Date: Thu, 11 May 1995 19:32:23 -1000 From: windwiz@rain.org (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <3ourt7$b9a@coyote.rain.org> Organization: the RAIN Network Subject: A new design of a quad-line kite! There's a fairly new quad-line kite on the market called the Prowler that's made by Cosmic Kites in San Diego.. I got a mailer from them, and the pictures piqued my curiousity so I ordered one.. What makes it most different is its concept of a dual surface wing as opposed to a single surface ala Rev or Merrikite or Solution.. It consists of two rhomboid shaped flat 'main' sails with a triangulated rectangular 'secondary' sail placed behind the mains with a considerable amount of bow at the top spreader to bow the secondary sail away or rearward from the mains.. The wingspan is 72", height is 29" and it's 40" between the vertical spars that form the short axis of the rhomboids.. The frame is of various sizes of graphite tube, mostly AFC.. Ascii drawing attempt below would be of the kite traveling from left to right with the wingspan perpendicular to the ground.. I drew it this way cuz the slash angles on the computer won't allow a rhomboid with the short axis vertical.. If you lay your head on your right shoulder, or rotate your terminal screen 90 degrees CCW, the drawing would look 'normal' with the kite flying forward/up.. The 'M' marked sails would be the main, and the 'S' marked sail would be the single secondary sail.. Main sails are available in several colors with the secondary sail being black in all cases by the pictures I have.. /\ / \ / \ / \ / M \ \ /| \ / | /\ / | / \ / | / \/ | \ S /\ S | \ / \ | \/ \ | / \ | / M \| \ / \ / \ / \ / \/ Flight characteristics are, as I expected, 'different' than a Rev due to the symmetrical sail.. I haven't been able to get any quad with vertical symmetry to pull out of the air like a Rev does flying '3D'.. It's quite responsive and I've had the best performance flying it using the shorter RevII handles, as it seems to make it less twitchy.. With a little practice it will do all of the other non-3D quad moves like slides, floats, reverse flight, stalls, spins, etc very well.. It's an interesting kite to fly and has a good visual appeal I think, too.. For more info you can contact me or Joe Carbella at Cosmic Kites in San Diego at (619) 277-2067 voice or (619) 277-7324 fax.. I don't think he sells direct, but I'm sure would be glad to give you the name of a nearby dealer.. Ob. Disclaimer: I am a sport kite dealer and carry some of the above mentioned product(s). As such, my opinions may tend to be somewhat subjective. -- Dan Rubesh GO Wind Wizard windwiz@coyote.rain.org FLY A P.O. Box 5747 danr@crash.cts.com SPORT KITE Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5769 (voice & fax) T.B.N.K. Member: AKA & KTA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 14 May 1995 02:22:00 -1000 From: glenn.grattomushin@akix.cts.com (Glenn Gratto) Message-Id: <13078.4479.uupcb@akix.cts.com> Organization: Mushin BBS - 619/452-8137 Subject: A new design of a quad-line kite! -> There's a fairly new quad-line kite on the market called the Prowler -> that's made by Cosmic Kites in San Diego.. I have a pre-production model of the Prowler and I agree with most of what you said except. -> responsive and I've had the best performance flying it using the -> shorter RevII handles, as it seems to make it less twitchy.. I have only used the lage handles and have experianced no problems. did you start out on the outer most bridle settings I found that it made the response slower while I was learning. This is the only Quad that I have in my collection although I have flown Rev's I found that the Prowler a more stable kite in the air. -> Joe Carbella at Cosmic Kites in San Diego at (619) 277-2067 voice or -> (619) 277-7324 fax.. I don't think he sells direct, but I'm sure -> would be glad to give you the name of a nearby dealer.. Joe Carbella only sells to dealers. Their two in San Diego that have the Prowler as of this date Kite Contry and All About Kites. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =