Rev Indoor tuning

[imarche]

I also tied the top and bottom pig tails myself, using the specs I have on my personal kite (only this one is done more neatly)... You can fly this with a extended brake setting (like Steve or myself would use), or easily adjust to fly this kite like it comes "out of the bag".

Originally from John's Rev indoor giveaway thread. I thought it'd be better to start a new topic. Could you elaborate how the tweaks are? I suppose it's the length of the pigtail on the kite and the handles?

Thanks!

Clin

[boomzilla]

how about some close up photos also...g

[fortflyer]

2 reasons for the adjustable pigtails on the indoor Rev.

1: As there is no bridle on the indoor they make for easier hookup to the kite

2: The adjustable part is sorta like the B-Series handles except you make the adjustments on the kite and connect the lines directly to the handles, This keeps snagging down to a minimum as your hands and arms tend to be a little more animated indoors.

[KiteLife]

The tweaks:

1. The end caps on the leading edge are tied super close, to cut down chance of snags.

2. The extension on the bottom is WAY shorter, and the top is still full length.

I fly my indoor Rev with the top leaders on my handles all the way out, and 7-8" of extension on the top lines (at the kite).

This puts the kite nearly flat to me, and increases the total sail pressure... A little odd at first, it's the most efficient tune.

Both Scott Weider, Steve de Rooy and myself use similar tuning, with me and Steve using the most brake of all.

[jsking]

Thanks for the tips! Good timing, too. Off to pull the indoor outta the bag...

[KiteLife]

FYI, Steve *swears* by 13" B-Series handles indoors, while Scott and I prefer the leverage and grip of the indoor handles.

[Choccy]

FYI, Steve *swears* by 13" B-Series handles indoors, while Scott and I prefer the leverage and grip of the indoor handles.

Silly question (?) but I've never seen a pair of the indoor handles, what's the difference to the 13" ?

cheers

[Simon]

The tweaks:

1. The end caps on the leading edge are tied super close, to cut down chance of snags.

2. The extension on the bottom is WAY shorter, and the top is still full length.

I fly my indoor Rev with the top leaders on my handles all the way out, and 7-8" of extension on the top lines (at the kite).

This puts the kite nearly flat to me, and increases the total sail pressure... A little odd at first, it's the most efficient tune.

Both Scott Weider, Steve de Rooy and myself use similar tuning, with me and Steve using the most brake of all.

Hi john, I think the idea of laying the kite so far back is a bit strange to new indoor flyers. But when you consider with a two line kite in light wind you put the nose back away from you. Then it starts to make more sense.

I find the leaders on the Handles easier for quick adjustments, Handles for making it do what you want, I made a set of really long handles which were about the same lenght as the down spar on the Rev. This gave me 1 to 1 movement of handles to kite.

[KiteLife]

Well said Simon, it's also the premise of the style we've been teaching on the B-Series over the past year.

Anyone have a pic handy, of the indoor handles?

[Felix]

Hi john, I think the idea of laying the kite so far back is a bit strange to new indoor flyers. But when you consider with a two line kite in light wind you put the nose back away from you. Then it starts to make more sense.

<snip>

I always think back to the paper and bamboo fighter kites. Get them square on, then pull on the line to give them the sail shape, spilling air and driving forward, relax the line to stop, watch the kite spin until it points the way to go and then pull again to send it that way.

Felix

[KiteLife]

Another great explanation!

Man, the experience in this forum really shows.

[Felix]

I always think back to the paper and bamboo fighter kites. Get them square on, then pull on the line to give them the sail shape, spilling air and driving forward, relax the line to stop, watch the kite spin until it points the way to go and then pull again to send it that way.

Felix

Another great explanation!

Man, the experience in this forum really shows.

The other thing to consider is that when physically stacking the Revs the directional pressure has to be effectively neutralised but with the kite still being 'supported' by the airflow.

This is not a moment for 'lack of concentration'!

<grins>

Felix

[Martyjuggles]

Well said Simon, it's also the premise of the style we've been teaching on the B-Series over the past year.

Anyone have a pic handy, of the indoor handles?

Here ya go choccy,

Here's my indoor handles as purchased. . . . they're 14" and the top leaders are 8" with knots at 7" and 6". They're pure graphite handles with soft foam (like on the EXP handles) . . .

JB - when you talk about extended leaders on the top at the kite - are you just adding extra 50lb line for this??

thanks

Marty

[KiteLife]

I'm using 90# line for the leaders on the kite... They're short enough that the small weight difference isn't noticeable, and 50# on 50# (line to leader)is just too much of a pain to work with.

Also, a small tip... You'll probably want to epoxy the foam grips onto the handle once you figure out where you like them positioned... The ones we have (a dozen pair or so) all came without any glue or epoxy, foam is just tight on (at first), but tend to slip after awhile.

[Martyjuggles]

I'm using 90# line for the leaders on the kite... They're short enough that the small weight difference isn't noticeable, and 50# on 50# (line to leader)is just too much of a pain to work with.

Also, a small tip... You'll probably want to epoxy the foam grips onto the handle once you figure out where you like them positioned... The ones we have (a dozen pair or so) all came without any glue or epoxy, foam is just tight on (at first), but tend to slip after awhile.

just for clarification - when you say 7-8" leader on the top is that ON TOP of the existing leader or the overall length?? . .

i found the factory setting pretty ok on my first flight - just interested in the tweaks!

thanks

marty

[Simon]

Marty, thanks for that. I like the bend on those - look like the way I have my outdoor handles bent.

Felix, your point about Indian fighters is so good. I too have flown them, what I found was that because of the size and weight you learn so much more about the wind there is and how it affects the kite. You also learn how little movement you need to make a big effect on the kite.

JB, there is huge experience on here, and the good thing is we are a sharing family, you can share advice but there is no subsitute for experience. That you get by getting out there or in this case in there and giving it a go. I think we all appreciate how we are all still learning new things with the Rev, which is probably why after 20 years we still fly it.

Hopefully we can do a USA UK Indoor Clinic on the same weekend, if Jonesy & Sailor sort out a venue they mentioned a while back (Hint Hint)

[Felix]

<snip>

Felix, your point about Indian fighters is so good. I too have flown them, what I found was that because of the size and weight you learn so much more about the wind there is and how it affects the kite. You also learn how little movement you need to make a big effect on the kite.

<snip>

Simon,

The wind may be almost non existent. The kites still fly.

I have never done it but the experts fly on very, very long lines so touch and response become 'interesting'.

It is also culturally important in certain parts of the world and therefore extremely precious.

Felix

[KiteLife]

Marty: Overall length on the top leaders.

Simon: Agreed, wholeheartedly!

[johnnmitchell]

Here ya go choccy,

Here's my indoor handles as purchased. . . . they're 14" and the top leaders are 8" with knots at 7" and 6". They're pure graphite handles with soft foam (like on the EXP handles) . . .

JB - when you talk about extended leaders on the top at the kite - are you just adding extra 50lb line for this??

thanks

Marty

Your handles look absolutely identical to mine including the leaders and their color, however mine are graphite wrapped aluminum tube.

[johnfarl]

Please comment on this concept. I made a REV 2 for indoors. Using race rods and 1/2 oz sail material. Using B series handles. I have adjusted the lines so that when I am flying with the kite vertical in 360 all 4 lines are taunt. This way when I reverse I have immediate response. BTW I have never flown a REV Indoor so I have no experience indoors on REVs. Does this sound like the right balance between forward and reverse.

[Baloo]

Here ya go choccy,

Here's my indoor handles as purchased. . . . they're 14" and the top leaders are 8" with knots at 7" and 6". They're pure graphite handles with soft foam (like on the EXP handles) . . .

JB - when you talk about extended leaders on the top at the kite - are you just adding extra 50lb line for this??

thanks

Marty

Looks like the "D" rings have been taken off. Presumably to take away a snag point??

[KiteLife]

Ya, that's the idea.

Although, when the lines are larksheaded onto the top leaders (handle), they still make a knot that can snag.

Best way to get around that, use a softer (much more flexible) material for the leaders, instead of the heavier dacron.

Myself, I don't mess with it, I just keep my hands and lines clean while I fly... Rarely an issue.

[KiteLife]

Please comment on this concept. I made a REV 2 for indoors. Using race rods and 1/2 oz sail material. Using B series handles. I have adjusted the lines so that when I am flying with the kite vertical in 360 all 4 lines are taunt. This way when I reverse I have immediate response. BTW I have never flown a REV Indoor so I have no experience indoors on REVs. Does this sound like the right balance between forward and reverse.

Depends on your style I suppose, but it sounds right for me.

Lam Hoac for example, would tend to fly with much less brake, as he tends to float the kite indoors more, as opposed than powering it around (which I prefer).

[Morrunya]

Here's my input.

I always use my B-Series handles on every kite I own. The only reason for this is because I lost my indoor handles. lol

The pigtails on my kite are unchanged, and the lines are attached to the ends of the lines. On my handles, I have the lines pulled one knot back on the break lines.

I find that all this gives me the ability to go fast and do tricks, but also do the whole slow and lofty type of thing. (but I prefer the fast with tricks).

When setting up my indoor for the first time, I simply used trial and error. I started with the settings I used when I flew outdoors, and went from there.

[KiteLife]

We'll have to compare settings and characteristics Watty, if we can pull an indoor clinic together here in the NW after New Years.

Still have to find a decent venue, where we can get a full day in (8am-5pm would be ideal).

If anyone in Washington has access to such a place, that won't cost an arm and a leg, please send me an email or PM?

[Morrunya]

I think my school would be a great place for it, but I'm not sure how many people would be willing to come over here during the winter.