Well, I picked up a 13m Hyper Venom some time ago and finally found time this week to fly it a couple times. It's on a home-made, "Frankensteined" bar and lines that are 7m too short (more on that later) but, it flew. I just have a feeling that it flew with half of the power it's supposed to have, but I still managed to get some good 7 footers. The kite turned kind of sluggishly... probably because of the absurdly short lines and low wind. On the positive side, it was really easy to set up and self-launch... I don't know what all this talk of ARCs being hard to get airborne solo is about... it seemed pretty easy to me. Just lay out the kite and get about 45 degrees from it, then give the front lines a tug and up she goes. It does sort of have auto zenith... due to a TET mod it's slightly different than a stock ARC. It will go to the zenith, then slowly drift left to the edge of the window, and sit there before drifting back to the right, until it's directly down wind in the power zone with no pull at all. Kind of neat I can run a few steps downwind towards the kite so there's slack in the lines and it will virtually land itself. No CL release necessary.

Okay, so about the lines... basically, I got stuck with a bar from Ebay that I really don't want... with 5 days left to bid, I threw on like $5 just to see what would happen. About the following day, people on here started to U2U me saying they'll send me the parts I need to make my own bar. Well, I jumped on that, and I now have a working depower bar that I got for phree. (Thanks again so much ) I thought more people would bid on the Ebay bar, seeing as it was a really good deal... but, they didn't. So now I'm down $122 on something I really don't want or need. I'm waiting on a reply from the seller to see if he contacted the one other bidder, to see if he still wants it. If I end up having to purchase this bar, then obviously my line problem would be solved... if not, I'll just buy some 7m extensions... but I can't really give a full review until I get this sorted out.

So far, I REALLY like this kite. I'm totally psyched to have it. I can't wait to be able to fly it properly, and step into my ATB. It's perfect for the wind I have here, because I was honestly skeptical on how well it'd be able to handle gusts, and it munched all skepticism. Munched all the gusts, too :D

Just wondering, what happened to the Ozone bar/lines? Never thought of it , but that could probably have been your answer all along. If you still have the lines, they should be the 25M.

I still beat myself up over that. I sold my Ozone bar and lines to my friend in Corpus Christi who got me into this whole kiting thing. I could really use the lines, but I didn't like the bar too much. Same deal with this Slingshot bar from Ebay... all I really need are the lines... but at the time I needed a complete bar.

EDIT: The Slingshot bar is a 55 cm c-kite bar that comes with 25m lines. All I'd need to do is switch out the chicken loops so I'd have the proper throw. A second bar/lines would be nice... but I honestly don't have the money for it all right now. Especially when I need to buy books for college, get a new car, pay for gas, you name it. Not to mention, I don't have a job right now... so I'm looking to get 7m extensions.

Short lines should speed up the turning ... you might not be flying it in enough wind
What's the bar you won?

I don't think it was enough wind. Maybe like 12 mph max. I know it'd speed up the turning with shorter lines, but with lines THAT short, I wasn't exactly sure if it was the wind or not. It has a TET, TST, and SFS... so it should turn quite quickly with the proper line length. Not to mention, require much less wind to get going.

Here's a picture of the Slingshot bar... I'm sorry I don't have one of it all laid out.

http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/SeannyEatsWorld/?ac...

Here it is in Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&...

Looks short! Might work alright ... assuming the lines are the same length when the bar is sheeted in and the safety system is similar ... I'm not a huge fan of the pin-pull safeties but an Ozone CL can be had for like $70 IIRC

I have a Zero 4 CL right now. It's practically brand new and the build quality is nice, but I really don't like it. Well, I guess it's not too bad... if things went down drain and I had to pull it, then I'm willing to bet that there would definitely be enough tension on it so it'd release properly. But if the kite is just sitting in the air depowered, it probably wouldn't budge when I pull then pin. Beggars can't be choosers.

This happened to me once ... launched the Phantom, had twisted the LHS brake and power line when rigging, went to pull the safety - damned thing wouldn't budge ... took a desperate second and third tug to release it :o

The problem is when the kite is loaded, the force required to remove the pin gets rather high ... and it's such an odd angle to have to pull at - not to mention actually grabbing the loop in the first place, when the pooh hits the fan ...

The Ozone CL is much easier to release under load and almost one-handed reset too ... worth the money. I just bought 3 to replace all my FS CL's ...!

New CL is definitely on the list! Lines first. I need those. At least I have a CL that does it's job. Hmmm. Are there any simple DIY mods that I could do to this CL to make it work better?

Hmm, the FS CL uses a low tension line to make it release easier, but I can't remember how it's all hooked up ... there's pictures in the manuals but I doubt they'd help, without being able to see one in the flesh.

The lines on the Slingshot bar look new - why not just use them?

I often fly my Arcs on 20m lines, it work well, it's like having a size less. It's perfect for a beginner with no money, it's a kind of one kite quiver. I fly with home made bars too, sometime it's a little tricky to get the right lines length, build pigtails with a lot of knots, 2" spaced, and remember that shorter front lines speed up the kite, in slow wind power is build with the speed of the kite.

Matt

Well, if I can get away with just buying line extensions, I'd rather do that then pay a lot more for something I don't really need. I have a feeling though that I'm going to end up paying for the Slingy. Which is fine, I guess. It'd be nice to have two line sets so I could fly more than one kite at once. And an extra bar couldn't hurt.

I got the 13m with the "one kite quiver" in mind :D it can handle just about all of the conditions I have around here. If I had more money, I probably would have tried for a 10/16 quiver or something. But the 13 is a cherry kite. It'll do fine as my low and high wind kite... I only weigh like 122 pounds lol :P

at 122 # , u might want to rethink that one kite thing.

you will be easily over powered over 15

I'll be okay. This is my first time on an ARC, but it seems to be a gentle giant until you power it up. Tons of depower. I've flown OP'd before, and did just fine. I've flown my Twister II 4.1 in 30 mph, at least... and I flew a 12m LF Envy at the coast in 25 mph easily. Ricardo weighs even less than I, and I KNOW he flies OP'd

That's an expensive bar and lines you got there on ebay. I bought a brand new 2009 Slingy bar and lines for only $99 with the proper depower length. Those bars for C kites are only worth about $50 even new. I have about 3 used bars and lines ( used on SLE kites) that will work on the arcs if you still need one. You can have them for $50 + shipping each.

122# in 25mph on a 12m?

well just to help, a guy i helped get started is at 125# he flies a 11m lei and rarely can stay out much over maybe 18mph over 20 he comes off the water to watch.

ricardo?

I know it's expensive! And I REALLY don't want it. I wish I would have known that you had some cheap bars for me, I could have used them. Ah well. I have a working one. Now I just have to get rid of this one... if anyone wants it, I can figure out a way to get it to you...

Ripsessionkites is Ricardo he weighs like 115 pounds. Ken told me he can hold down his 15m Synergy in some pretty ridiculous wind.

"I've flown OP'd before, and did just fine. "

If that's not jinxing yourself I don't know what is.

In Regards to Rip's ability to handle the 15m in stout wind keep in mind his expirience level and the fact that he's riding on a bar and line set up that was designed for the Syn and not some bastardized rigging.

Most people who have played with such set ups will tell you that sometimes things fly just fine most of the time but can suddenly turn on you when things get to a certain point. The Venom is a sweet kite for sure but don't let your guard down, she can produce a ton of power.

I'll be fine. The last thing I need to be told is that everything I've worked for is useless beyond a very narrow margin. I've got to move out of the kiddie pool sometime... I'm just doing what I love doing... and I know what I can and can't handle. I'm still new to the sport, but I'm no newb. I'm a responsible rider. I thought one of the best things you can do to familiarize yourself with a kite is to become accustomed to it in all conditions? I wouldn't take any kite out in stupid wind, but I certainly would with this kite in something more than 15 mph... that's just rustling the leaves...

LOL easy there cowboy, I'm not peeing in ur cornflakes. No one said your set up was useless beyond a narrow margin.

But by your own admittance you're flying an unfamiliar kite with a non-standard bar set up. My comment has nothing to do with the "kiddie pool" but more to do with keeping things in perspective.

I agree you should familiarize a kites flying habits in a wide range of conditions. And you've had one session underpowered. Hardly a basis to judge the over all performance and handling of a given kite.

I'm all for pushing the limits of my kites believe me, but I never let my guard down no matter how mundane conditions seem.

I didn't mean to come off strong. Phree says, "You will be easily over powered over 15". Well, if it takes 10 mph to get the kite off the ground, then that leaves 5 mph of manageable wind to fly? Sounds like a narrow margin to me? The bar is built to the almost exact specifications of a Zero 7. Could someone please tell me what I can do instead of what I can't? I know it's hard to never say never, but I practically NEVER let my guard down when kiting. Especially now that my wrist is mangled.

You can ... use the Q-tip only around the outside of your ear

You on land or water? I like a who-ooole lot less power on the land ... but then we're pretty limited in open area here. I don't mind being over-powered (now!) when I've a good beach to launch from and know the area.
It's MHO that you need to get out and give yourself a good scare, to find your limits ... a man's got to know his limitations. A mild-mannered noodling on the beach, jumping around, can turn into a good lofting if you let your guard down ... been there, done that - check my shorts.

Also, when you get rolling on that Flight, you're going to build apparent wind and 15mph will be more like 20 or 25, if you were static. Unless you're like me and ride like an old lady, choking the kite

Check your bar and safety release ... make sure it flags the kite totally ... seriously, before you spend money on lines I'd get a better CL ...

Hmmm, well I have an old Takoon CL that has a push-away release that seems to work just fine. It's a little worn, but not too much. It should do the trick. Although the kite DOES flag properly, as long as the CL releases. And a good scare always does it for me. Initially, at least. But it's a good idea to get some boundaries set. There are going to be hellacious winds coming through tomorrow and Wednesday... I'd best keep the kites packed up... 22-25 mph average wind speed all day and all night for several days. I'll expect gusts over 40. And seeing as it's going to be raining and the temperature index is 0F, I'd rather not kill myself while freezing my noodle off. :wee:

Does the V1 have the trim straps? There's a bit of extra range to be had out of them ...
And yeah, to bollocks with cold - I'm so over winter

You mean the internal straps that you can loosen or tighten to affect how the kite performs? Uhhh... it has an internal strap... I'm not sure if it's the same as the ones on the newer kite... it's black and doesn't have any text or pictures on it. And, this one has been modified (shortened) which leads me to believe that it isn't adjustable from the factory. Also, I've never seen an original one. So I basically just typed all of that to tell you I really don't know.

Here's a picture of the shortened front strap in my kite:

http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n531/SeannyEatsWorld/?ac...

It looks to me like it's just a strip of fabric that goes between the walls of one cell, and it was wound around a piece of pipe and tied off to shorten it.

it only takes a minute to un-shorten it. cut the string. fly it and see which you like better. carry a piece of string with you and put it back if you want. or change the stick. I used a piece of carbon fiber spar. you cold use 3/4" pvc sprinkler pipe and see if you like it shortened that much. but regardless of wind strength, I NEVER launch if I am not 100% certain my quick release works perfect.

in 15-20mph on atb with 13m is good for me but 80 lbs. lighter ...you r gonna have you hands full.

might want to check the front line leaders on the kite, should be about 24 inches.

if they are short your not getting all the range.

i think once you get rolling, granted you not on the beach(?), you'll get the message one way or another.

Seanny you are gonna do just fine, you aren't stupid like some other people out there. Keep testing your kite in increasing winds in small segments until you feel comfortable to ride fully powered. Once you get the hang of it in lower winds you'll soon be cranking away. Keep being cautious and if you experiment, do it in low winds so you don't get tossed. I Dunno why I'm yelling you this, you already do your best to get good advice. Good luck bud

Definitely not going to take the kite out until I do something about the CL, I really don't like the Zero 4 safety system. Regardless, I'm also not taking my kite out anyway until my wrist is stable. I should be getting a cast on it tomorrow, and that should help things along. Pretty sure I'll be able to fly with it. I'll take it easy, though. Winds are pretty great right now... 15 gusting to 25... but I'm staying in. Seems like a little much. I don't want to push it with an injury. And it's damn cold. Hot toddies anyone?