Poppy freetstyle kite.
Review #1 on Racekites (10M)
Review #2 on Racekites (10M)
Review #3 on Racekites (7.5M)
Retail was ~$1270 (US)
Resale in 2007 $800 (US)
Resale in 2007 $950 (AU)
Resale in 2008 $550 (AU)
Resale in 2011 $300 (AU)
Use these prices as a guideline, not a "Blue Book." There might have been different levels of "seller motivation" in these sales and the conditions
of the kites will have varied.
2006 was the 4th Generation of the Frenzy, so it had acquired some pedigree by then.
If at all possible, it would be ideal if you could see the kite in person. At 5-6 six years on the odometer, that would give you the opportunity to
see how well it has aged:
What's the wear like on the flying lines and bridle.
How is the foam holding up on the bar?
Has there been any UV degradation of the PU coating on the chicken loop
Do the pulleys still spin freely
Is the condition of the friction pad on the tophat safety still supple and has the stitching held up.
Does the velcro on dirtouts still retain their tenacity
There have been incremental changes to the sail profile along the way, but you would
most likely have to fly kites from different years back to back to notice these.
2006 is prior to the inclusion of the Ozone Megatron Chicken Loop, but that is something that can be
retrofitted, but that runs about $90.
2006 was prior to the inclusion of:
Ronstan Orbit Pulleys. This basically runs the bridle segments through each other at the
pulley junctions. Even if there is a catastrophic failure of the pulley block, the bridle segments would still stay connected to each other.
Blow-out valves. These are overlapping panels on the undersize of certain cells on the canopy. In the event of a LE down crash, these allow
the kite to dump internal cell pressure so as to reduce the chances of damage to the cell walls.
Changes to air intake design (pics of 2006 and 2010 models respectively)
Leading edge mesh was added to keep debris out of the canopy.
Inlets were moved further back on the canopy to present a cleaner LE.
Select cells were closed off to reduce canopy collapse in low wind/luffing conditions (these cells are inflated via the rib wall cross
vents).
Diagonal ribs to optimize bridle configuration and reduce parasitic drag (by 28%).
Increased number of cells to reduce amount of deformation between top and bottom canopy panels.
Attachment for total flagout below the bar safety system.
Y-Line configuration to (droping number of lines from 4 to 3 along most of the length) ... less drag, less binding when lines are twisted.
Magnetic clam cleat trimmer to reduce flopping around of stopper ball.
Link line connecting to two halves of the Speed System to maintain the correct distance between both sides of the kite under varying conditions.
Hope that helps.
ATB,
Sam
"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12 - Jesus, does anyone?" - The Body by Stephen King