I just purchased a full set of Viper S's but I noticed that there is a ton of overlap in the wind range graph on the pl website. I am assuming that is primarily for static flying? will I have better range in a buggy? will I be able to take the 2.6 out in higher winds than 12.5mph?
I was nervous about showing up at the NABX to collect my PTW buggy with only one suitable kite for bugging. My jakks would probably blow out in high wind on a buggy so that would only leave me with the R II 4.4. I figure the Vipers would treat me for a year then hand them down to My 15 year old and move up to a full set of R2’s? does this sound like good thinking?

Thanks in advance for comments/suggestions!

Quote:

Originally posted by MDK I just purchased a full set of Viper S's but I noticed that there is a ton of overlap in the wind range graph on the pl website. I am assuming that is primarily for static flying? will I have better range in a buggy? will I be able to take the 2.6 out in higher winds than 12.5mph?

You do realize that that scale is in Meters/Second along the top, right?

12.5 meters/second * 2.23693629 = 27.9617036 miles per hour.

And for reference, my favorite rendition of the Beaufort scale.



ATB,
Sam

ah.. well it was too small to read, all I could see was the m, but that makes sense, I guess I’m used to MPH or KPH or knots I didn't think about Meters/sec. my ignorance is revealed yet again
well I'm also thinking that these vipers will be better for flying in dirty Idaho wind and still perform well when I get to the Playa or the beach? is my thinking right on that?
I have been having a blast flying the Reactor Static, I like how it flies right out the window, turn it down and right back into the window, or right up over my head and out the window where I have to spin completely around and fly it back in, amazing! I realize the vipers may not do this quiet as well but serve the purpose anyway.

The method I personally use for kite size/wind velocity is fly it till the handels get ripped out of your hands or you get pulled out of your buggy. Now you have a reference for the top end of you kite.

Quote:

Originally posted by bobsalinas The method I personally use for kite size/wind velocity is fly it till the handels get ripped out of your hands or you get pulled out of your buggy. Now you have a reference for the top end of you kite.

Couldn't have said it better myself! I love my vipers! Some of my best sessions have been with a viper in the sky. Underrated kites IMHO.

i sent you a u2u bro lol @mdk

I hear vipers are great buggy kites,... I REALLY want one!

I've also heard they're to be discontinued!!! I hope I can snag one before they're all gone (Just need the dinero $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$)

yes it is true the viper is to be discontinued. This is a sad day for me as I think everyone knows how much I have always liked the viper. I pleaded with PL in the past and they kept it around for a little longer but I guess the worldwide sales are simply not there. PL did just offer a discount to dealers on the viper so I ordered a boat load

Quote:

Originally posted by DAKITEZ PL did just offer a discount to dealers on the viper so I ordered a boat load

Hmmm...

hey Dino,
how does the viper compare to the blurr???
performance wise?

well it sounds like I made a good choice. + If it wasn't for the that really good ddiscount I wouldn't have a full set of kites.

Just got the UPS notice my vipers are at the front door! I think my wife needs to call me about a broken pipe under the house and to get home right away!

HA!!

Only if the wind is blowing bro! It sucks to go home early for kites and watch 'em sit on the ground... save the broken pipe for windy days

I live up on a hill in a valley. its odd when its not blowing :bouncy: the best is when the lower valley is warming up and pulling air from the north! smooooooth. looking out the window and the flag is blowing here in town.... yep I think that pipe just broke!

Quote:

Originally posted by bobsalinas hey Dino, how does the viper compare to the blurr??? performance wise?

sorry Bob missed this. the difference is about $100 lol
Thats actually not bad difference now .. at one time the blurr was about a $200 - $300 difference.

I would say the biggest difference is the blurr has the AAA adjuster. not sure it is as stable as the viper. performance wise I would say very close. When the blurr came out it was advertised as a extreme race kite ... that is just not the case. I would call it an intermediate racer like the viper.
The blurr when it was first released had all this hype built up about how great it was ... then we flew it and realized it wasn't all that. Don't get me wrong its not a bad kite .. it flies fine. But we were all led to believe it was a Lamborghini and it had the price tag to match when it was released. Then we flew it and realized we had a lambo with a stock 350 in it Again nothing wrong with a stock 350 but it didn't blow our socks off. So that disappointment has stuck with me for all these years and its difficult to recommend one. Then add on the fact that flexi has cut our margins to zero makes it really difficult to recommend when I feel the manufacturer is not supporting its dealers.

