Rev vs T-3 for big gusty high wind days?

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

any thoughts? i was wondering if a t-3 would be easier or more stable to fly with more depower on big big gusty days instead of a 5m rev. i am 150lbs. when it gets really windy i just want to go out and surf big swell.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Though I haven't flown the production T3s, I'm fairly sure they'll be similar to the T2s in 2:1. If you're talking about which has more overall shut-off, the T3 will probably win. But the if you're used to REVs/FUELs the T3 is going to feel quite a bit different, so is it worth it? If it were me, I'd go with the REV.

Have you flown the REV 5? I only rode it several times last year because it takes soooo much wind. It needs at least 35-40 to feel powered (though it can easily handle more) and I weigh 145lbs.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I rode the T3 yesterday and had no problems with the very up/down/gusty conditions. The T3 handles gusts very well. The Rev also handles gusts well, but not to the same extreme as the T3. The T3 has a ton of range and de-powers amazingly well. They are two different kites.....
btw, I was riding the the T3 in 2:1 mode. Next time out I will try 1:1 and let you know.

Nak · Sat Apr 05, 08 5:54 pm

How does the bar pressure on the T3 compare to the T2? (T3 in 2:1 mode.) Thanks!

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

It's about the same in 2:1.....in 1:1 it is pretty dang light. I still need to fly the kite in 1:1 on the water. My experience in 1:1 was on the snow and it was awesome.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

a few of us were speculating that a small T-2/T-3 in 1:1 might be the ticket with possibly a better low end and not as much of a bumble bee feel as a 5 rev might. however we have not tried any of the kites. with all we have heard about how great the t-3 14m might be for light wind, we wondered about a combo of the 14m T-3, 9m Rev, and 5m T-3. i have always been a fuel guy, and have loved the 7-13m Revs so far. just always thinking ahead.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Cool. I totally hear ya there (and I'm not positive on this), but I'm pretty sure the T3 in 1:1 isn't going to have the same amount of depower as in 2:1. So if you're looking for the high-end side of the kite, I don't know that it'd be best.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

yea. i think you are right on the 2:1 with more depower. then i think the 2:1 could also slow a 5m T-3 down just enough to give it great stability on a big gusty day. then i could focus on wave riding and not wipping the little kite around to keep the power in the lulls.

just speculating. cant wait to compare them. i just bet i will love them both. not a bad problem to have. slingshot i getting it right and giving us good choices. probably all about matching your style of riding.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

scott-

IMO, i think you'll want to fly the TD3 before buying one. you may or may not like the bar pressure. personally, i hate it and will not fly anything in 2:1. i think the trade off for the bar pressure will be that the 5m td3 will be able to create almost as much pull as a 9m fuel, but man i'd think your arms would get tired flying it around to generate that much power.

Steve was on a 9m TD3 and i was on a 13m fuel on Friday and he was definately having an easier time at the beginning. i got stuck downwind in the hole wells island creates and had to wait for a gust to get back upwind. also, i was just totally lit when that squall came through just before 5pm gusting up to like 32mph. i guess what i am trying to say is, i think, you shouldn't rely totally on depower in the kite. learn to edge hard upwind and hold that shit down! Cool

td3 is definately is a good kite with lots of range and depower, that is for sure, but that bar pressure thing can be a #$itch if you're used to fuels. if you dont like the bar pressure go for the Rev. The Rev has sssoooooo little bar pressure i think it is a dream to fly unhooked one handed in the waves, and also since it is a fast little kite, goes where you want it quick and easy, which i think is a good quality to have for riding waves. if you demo a td3 i would say try to unhook and see how it flies with one hand, that right there might make up your mind to buy a Rev. it's just MO but i think being able to rip in the waves unhooked flying the kite one handed is where its at. also, when i fly my rev's i am usually a kite size down because i'm on a surf board which makes it all that much easier. Very Happy

Maslav · Sun Apr 06, 08 9:35 am

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I'm generally not a fan of the bow kites or 2:1 bars, but I have considered getting one for the 5m just because they are very stable and have a lot of range. Having range in a 5m is great because usually when its that windy its also very gusty, with big lulls and huge gusts. The smaller bows also have less bar pressure than the big ones, so they don't quite bug me like the bigger bows.

All that considered, its usually better to stick with one type of kite for your whole quiver. If you are going to get Revs in every other size, might just make sense to have them across the board instead of doing a mix-n-match.

Who knows.... Very Happy

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

My 5m has been collecting dust since I got the 7m Rev.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I just picked up a 5m T2 and plan on getting an 11m T3 to box in my 7m and 11m '07 Fuels. I'm going with this kit b/c I really like C kites in the 20-30 mph range and for the side on wind/wave setup we get on the N coast. For me, a C kite's ability to travel quickly and powerfully through the entire wind range while kiting waves is a great feel and offers high performance.

However on really windy days (typically Manzo and some isolated gorge visits), the 5m T2's characteristics are ideal - more bar pressure or not IMO. I also teach and the 5m gives a night and day difference for safety and a student's progression. It provides all of the characteristics you need to teach someone on a power kite in as light as 8mph of wind.

Concerning the need for a T2 or 3 larger than 11m, I don't think I'm sold yet. I kite with guys over 230# and on flukey 15-18 mph days, when they are on an 11m T2 and I'm on my 15 Fuel, they are staying upwind and are more powered than I am. I'm 170#. I'm getting rid of the 15 Fuel as soon as possible.

It took awhile for me but I'm sold on the T's! Nice job SS.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

it is an interesting thought process. just got back from the gorge performance swap and we talked about all the kites. last year i pretty much kited 95% of the time one kite, the 11m fuel. best kite i have ever owned. i could make it go well on light days and could hold it down even when i should have switched to my 7m. just crank down the 5th line. i didnt own a 9m. like adam said to do i just edged harder. that is my style. eventually when the swell built i would switch from my sx 137 to the bigger fuse. then i would be overpowered on the 11m and rig the 7m.

people have said the revs are much faster, but to me they dont feel that much different than the 07 fuels. it is hard to give up on something that works for the gorge. my choice for waves may be different although fuels have always worked fine even there. i really was thinking of those biggest gust gorge days. t-3 vs rev vs fuel. what i have tried to do i stay with a floaty board and a small kite so i can at least plane through the lulls, not worrying about big air. i am thinking 30-35+ knot days. just looking for long swell rides. grab the SST and a small easy flying kite and get out there.

another question. best north coast kite. rev or t-3 for the downwinders?

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Rev is better for unhooked wave riding.

Rev is also alot like the Fuel in it's feel, but relaunches 1000 times easier and faster. a big plus in the ocean.

The T3 will launch real fast also, probably faster.

Ben Wilson switched to the Rev this year.

Stay with the same kite, I like the Rev. But my son wants a T2 or T3, the fuel 5m kite loops on a dime and he doesn't care for that too much.