New Tech Kites

inkslinger · Wind Seeker Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 8

does any one fly this Spirt Quad anymore , looking in getting one to try out , so far there the best price , i just started with a stun kite the Pyro Xs now i'm thinking of getting eather a bigger and better stunt kite or this quad and this looks more fun to fly with

rob@ferob.com · Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:26 am Post subject: Spirit Quad

Hey there...

I just started flying my Spirit Quad, and find it to be a blast. I have never flown any other quad line stunt kites, but have flown four line traction foils. I broke my center spar after ~3 hours of flight time, but once I got it repaired correctly (spar length is critical) and the lines sorted out, I've been able to fly some mind-blowing tricks, stalls, and spins.
Is there anyone out there with some more experience with this kite ? I am still puzzled by the handles, and am having some trouble with the lengths of the lines. Maybe they're both the same problem. I just find the handle positions to be awkward.

-Rob.

stringystuff · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Rob, IT's Me again!!!!! Very Happy

I just saw your Q. here. The Spirit is my favorite Quad!! And I broke my
center spreader early on.
Regarding the handles, what is your question??
Mine came with the TC Ultra handles, which I prefer over the others.
I use 75', 150# line, all four. This kite is tricky to set-up and get the
correct slack in the bottom lines, but when you get it the kite is easy
to fly.
I will watch here for your Q. but you know where I am!!
Roger
_________________
Roger's Stringystuff

rob@ferob.com · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 10:21 pm Post subject: Spirit Quad stuff...

Hey there...

I've only had a few good sessions with the Spirit, and a few bad. I flew it successfully the first time, but took it down quickly because the wind was too strong (~15+) and gusty. The next time up, the wind speed was a little lower, but a gust split it in two. The spar may have been splintered from the first flight. I found that the center section of the spar was the only section damaged, so the fix seemed easy enough. I made the center section ~1 inch too short, and the return to the sky was not too smooth. Now that the center spar is the correct length, I just find that the hand positioning (tilted too far back) leads to early fatigue and stupid mistakes. I've adjusted the brake lines and tow lines to max opposite settings, and even tried flipping the handles. I guess I could shorten the brake lines a bit, but it seems drastic. I'm using the factory lines, and they were all within 1/2" of each other when I compared them. Do the factory handles suck ? Are there better, more ERGO handles ?
I did get enough good flying time to see the potential of this kite. I only have a large four line foil to compare it to, so the responsiveness and precise control is a real blast.
Thanks...
-Rob.

stringystuff · Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

Hi Rob,
My Spirit came with 52' lines, 75' to 80' works good for me.

Are your handles made of clear lucite plastic and hooked on the ends
so you wind the lines onto the handles????
These are the TC Ultra handles and I like them so much that I make my
own from hobby plywood in the same shape.
I adjust the 'brake lines' and fly the kite this way.
I hook my forefingers around the handles just below the top lines. I can
fly the kite all day this way and push-pull turn and my hands are open
and relaxed. The bottom of the handle is tilted forward about 45 degrees.

Then, I use my little finger to tilt the handle back to brake one side for
turns/spins or tilt both sides to speed up, slowdown or stop the kite.
(You can also use your thumb on the top and push, a la Revolution)
I hope you can visualize this, it is quite easy and not at all tiring.

If you handles are different I think you can get these from ITW or
GWTW if interested.
Roger
_________________
Roger's Stringystuff

rob@ferob.com · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 5:32 am Post subject: Getting a handle on it...

Hey Roger...

My Spirit came with standard aluminum quad line handles, they are very similar to the handles that I have for my large foil. I've never seen other grips available, but I'll keep my eyes open for some. I guess when I'm flying, the bottoms of the handles are too far forward. Like I'm full on the gas, trying to go strait up. So, in thinking about that, it seems like my TOP lines need to be shorter.
It's rough getting a good day to fly the Spirit, too. It seems to have a very narrow wind window. I still harbor the fear of breaking it again, so I never get it out in wind over 10-12 mph. Or inconsistent wind. I have a hard time balancing common sense with the desire to fly sometimes. I'll fly in a harsh, damaging wind because it's better than not flying.

