So, I love the Zen kite design, owning 3 of 'em currently. They're all set-up differently too.
#One has a Skyshark travel frame, (rods are Red & black) and it's a stock kite that has been rebuilt several times, new panels, replacement patches, 1/2 a dozen bridles worn thru, literally dozens of broken spars too.
The 2nd one is all busted out for ultimate no wind/indoors delicate, tapered 2 ply down-spars and a true original Black diamond set of custom 1/4 " spars. The sail has a leading edge sleeve built tightly, to just fit that one 1/4 diameter spar. Special material was furnished by me and I paid extra (above retail) for Bazzer to make the sails and for Eliot to craft the leading edge sleeves using this mylar-backed nylon instead is 3.9 ounce Dacron. I can't share this kite for fear of damage to the remaining irreplaceable spars.
The 3rd one is the topic of discussion here. Lolly & Revolution made a frame to fit the Zen length sail, but sized in the new diameter format we know as Reflex. I think the tubes are 5/16 (for comparison,... the SLE tube is 7/16"). It also came with replacement end caps as the stockers don't cross-over to fit. Now remember, my leading edge sleeve just barely fits a 1/4 tube on this 3rd kite as well, so getting these fat boys inside there was really a chore (tighter than a damn condom!)
The wind range is still surprisingly really wide though, they flex and snap back just like a normal 1/4 diameter tube, but you have more mass to throw around too. WOW it's like a 1.5 kite's pefect proportion of sail size to frame response. Suddenly a Falling Leaf trick is a reasonable expectation! And the throw & catch changes radically towards a simplified and more easily reachable goal. Naturally you can push the wind range much higher safely too because of the increased wall size diameter of these light weight tubes. YES you can still fly the zen with the new reflex Black Diamond tubes in no wind. It's a touch more work initially to gain momentum, but with the extra mass provided you also get something back FREE, a killer glide where the kite does all the work and you just look good watching it!
I run 18" (point 125 pultrude carbon tube) magic sticks + a 100# high test BL french bridle (both are available from Eliot Shook, who Reps Bazzer for the USA and does marvelous repairs if and when your kite needs a surgeon) on all three kites, so you're mileage may vary.
I have beat these new Reflex (Black Diamond) tubes pretty hard on frozen ground and concrete paved parking lots since before Xmas, so far I'm impressed enough to endorse them for anyone who's broken a bunch of tubes in their Zen. A solution is available to keep your Zen in the air EVEN if used for lessons. Big, slow, a nice feel down the lines to respond to, longer lines carried, to allow time to react for newbies ,... the Zen is always a favorite of mine when giving a lesson. Folks "connect" quite quickly as it is predictable in flight, neutral and awaiting commands.
No, I don't know if these tubes will be commercially available, (or for how long) but I surely think it's a winner for me. Just the kind of thing we have been waiting for! Proof that Rev still cares about their old faithful clients, not just a new flier fascinated by quads. Thank you, again, for offering me the opportunity to test this latest development Lolly. Excellent job!!!
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REVflyer
Have you tried 'em?????
So, I love the Zen kite design, owning 3 of 'em currently. They're all set-up differently too.
#One has a Skyshark travel frame, (rods are Red & black) and it's a stock kite that has been rebuilt several times, new panels, replacement patches, 1/2 a dozen bridles worn thru, literally dozens of broken spars too.
The 2nd one is all busted out for ultimate no wind/indoors delicate, tapered 2 ply down-spars and a true original Black diamond set of custom 1/4 " spars. The sail has a leading edge sleeve built tightly, to just fit that one 1/4 diameter spar. Special material was furnished by me and I paid extra (above retail) for Bazzer to make the sails and for Eliot to craft the leading edge sleeves using this mylar-backed nylon instead is 3.9 ounce Dacron. I can't share this kite for fear of damage to the remaining irreplaceable spars.
The 3rd one is the topic of discussion here. Lolly & Revolution made a frame to fit the Zen length sail, but sized in the new diameter format we know as Reflex. I think the tubes are 5/16 (for comparison,... the SLE tube is 7/16"). It also came with replacement end caps as the stockers don't cross-over to fit. Now remember, my leading edge sleeve just barely fits a 1/4 tube on this 3rd kite as well, so getting these fat boys inside there was really a chore (tighter than a damn condom!)
The wind range is still surprisingly really wide though, they flex and snap back just like a normal 1/4 diameter tube, but you have more mass to throw around too. WOW it's like a 1.5 kite's pefect proportion of sail size to frame response. Suddenly a Falling Leaf trick is a reasonable expectation! And the throw & catch changes radically towards a simplified and more easily reachable goal. Naturally you can push the wind range much higher safely too because of the increased wall size diameter of these light weight tubes. YES you can still fly the zen with the new reflex Black Diamond tubes in no wind. It's a touch more work initially to gain momentum, but with the extra mass provided you also get something back FREE, a killer glide where the kite does all the work and you just look good watching it!
I run 18" (point 125 pultrude carbon tube) magic sticks + a 100# high test BL french bridle (both are available from Eliot Shook, who Reps Bazzer for the USA and does marvelous repairs if and when your kite needs a surgeon) on all three kites, so you're mileage may vary.
I have beat these new Reflex (Black Diamond) tubes pretty hard on frozen ground and concrete paved parking lots since before Xmas, so far I'm impressed enough to endorse them for anyone who's broken a bunch of tubes in their Zen. A solution is available to keep your Zen in the air EVEN if used for lessons. Big, slow, a nice feel down the lines to respond to, longer lines carried, to allow time to react for newbies ,... the Zen is always a favorite of mine when giving a lesson. Folks "connect" quite quickly as it is predictable in flight, neutral and awaiting commands.
No, I don't know if these tubes will be commercially available, (or for how long) but I surely think it's a winner for me. Just the kind of thing we have been waiting for! Proof that Rev still cares about their old faithful clients, not just a new flier fascinated by quads. Thank you, again, for offering me the opportunity to test this latest development Lolly. Excellent job!!!
best regards, -paul lamasters
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