Untitled - KiteLife

MODEL : 3/4 VORTEXFABRIC WEIGHT : .75 oz . ripstop nylonFRAMING MATERIALS: graphiteWIND RANGE: 5-30 MPHCONFIGURATION : delta-type (81 inch wingspan)SKILL LEVEL : novice/intermediate/advancedMFGR'S SUGGESTED RETAIL : $145 .00MANUFACTURER : HIGHLY STRUNG KITESWe took delivery of our first 3/4Vortex at the AKA Grand Nationals .Our previous experiences with kitesfrom Australia's Highly Strung Kiteshad been good ones, so it was withcommensurate anticipation that wetook the 3/4 onto the field in low-tomoderatebreezes of 6-12 MPH . Flyingon 90' of 1351b . Spectra, the kiteproved above average in nearlyevery respect . A good tracker, the3/4 got high marks in straight-lineflight and in wide turns .We experienced a bit of oversteerthat was accentuated in slower air .As the winds picked up a bit, and insubsequent high-wind testing, theproblem abated . It seems to us thatthe kite's best performance showedabove 9 MPH, where it was fairlyquick . The 3/4 Vortex negotiatedsquare and angular turns with ease .Interestingly, there were no characteristicbobbles at the finish of theacute angles . The oversteer seemedto be confined to tight turns done insequence . The bridling seem a bittouchy at first but once we had gottenused to it, we were able to adjustout just about all of the negativesthat we wanted to eliminate .We had a much easier time withboth landings and relaunches thanwe expected with a down-sized kite .There was little evidence of thecharacteristic slurring that usuallyaccompanies the smaller kites . Themoderate aspect ratio of the 3/4Vortex is undoubtedly coming intoplay here . The result was that the kitefunctioned well off-wind, behavingmuch like a full-sized product . Inshort order, we found that we couldaccomplish wing-tip maneuvers,drags, and the like, with relative ease .The potential for groundwork withthe kite is large .Overall, the kite's stability was good .We were able to force it into stalls thatwere nicely recoverable, particularlyin better wind. There also seems to besubstantially less pull than one mightexpect as the 3/4's larger counterpart,the full-sized Vortex generatessome pretty fair heft . In part, wesuspect that this may be due to thelighter weight graphite sparring materialsused in the smaller version . Thegraphite sparring is also responsiblefor the virtual lack of distortion evidentin higher winds .Workmanship in the 3/4 Vortex isexcellent . All fittings are solid, no -nonsense . At first, connectionswethought that the heavy bridle linesleaned a bit towards overkill, but theycertainly presented no problem inflight . Comments from flyers invitedto try out the 3/4 Vortex for the firsttime were quite positive . "Good highwind fun, the kind that keeps youreyes sharp and runs quick,' was theremark from one, "a good kite for theprice" ."Sturdy all around,' came fromanother . . . 'this would be a good firstkite .' We also found that the graphics,which reverse the color -patternfrom one wing to the next, were a hit .The 3/4 Vortex will keep you onyour toes . Like other down-sized kitesthat we've tested, this one must beactively flown . Although it is notparticularly unforgiving, it's best notto let it get away from you . If there'stoo much slack in the lines, the kitecan dump air and lapse into anunplanned float . Again, this is a lowwindoccurrence which clears upcompletely once the wind comesup to speed .In stack, the 3/4 Vortex is evenbetter. Any trace of instability vanishesquite quickly with even two onthe line . Additionally, one of themost interesting stack arrangementsthat we've seen to date is availablefor the 3/4. Unlike the usual in-linestacks, this kite can be had in a piggybackconfiguration. These doubleunits can then be stacked in line foran even greater impression . It's quitea sight and an attention-getter aswell!If you're in the market for a good,small, moderate-to-high-wind performerand don't feel like peeling offan entire week's wages to get it, the3/4 Vortex may well be worth a secondlook. It's a solid kite for the cash .And for those who like stacks and arelooking for something really unusual,the 3/4 Vortex piggy-back stack willcertainly fill the bill!CB/SB