From: tom@minster.cs.york.ac.uk (Tom Jackson) Subject: Fizz Fusion review Message-ID: <829138906.16191@minster.york.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 10 Apr 1996 02:21:46 -1000 Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of York, England Keywords: Summary: I took delivery of the new Fizz Fusion last week. This is the biggest of the Fizz trick range, and I guess you could call it the big brother to the Box of Tricks. It's 2.4m wide (about 95") which makes it 10cm wider than the BoT. The sail is Carrington K42, and it's sparred in pultruded 6mm carbon fibre (Epsilon). It has a trailing edge leech line, which means it's totally silent in flight, and it has a trick line, connected at the spine base via a velcro fastener, like the BoT. I love this kite, but I'll try and keep the review objective, rather than a rave! Perhaps the best way to describe the Fusion is to say it is a 'laid back' Box of Tricks. It definitely has all the trick capabilities of the BoT; it will axel, float, pancake, cascade etc with the minimum of effort. However, because it has a bigger sail area, it does everything just that little bit slower, and consequently gives you that bit of extra time to think about what's going on. It feels more solid on the lines, has a slightly slower forward speed and a lower bottom end wind range (it was handling superbly in 3-4 mph winds, on 80', 80lb lines). There's just the slightest hint of oversteer, but overall the kite has a much more relaxed feel than the BoT, without sacrificing any of the radical trick performance. I was surprised by how well it performs as a precision kite as well. It doesn't track quite as solid as the Phanton, but it's not too far off, and it will cut some really clean turns. It has a lower aspect ratio than the BoT, which must be part of the reason for it's improved tracking and precision. I think it manages to combine a great balance between precision and trick kite. I found some tricks, such as a float across the window, were actually easier with the Fusion than the BoT. So, overall, it's a really well-balanced all rounder. I've had a Box of Tricks for about a year, and it's still impressing me. It's not the kite I would get out of my bag for a lazy afternoon fly though. The Fusion offers the solution here, it will pop, snap, stall, on a par with the best trick kites, but it is also nicely tuned for some easy-going flying when you just want to 'chill out'. For precision flyers who are looking to get into the 'tricks' scene, it may be the just the ticket. There's a picture of the kite on my 'Fizz' home page: http://dcpu1.cs.york.ac.uk:6666/~tom/new-fizz.html The UK price is 114.95 pounds, or 134.95 with full line/winder/handles tom. Disclaimer: I have no commercial connection with Fizz, but I own five of their kites ;o) _____________________________________________________________________ Tom Jackson, * One thing about intellectuals, Research Manager (HISE Group), * they proved that they can be Dept. of Computer Science, * absolutely brilliant and have University of York, Heslington, * no idea what's going on. YORK. YO1 5DD. UK. * Woody Allen 'Annie Hall' Tel/fax: [+44] (01904) 432760 e-mail: tom@minster.york.ac.uk http://dcpu1.cs.york.ac.uk:6666/tom/tom.html _____________________________________________________________________ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: djskites@aol.com (Djskites) Subject: Re: Fizz Fusion review Date: Fri, 12 Apr 1996 08:05:44 -1000 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Message-ID: <4km61o$kns@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Andy Writes>I've only had an hour or so on the Fusion, and about 20 minutes on a custom Icky version at Blackheath last weekend, but I have to say this kite is another winner. As Tom said, it's a bit larger than the Box and is similar to the PE in terms of shape. The sail is quite deep (compared to the Box) and the aspect ratio is lower. It flies like a well behaved Box of Tricks; slightly more stable, more precise and requiring less wind. It loses a bit at the radical end, but most tricks are possible and indeed easy, compared to the average stunt kite. I hope to get in a lot of flying with this kite in the next few days so I'll get back with more details. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I've been back from my latest trip to Colombia now for about a week. On this latest adventure, I took a few Jam Sessions to introduce and because of the package and pricing, they were sold right away. I had a Fusion and becuase of its price(higher), I ended up with it. I had flown them a few ldifferent times before, but never for a full 7 days, 2-4 hrs a day. By the end of the first hour on the first day, I realized what a pleasure it was to fly. It reacted exactly the way I wanted it to. At first, I had bobbles in my turns but soon realized that it was me "over commanding" and not the kite. I also liked it alot because it is the only kite I could do consistant Grape Vines with. I tried it (and not to successfuly) on other kites The Fusion made it much easier for me. It handled with ease all of the tricks I know, plus helped me with some new ones. I also like to do alot