Hey ya all,

Im in the process of hunting for a new kite leaning toward the 12m Turbo diesel such a hard choice with so many great kites out there. If any one could give us feed back good or bad on this kite it would be appreciated as im in a remote location in the NT and can't just go and test fly one tommorrow.

If anyone could let us know if there are any second hand TD Slingshots for sale or can do us a good deal on a new one it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Happy flyin Sharpy.

Heres More :-
Havent flown the 12M SSTD but my mate has a 12M Xbow & we have proved, on many occassions, that the 12M Xbow bottom end is almost exactly the equivalent of the 04 SS Fuel 15M ie around 12kts. NB: this is as long as its a steady 12kts - the 12M Xbow will out perform the 15M SS Fuel if its a variable 12kts - but then I think any SLE will out perform any equivalent C kite when working with bottom end conditions which are variable.
Just IMHO.

quote:

---

Originally posted by AdrianW

Well I agree with Puppet.

ie Cabrinha have a 'stopper', but you can't change its position, its either on or off.

---

yes you can. you just need an alen key to change it. or just loosen the screws so you can slide it up n down

Thanks for the replies poeple keep em comin i like what i been hearin and once again thanks to all for the help.

Cheers Sharpy!

Hey I can do you you a good deal on a new 12 sstd if you want one

give me me a call 0413947698

Bruce

quote:

---

Originally posted by ice
Is it difficult to solo launch or solo land the Turbo Diesel?

---

Havent tried any the various self launch techniques Ive read about yet & Im not sure what 'the book' says about self landing
But I have self landed a few times using the standard method for C kites - no problems but I reckon you want to get to it quicker & with one hand running up the closest wingtip line cos they are more likely to take-off
Steve from Kitepower has promised some words of wisdom (&/or vids) on this topic ?
CMON STEVE
YooHoo STEEEEVE
WHERE ARE YOU STEVE
anyone seen Steve

quote:

---

Originally posted by 4DICE
yes you certainly can. if you loosen the screws you can move the ball after you have launched by placing it at zanith and sliding it up and down.

---

and then tightening it again b4 putting your tools away.
And if you dont get it quite right & want to adjust it again after you start your session you just stop again - get your screw driver out of your portable, water-proof tool box again, loosen it off again, slide it to a new spot again, tighten it again & then try again.
But dont forget to put your screw driver back in your toolbox again just in case you want to stop again & adjust it again !!!
Oh yeah & you have to hope the wind doesnt build or drop a bit while you are re-setting it . The setting you originally had might be just right by the time you are up & running again

CMON GUYS - Sorry (no really; I am sorry - I hate to be seen as a knocker) - but ppl reading these posts are looking for some reality.
The SSTD on-the-fly power control system is just so far ahead of the game that you cant let claims like that through - it is just plain misleading people.
Lets keep the This vs That real - there is enough variation, & pros & cons of all sorts of kites out there (esp this year) to confuse everyone anyhow. Lets at least start by giving clear credit where clear credit is due.

FACT - the knock out ball depower system is a single, fixed location rest and ride bar stopper system which (as 4Dice says) you can modify to suit your riding style generally but NOT on-the-fly as conditions vary.
FACT - the SSTD double chicken-loop line wedge stopper system is a fully adjustable power lock system which can be adjusted on-the-fly, at any time, to suit any conditions to the riders immediate preference.
FACT - the 'throw-the-bar' to achieve 90% plus depower works on both systems equally as well regardless of where the power-lock is set.

I am not out to promote or knock anyone here - other brands I havent checked out may be similar, different, better or worse - I only know the little bits I get to see. Happy for anyone to comment on my thoughts - just ask that you keep it real.
There is more than enough opportunity for the Big Brand PR Machines to get their message out. Kiters need to report the real story.

Yeah Steve, the new improved TD bar has a single line safety, very similar to the "Sure Fire Wrist" set up only it runs on one of the front lines.

