Date: Sun, 19 Nov 1995 06:04:57 -1000 From: sjoland@ix.netcom.com (Peter/Stephen Sjolander ) Message-Id: <48nkj9$j55@ixnews4.ix.netcom.com> Organization: Netcom Subject: What makes a mediocre kite? I own and fly a stunt kite just for fun. Now I am interested to know if there are other stunt kites I would enjoy more. pete In <30AEB4F1.A71@best.com> bob steele writes: > >a buena vista xtc or an eclipse from prism can be had for about $150 >in "standard" form. both excellent stunt kites. > >my real advice: fly before you buy. there are a very large number of >very mediocre kites for sale today. > >bob >-- > >bob steele >bsteele@best.com >http://www.best.com/~bsteele = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 19 Nov 1995 19:25:55 -1000 From: bob steele Message-Id: <30B01163.22E6@best.com> Organization: bsteele@best.com Subject: Re: What makes a mediocre kite? Peter/Stephen Sjolander wrote: > I own and fly a stunt kite just for fun. Now I am interested to know > if there are other stunt kites I would enjoy more. kites have personalities. most fly reasonably well. many people find this is a very pleasant experience. but i don't find that simple flying makes for an interesting kite. quick response and reasonable behavior under extreme conditions i find much more amusing. this doesn't make for a very relaxed experience, but at least i'm not bored. in my definition, mediocre kites are kites that you have to work so hard to force get them to do interesting things ( axels, turles, etc. ) that you end up not bothering. a good kite has reasonably robust flight characteristics but is also easy to get way out into radical behavior. fortunately, today we have a number of kites that behave this way. the other way to view this is that i'm using money to compensate for a lack of skill. i'll be the first to admit this. but heck, it's only money. all things considered, kiting is a cheap hobby, even when you occasionally buy an expensive kite. happy flying, bob, the axeling idiot -- bob steele bsteele@best.com http://www.best.com/~bsteele = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =