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Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:34 pm
by rodeoclown
Jinx wrote: i would describe the bar feel as light, turning speed is awesome and for a bridled kite there is no lag or slop in the feel you can easily adjust the kite to go where you want it in jumps. this is my go to kite, the most fun kite i have ever ridden.
Sounds like the Trigger's precise roadster feel is even more refined for extended sessions.
The more I look at the new LE, the more I I notice just how straight and consistent the diameter is.
The front leading edge tube diameter where you pump up, seems about the same as the wing tips!
Wow. Thats so cool.
This kite is going to be lighter still,
in a part of the wing that makes a huge difference...right at the edge.

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:08 pm
by kitenb
I had a chance to ride the 7m and 9m 2013 Triggers a few days ago. I've been riding the 2012 Triggers, and really like them a lot. These 2013 kites are very refined and have a very direct feeling. Seem like they have a bit more grunt per size, compared to the 2012's. I think the 2012's may be a bit faster, but these are still fast. For unhooking and jumping, these do a little better compared to the 2012's. For riding waves, it's a hard call between the 2012's and 2013's. Both work really well. Here are a few pics:
620827_4848927752083_1970013561_o.jpg
665040_4848930312147_1314439045_o.jpg
617183_4848929992139_1805507920_o.jpg
599192_4848923351973_2657478_n.jpg
135641_4848927152068_316303299_o.jpg

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:53 pm
by Caesar
rodeoclown wrote:and for riders looking for a good used kite, the 2012 Trigger is a a great buy.
Flys great on any 4 line bar and is built to last.
If the Blade kites are the same design and quality as their QR/CL, I would not touch that thing, even if someone would pay me to kite it.
I purchased a kite (another brand) which came with a Blade QR/CL. In July this year one of the flying lines got behind the bar during a jump and when the kite started looping, I wanted to trigger the QR but it did not open. I was dragged along the beach for almost 100 meters until my kite got stopped at a tree (the kite was more or less a write-off and after repair I sold it to a local for little money). Luckily I "only" had torn off meat and severe burn marks on my legs and arms and they kept me in hospital for one night.
I tested that QR afterwards and it would not open until approximately 14KG of pull was applied (measured with a spring scale). I tried it with another QR too and the result was similar. I contacted that kite company and as a result I was contacted by a Blade rep in the beginning of August and he wanted to send me a working QR/CL replacement. Despite several reminders, I still have not received the promised replacement.
I purchased a North CL/QR in the meantime which works great. It opens perfectly fine and their swivel is working (the Blade swivel is a joke too).
Maybe their kites are better, I don't know, but it is reality that one part of a system drags down the whole of it (not to mention their lack of customer service).

Cheers
Caesar 8)

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 1:57 pm
by URSS
@ Ceasar,

Are you sure it was a Blade bar? What year?

I bought my first Blade last year (Trigger 7m 2011) and I really liked how the kite flies. In 2012 I've change my hole quiver to Blade (4 kites/bars).

I was not impressed by the look of the QR but it works! Even under load, it works as well as without load. Acutally I've test it once again in my basement few minutes ago : works great. I'm a mechanical engineer and I can't see how that system can be affected by the load.

I agree that it takes a minimun of force to release the QR, but that's the way I like it : it prevent to release by inadvertence. In emergency situation, I've never had any problem to release QR instantly. As other system, it's important to make sure the QR is not full of sand.

Other points :
- 2012 swivel works better that the 2011
- 2012 there was a problem on the fisrt production, my local dealer has been really pro-active to provide the replacement part (swivel cylinder), nothing that can explain the problem mentionned by Ceasar
- I like the safety of the system (flag on a front line, total depower)
- My 14 years old son ride with me and my priority is safety, it's one of the reason why I've switch to Blade (but there's a lot of other companies with very good QR system)

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:16 pm
by WhidbeyKPS
URSS wrote:@ Ceasar,

Are you sure it was a Blade bar? What year?

I bought my first Blade last year (Trigger 7m 2011) and I really liked how the kite flies. In 2012 I've change my hole quiver to Blade (4 kites/bars).

I was not impressed by the look of the QR but it works! Even under load, it works as well as without load. Acutally I've test it once again in my basement few minutes ago : works great. I'm a mechanical engineer and I can't see how that system can be affected by the load.
I was wondering the same thing. Not saying the current Blade Bar is perfect but I have never had an issue with the quick release. I teach on this bar and no student has ever had a problem releasing either.
As far as the customer service goes, who are you communicating with? Is it a local shop, distributor or Blade headquarters? From what I have seen in the US the support has been immediate and without question. A+.

My only gripe on the existing bar is the depower system not being streamlined, the swivel not being automatic and the chicken loop dangling when trying to hook back in. The new UNI bar has addressed all of this and the new bar will compliment the quality of the kites.

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:32 pm
by FredBGG
kite_crazy66 wrote: My one main concern is amount of air required to pump the kite. I was told to pump up the kites more than I usually do. At Tenerife they pumped the kites between 8-10psi. This can be a little worrying for the long run, but the guys said there is nothing to worry about. I guess time will only tell.
That won't work in the waves. Having to pump to 10 psi is often an indication of stability issues

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:03 pm
by Caesar
URSS wrote:@ Ceasar,

Are you sure it was a Blade bar? What year?
Hiya,

It was this CL/QR bought in May 2012:
QR-CL.jpg
QR-CL.jpg (34.79 KiB) Viewed 1791 times
I always clean my bar thoroughly under the shower and then dip it into the pool afterwards to get the micro sand out of the lines too.

@ WhidbeyKPS

I was dealing with a someone by the name of Yaron.

Cheers
Caesar 8)

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:58 pm
by TommyDuotone
In regards to the air pressure. Smaller diameter leading edge/struts require more air pressure. If the diameters are smaller on the new Blades, they will require more pressure. I put 8-9 PSI in my Fat Lady for this very reason. It's been heavily used for the last 14 months and I have had only one durability issue with it. That was the inflate valve coming unglued after about 20 uses. Luckily, it took less than 5 minutes to repair since the zipper is really close to the valves.

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:22 pm
by Vikb
I had no issues with the Blade bar/QR this summer. I do prefer having the depower below the bar for easy reach and for maximum throw. That would be the one change I would make.

Re: Blade's 5th Gen Trigger - A brand new profile shape

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:25 pm
by Jinx
ceasar,

i am in Australia and i would happily take a look at the CL for you, i am new to Blade but have been riding the last seasons bars with the new kites. so far i have not seen any issue's with the old style CL besides sometimes its a little hard hooking back in.

i have a brand new bar and lines here and could give you a new CL if you want to send me the old one back to check out? im in NSW.

i have always pumped my kites hard, i use an electric pump that cuts off automatically. all kites fly better when they are pumped hard, i would say the most common issue for riders complaining their kite does not work well is under pumping.

cant wait to try the new Fat lady, last seasons is a kick ass kite. it stays in the air so easily in very little wind, its hard to imagine it will get you going but once you dive it the kite comes alive and keeps you on the water when everyone else is watching on the beach :) and for a big kite its bloody fast turning!