Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:29 pm
For a new Rev flier the 1.5 is almost certainly the way to go, the question is “there are six of them to choose from” (and that’s before we start thinking about colour choices). The first question you have to consider is, how seriously do you want to take this? If you just want something to put in the back of the car for an occasional couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon or you are a serious duel liner who wants a Rev for a bit of light relief then an EXP will be fine. If however you are looking to take this a bit more seriously then you will soon outgrow the exp and you would be well advised to look a bit further up the range.
One thing to consider when buying Revs is that when you do so you are not buying a kite you are buying a sail and a set of sticks, as unlike most duel line kites it is possible to reframe a Rev in the field in a matter of minutes. So simply by changing a frame, or even just the leading edge you can totally change the feel and handling of your kite.
If you are going to take this seriously your ultimate aim should be to collect a sail and frame to cover as wide a range of conditions as possible, though nobody’s saying you have to go all the way or that you have to rush out and buy the whole lot in one go, but a little bit of forward thinking could save money in the long run.
There are 3 routes into flying 1.5s.
1st the EXP is the cheaper route, but as I have already said if you are serious about this you will soon outgrow it. You could use it as the basis for a collection but many Rev fliers like to assemble a matched and from the exp there is nowhere else to go.
2nd The SLE, probably the most expensive route but it does offer a little mor scope. You start with a 1.5sle then, add (when funding permits) a 1.5sle vented for stronger winds and a 1.5sul for calmer conditions. The problem with this route is that both the standard and vented SLEs come with a thicker leading edge which has now somewhat fallen out of favor. So chances are at some point you will end up buying additional leading edges. Though I have to say when it’s really howling I wouldn’t be without my heavier sticks.
The 3rd route is the B series route, probably the most cost effective route, this option was not available when I bought my first Rev. The value of the B series is that each kite comes with 2 interchangeable frames, a Standard with a std and a super ultra light frame (labeled “Pro Use”) and the vented comes with std and a stiffer (Rev Equipped) frame. This mean that though they are a bit more expensive you only need to buy two to pretty well cover all the bases. A slight drawback is you will probably also have to buy a set of lines. Most UK retailers sell the other 1.5s “ready to fly” but as the B series was originally aimed at the experienced Rev flyer they are usually sold without lines.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by
Stone in Shoe Bob on Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Stone in Shoe Bob
Friend and supporter of
Kiteworld
Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are.