I haven't seen the graph but I know my earlier series all of them will start flying in almost no wind ,but for pulling a buggy there is almost no overlap. In any given wind they are like are Goldie Locks and the three bears , one size will be too small and you will have to work it. One size will be to big and it will be difficult to overcome the lift and side pull while trying to bring it up to speed. One size will be just right , come up to speed ,hog it in and go fast. I've had my 2.6 in gusty 30+ wind at WBB and it required more skill than I possessed at the time. Wicked fast to the edge of the window and no ability to stop were the challenges that day.

Well I finally got to fly the vipers, I went home early last Friday and the wind was blowing but I decided to take the wife out to dinner since I was leaving to Phoenix for business the next morning for 5 days. Since I got back I have been working dark to dark. I got home from work around 5 today and not much wind (0 to 2.5) so I got the 6.8 out, tightened the bridles up, hooked up the lines and commanded a launch….I was not expecting it to launch….I felt no wind to my back yet it launched! Turned it down and across and was amazed at how much pull it had with such low wind. I then hooked up the 5.3 to see if I could stretch its legs as well, by this time the wind has picked up slightly to around 2 to 3. Even with the little extra wind I was amazed at the difference in pull between the two, the 5.3 felt really mild but fast for a 5.3. then I hooked the 6.8 back up and launched…..what the hell! Got about a 30 foot scud, also was amazed at the difference in lift, 6.8 felt lifty. All in all it was a great session, flew till dark. Maybe I can get the other two out tomorrow.

Things of beauty....the Vipers

speaking of beauty I wasnt all that excited about the colors when I ordered them, but l pulled them out of the bag and the colors were brighter than I thought and during my session last night the sun was low and the colors were coming through the white inner real nice, and the big lettering on the inside! they looked awesome in the air!

They are always better in person than the ridiculous cartoon drawings the manufacturer gives you.

Pics of session with the vipers @ my favorite place to fly static
https://picasaweb.google.com/111813139826617902871/March1720...

Vipers are perfect NABX kites for me. Fast enough, cheap so I don't cry if I burn a hole in one. Bang for the buck they are great. I have also noticed very little overlap. If anything there is a bit of a gap, but I am not flying the S but the gen before. The jump in power and speed from the 2.6 to 3.9 was shocking to me. Good wind on the beach at home I fly the 3.9 or my RII 5.5. I think you made a good choice!

Wow, wish I could afford a full set of Vipers....especially the S'. I used to love my 3.9 but now that I have a 6.8 it's almost obsolete. It just doesn't have enough pull for where I ride. When I'm overpowered with the 6.8 I just have to pack it up and go home. Hopefully I'll be able to get a ~5m kite soon! I think once I get out to the beach the 3.9 will come into it's own, though. Congrats!

@ChrisH- Riding grass will make extra drag. Get the 3.9 out on hard pack at the beach or even more so on the lake bed at NABX, you will love it. Also, the pro links are such a heavy handle that could be slowing things down a bit. I have a set with some shorter Q-power lines and I wont use them on anything smaller than a 5-6m.

Hijack over.

yeah now that I have flown them, there is definitely no overlap. I am really happy with my quiver, pretty much guaranteed a session. we'll see how it works out when I get my buggy. Chris I sold all my race car stuff that took me years to accumulate to fund my new hobby, otherwise I would still be dinken around with the cheapo Jakks Kites. I don’t miss the race car stuff

that blue viper s is sharp! I really like the colors!

You got the green/black one right? Lol sweet kites for sure!



I hear Mougl is "trying" some viper s kites out Sounds like a pretty dang solid kite!

Yeah the 5.3 is green yellow and black, I flew it yesterday too but no pics, my 14 year old refused to take photos of it cuz she is a BSU fan and the 5.3 sports the OR Ducks colors I think its sharp though! + I told her that BSU was in control (string colors Blue & Orange) but she still wouldnt do it. correction in a previous post I said my son was 14, he is 15, better correct that before he sees it.

Took the 5.3 for a spin this morning. WOW! Great power, speed, and upwind. Stable as they come. Didn't try to overfly on me and no falling out of the sky. Turns super fast (on a tip) This looks like its going to be my new go-to.

Quote:

Originally posted by mougl Took the 5.3 for a spin this morning. WOW! Great power, speed, and upwind. Stable as they come. Didn't try to overfly on me and no falling out of the sky. Turns super fast (on a tip) This looks like its going to be my new go-to.

Told you so! Maybe you will start to listen now. Dang teenagers think they know everything lol

Quote:

Originally posted by mougl Took the 5.3 for a spin this morning. WOW! Great power, speed, and upwind. Stable as they come. Didn't try to overfly on me and no falling out of the sky. Turns super fast (on a tip) This looks like its going to be my new go-to.

Told you so! Maybe you will start to listen now. Dang teenagers think they know everything lol