New Tech Kites

Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 184

just returned from flying the French Connection every day for 6 days.

I have not made any changes to it since Newport RI festival, where I finally dialed in the bridle.

What can I say, it is my kite, so you would expect me to always say that it is good, but I have not until this point. I demand that it not only be as good as other kites in its class, i.e. Nirvana, Transfer, QP, STX, etc, but better.

The FC has been in R&D phase now for some time. It has everything you could want on not only a $160 sport kite, but as I designed, everything that the $300 kites have. We use the same materials.

The cage works, the roll bars work, and I am satisfied by their performance.

The 3 point bridle is dialed in as I mentioned now allows for all the tricks, including the rotating fade from both pancake and fade postitions.

I am happy with the 5pts and P200 skyshark frame so I will stay with that.

So again, same materials as $300 kites, why the price diff?

Because we are New Tech Kites. We will still make a profit, but we dont want take advantage of our customers.

I have been told by many fliers on the field and in emails that since I am one of the only designers who have proven themselves in competition with master titles, with my other accomplishments which are considered more prestigous than those who have merely done a better job of marketing, that we should charge more for my higher end designs, but unlike those others, I believe that would be taking advantage of our friends and customers. I only wish to make available the best flying kites on the planet at a fair price which we have been doing and I have been doing for over 10 years now.

So when will the FC be available? I am hoping this season will still happen.

Possibly a small run will be available in October is my best guess.
Again the projected retail price is $160, but that could change depending on extras. The bag is expensive, a DVD may add a bit of cost, lines could possibly add, but even at $180 compared to the other kites I mentioned, is still a great price....

Hopefully I will have more info.
Like my local friend Rick, since I gave him a FC, that is all he flies, and the same happened to me, I took all my kites to the beach but only flew 2, the FC and the TECHNO......Between the two, there is really no point of flying anything else except for possibly a tricky UL, which is in the works for next season.

After leaving OBX, I drove up to visit a growing customer of ours, and I want to say thank you so much to Jay, Bill, Fran, Chris, Justina and the rest of the staff at the Kite Loft in OC MD, they were gracious hosts for my unannounced visit, and I had a great time flying in front of thier awesome store for 3 days! I will be there again for the AKA convention and recommend to everyone to make it a point to go this year!

Sincerely
Dodd Very Happy

Dodd · High Flier Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 184

Had a great time at the AKA convention and again, the Kite loft owners and staff I remember were very gracious and wonderful to hang out and spend time with.

Now amost 5 months later its safe to say that the FC didnt make it in October, or November, or December as I had hoped, or Jan, or Feb, but will in March, actually, right on time for it was always scheduled as a 2006 product.

No changes have been made since last summers prototype was dialed in except the sail material is now Icarex Polyester.

Orders from our valued retail customers are being taken now, so if you want a French Connection and are planning on buying one now, make sure you get your orders in with your favorite dealer this week, this first shipment is limited.

Thanks

Grantc · Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject:

Looking forward to it. Very Happy

We will give you some Aussie feed back once it arrives from Steve.

Grant
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Timing is Everything

Theresa · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:55 am Post subject: