.fixmykite.com for a retro-fit of the new Neo 2 5th line safety. Jeff quoted me "around $12" for each of the three bridle points to be added to the sail. This is the only hard part requiring special skill; the rest can be done by most tinkerers and I have the specs.

I am going to have him sew up all the bridle segments and line segments plus add necessary hardware (Heavy amsteel-like dyneema for the bar segment, steel rings, stopper balls, etc.) so I will soon be able to report a complete price for the full-turn-key conversion.

I have most all the necessary specs for all size Neos and have shared them with Jeff, so that he should be able to take care of anyone else that wants to have the conversion done. Once I have the fix in and tested, I will reach out to all my past Neo customers to offer special arrangements.

If anyone wants the specs for the conversion, contact me off list via email at angus at coastalwindsports dot com.

Angus thats awesome cause I want a neo baaaadd. I met a guy at the local park last year that saw me flying, turns out hes one of Jeffs good buddies and we fly regularly now, cool huh

Angus, YOU ROCK!!!!!!

Well done.:bigok:

dang! sweet deal... i know you've been looking for a fix on that neo for a while now... glad to hear it will finally dump all the power when needed

Angus, I'm having a hard time figuring how you're "working the funds float" on this one. You keep this up and you will end up with a reputation of someone that does this stuff because of your passion for the sport and the pleasure you get from taking care of your customers. :bigok: Keep the Raid handy.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob Keep the Raid handy.

Awe, poor boob. Put some Aloe on those bug-bite scabs, quit scratching 'em, and get over it ya great flappy-chested gas bag. (about face, lifts kilt, annnnd... :moon: WAAAAVING!)

I learned even the 5th line safety has limitations and does not render the kite completely harmless in all conditions.

Couple weeks ago I was flying the Neo II 8.5m in winds averaging averaging 5-8 gusting to 15 as a front was moving in. I'd been watching the front approach, coming down the Front Range of the Rockies here where you can see them coming for miles, sometimes taking hours to close in, and sometimes only minutes when conditions suddenly change... so I had it in mind.

I heard the wind before I felt it - and that's why my hand was already on the release when it hit. I've no idea how hard it was blowing - but it was blowing hard enough that, with the 5th line fully engaged, the kite was still flapping 20+ feet off the ground like a giant demonic taco on a string. I had to secure the 5th line to kite stake and walk hand-over-hand down the 5th line to finally drag the demon out of the air. Then I knelt on it. And pondered what to do next, given the pack for the kite was still at the stake...

Fortunately a minute or so later the front had passed and things died down.

There was still a good deal of force on the flagged kite - but not so much I couldn't clip it into the kite stake, and definately not so much the stake couldn't hold. I expect if I'd had a Neo 1 instead of the II that might not have been the case.. making things much more serious.

So I expect folks will, and should, greatly appreciate your efforts in securing this upgrade Angus. Good job.

Angus, sorry for dipping into the mud here. My credo of no personal insults needs to be upgraded to no innuendo or jabs that aren't in fun. It just causes the quality of the forum to suffer because you just don't know where some people will take it to. All the kudos still stand. Thanks for all you do for the sport.

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innuendos work great with the fiance
i'd never give 'em up

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