I'm wondering what the difference is between the PL Reactor I vs. the II. I'm looking for a new light wind kite for landboarding and would like something in the 6m range. I really like the Reactor I 6.4, but had no chance to fly the II. Does anyone flew both and can help with information?

Thanks in advance.

Both are great kites!
The 6.4 was replaced by the 6.9 in the II series. The 8.3 (the only kite out of the I series that I didn't like) was replaced with an 8.6 (tracktor problem from I series solved)
Bridal lines on the II are better quality.
II series has less lift so if you want to jump go for the I.
For light wind you will need somthing bigger than the 6.4, it really first comes to life at around 11 knots.

The only kite that I would not recomend out of both series is the 8.3. If it has not been tuned it will run well up to around 30mph, but after that you nees to work very hard to get it to go faster. I have heard that with some adjustments you can improve this but I have never seen it in real life.

Quote:

Originally posted by Krohn1999 Both are great kites! The 6.4 was replaced by the 6.9 in the II series. The 8.3 (the only kite out of the I series that I didn't like) was replaced with an 8.6 (tracktor problem from I series solved) Bridal lines on the II are better quality. II series has less lift so if you want to jump go for the I. For light wind you will need somthing bigger than the 6.4, it really first comes to life at around 11 knots. The only kite that I would not recomend out of both series is the 8.3. If it has not been tuned it will run well up to around 30mph, but after that you nees to work very hard to get it to go faster. I have heard that with some adjustments you can improve this but I have never seen it in real life.

bastard beat me to the post ... i must not sleep.
the RII was designed more as an Advanced Race buggy engine.

i wish they would make a bigger twister II, oh wait they did for me.
maybe try out a twister II 7.7m and see if you like it.

There is currently a "like new" Twister 7.7 on FoilZone.

Asking price is $350 CDN RTF (on bar).

Doesn't specify I or II, so I suspect it's the former.

ATB,
Sam

Soooo, what needs to be done to my Reactor 1, 8.3 to trick it up??????
My only gripe with the series 1 Reactors, is with time the bridals. They catch on sea weed etc and the salt crystals on the lake I fly from. This fluffs them up and now they look like long pipe cleaners.

Regards Chook

Thanks all for your prompt reply. My first idea was to get a Flexi Blade IV 6.5 but since they are rare and still expensive I test flew the Reactor I and I liked it. I usually test fly kites before I buy them. Unfortunately I don't know anybody with a Twister, but it could be a good alternative.

Lift is not my first priority for this kite. I'll post something in 'Wanted' later today and see if anybody has a Reactor I or II for sale.

Love my Reactors...both the I's and II's.

Haven't noticed that much of a difference in flight characteristics but then again, I don't think I am as a proficient rider as the people that have posted before me. I was just really glad they changed the bridles on the II's series : )'

Out of the I's I have my favorite is either the 4.9 or 6.4 but I really like the 8.3 for landboarding. It's probably my go to kite for getting little jumps in my little park where depowerables that I've tried just won't work (too many holes, light wind and not enough room).

I also have the Twister 7.7 and Blade IV 6.5. Not really too much time on either one of them, but in my opinion the blade is just the ultimate FB when wanting to jump. The Twister took me a few flights to get the jumping down whereas the Blade is basically redirect and you're off....

Bottom line...can't really go wrong with any of the kites you have listed! If you can get a great deal on the I's I would probably do that...you'll be getting a great kite...Have fun, whatever you decide ;-)

There is a Reactor I 8.3 for sale... right here on pkf! Great price too!
(I don't think trying to get a few more mph out of it would be worth the effort... Just grab a kite 1 size down)
Ron

The Reactor I's were so easy to fly, I could recommend them to a novice with the budget to go right to a purpose built high end buggy engine. It used to make me wonder why the Viper was there except for the price difference. Now RII seems to take more finesse with brake tension management that it might frustrate some novices that are not used to dealing with this. Now the Viper makes perfect sense and their product line for the buggy is well stratified.

The Reactors always benefited from the right brake tension to get the real zoom out of it, but try that too soon with the RII and it is easy to choke it, as evidenced by the puckering of the lower skin. I find myself putting knots way up the top leaders to loosen the brakes and launching like a two line then tweekeng brake tension once in motion.

Quote:

I find myself putting knows way up the top leaders to loosen the brakes and launching like a two line then tweekeng brake tension once in motion.

I did that exact same thing...My feeling was that the brake lines were just a tad too short on the II's. Granted, I've only flown the 10 and in light wind it's really easy to choke a kite.

Great input, guys. Much appreciated!

I read out that the Reactor II has more 'race genes'. I'm looking for a nice performing, but still easy to flying kite. So I assume the Reactor I fits the bill here.

I'm a big fan of smaller kites. I usually move/loop kites before I go to bigger sizes. I think the 6.4. is already huge for my taste :wow:

I'll post something in 'wanted' and see how it goes.

Again- thanks everybody