Due for launch in mid June, is the new Long Star from Born-Kite.
It has a much wider window than the Nasa Star 3 but does not give away the brilliant stability the NS3 is known for. It uses a Leading Edge Depower
system (LED). No fluttering and no collapse even in gusty conditions. You can control any backstall actively with the LED and relaunch is said to be
very easy.
Will it be faster? Will it head upwind better? - I would think it will on both counts. At this point, I've only seen the photos and had a brief
description from Steffen but I should have my hands on one when they become available and will let you know what I find.
No details on cost yet, we may have to wait till they appear on the website. Interestingly, this is not the Ultra Star - I don't know the
differences but I believe the Ultra Star may be a little more like the Peak and should be available later this year.
This looks very interesting. Last night, my wife was just saying how she wished I had a longer one. :D
Once you get a Long Star, you need never feel inadequate again!
Seriously though, everything I want in a kite is the stability and ease of use of the NS3 with 15% more speed and upwind ability. The Long Star may
get awfully close to that - I'm chomping at the bit to try one.
I particularly like the color scheme. Sorta looks like two NS3's joined together....
Hmmmm.....Long Star.....anyone else getting images of gunslingers?
It is certainly very strange looking,... I'm very interested in seeing how it performs... And of course you can't help but wonder now that you've
bought what you thought was the most recent Nasa Star design, he's already on to the next thing?!?!?
And of course you can't help but wonder now that you've bought what you thought was the most recent Nasa Star design, he's already on to the next
thing?!?!?
It would seem that Steffen is not one to sit around wondering if he can build a better mousetrap, so to speak.
I've known about the Ultra Star for a long time as a kite that would be more purpose built for buggying but hadn't seen any pics until they popped up
in the German magazine. But I knew nothing about the Long Star till two weeks ago - progress on single skin design is looking pretty rapid this year.
I know Peter Lynn has made something like 40 single skin, single line prototypes over the last couple of years and they've obviously done a bit of
testing on the Mongolia trip.
Just goes to show, you never know what might be just around the corner. Mind you, none of the above makes my NS3 or NS2's any less enjoyable to fly.
:D
Yellow is the 3m, Orange the 5m and Blue is a 7m. That's all that has been mentioned so far. Although I do note that the NS3 lineup has been
expanded recently....:D
That's a killer looking kite! As always, Steffen pushing the design envelope. That bar concept does look sweet. Looks like an adjustable stopper ball
this time instead of the cam cleat? Damn... I want one....
I need a part time job.....
Cross Kites Sonic 3, 5m
Ozone Flow 2, 3, 4, 5m
Ace II 4, 5m
NAPKA-US24
4, 5, 6m ATB landsurfer. Custom longboard deck
Buggy: VTT Black Widow v2.0
I just sent an email to Steffen with a CC to Big Mike asking about how to get one. I'd like to buy through Mike for a whole bunch of reasons. I'll
post what I learn.
Beyond the question of how to get one, I also asked about how they compare size to power with the NS3s.
I just sent an email to Steffen with a CC to Big Mike asking about how to get one. I'd like to buy through Mike for a whole bunch of reasons. I'll
post what I learn.
Beyond the question of how to get one, I also asked about how they compare size to power with the NS3s.
:Ange09:
Mike said he was going to try and unload some ns3's before bringing the new stuff on one of his last posts, but who knows, maybe he will bring some
in.
Yup Sean, I read that too. Can't blame him. I CCed him on my email to Steffen mentioning I'd like to buy on and get it from Mike if possible. I do
want to buy from Mike for a host of reasons (Mike has done me some nice solids and I'm a loyal guy in face of such things), and I was hoping to
generate a little momentum at the same time!
Way too early for any sort of review yet as I've only been able to fly it in light and variable winds. But it certainly is one interesting little
beastie!! Seems to make a lot of power for it's size, flys very nicely with good power through the turns. Haven't really had to depower it as such
yet but you have to also use the depower to avoid it backstalling. I originally thought any deformation on the leading edge would stop it from going
forward in the window..... I was completely wrong there and my first few outings as a result were not optimal. Once you get used to it, it all starts
to make sense and it looks hugely promising for the buggy once I get some decent wind. It's definitely nothing like the NS2'3/3's - although it does
show the same 'tracking like it's on rails' stability. Much wider window - I've even had it go clean over my head and luff (which was easily
preventable).
John - FANTASTIC! Thanks for the posting. As always, your videos are Bo informative and fun to watch. Nice tunes that broke out about half way
through!
interesting thing, if you look at the pictures John first posted of steffen flying these, he is only flying a 3 line set up typical of any nasa star.
I suspect he split the bridles and added Z and 4 line later. I don't even see the additional transport loops on the version in the pictures. I
wonder if he originally set out to make it more in line like the nasa stars as far as control, but maybe had trouble doing the traditional side launch
/ land with the wider profile and maybe needed the additional lines to prevent backstall. Either way, that tells me that with decent wind it will
probably fly in 2 line mode like normal. That would certainly simplify things if used as a streetkite set up. I guess we will find out.
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