Thanks for your help...
-Rob.

TGunn · Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:36 am Post subject:

Rob,
Most quad line (stick) flyers use Rev style handles (extended length version). They can be purchased at any kite store. Then a majority of us make and install adjustment lines (also know as pig tails) to top and bottom of the handles. Use dacron or nylon line for making them. For my handles, I've made 12 inch lines that have a knot tied every 1 inch along the adjustment lines. I have a lot of adjustment that can be done, that can greatly affect the performance of the kite.
In your case, where you said that your top lines need to be shortened, if you has the same knotted adjustment lines attached to your handles, you could adjust the top lines farther back toward the handles on the adjustment line, or adjust the bottom lines farther away from the handles.

Making the adjustment lines? Once you have some small diameter dacron string (round shoe strings will even work for this, like boot string), cut four equal length pieces, with each piece being about 3 ft long. Fold each piece in half. Now tie one over hand knot as close to the loose end of each line. Then tie other knots so that the knots end up about 3/4 inch to one inch apart. Do one line completey first, and then match the other 3 line's knots to the first knotted line you made. I usually make about 8-12 knots on each line. When you have completed making the adjustmnent lines (also known as pig tails), attach them to your handles, then attach your flying lines to the adjustmet lines. Attach them to the farthest knot away from the handles, then adjust from there.

Another helpful hint!
The top lines always seem to get more stretch than the bottom lines, because many quad line flyers do more forward flight than reverse flight, therefore the top lines will always keep stretching. One way to keep the lines strecthing equally, is to switch the top lines and bottom lines around every 3-4 flights. In other words, install the top lines to the bottom and the bottom lines to the top of your handles. Fly them in that position for 3-4 flights (outings). Keep doing this and the lines will retain more equal stretch.

Another helpful tip to make your lines last longer.

Over time the lines get worn at the area of your flying lines where the lines wrap around each other while doing spins with the kite, and over time this will create rough areas on the line at that area, thus creating an area that can break, or become less slick, which creates more friction on the lines. To help make your lines last longer, every 3-4 flight, flip flop the lines. In other words, reverse the ends that you attach to your kite, and attach those ends to your handles, and vice versa. Doing this will move the line twist wear area at a different place on the line.
_________________
Troy Gunn - TKO Sport Kite Team - USA
http://tko.sportkite.team.tripod.com/home.htm

New Tech Kites
https://newtechkites.com

rob@ferob.com · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:30 am Post subject: Great Tips !

Hey Troy,

Thank you VERY much for the tips. I have adjusted my handles with the top lines and bottom lines set at opposite ends of the pigtails, that's the only way I could get it to fly. I just need a little less length on top, or a little more on the bottom, and I will probably make a custom pigtail to accomplish this.
Reversing the lines to componsate for wear ? I will be very happy if I get enough fly time to wear out my lines !
-Rob.

rob@ferob.com · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:11 am Post subject: Modified My Handles...

Hey Troy,

I modified my handles as per your suggestion, while waiting for some good wind. Now I've got a lot more adjustability for my top and bottom lines. I will invest in some good REV handles once I get some more fly time with the Spirit.
All the waiting around to fly the Spirit is really frustrating. After my first few scary flights in strong and variable wind (I had a bad break my second flight), I'm really gun shy to put it up in anything but perfect, smooth, 8-10 mph wind. And that just happens every day, right ? Twice a month, if I'm lucky...
I have had a few good sessions with the kite, hours of flying, and I see the potential of the Spirit being at least twice as fun as my dual line kites. Maybe it's an exponential multiplier of the fun factor.
Thank you for your time & kind advice...

~Rob.

inkslinger · Wind Seeker Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 8

so you can not fly the sprit over 10mh winds rob