of snap stalls, spikes, snap landings, and fly smooth straight lines and precision. Of course it did that too! For me, I was very impressed with the Fusion and put it into the "Multi-Task" catagory(Tricks/Precision/Ballet). Because of the 6mm frame and Carrington sail, this is not an ultra light and the lowest it flew well in was aroun 4-5mph on 80'x80# Lazer Pro. Athough some of you "lite wind fliers" might do better. My opinion is biased. I import this kite. The only complaint I had in the very beginning with this kite was that for a "Snappy" flier, I broke bottom spreaders. On this one I had in Colombia, I broke nothing and flew it in winds from 4-25+ mph. I use a hqwindscreen for anything over 15mph and as the winds became higher I also switched from 150# to 200# spectra. All of the production Fusions have the bottom spreaders "loaded" at the center T end to help prevent cracking. It seems to work. Its hard to write a review or even talk about a kite you sell without being biased. So don't believe me, ask someone who flew one. congrats on another great one Tim!!!!!!! Dodd Gross North and South America Importer/Wholesaler of HQ & Fizz Sport Kites Master Instructor Flight School World Tour Flight School Instructional Video Series \\\\\\\\\\\\Disclaimer/////////////// Because of my involvement with the above products and services, my views and statements may be seen as biased. I can assure you I am a flier FIRST! Quote of the month "Hay alquien aqui que hable ingles?" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: Andy Wardley Subject: Re: Fizz Fusion review Date: Thu, 11 Apr 1996 05:58:29 -1000 Organization: Peritas Multimedia Message-ID: Tom Jackson writes long the lines of: [...Fusion...hmmm...I like this kite...] Yup, everything Tom said in Spades. I've only had an hour or so on the Fusion, and about 20 minutes on a custom Icky version at Blackheath last weekend, but I have to say this kite is another winner. As Tom said, it's a bit larger than the Box and is similar to the PE in terms of shape. The sail is quite deep (compared to the Box) and the aspect ratio is lower. It flies like a well behaved Box of Tricks; slightly more stable, more precise and requiring less wind. It loses a bit at the radical end, but most tricks are possible and indeed easy, compared to the average stunt kite. I hope to get in a lot of flying with this kite in the next few days so I'll get back with more details. Cheers Andy Andy Wardley || . Hacker, digital artist/designer, webmister, brave warrior thricefold decorated in the winky wars, best mate to the rich and famous, no really, I mean that. I luv you, you're my best mate.... For a good time, http://www.peritas.com/~abw = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = From: Andy Wardley Subject: Re: Fizz Fusion review Date: Mon, 15 Apr 1996 00:45:22 -1000 Organization: Peritas Multimedia Message-ID: [..Rave review follows...see disclaimer at end...] I spent a good many hours flying the Fusion this weekend just gone and I can only say that I am delighted with the way it performs. As we (Tom, Dodd and I) have already said umpteen times, the Fusion is like a grown-up Box of Tricks. It handles superbly, offering good precision, stability and control and flies in a lowish (but not ultralight) wind range. As for mph specifics, I honestly couldn't say as I don't really worry about such things, but as a guide, it flies lower than the Box but not as low as a Phantom Elite Ultralight. The fact that this kite is totally trickable comes as a bit of a surprise, but I found it possible to do just about any trick I can perform on the Box of Tricks. In some cases, the additionaly stability and reliability meant that hitting re-pops for multiple (3, 4, 5+) axels, for example, was easier. The kite is slower than the Box and it makes for a particularly relaxing fly. A real gentle Sunday-afternooner, if you like. However, with a more aggressive approach, the superb acceleration brings it snapping right into the action, responding instantly to your control. A really versatile kite. Like everything Tim makes, the quality of construction is outstanding. The cool design is (understandably) much in the style of the Box and Reflex and makes for an attractive and interesting kite. [Disclaimer] I've recently joined the (somewhat enviable) ranks of sponsored fliers for Fizz which means that anything I say is likely to be heavily biased. They don't pay me to fly, or say great things about their kites:- I do that out of choice. However, I do get all sorts of wunnerful kites and things that naturally sways my opinion somewhat :-) Anyway, I wouldn't try to deceive anyone - the kite is a winner, but you should try it out and find out if it's right for you. I know that my Fusion wasn't on the ground for more than a few minutes all weekend. As soon as I put it down, someone would come along and pick it up! Cheers Andy Andy Wardley || . Hacker, digital artist/designer, webmister, brave warrior thricefold decorated in the winky wars, best mate to the rich and famous, no really, I mean that. I luv you, you're my best mate.... For a good time, http://www.peritas.com/~abw = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =