I just bought my first Rev a few weeks ago. I had seen one flying at the Bedford Kite Festival, and was on the internet as soon as I got home, trying to find a stockist. After a lot of indecision I eventually ordered a 1.5 SLE, but actually received the new 1.5 black series UL instead. After reading some threads here later, I think this is probably for the best anyway though, as most people seem to prefer the UL frame over the SLE one. It also came with 80' x 90lbs Laser Pro Gold line.
The first time out with it was a real struggle though. I headed down to my local park (I have no transport) where I have flown my dual line. The wind was light, and changing direction every few seconds. I tested the wind direction, staked the handles, wound out the line, and attached the kite. Then, I tried to stand the kite up. It fell down on its face. The wind was now blowing 180 degrees, the other way! Luckily, I had my brother with me, and he would carry the kite around, to try and keep up with the changing wind direction. It was all very frustrating, and a little depressing, but every now and then, we would achieve a short flight and feel some of the joy! The wind was ridiculous though. I would throw grass up, and my brother would do the same 80 feet away. We would then report completely different directions to each other!! Eventually we reluctantly gave up, and headed home, hoping that it really was the wind, and not our own inabilities that were to blame.
The second attempt initially looked like it would be a repeat of the first, with constantly changing wind directions, but at least this time it was a little stronger, and we began to spend more time with the kite in the air. I’m sure experienced Rev flyers would have had no problem with the conditions, but without a ‘feel’ for the kite it was incredibly difficult to make the correct adjustments in flight, when the wind switched directions, or suddenly dropped, or gusted. It was still a lot more encouraging than the first time though, and we both really enjoyed this experience and went home a lot happier.
The third attempt, the wind was a lot more consistent. Still changing directions, but not as frequently, or radically, and I felt a lot more confident attempting some of the moves I’d seen at the kite festival, and on Youtube videos. It was also the last time I felt the need for a personal assistant on hand, and I have since been out a few times on my own recently.
After reading through many threads here, I have now ordered some race rods, as I am struggling in light winds, and this is the norm here in Bedford. Parts of Bedfordshire are quite hilly, exposed, and windy, but Bedford itself is pretty flat, and sheltered. A bit strange that we have a kite festival at all here!! There’s rarely enough wind for it, at least on the last few years that I have attended it.
Anyway, thanks to everyone on this site. I have already learned a lot just from reading through some of your posts. I’m sure I’ll have a few questions to ask too, like how do I get the damn thing to hover? Horizontal slide??? That's a laugh! My Rev seems to have a mind of it’s own at times!!
Finally, thanks to Revolution……..what a fantastic kite!!!!!!!!!!
Question
Acrilix
Hi all,
I just bought my first Rev a few weeks ago. I had seen one flying at the Bedford Kite Festival, and was on the internet as soon as I got home, trying to find a stockist. After a lot of indecision I eventually ordered a 1.5 SLE, but actually received the new 1.5 black series UL instead. After reading some threads here later, I think this is probably for the best anyway though, as most people seem to prefer the UL frame over the SLE one. It also came with 80' x 90lbs Laser Pro Gold line.
The first time out with it was a real struggle though. I headed down to my local park (I have no transport) where I have flown my dual line. The wind was light, and changing direction every few seconds. I tested the wind direction, staked the handles, wound out the line, and attached the kite. Then, I tried to stand the kite up. It fell down on its face. The wind was now blowing 180 degrees, the other way! Luckily, I had my brother with me, and he would carry the kite around, to try and keep up with the changing wind direction. It was all very frustrating, and a little depressing, but every now and then, we would achieve a short flight and feel some of the joy! The wind was ridiculous though. I would throw grass up, and my brother would do the same 80 feet away. We would then report completely different directions to each other!! Eventually we reluctantly gave up, and headed home, hoping that it really was the wind, and not our own inabilities that were to blame.
The second attempt initially looked like it would be a repeat of the first, with constantly changing wind directions, but at least this time it was a little stronger, and we began to spend more time with the kite in the air. I’m sure experienced Rev flyers would have had no problem with the conditions, but without a ‘feel’ for the kite it was incredibly difficult to make the correct adjustments in flight, when the wind switched directions, or suddenly dropped, or gusted. It was still a lot more encouraging than the first time though, and we both really enjoyed this experience and went home a lot happier.
The third attempt, the wind was a lot more consistent. Still changing directions, but not as frequently, or radically, and I felt a lot more confident attempting some of the moves I’d seen at the kite festival, and on Youtube videos. It was also the last time I felt the need for a personal assistant on hand, and I have since been out a few times on my own recently.
After reading through many threads here, I have now ordered some race rods, as I am struggling in light winds, and this is the norm here in Bedford. Parts of Bedfordshire are quite hilly, exposed, and windy, but Bedford itself is pretty flat, and sheltered. A bit strange that we have a kite festival at all here!! There’s rarely enough wind for it, at least on the last few years that I have attended it.
Anyway, thanks to everyone on this site. I have already learned a lot just from reading through some of your posts. I’m sure I’ll have a few questions to ask too, like how do I get the damn thing to hover? Horizontal slide??? That's a laugh! My Rev seems to have a mind of it’s own at times!!
Finally, thanks to Revolution……..what a fantastic kite!!!!!!!!!!
Lez.
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