Date: Sat, 28 Jan 1995 20:56:20 -1000 From: steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) Message-Id: Organization: VisionAire, San Francisco, CA Subject: Review: X4I The X4I 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: $78 (Street: $69) Type: Dual-line dart-type, stand-offs, curved leading edge. Dimensions: 48" wide, 18" tall Weight: approx. 1 ounce (28 grams) Graphic: 2 panel: one peice with one wingtip panel Frame: Avia Sport Pulled Graphite Sailcloth: Icarex .5 oz. Construction: Laser Cut panels, sail-taped seams Wind Range: "Indoor Only" (max. is probably at about 5 MPH) Two Line Sets Included (7 feet, 12 feet) Review The Kite. The X4I is Buena Vista's newest entry into the realm of Indoor kites. The idea behind the X4I was to be a low priced, easy to fly, indoor kite package. The construction quality of the X4I is much the same as the rest of the Buena Vista line--laser cut panels, sail-taped seams, flawless quality. The basic construction is that of Buena Vista's larger kites, but with "micro" fittings, etc. Flying. The X4I is a really neat little kite. The four foot size makes the kite very flyible on seven foot lines. This makes flying the X4I in small spaces--lobbies, tall rooms, etc.-- very possible, and lot's of fun. At the KTA I had a chance to teach several *kite store owners* (read: not necessarily awesome competition flyers) to fly indoors with the X4I. Each one of them were able to fly in just a few minutes! The X4I's lift is simply amazing. A quick pull with both hands will send the kite flying over your head. Peter flies the kite *sitting in a chair*! (I've tried to one-up Peter by flying it laying on the ground, but haven't pulled it off yet--I guess I should just start with the chair). It's small size gives it a lot of maneuverability on short lines. Spinning the kite indoors, on seven foot lines, is fairly easy--on the twelve foot lines, it's a no-brainer. Falling-axles work great. This kite really shines in the 3-D flying department. Throwing--and thraxeling (throw-axle)--the kite works really, really well. Stacking the kite is another intriguing idea, and I'm waiting for this kite to set the "indoor stack record"... 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. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =