http://www.kiteclique.com/?p=173
-Frazer
Fractured Axel
Sport, Trick and Freestyle Kite Flying Forum
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fworley
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- Zippy8
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Code: Select all
Muse $234
Custom colours + $ 20
Nitro/Black Diamond frame + $ 25
Tail weight and yoyostopper kit + $ 10
TOTAL - $289
Mantis,
your colour choice,
Nitro/5PT frame,
tail weight and yoyostoppers included.....
TOTAL - $299So it is an inexpensive entrée into the wholesome world of Blue Moon kites ("probably the best kites in the world") but not if you start adding the extras on. From my experience with the Mantis, the Nitro frame upgrade is a good 'un, I'd def. want stoppers (even though I didn't think it was a yoyo monster) so I'm "saving" $34 and having to give up a bunch o' sail panels and adjustability. Ummmm......
TBH unless I was buying the bum basic kite it doesn't look like such a good deal. Of course if the bum basic kite is all I was looking for, I'd be well chuffed.
Interesting development. If it succeeds, will other kitemakers follow Ken's lead I wonder ?
Mike.
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fworley
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If you're going to go custom/Nitro etc then you should just go for the
Mantis.
But I think there are a great many fliers out there who don't need all the
bells and whistles and the Muse give them the bare bones but at a very
attractive price point. We flew the SkyShark STD ... it wasn't screaming
out to be Nitro'd or weighted.
I've heard from several places now that Prism's prices are going to jump
next year so the Zephyr for example, made (roughly) in China will cost
more than this. The Flying Wings Soul already does ... and its construction
really does leave a lot to be desired.
-Frazer
Mantis.
But I think there are a great many fliers out there who don't need all the
bells and whistles and the Muse give them the bare bones but at a very
attractive price point. We flew the SkyShark STD ... it wasn't screaming
out to be Nitro'd or weighted.
I've heard from several places now that Prism's prices are going to jump
next year so the Zephyr for example, made (roughly) in China will cost
more than this. The Flying Wings Soul already does ... and its construction
really does leave a lot to be desired.
-Frazer
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- Zippy8
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- mikenchico
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- Location: Chico, California - USA
Steve, GWTW got some detail shots of my Muse, one of the first 8. Ken didn't cut any corners on this kite, the construction as with any Blue Moon kite, is top notch. Check out the new Blue Moon Fabrications no-snag nose treatment (top right), it is truly a work of art, the pic can't do it justice, run your finger over it and marvel at the craftsmanship
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitekid/se ... 342977750/
And like any of Ken's kites it follows his minimalist philosophy of putting nothing on the kite that isn't needed but putting exactly everything into the kite it does need. All but one of the fittings has received the Blue Moon Mods so everything just fits "Right", you'll never fuss over anything.
I got the Nitro upgrade on mine since I whack things too hard and like the extra stiffness, really the only extra 90% of fliers might consider adding is the excellent Blue Moon weight kit, yo-yo stops included.
So $244 for this level of quality is a deal, and the kite ain't half bad either but I'll leave flying reviews to those more competent the myself and just say the kite has good precision and more tricks built in then I know how to ask it for.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitekid/se ... 342977750/
And like any of Ken's kites it follows his minimalist philosophy of putting nothing on the kite that isn't needed but putting exactly everything into the kite it does need. All but one of the fittings has received the Blue Moon Mods so everything just fits "Right", you'll never fuss over anything.
I got the Nitro upgrade on mine since I whack things too hard and like the extra stiffness, really the only extra 90% of fliers might consider adding is the excellent Blue Moon weight kit, yo-yo stops included.
So $244 for this level of quality is a deal, and the kite ain't half bad either but I'll leave flying reviews to those more competent the myself and just say the kite has good precision and more tricks built in then I know how to ask it for.
"People do not quit playing because they grow old, they grow old because they quit playing" Oliver Wendell Holmes