Mind if I piggy back on this review post? I received the Blade IV 4.9m from DaVinch last week and had a chance to try the kite the past two days. I
can happily say that the experience was very positive! :D
Kite Bag
When I opened the shipping box and a protective plastic bag provided by DaVinch, I came face to face with the like-new
Flexi Blade IV 4.9 bag. For those of you who have Flexi products, you'll recognize the quality even on initial inspection of the bag itself!
Needless to say, compared to the spartan nylon stuff sack my "Chinaese" Pansh Legend came in, this bag with its additional pockets, etc., can easily
function as a day-pack--holding a lot of accessories, personal possessions, etc. The only complaint is that the main compartment is only just large
enough to accomodate the folded kite/lines/handles. A harness assembly will not fit in the bag.
Material and Foil Features
Unpacking the kite, I discovered a feature I'd read about in other reviews--convenient
velcro straps for securing the bridle lines when packing. Of course, they are color coded to match the bridle lines.
The kite material is crisp and feels like a harty thickness. The Blade IV has a mesh material covering the cell air-inlets. While they currently are
in new condition and look fine, other reviewers have complained that this material degrades over time due to snagging debris, crashes, etc. The cell
openings maintain their open shape thanks to bracing in the opening interior.
Bridle Lines
Bridle lines unpacked easily without much untangling needed. The lines are conveniently color coded in blue and red for left and right, respectively,
with two styles to differentiate between brake and power/lead.
The Blade IV comes equiped with a easy to use Angle of Attack Adjustment (a.k.a. AAA) bridle, making it a no-brainer to adjust the AoA (while the kite
is grounded). The kite bag includes a
Setup Guide illustrating the AoA settings available. Adjustments are made by simply moving a single larkshead knot on each of the two lead line
bridles.
Kite Performance -- "Normal" AoA
The test was conducted on two subsequent afternoons at Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte, Texas (USA) with nearly identical conditions--steady 10 mph
on-shore coastal winds with <2 mph gusts. For this newb trying his maiden voyage with a kite as large as this, I was relieved to have such ideal,
safe conditions. :P
I used 25m Flexifoil 440# / 220#
lines with 40 cm Flexifoil 4-line
handles. A little tension on the lead lines and the Blade stands in attention, calmly waiting futher instructions. (
Sideline Cam --
#@%$#!pit Cam)
After hearing so many stories of the amazing lift of the Blade series, I played it safe and started with the AoA adjustment set to "Normal" which is
the setting just under the highest lift. Furthermore, I lauched the kite up and to the side rather than up the power zone. The pull was manageable
and not crazy (I was wearing sandles on grass). The kite moved to the edge of the window and parked nicely, allowing me to use my camera phone for a
picture.
I then proceded to send the kite to the apex--stable & patient with lift apparent. Moving on to some figure-8's up high, the kite displayed nice
control responding well to brake-turns.
So far so good...it hasn't spanked me yet! <whew>
With confidence increasing, I tried a lauch directly up the power zone and had some nice 3-4 meter scuds on the grass; the kite went straight up and
parked without incident. Oh, and I tried a few butt scuds to the delight of the spectators! I then moved on to testing the agility and stability
while powered up. Obviously, the nearly 5m kite generated some decent pull lower in the wind window, so I felt I needed to facilitate rapid turns by
brake-turning. The response was wonderful with nearly wingtip turns at 60-70 degrees above the field at 12 o'clock.
Flight Performance -- "High" AoA
This was my first experience with a high angle of attack, so I admit that I don't have much to which to compare this. I also didn't have previous
experience with jumping, so you'll have to seek the details from other reviewers. However, I can say this. The launch up the power zone didn't have
a very noticeable increase in pull, so it wasn't as scary as I had psyched myself up. It was manageable! I felt increased lift at the apex, but it
didn't loft my 13 stones (190 lbs) as I'd feared...at least not in these 10mph winds :tumble:
Powered up, the kite moved more slowly through the window, generated plenty of pull, and maintained its agility and stability. I'm loving it at this
point.
Finally, near the end of the second session, with lid on, I attempted my first pendulum jumps based on some animations I'd seen on forums. Sent the
kite to 2 o'clock, turned it toward 10-11 o'clock and ran the other way slightly upwind. When I felt the power kick in, redirected to the right and
jumped!
<drum roll please>
Okay, only 25 cm off the ground on my first, but!!! it held me and didn't drop
me. Trying again, I gained more height. After 5 or 6 attempts, I was getting 1 to 1.5m with nice floating landings. Never once did the kite let me
down. A remarkable experience for a newbie like me. If I can do it, you can too!
I flew the Blade IV 4.9m until the
daylight was rapidly leaving the sky. By the end of the session, I was
hot, sweaty (it was 90 degrees F with 70% humidty), slightly dehydrated, but stoked with having flown this kite.
Final Thoughts
I haven't flown a lot of kites. I have various sizes of Ted's ProFoils up to 2.5m and a Pansh Legend 3.0m. I've been flying quadline foil kites on
weekends for 2 months. I've heard many frightening stories about the Blades, and admit that my heart was racing when I first launched it. However,
what people advise is correct--you must respect the power potential of the wind and these kites. In only 10 mph winds, a beginner like me was able to
get 1 to 1.5m pendulum jumps in only half a dozen attempts. I know, that in 15+ winds this kite would demand the respect that I've shown it at 10
mph.
I'm ready to give it a go--bring on the 15!!
My kite bag:
Pansh Legend 3.0m, 4.5m (for sale $60)
Ted\'s ProFoil 1.0m / 1.5m / 2.5m
Prism Nexus dual line
Premier Parafoil-2 single line
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