Date: Sat, 28 Jan 1995 21:12:55 -1000 From: steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) Message-Id: Organization: VisionAire, San Francisco, CA Subject: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition The Cyborg VIII, Buena Vista Limited Edition Manufacturer: Buena Vista Kite Company 301 8th Street Suite 207D San Francisco, CA 94103 415-626-3599 / 415-626-1226 (FAX) Price: US Suggested Retail: $350 (Street: $320) Type: Dual-line Cyborg-type, stand-offs, curved leading edge. Dimensions: 96" wide, 38" tall Weight: approx. 8 ounces Graphic: 10 panel: dual-radial wings Frame: Avia Sport G-Force, Excel Sailcloth: Icarex .5 oz. Construction: Laser Cut panels, sail-taped seams Wind Range: 2-15 MPH Review The Kite. That's right, the Cyborg. This kite is built under license from Mike Sterling of Aeriologics of Portland, OR. The basic shape is the same as the original patented Cyborg, but it has been slightly redesigned by Peter Werba to make the kite more aerodynamic, and more capable of modern sport kites moves (viz. stalls, axles, etc.). Those of you who know the Cyborg know that it's shape is unlike any other kite in the air, and is visually very stunning. The construction quality of the Cyborg is much the same as the rest of the Buena Vista line--laser cut panels, sail-taped seams, flawless quality. Also new with the Cyborg are hard Delrin fittings with the triangle fitting, and other enhancements to make the kite more "tangle-free". Overall, this new edition gives the orginal Cyborg design a new, high-tech design, and high-tech construction and materials. Flying. The Cyborg looks like no other kite, and it flies like no other, too. However, Peter has worked to fix that :-). Even still, the Cyborg still flies, "like a Cyborg" to a large extent. The new design has made the kite more "radical", more responsive, and simultaneously more stable and easier to fly cleanly with. With the new design, the Cyborg's ability to do moves and precision with rivals that of many modern designs. However, the Cyborg's reason to be is not necessarily to be a radical leading edge flyer. The magic of the Cyborg lies in its esthetics, which are simply unlike any other kite in the air. Doing moves such as stalls, axles and side-slips are very doable--and look *really cool*, as do all moves with the Cyborg. The Cyborg is, in all respects, "something different". A Note About the Company. Buena Vista Kite Company was founded in 1991 and is owned entirely by Peter Werba (Peter is now a renown indoor flyer and innovator). Buena Vista sells kites in at least 50 kites stores all over the world, and is one of the top selling kites (if not *the* top selling kite) in Japan. Buena Vista sells a complete line of high-performance sport kites ranging >From beginner kites (Streaker), to competition kites (XTC line), to competition team kites (XTC X-10 line), to the two indoor products (XTC Feather and X4I), and the newly released Cyborg VIII. A total of 11 products in all. Buena Vista continues to be an innovator in high-performance flying, as well as high quality sport kites. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 09:31:57 -1000 From: crowell@teleport.com (Carl Crowell) Message-Id: Organization: Kites By Carl Crowell Subject: Re: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) writes: (meaningless promotion deleted...) There was not a disclaimer atached to the review of this kite. The post read like an ad and not a true review. Does Steve Thomas have any ties to this new version of the Cyborg? I have quite a few of Mikes origonal cyborgs, and like them quite a bit. I have not seen or flown one of the new ones. ___________________________________________________ email: crowell@kite.com FTP: ftp.teleport.com/pub/users/crowell WWW: http://www.teleport.com/~crowell Kites By Carl Crowell - O.S.F.M. World Headquarters = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 20:54:25 -1000 From: steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) Message-Id: Organization: VisionAire; Palo Alto, California Subject: Re: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition Carl Crowell (crowell@teleport.com) wrote: : steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) writes: : (meaningless promotion deleted...) I'll look at the Cyborg review again--perhaps I got a *bit* carried away... : There was not a disclaimer atached to the review of this kite. I did a "meta-disclaimer" for all of my reviews of Buena Vista Kites in a posting called, "Here come...". : The post read like an ad and not a true review. Does Steve Thomas have any : ties to this new version of the Cyborg? I am a Buena Vista factory-sponsored flyer (I don't fly the Cyborg in competition, though). : I have quite a few of Mikes origonal cyborgs, and like them quite a bit. : I have not seen or flown one of the new ones. You really ought to check out the new BV version, then! (Uh oh, I'm promoting again!). Seriously, though, the review did give all the relevant information about the kite, including it's very existance. The subjective review was just that--subjective. Perhaps you ought to read some of the other kite reviews: I found that they weren't that different than the ones I wrote in form. Usually people don't take the time to write *negative* reviews here on rec.kites: they usually write a review for a kite they really *like*--and usually they're pretty positive. My reviews are positive, too... = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 30 Jan 1995 09:15:18 -1000 From: silent1@ix.netcom.com (Donald Qualls) Message-Id: <3gjds6$pfk@ixnews2.ix.netcom.com> Organization: Netcom Subject: Re: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition In crowell@teleport.com (Carl Crowell) writes: > >steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) writes: > >(meaningless promotion deleted...) > >There was not a disclaimer atached to the review of this kite. > >The post read like an ad and not a true review. Does Steve Thomas have any >ties to this new version of the Cyborg? > >I have quite a few of Mikes origonal cyborgs, and like them quite a bit. >I have not seen or flown one of the new ones. > > > > >___________________________________________________ >email: crowell@kite.com >FTP: ftp.teleport.com/pub/users/crowell >WWW: http://www.teleport.com/~crowell >Kites By Carl Crowell - O.S.F.M. World Headquarters > The first article in the series of reviews posted by Mr. Thomas stated that he is sponsored by the company producing the new Cyborg version. -- +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | silent1@ix.netcom.com | this is the way the world ends | | Owner/Operator of | | | TableTop Publications | not with bang, but a whimper | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | All opinions expressed are my own, and should in no way be mistaken | | for those of the reader. | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 7 Feb 1995 09:16:48 -1000 From: steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) Message-Id: Organization: VisionAire; Palo Alto, California Subject: Re: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition AhClem0013 (ahclem0013@aol.com) wrote: : Who makes these kites again? : Tim @ Jordan Air (It's in the first post, but OK...). Buena Vista Kite Company 301 8th Street, Suite 207D San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 626-3599 (415) 626-1226 (FAX) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 7 Feb 1995 08:49:33 -1000 From: ahclem0013@aol.com (AhClem0013) Message-Id: <3h8fbt$3ap@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Review: Cyborg/Buena Vista Limited Edition Who makes these kites again? Tim @ Jordan Air = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =