REV 15M Top end for a 180lb rider on a mid size tt?

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Just curious what you all have found the top end to be.

I'd stop my 14M T3 by 20mph if I hadn't already rigged my 11M.
Curious if the REV 15 is about the same, or if it has a little more top end. (i.e. Not asking how much wind it can fly in, asking how much wind it can fly in and still be fun!)

Hope to get out on it again tomorrow. Well, I hope I get out on my 11.... Very Happy

Thanks!

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted

I flew flydunes at SI in about 15-18......AND IT WAS FN FUN!!!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Nak or MJC should know!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

I would bet it's going to be similar to your T3 14M.

Even though the T3 should give you a bit more grunt on the low end, it's maybe also got a bit more depower range on the high end.

Are you going to keep both in your quiver? I would be interested in your comparison. Smile

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Oct 16, 08 2:58 pm

It is likely a little easier to handle than the t3 because of the lower bar pressure and the REV moves through the window allot more than the T3. Meaning, it doesn't just sit directly down wind of you and pull like a tractor like the T3 (well, the T2 anyways).

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

The REV should have lighter bar pressure unless you put the T3 in 1:1, but then you lose a bit of upper range.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i find on my 13m Rev at 155 lbs, the top end is gusts up to about 25 knots / 28mph is when it starts to become too much. so i would bet the Rev 15m @ 180lbs is probably the same or close in that at about 25mph is the top end for what i think we'd say is fun w/o being dangerous or requiring lots of effort. anything over that requires effort to keep the kite under control and keep your harness from riding up.

i actually have a good reference for this, because i was out on oct. 12th from 4 - 5pm and i rigged my 13m because i figured the wind was going to die off. looking at the ikite graph it is gusting to 28 or 29 mph at the eventsite just before 5pm on that day. and while i guess it actually was fun, i would have rather been on my 11m fuel thru the gusts.

once you get gusts that high or higher, then you start being too lit up and the kite can pull the harness up if the kite is not kept low. i had one of my biggest jumps ever on my 13m that day, but it really was hard work & effort flying that thing and keeping it under control.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I have been out with my 15m Rev in 20 kts gusting 23 kts according to the South Jetty weather station at South Beach. It is ultra precision instrumentation monitared by NOAA so the wind is what it says. The Rev 15 can handle alot of wind and still be very manageable and fun. I believe the Revs (all sizes) are better kites on the upper end rather than the low end. Hence, the name, the kites like to fly revved up. Slingshot builds an extremely durable and strong quality product, but the extra weight can be a detriment when trying to achieve low end power out of a kite that weighs more than it could. The smaller Revs (11m and under) work insanely well since they are generally being flown in strong winds, but the big kites could shed some weight.

I am devoted to Slingshot because I like everything about the company. The staff are genuine and stand by their merchandise, the products are high quality and the
designs are cutting edge. However, I would like to see them put out a light wind kite that is underbuilt and lightweight. Personally, I would be willing to sacrifice some durability for higher performance in a big kite.

Nak · Fri Oct 17, 08 1:10 am

I Haven't found the top end for my 15m REV yet... At 210 It's a good Lightwind kite. It's fun from 12 to 22 or so for me. I've ridden it in higher winds, up to mid 20s, but because it's depowered it slows down the turning speed, so it's not as much fun to ride.

My 14m T2 has more bottom end, and I think it has more top end too. I can ride the T2 with a glide (staying upwind) in about 10, whereas I need about 12 with the REV. I've had the T2 out in some insane wind. (The blowout this year.) By the time I got to Viento, second wave, the wind was howling. I'd have been fine on a 7m... It was way too much, but I got it in without incident. Amazing wind range. The 15m REV on the other hand, is just more fun as long as you're in it's range.

Anyways, those are my impressions. Very Happy

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

Great tips, thanks!

As luck would have it, I got to ride my 11M all weekend! (and one day on my 7M)

On the second day I was pretty well lit up on my 11M (mid to high 20s mph) and my friend flew my 15M. He outweighs me by 30 lbs probably. He had a blast, I had a blast...all good.

I did get rid of my 14M T3 so I can't do a side by side comparison, but I would agree that it has a slightly better low end than the 15 Rev. The top ends of the REVs are much better though and they don't slow down when you trim them like the Ts do.