Date: Wed, 21 Jun 1995 06:49:31 -1000 From: jkracke@grci.com (John Kracke) Message-Id: <3s9iji$evi@shark.sb.grci.com> Organization: SWL, Inc Subject: BACKTRAKER This is my first post to the newsgroup. I looked over the past seventy five messages (and presume there were many many more before that) and have not seen anyone discuss the Backtraker. My question is a simple one: Am I the only one having trouble getting this thing to fly? I thought it would be easy, but seems like the hardest thing next to single line flying (for me anyway). Any comments good or otherwise are welcome... john jkracke@grci.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 21 Jun 1995 17:52:21 -1000 From: NSVS12A@prodigy.com (Ken Forslund) Message-Id: <3sapdl$upe@usenetp1.news.prodigy.com> Organization: Prodigy Services Company 1-800-PRODIGY Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER The BACKTRAKER is a kite with an entry level cost and an expert flying requirement. If this is your introduction to quadlining I don't envy you because the kite is so quick. Don't give up, take it slow and be gentle. It is a fun kite once you get it down. You probably don't want to hear that I have a friend whose 7 year old son is quite an expert with the little beast. Fair winds Ken Forslund Federal Way, WA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 05:25:27 -1000 From: dquad@aol.com (DQuad) Message-Id: <3sc217$b3f@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER John asked about the Backtracker. Having problems with it....... Welcome to the world of problem solving. The BT needs at least 7-8 mph for a new quad flier to have success. One thing to check is that your lines are truly even(side to side and top top and bottom). They have been sometimes mismarked or just not right. Cut the lines at exactly the same place near the bridle of the kite. Tie a knot there(in exact equal distance from kite), and then proceed to make sure your lines are equal. Use the marks on the handle end to help with this. After you are sure lines are equal, tie overhand loops in line retaining the equal measurements you just made. Larkshead them onto knots on kite bridle, Top>top and Bottom> bottom. If this does not help , then adjustments of the handle end will be needed. If the kite will not take off>>>put the marks nearer to the bottom of the handles and vice versa if it flutters and won't turn well after launching. You dont have to fly the kite on line supplied if you have some 80# spectra in 40 50 ft. length set up for quad already.. Have flown this kite in as little as 4-5 mph. Hard but still happened. I feel it is a fun kite to learn quad on, and then move on to something(another Rev) more responsive. Point of reference - I am sponsored by the Hadzickis(Revolution). If you need any more help, let me know or call the Hadzickis @ 1800-382-5132 dave arnold = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jun 1995 14:11:00 -1000 From: larry.peters@compudata.com (LARRY PETERS) Message-Id: <8ABD4BB.02A70025EB.uuout@compudata.com> Organization: Compu-Data BBS -=- Turnersville, NJ -=- 609-232-1245 Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER FROM: larry.peters@compudata.com TO: dquad@aol.com >Newsgroups: rec.kites DD>Have flown this kite in as little as 4-5 mph. Hard but still happened. I >feel it is a fun kite to learn quad on, and then move on to >something(another Rev) more responsive. LP> I didn't have any luck with the Backtracker, however it can be flown -after I learned how to fly my REV II, heres an Idea-what if you replace those "Twigs" they call uprights? And the whole Bridle system replaced with a REV II bridle which is sold at a reasonable price? ok do you think it possible? Larry --- ~ 1st 1.11 #4509 ~ cmpudata!larry.peters@compudata.com -Turnersville N.J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 23 Jun 1995 19:45:16 -1000 From: budzilla@teleport.com (Bud Hayes) Message-Id: <3sg8pc$751@maureen.teleport.com> Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access (503) 220-1016 Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER NSVS12A@prodigy.com (Ken Forslund) wrote: >The BACKTRAKER is a kite with an entry level cost and an expert flying >requirement. If this is your introduction to quadlining I don't envy you >because the kite is so quick. Don't give up, take it slow and be gentle. > It is a fun kite once you get it down. You probably don't want to hear >that I have a friend whose 7 year old son is quite an expert with the >little beast. I agree whole heartedly. I have flown my Backtracker 4 times now. I finally have a tiny bit of a clue how to do it. Having a good wind makes all the difference. A couple of weeks ago an experienced REV I flyer was giving me advice, and I was happy to listen. The wind was light and the kite was eating a lot of beach. I suggested he give it a try. He was worse than me. He then blamed the factory line setup, which is slightly off, but not much. The problem was, the Backtracker is a far twitchier kite. We both took a try with his REV I. Much easier to fly, but a little bit dull if you like to fly on the edge of kaos (or over the edge). The REV II's and 1.5's are no doubt better (faster) kites than the REV I. One piece of advice I got which I think would make the Backtracker easier is the factory lines are 40 feet long. This fellow suggested going to 70 to 80 foot lines. It gives you a little time to think. Makes sense to me. Bottom line, stick with it and you will be rewarded with some very entertaining air time. Enjoy. Bud Hayes = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 06:58:58 -1000 From: Harry Gibson Message-Id: <804013137snz@hgibson.demon.co.uk> Organization: At home in Stowe Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER I had a backtracker for Christmas, and have flown it just a few times so far. At first I foud it almost impossible to fly, being used to a flexifoil, because it was completely and utterly instinctive to pull back a handle to turn, rather than rocking your wrists. Now I'm *starting* to get the hang of it. Keep at it! -- Harry Gibson ******************************************************************************* *email harry@hgibson.demon.co.uk * "Every time I hear a politician say * * ostrich@spuddy.mew.co.uk * 'information superhighway' I reach for * * ^(free email+usenet access!) * my virtual reality revolver" -J. Miller* ******************************************************************************* = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 05:57:25 -1000 From: dquad@aol.com (DQuad) Message-Id: <3shcl5$kr6@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER larry about the BT. >replace those "Twigs" they call uprights? And the whole Bridle system >replaced with a REV II bridle which is sold at a reasonable price? ok do you think it possible? Or, just get the Rev II or 1.5 in the first place.End up with the same $$ and a Better kite. dave arnold. