Robtulloch Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 After a full 3 hour session of zero wind, I gave my SUL a thorough go. We flew my Indoor Rev, my modified SUL, my buddies SUL and my other buddies Zen. Some Plutz gliders and a Vented iFlight. The mods to my SUL were a significant improvement to me and suited the way I like to fly. Quick response to inputs. And a killer glide! Flat and effortless. The glide I can attribute directly to the magic sticks as the kite wasn't under load and they have never been that impressive. I'm sure the new rods helped too. Flight was sharp and somewhat zippy considering there wasn't any wind. Spent more time on the Indoor and SUL than the Zen. I just couldn't gel with the Zen. That's a kite I'll have to revisit another time. All in all, I'm really happy with my modded SUL. I realise that Sticks and the French mightn't be for everybody but it's working for me so far. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlandflyer Posted December 26, 2013 Report Share Posted December 26, 2013 Your comments on not clicking with the Zen right away, are common! Not everyone feels right with that big wing and its flight style!! If you haven't flown them or a Rev I size before, it may take a bit to get used to the feel of it!! Like the mods - give it a good chance to sink in before an opinion is formed!! As for the mods, you have it 100% - it fits the way you fly!! Every one has a certain feel they are seeking, the only way to find it is to try it!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Benz Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I never thought I would chime in on this one too much. I flew basically all the sizes of sails with magic sticks in T.I. The differences on the Zen...2 different kites. The B and B2..I will be ordering a set for each to fly for a while...just for personal r&d. Just the tripping on lines problem would make them worth while in that environment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robtulloch Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 I never thought I would chime in on this one too much. I flew basically all the sizes of sails with magic sticks in T.I. The differences on the Zen...2 different kites. The B and B2..I will be ordering a set for each to fly for a while...just for personal r&d. Just the tripping on lines problem would make them worth while in that environment.Aaaahhhh, now I know who you were flying with.... They are worth the r&d for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Adding the magic sticks makes for "different" flight dynamics to be sure, . . . not necessarily better. With that said, the complete modifications I have incorporated fit my own personal style very well! At one point during TI last week Paul Dugard was handed my kite, WAY too long a set of handles, and too much brake, different bridle and sail construction. Darn it, he could still fly one in each hand (although not comfortably). We worked on some slack line tricks for those curious enough to inquire about techniques. This is where the sticks really shine, 'cause you don't have to walk down there and re-set up your kite when things don't go exactly as planned. Also, as mentioned about, when resting on the ground, the lines are completely slack which is nice for spectators who cross the field oblivious to the world (obliv-iots is the official term) Lastly, sticks are pretty cheap and can be easily taken off if they don't do what you want. The most amazing thing about the sticks is the glide gained for field recovery from the top of the wind window. Easily 3 or 400% of the altitude. The Zen almost rides out of sight, literally hundreds of feet, even dragging the abandoned handles underneath 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 <snip> The Zen almost rides out of sight, literally hundreds of feet, even dragging the abandoned handles underneath I reckon that one of 'Ben's competitions' in light wind should be a downwind race. I went for a walk with a 1.5 with diamond rods recently. Two long pulls took it pretty much back to the top of the window... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Benz Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Revflyer...your zen doesnt need a pilot.. the thing wants to fly and glide with out you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Amazing isn't it? I love doing that glide demo for the unsuspecting,... conversations stop, background folks stand from lawn chairs, cameras whirl away and it doesn't even look like it's losing altitude, just receding towards the sunset 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitefantex Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I made some quad sticks which worked well yesterday. Only problem was the connections to down spars. What work for you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlandflyer Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 If you made them yourself, you should end up with 3 lines making the trusswork! 1 line wingtip to wingtip, through the stick's cap, and 1 each for top to bottom on the verticals, also through the caps! Simple loops should be a good enough way to fasten them through the caps! I think if you go back through this thread far enough you'll see some plans Paul posted explaining them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theresa Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 I made some quad sticks which worked well yesterday. Only problem was the connections to down spars. What work for you ? .312 APA standoff off connector, with a VEC on the .125 stick http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/products/APA-Standoff-Connector-%252d-.312.html 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theresa Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlandflyer Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 .312 APA standoff off connector, with a VEC on the .125 stick http://www.thekiteshoppe.com/products/APA-Standoff-Connector-%252d-.312.html Thanks "T", I must have misunderstood his question! Thanks for the pic! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 I just put a review on Kitelife.com of my new Quad Sticks. http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/5914-magic-sticks-review/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robtulloch Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 Great pic of my SUL with all it's framework in a synergy of oneness... Thanks WA for the cool shot. Edit; I've just realised I haven't taken the bridle identifiers off yet! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 There was light wind at my local field today, so I got out the Rev 1.5 Std, and flew it a couple of hours. I tried the things I did Sunday on the B mid vent with the magic sticks installed, and it was like night and day. Kept flipping the wing while trying to fly in reverse, while I had no problems doing the same thing this past Sunday with the magic sticks, at a much faster speed by the way. Same thing with inverted hover, easy with the magic sticks, more difficult without. Walking back and forth to the kite, staking, etc... thanks but no thanks. When I got back to the house, I called Flying Smiles Kites, and ordered another 16" kit for my standard Rev. While I was on the phone, Eliot gave me a good tip that he said Cath had told him about. When finished flying, and taking the magic sticks off, to keep from losing one of them, just place them on the leading edge, under one of the bungee cords, before rolling up the Rev. Keeps them securely in place, and they won't fall out or get lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted April 2, 2014 Report Share Posted April 2, 2014 Learn sumthing new ever day, I've always used Velcro to keep the kite from unrolling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted April 6, 2014 Report Share Posted April 6, 2014 Put the second set of Magic Sticks on my ReV SLE with the race rods in it this morning . As I suspected, after flying it for about 3 hours today, it lost the rubbery feeling that I experienced with the Race Rods, and seemed more solid. Flipping the wing was reduced greatly, compared to before the Magic Sticks. Same improvement in reverse flight and inverted hovering. I'm sold on the Magic Sticks and will put them on any new Rev i get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitefantex Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 I feel the same way after putting quad sticks on two of my revs. No death spins, inverted from ground to top. What a joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 I feel the same way after putting quad sticks on two of my revs. No death spins, inverted from ground to top. What a joy. Like going from a car without power steering and brakes, to one with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 At least my favorite revs, all have those sissy sticks. I find them pleasurable on verything except a stack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwmf Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 I feel the same way after putting quad sticks on two of my revs. No death spins, inverted from ground to top. What a joy. Personally I had no issue with either once my hands learned the required control ... but better a kite that you can fly than one you're frustrated with 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitefantex Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Quad sticks maybe just a learning tool. I know it will be easier to set up without the sticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainbob Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Quad sticks maybe just a learning tool. I know it will be easier to set up without the sticks. Added time to set up Rev with quad sticks, 30 seconds, insert two sticks and your done. Time saved by not having to stake kite and walking back and forth between kite and stakes, is enormous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Benz Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Once the sticks are installed...it is really no more time and effort involved. I do see a learning curve change with sticks.the classic "training wheel".a light wind glide a different characteristics. On a good or mild wind day, my only benefits are recovery and slack line "storage" of the kite on the ground when not on use. I will continue flying them and will have a kite with a set for learners and roll up tricks... but still prefer my kites without them. Just my flavor for now.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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