Eolo Radsail Pro II 4M

I recently took the plunge and purchased my first Traction Kite, although I have been following the Power Kite scene for a good while.

There are a large range of Kites out there, each with their own characteristics.
I wanted my first kite to be a great all-rounder, that I can use for recreational flying to start, then advance with the aim of moving onto a Mountain Board or Buggy.

I also decided to budget myself, being my first Power Kite, and went for a new, revised, 2006 RADSAIL PRO II (4 metre).
OK, there are more highly rated Kites, that get alot more "hype" such as the Bullet or Blade - but upon further research, these are alot more expensive, even for tidy second hand examples!

The Kite:

I purchased the RadSail Pro (brand new), for less than £130 (add P&P on top) from an established Seller on EBay. In the Kit came the Kite, newly revised Aluminium Quad Handles with Dyneema Cocntrol/Brake lines connected, Embroidered rucksack, Window Sticker, and educational DVD.

Unpacking the Kite, and spreading it on the floor, all of the stitching is very neat, with no 'sloppy' stitching, and the Kite looks very well built. Each panel in the sail is covered with a mesh, to keep sand and other debrih out of the Sail. The Kite material is made from Ripstop 42g Nylon - which I later was to find to be very resistant to wear and tear.

The RucSac is a nice size and easily accomodates the Kite, Handles and Lines in the main section. It also has a couple of front pocket that will contain all your other Kiting accessories. Comes colour co-ordinated, matching the colours of the Kite.

The DVD is quite basic, with a number of tutorials accessed through the menu - Setting up & Packing your RadSail + Pro / First Flight / Intro to Buggying... also a neat video of the RadSails in action (for extra inspiration).

There is no 'talking' just recorded video scenes, with subtitles at the bottom. Basic, but I did find it easy to follow and covered the main techniques - enough to get you flying.

Along with the Kite, the Quad Handles are revised in the 2006 model, 3/4 covered with an easy to hold foam for better grip and comfort. Another neat feature, they come with Two Red 'caps', top/bottom, to secure the handles together during storage, also allowing you to wind your lines in a figure of 8 along the handles - for neater storage and quicker setup, with no tangled lines to worry about.

Virgin Flight :

To give you some technical details (for comparison?) - wind speed on the day was stated on internet websites as being around 12mph / gusting upto 20mph.
I am 6'2" , around 12 stone in weight. OK, onto the flight...

The Kite comes with everything you need to fly - only having to connect the lines to the bridle. The Kite launches from the ground with ease (even on my first flight, flying solo, with no extra help) - it launches from the floor with no problems, heading straight for the zenith.
Not sure how 'high' it should sit in the sky? but I did find it occasional heading 'over' the zenith, and I had to bring it back a few times otherwise it would lose power (going right over the top!) - perhaps a simple adjustment on the brake lines is necessary?

I cannot doubt the power/traction of this 4 metre kite, through the wind window I had no chance of just leaning back and holding on - and was being pulled forwards VERY quickly indeed - most of the time. In stronger winds, handling the power of this Kite I think would prove very challenging! (After my experiences, it does make me wonder how someone lighter than me, states they take their 5m Blade out in 20mph+ winds)??

It is quite a predictable Kite, never really caught me offguard, although does require full concentration (as when it pulls you have to be ready for it). It is fast within the wind window especially when the wind picked up - thats also when the traction becomes extreme ...in my case ..."here we go again"... as i begin to get pulled along the field!

Even at the edge of the wind window, the Kite will hover with ease, and wont just drop out of the sky. On occasions the wing edge would try to fold over, so a little pull on the opposite power line, bringing it back into the wind corrects this.

The Kite is very responsive, and can be flown with precision. In addition to just sweeping it across the wind window, its easily as happy as a stunt kite, performing 360 degree spins, diving etc etc - The Kite keeps its form and maintains a solid wing shape, without trying to collapse...

Being my maiden flight, first experience with quad lines, i did crash once!
On the odd occasion i brought the Kite a little low during turns, causing one side of the wing to clip the grass. Upon inspection of the Kite on the ground, it showed no signs of wear or tear, proving just how strong the Kite material really is.

Recommend it ? Very much so - As mentioned the power is amazing, and would be easily capable for Board sports too. I am very pleased with this first Kite, and I would recommend the 2006 RadSail Pro to others.....

By : Screaming_Lines