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 24 Jun 1995 17:13:00 -1000 From: larry.peters@compudata.com (LARRY PETERS) Message-Id: <8ABE571.02A700260D.uuout@compudata.com> Organization: Compu-Data BBS -=- Turnersville, NJ -=- 609-232-1245 Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER FROM:>larry.peters@compdata.com >Newsgroups: rec.kites DD>Or, just get the Rev II or 1.5 in the first place.End up with the same $$ >and a Better kite. LP>I have a REV II it's a fun kite-Backtrcker could be modified bungee<- ? Larry --- ~ 1st 1.11 #4509 ~ cmpudata!larry.peters@compudata.com -Turnersville N.J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 26 Jun 1995 03:44:36 -1000 From: Richard Bettis Message-Id: <801751488wnr@fats.demon.co.uk> Organization: Health & Safety Lab Subject: BACKTRAKER This is my first serious post to rec.kites, after several months of lurking. I purchased a BackTracker a few weeks back and have flown it reasonably successfully with a good-ish wind (and with only written assistance). I too thought that lengthening the lines might help with slower (apparent) movement / response. I doubled the line length with some Spectra, rather than the nylon(?) braid lines and found a little improvement, though its hard to say if it is the kite that is improving or if its my flying :) The Spectra lines are a definite plus though, I found the original lines got quite 'sticky' after two or three wraps. I did think of building a quad line kite, but wanted to be reasonably sure that any problems with flying the thing weren't due to amateur construction, hence the Backtracker. I have had several hours of fun with it so far, and anticipate many more to come (I may even build a bigger quad...) Best thing so far is not having to walk miles backwards and forwards to set up a recently crashed kite. With a Rev, any landing you can FLY away from is a good landing! (And any kite that can survive my initial 'landings' seems like a good kite to me!) [ As a PS, the BackTracker packet claims that the frame is Fibreglass, but the leading edge tubes seem too thin walled for this, more like CF tube. Anyone know what it actually is? ] -- +=============================================================================+ | Richard Bettis | "I make no warranty with respect to this | | | statement and disclaim any implied/explicit | | | suggestions of usefulness for any purpose" | +=============================================================================+ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 16:10:31 -1000 From: kevin@island.kites.com (Kevin Mayeshiro) Message-Id: <3sqdmn$ped@malasada.lava.net> Organization: Island Kites Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER Richard Bettis (rbettis@fats.demon.co.uk) wrote: : [ As a PS, the BackTracker packet claims that the frame is Fibreglass, : but the leading edge tubes seem too thin walled for this, more like CF : tube. Anyone know what it actually is? ] The Backtracker was designed to use 32.5" fiberglass A20 rods in the leading edge. Thus the 65" wingspan. - Kevin -- Kevin Mayeshiro kevin@island.kites.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 27 Jun 1995 17:59:31 -1000 From: budzilla@teleport.com (Bud Hayes) Message-Id: <3sqk33$dk4@maureen.teleport.com> Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access (503) 220-1016 Subject: Re: BACKTRAKER Richard Bettis wrote: >This is my first serious post to rec.kites, after several months of >lurking. Scary isn't it. Wish I had a spell chicker in this editor. >I too thought that lengthening the lines might help with slower >(apparent) movement / response. I doubled the line length with some >Spectra, rather than the nylon(?) braid lines and found a little >improvement, though its hard to say if it is the kite that is improving >or if its my flying :) The Spectra lines are a definite plus though, I >found the original lines got quite 'sticky' after two or three wraps. I still think I'll give it a try. I was flying on Sunday, great wind. The Backtracker was REALLY FAST. If I some more altitude I think would have been easier, but I don't think it could have been much more fun. The spectra lines would be nice, and I just found a new package of it in the bottom of the "bag of doom" that I bought 2 years ago. >I did think of building a quad line kite, but wanted to be reasonably >sure that any problems with flying the thing weren't due to amateur >construction, hence the Backtracker. Now that is scary ;) >I have had several hours of fun with it so far, and anticipate many >more to come (I may even build a bigger quad...) Best thing so far is >not having to walk miles backwards and forwards to set up a recently >crashed kite. With a Rev, any landing you can FLY away from is a good >landing! (And any kite that can survive my initial 'landings' seems >like a good kite to me!) I've sure enjoyed mine. If the other REV's are so much better, WOW, cause this thing's a kick. >[ As a PS, the BackTracker packet claims that the frame is Fibreglass, >but the leading edge tubes seem too thin walled for this, more like CF >tube. Anyone know what it actually is? ] Me too. Thanks. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =