New Tech Kites

ericska · Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject: Buy another Dodd's kite

Hi everyone,
First post here. Hope you can read my poor English.
I want to buy another Dodd's kite even I've already bought French Connection (not arrive yet). Just want another for my wife, so that we can fly together. Dodd pair. I've been looking at Big Bang and Techno. (What's happen to BB Pro? Why no more production?) As I know, both of this two kites have same Skyshark P200 spars & nylon sail. Techno has wider wind range than BB. BB larger than Techno, heavier than Techno. BB has tail weight and Techno don't. Both have different bridle. Both are freestyle class. Both price are very close. But seem like BB has more feature. What about the flying ability, BB much expensive than Techno so BB better? I've watched Randy Greenway's web video, he flown BB pro and Techno. (What the different between BB pro and BB, flying ability and everything are the same except Pro is polyester sail?) For what I saw Randy flown them, I felt both trick ability were almost the same. Only BB pro better in roll up, how about BB? How about the pull, which one lighter (I like lighter pull, so is my belove)? Which one is better for learning trick? I'm still new in trick flying, and my wife know nothing about trick. The best she can do is left & right in the sky, her landing style is drop the strap and let the kite go. So, which one is more durable? Randy's video didn't show much in precison, so which one is better in precision? Which one handle better in low wind? Which one... I think that's enough.
Please... somebody advise. How about your advise, Dodd?
Thanks.

Eric
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Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 186

Hi Eric, thanks for writing.

I would wait until you get your FC. Then have your wife fly it.

I think two French Connections for pairs would be perfect. In Feb my wife and I went to Florida for a mini vacation. I flew the FCs all day and my wife, who used to compete with my in pairs years ago flew a lot with me.

She doesnt know any tricks, but she raved about the smoothness and precision of the FRench Connection. She loved it.

So it is great for pairs, team, individual, Tricks party, Hot tricks, precision, ballet compeition etc....

Hope you both enjoy your FC and then order another one for your wife.

Sincerely
Dodd

ericska · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject:

Wow!

Many thanks, Dodd. It's a GREAT honor that I can correspond with you. Wow!
Yes, I've decided to buy a pair of FC. But she said get one first for tryout then decide the second. Because she flown Quantum before and she don't like it. The pull is too strong for her. And FC's sail size seem not much different from Quantum, that's why I bought one only. So, after tryout if she love it, I'll buy another one.
But Dodd, actually I want to have 2 different kites of yours. (For show off. See, two Dodd's design! ) And my wife likes the graphics design of BB and Techno more than FC. (but I think FC is better. ) She has been urged to get BB or Techno before I bought FC.
Don't mind if I ask more, Dodd. For learning trick which one will be the best, and which one is more durable? FC? BB or Techno? Or, forget about BB & Techno, wait for your newest design? Coming soon? When? Next month or year? FC ultra light? BB ultra light? or Techno ultra light? China Connection?
Thanks again, Dodd. Very happy to meet you. Are you coming to Malaysia for Bintulu International Kite Festival in August 2006? Do you know about this? Hope can meet you in person, and get your signature on my FC there.

Eric
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Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 186

Hi Eric, you cant go wrong with the Techno, but the best for tricks is the FC and trust me, both kites have less pull than the one you mentioned.
Best winds

ericska · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:33 am Post subject:

Many thanks, Dodd. I believe FC will have a lot of fun. I'll wait for my FC arrive and we try it out. If my wife love it, I'll order another FC and the Techno. ...maybe BB too... Thanks for the advise, Dodd.

Eric
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ericska · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:01 pm Post subject:

Hi Dodd,
Finally! The French Connection and Desire UL have landed on my front gate! The purple color is really gorgeous. Beautiful kite bag. The Desire UL is really light and huge (but not mine)! Must fly this week end!

Really, as the GWTW forum said. The upper spreader was very loose while insert to the leading edge connector. The lower spreaders too. What type of tape to use? Is it alright to use heat shrink?

I like to know more about Techno. Is Techno spine also split into 2 sections like FC, and Big Bang too? There is no yoyo stopper on Techno, isn't it? Is it neccessary to add the yoyo stopper? If yes, about where from the nose on LE? Will trick ability improve if I add the tail weight?
I just want the kite seller to send the Techno with these upgrade kit together. Because I'm far from Malaysia (I order the kites from the State online), can't afford to pay another expensive postage.

Thanks and happy flying.

Eric
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winged v · Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:27 pm Post subject:

ericska,
I used heat shrink on the ends of my rods as a temp fix and may leave them on.They push in the connector and kind of click into postion.The heat shrink I used has a adhesive in it.I have used this on other kites and the shrink has not come off and does not collect sand or dirt like tape does.

Get that French Connection in the air and let us know what you think.
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Rick
Flying in the winds of change.

ericska · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:37 am Post subject:

Thanks Rick. I also think that heat shrink is better. But I can't find adhesive one here in my town. I will use the thermal glue on the rods before attach the heat shrink.
If I want to replace those spreader connector, what type of APA spreader connector will I have to look for in GWTW online? Or, can order direct from NewTech?

What about the Techno? Anyone know the answers about Techno from my post before this one?

Thanks for help.

Eric
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winged v · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 10:54 am Post subject:

Eric,
apa connectors that are installed are C size and should be CA.
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Rick
Flying in the winds of change.

Chris · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Eric,

Email me your mailing address and I'll send you the CA fittings that Rick has described at no cost to you.

The Techno does not come with Yo-Yo stoppers. If you add some weight to the tail it may help you with pitched slack line tricks.

Best regards,

Chris
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ericska · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much, Chris. Sorry, I don't know your email, but private messaged to you few minutes ago.

Just ordered a Techno - Trance. If add the tail weight, is it the same as FC? If so, I think I can make myself... One piece 10 grams, right? But where to find the O ring...? If I add the yoyo stoppers, about how many inches down from the nose on LE? Is it necessary? Thanks for the advise.

Eric
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ericska · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 3:48 pm Post subject:

What a happy evening with this trick machine, the French Connection. After 2 weeks of waiting from busy works. Yesterday(1st of May), is a public holiday (labour day) in Malaysia, also a windy day. What a wonderful kite! Very soft pull and easy to control even it classified as intermediate to advanced(I'm still a beginner ). Axle, snap stall, fade, side slide, belly launch, spin landing and turtle, easy with the kite! But after an hour, the rain came! Not enough! Told my wife and kids to stay for the rain stop. But the wind slow down after the rain stopped. Took off the weight and the roll cage, adjusted the bridle by tow point up 1" and used 50ft short line. Weird! FC flew like an ultra light! What a kite...! NTK, you should add another magic word for FC, "a money back guaranty kite!". Very Happy

I have bought the Techno Trance for my wife, not arrive yet. Hope there will also have "some" nice impress on Techno too. And congratulation to the NTK Team Full Moon and Dodd's Techno. Wow! It's a competition kite too. Oh... I should have buy a pair and fly with my wife..., now the postage is going to be doubled...

For FC problem is... actually not a problem. When the wind up, the kite is noisy. Is it possible to silent it? I did hooked the white leech lines, but no different. Need to be more tighter? How? Unloose the knot and make another new one? Please help.

Winged V, how long is the heat shrink do you used to adhere on the end of the rods? When disassemble the kite, the heat shrink stuck in the LE connector. I don't have adhesive heat shrink, but I used the thermal glue. Or maybe it's out of dated...

And, is it necessary to adhere 2 stoppers on the spine beside the aluminiun centre T as the other forum said?

Anyway, I'm deeply loved FC. Very playable and so much fun. My kids keep saying, "Dad is smiling when flying that purple kite!". Before FC, HQ Breeze was my favorite kite. But now, French Connection will be my favorite kite in my kites bag. Thanks so much to Mr. Dodd Gross and NTK for the joy and fun. Looking forward to your new kites, are they coming soon?

Here few pictures my wife took yesterday evening:
Happy evening with French Connection
What a soft pull!
Really for Axle...
Removed tail weight & roll cage, it fly like an ultra light!

Thanks again, Dodd and NTK.

Eric
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winged v · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject:

ericska,
Glad to hear your getting along with the French Connection,I still am and have been, since I flew the first prototype.

I used approx 1/4" of heat shink on the ends of my spreaders and when inserted it feels like there may be recess inside of connector that the heat shrink "clicks" into? No matter what, it works well and is very durable.

If you dont like the trailing edge noise...tighten up your leech line.My prototype kite never made a noise and I liked it that way but since I got my production FC this one makes noise in bigger winds and hard punch turns...good for speed control thru the window and for getting attention! You should loosen the knot and make it tighter or wrap it around the tip but beware that if you play around alot adjusting tension you could wear out the line but that will take alot of time,keep the rubber caps on the tips to help protect the nock and lines and to help prevent wing tip snags.

Any other questions let me know.
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Rick
Flying in the winds of change.

ericska · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

Thanks, winged v. What's size of the heat shrink do you used? I used the 10mm. I read that FC is easy with Comete. Did you tried this trick on FC before. Also read that this trick is dangerous to any kite, will break the LE sometime. But it look very cool... Any tutorial video to learn? Dodd's DVD flight school don't have this trick yet(very new trick?). Please just show me where the link of tutorial like Dodd and Randy Greenway style if possible. Thanks.

Eric
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