The replacement bar comes with a one line depower system and the bar.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rickyM

Hey Classic

Can you explain what you mean further? I was under the impression that the new bar just had a stainless insert to prevent wear on the line...

Also, Steve, did you just remove one of your front lines, add a ring to one end and pass the line back through the fig 8 stainless ring up to the bridle? What size ring did you use?

Cheers

---

Not sure what Classic is referring to, maybe new kites being shipped from now on??
@rickym
Yes, I just installed this ring on one of the front lines. So simple to do, takes 5 mins, all TD owners should do it!

http://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_16690_Witchard_21mm_Ring_cat_301.html

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

The initial bar setup for the SS 06 kites had a fault in that the plastic coating would fail, allowing the fibreglass to erode the chicken.

SS have now replaced these faulty bars (under warranty) with ones that have a stainless steel insert. Included in the warranty bar setup is a one line safety setup that "flags" the kite on one of the front flying lines.

They have also included a stopper ball (same as on Fuel etc) to place on your chicken rope 50cm for the 12M and 48cm for the 10M to stop people placing the on the fly stopper ball to far up, as this was causing the kite to de-power too much. Hench slack back steering lines, which would sometimes cause the kite to stall and or invert, as it allowed wind to hit the top of the canopy.... not fun

I think if you bought a TD today, as long as it wasn't old stock it would come with the "new" bar and safety.

quote:

---

Yes, I just installed this ring on one of the front lines. So simple to do, takes 5 mins, all TD owners should do it! - Kitepower

---

Steve,

I tried this on my TD, but I need 2 metre long arms to be able to reach the ring with my safety leash when I come back to shore. What is the deal, do you just pull the sheeting in until the ring is within reach? If you do have to sheet in this dramatically wouldn't you risk having it fall out of the sky because the back lines would be totally slack?

On the issue of sheeting, I read in an earlier post of yours that you ride with it sheeted in something like 30cm all the time, I don't get that... sure I can use the sheeting to adjust the bar position to some extent, but I also loose wind range.

Finally on self launch and land - the nose down into the wind launch works a treat, the self land requires a leap of faith and I would not do it in high winds... which brings me back to the above point of safety, the only time I have had to go the safety was in unfamiliar waters and I found myself standing ankle deep on a reef (no booties)...holy crap! The Kite was near sand so I pulled the safety thinking I can gingerly pick my way across the reef - my arse, bloody thing dives through a series a loops and keeps on pulling - admiteddly not as much, but I was not impressed with the depower arrangement whilst on the safety line, (also not impressed with my feet being sliced up as it pulled me forward through the reef)... Don't get me wrong, this is an awesome kite and my riding has improved out of sight, but I feel the safety could be improved.

Hi Guys and Gals,

Thanks to all for the comments, After all the reviews i have read and comments you crew have made im gonna give the SSTD a go. Cheers for the offers, suggestions and improvements to better the performance and safety of the kite. I shall leave this forum open as there are some worthy comments and suggestions here for all those in a similar position to myself. I shall let you all know how it all goes and my overall impression after a few sessions.

Once again a big thanks to all!

Happy Flyin
Sharpy

Apologies Dice Man.
Didnt read it like that & wouldnt have thought that would work anyway !
If that works then thats a real plus for the crossbow owners
Good clue to send round for sure

Hey Classic

Im still interested in how the new one line saftey works... does it allow a spinning leash? Does it attatch to your harness / suicide? or is it just like Steves setup.. I just want to know which option will be better...

Thanks Heaps

quote:

---

Originally posted by rickyM



Im still interested in how the new one line saftey works... does it allow a spinning leash? Does it attatch to your harness / suicide? or is it just like Steves setup.. I just want to know which option will be better...

Thanks Heaps

---

It is basically a slip ring from one of the front lines. You still fly with your leash attached to the power cleat ring. You only attach the leash to the line for self landing, rescue etc.