how can you tell...
noob mate is looking at buying some rev2s from eastern states and only has pics to go by and asked me whats the difference in apperence so he doesnt get shafted with rev 1s, i didnt know?

Just look at the "buy and Sell" adds and compare, looks like the rev2 has the kite size then rev ......13REV..... the rev1 has rev in same place but the size underneath.

and yes the bar is different.

Rev 2008 (Rev 1) only has one rear line attatchment point whereas the Rev 2009 has the 3 options (turning speed and rear line bar pressure settings). The Rev 1 only has the slingy logo over the centre strut of the canopy whereas the the Rev 2 has 3 logo's, 1 over the centre strut but another on each side of the canopy near the attatchment point. These side ones are often harder to see as they are very similar colour to that of the canopy.

Have a look at the buy and sell as mention previously as there are both Rev 1 and 2 available and you can compare. The first photo below is a Rev 2 with the 3 attatchment options, the second is a Rev 1 with only the one attatchment point.

Hope that helps.

the rev 1 stripes on the canopy are tapered, ie are a big spike whereas the rev2 are straight wide panels with a thin stripe either side