Date: Sun, 5 Jun 1994 19:52:21 -1000 From: braddlee@news.unr.edu (Braddlee) Message-Id: Organization: University of Nevada, Reno Subject: Anyone else tried a Backtracker? Since a friend recently power-dived my delta at speeds requiring substantial hospitalization :-( I decided to take the plunge and pick up a quad to start experimenting with. I got one of the new Backtrackers from Revolution ($69.00, with 40' Dacron lines and plastic handles, incl. 2nd day shipping from BFK). Given that price, it's reasonably well sewn and constructed, although I was disappointed that it comes in a clear plastic slipcover, rather than a nylon case, and that the lines are tied to the bride rather than attached with clips. I wasn't expecting the fancy Rev handles for that kind of money, and the plastic ones work okay. Disclaimer: I'm a novice, so any problems here may well be me, not the kite! Since Saturday was my first time attempting to fly a quad, I spend several hours doing little but untangling lines, and doing the 80' aerobic walk. Today, we had better winds in Reno, and I also (finally) got the concept of how to fly the beastie. >From this limited experience, it seems to me that the kite would be happier with longer lines, and that I'd be able to do more. However, I don't know enough about quad flying to know how much longer would be a good idea, and quad line sets are bit expensive to just guess about. Any suggestions? After I got past the 1 launch, 1 crash stage, I also tried a friend's Rev 1, with 75' spectra lines. It seemed easier (to me) to tell how it was going to handle (because of the larger sail?), and I was able to do multiple 360's with comparative ease - on the Backtracker, I was lucky to a single 360 without crashing and burning. Could this be a Spectra/Dacron issue? Short lines? Small sail? I'm wondering if I made the same error that I did with my 1/2 delta - thinking that a small kite would be easier to learn on, where in fact it appears to be touchier (lively, if you're being nice) and easier to spin out on (although fun to fly once you learn how). Anyhow - I'd be interested in what other folks think of this kite, since it's so new, and what some good ideas for modification from "stock" would be to improve performance. Thanks! Braddlee -- Braddlee braddlee@nevada.edu NevadaNet Network Information Consultant (702) 784-4827 University and Community College System of Nevada, System Computing Services RIPEM Public Key Available Upon Request = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 6 Jun 1994 04:18:13 -1000 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <2svb75$m79@umd5.umd.edu> Organization: University of Maryland, College Park Subject: Re: Anyone else tried a Backtracker? In article braddlee@news.unr.edu (Braddlee) writes: >I got one of the new Backtrackers from Revolution ($69.00, with 40' Dacron >lines and plastic handles, incl. 2nd day shipping from BFK). [...] >From this limited experience, it seems to me that the kite would be >happier with longer lines, and that I'd be able to do more. However, I >don't know enough about quad flying to know how much longer would be a >good idea, and quad line sets are bit expensive to just guess about. Any >suggestions? My suggestion is to not change anything on the Backtracker until you can fly it competently. >going to handle (because of the larger sail?), and I was able to do >multiple 360's with comparative ease - on the Backtracker, I was lucky to >a single 360 without crashing and burning. Could this be a Spectra/Dacron >issue? Short lines? Small sail? By 360, am I correct in guessing that you mean a loop? I doubt a new Rev flyer is going to be out running 360's... >Anyhow - I'd be interested in what other folks think of this kite, since >it's so new, and what some good ideas for modification from "stock" would >be to improve performance. The Backtracker is an entry level Revolution. It's really cheap, and yet it manages to fly *really* well. To the point where I was *very* impressed with it when I got to fly it last weekend at ECSKC. Sure, the handles are uncomfortable and the frame is too flexible. But what do you expect for that kind of money? The Hadzickis spent a lot of time coming up with an entry level kite for folks to learn how to fly quad with. They've redesigned the kite's aspect ratio and tweaked the bridle quite a bit. The kite flies _very_ well right out of the bag. I would strongly recommend that you not change anything until you can fly the kite competently. The one possible exception is that you might want to slightly adjust the lines on the handle (there is an adjustment mechanism). This may not make too much of a difference to you. Just keep practicing in a steady, medium wind...the chances are that when you want better performance and could appreciate the difference, you won't want to fix up your Backtracker, but instead will want to buy one of the higher-end Revs. And that's what makes the Backtracker a beautiful marketing ploy. Jeff (who will note that the Backtracker can be flown 3-D on the stock lines, but you should be pretty good at throwing... ;-) -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | "Everything is still with a fear of never coming out | |Suffering Bad Grammar| Never following through / Never ever finishing | |jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu | What we wanted to do." -- Melissa Ferrick | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 7 Jun 1994 06:04:42 -1000 From: ces1at@surrey.ac.uk (Andy Tate) Message-Id: Organization: University of Surrey, Dept Chem & Proc Eng,UK Subject: Re: Anyone else tried a Backtracker? In article <2svb75$m79@umd5.umd.edu> jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) writes: >By 360, am I correct in guessing that you mean a loop? I doubt a new Rev >flyer is going to be out running 360's... Maybe what I call a helicopter ..... getting it to spin around its central point rather than the wing tip turn of a two line kite. Andy... = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 06:37:27 -1000 From: johnsen@eskimo.com (Brian Johnsen) Message-Id: Organization: Captain Pugets Roadside Taco Stand Subject: Re: Anyone else tried a Backtracker? In article , Andy Tate wrote: >In article <2svb75$m79@umd5.umd.edu> jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) writes: > >>By 360, am I correct in guessing that you mean a loop? I doubt a new Rev >>flyer is going to be out running 360's... > >Maybe what I call a helicopter ..... getting it to spin around its central >point rather than the wing tip turn of a two line kite. The 360 confused me when I first came across the term. It means flying in a complete circle at ground level. It usually involves backing up in a smaller circle in the center. It's nearly impossible if the wind is over 5 or 6 mph. -- Gnome Sees James Bond In A Pool Hall -- Brian Johnsen johnsen@eskimo.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 12 Jun 1994 15:11:05 -1000 From: raymiller@aol.com (RayMiller) Message-Id: <2tgbn9$ht2@search01.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Anyone else tried a Backtracker? In article , ces1at@surrey.ac.uk (Andy Tate) writes: >>By 360, am I correct in guessing that you mean a loop? I doubt a new Rev >>flyer is going to be out running 360's... I definately agree that a 360 is done a bit above the ground and in low wind. The technique involves backing up to create your own wind while making the kite circumscribe a 360-degree circle horizontally around a center point. If there is much wind at all, >3-4mph, it is difficult or even impossible, especially with a kite like the Trakker (with a low lift to weight ratio). >Maybe what I call a helicopter ..... getting it to spin around its central >point rather than the wing tip turn of a two line kite. Now then, a helicopter is a maneuver that results in a two-line stunter "hovering" over the ground, often slipping from one side of the window to the center - always pointing up. If the kite were to actually point in the direction it is moving, it is "tracking" across the ground rather than "helicoptering." These are my understanding of the terms "360" and "helicopter" when used in the kiting arena. Ray Miller, Editor kgb Newsletter kgb = kite group of boise, what else..... = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =