theone Posted October 6, 2014 Report Share Posted October 6, 2014 A little video from this weekends flying, the wind was not so good and change directions many times during the day... but the Zen saved the day for my.. was able to fly all day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM3ZgknJhaU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 The zen is my favorite kite, but it doesn't fly like other models. It cuts across turbulence and swirls, plus instantly re-powers when slack lining. I have extensively modified this one for my own preferences, after wearing one out first. That showed me when to reinforce and where to trim mass or relocate, also went to Rev's new Diamond frame. Here's a link of some jacking around at the nat'l mall a few weeks ago. Starting at about one minute the music is "Back to the Future". A spectator offered to film me after I chased him around for awhile. I did not touch him, but when he'd turn around after taking a pix the kite would be right behind him balanced on the leading edge. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203576986200117 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Some nice flying ! I was hoping you were going to throw it back out there after that enormous catch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theone Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 nice flying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I need a little help with some wind to throw it a 100 feet AND the catch was way too early in the music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theone Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 i tried a couple of time on 50 ft that day. but no got close but not quite there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Heino, don't give up! start off practicing on longer lengths than you'd intend to use for a demo. For instance you ask? Dave Shenkman's "Huntington Beach Kite Party 2015",.... restricted (highly encouraged!) to limit lengths to 75 feet, so I'll practice on 85 or 90 feet back home for a few months. That way the kite comes back effortlessly to me standing flat footed and can fly all the way out to the end of the lines during a well placed active throw. The throw can be practiced off of the lines! Run a couple of steps (adding free momentum!) and pitch it like a javelin. It needs to #1 go out (away from you), #2 upwards (at the proper angle determined by practice) and #3 rotate (90 degrees to wind-up inverted), just above the ground and pasted stationary, ... in that order so folks know you meant to do that. The catch is easier from almost overhead, but looks a lot cooler if you do it from about 2/3rds of the window's height. That way it will apex and angle back down towards you, hopefully traveling the entire distance to your outstretched hand, so you don't have to run or move forward at all. Here the secret is "how far out you can reach" (and still not slice open you finger on the raw spectra!) Longer leaders, using the same materials as your sleeving, as few knots as possible in the leaders to prevent entanglement when handles are used in one hand or dropped onto the ground. The 1.5 size is easier to learn 3D tricks on, because you can get great control on shorter strings than the Zen. Things happen faster and with less effort. It will not have the same floatiness or travel as slowly, but the techniques will carry over to the larger Zen size when you are ready. I've worked my way up from 30 foot lengths to pretty good success consistently on 120s, probably a decade of practice. Watching somebody or getting a hands-on lesson personally will trim hundreds of futility hours away. No other kite does this two part trick anything at all like a Revolution product. They are each unique in their interpretation of this trick as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theone Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 i will not give up.. many time i just hit the ground before i got it.. have done whit the 1.5 i did manage to catch the zen 2 time and hit my self a bounce of time.. one eye = difficult judge there the kite comes but getting better add it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makatakam Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 REVflyer, are you using any weights in the bottom tips for extra glide on 120's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayhiker Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 This all makes me glad I got a Zen. I have the tool & now the rest is up to me. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlandflyer Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 That's right - up to you!! A Zen is a great tool, but you still have to fly it!! Light wind flying is a real test, you can't just stand there and expect to fly! I put it this way - There's no free lunch, just because you have a Zen or SUL! No matter which you fly, feet got to move to get results!! Besides - it's a great workout!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REVflyer Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 REVflyer, are you using any weights in the bottom tips for extra glide on 120's? No, just a set of magic sticks, And a diamond frame, And a modified leading edge construction using Mylar backed nylon instead of Dacron, oh and French bridle The sum of the parts and bits make an entirely different kite that just looks like zen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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