Page 2 of 3

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:08 pm
by Don Lester
It's about time someone has started to rethink the chicken loop spreader bar hook interface...........

It amazes me how much in love manufactures are with unhooking, when only about 1% of kiters unhook !

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:18 pm
by JGTR
Will this work with no load on the hook? Systems that require a load to operate do not cater for all situations where a release could be required.

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Tue May 14, 2013 9:07 pm
by CaptainArgh
I have had a Slingshot Surefire spreader bar FOR YEARS and have never had a problem with it. I first had the version with the long leash that attached to the outside line safety, but moved to the new version which took into account the shorter below the bar safety leash attachment. In that move I also got the upgrade on the hook which had been beefed up. I think on the initial product release the hook to spreader bar attachment was bending. That problem went away very quickly once people upgraded. (though I never saw the issue)

The point is, this system has been solid for me for many years and many sessions, but I have been looking for a replacement since Slingshot has not revised it in several years and does not seem to be actively marketing the product. Even though I rinse it with fresh water after each session to prevent rust, metal does fatigue and I should be buying a new bar after so many years.

It is nice to see this new Mystic KRS system and I am curious to hear how other kiters like it.

One thing I don't like about the KRS is that the safety deployment causes a part (the hook in this case) to completely detach from the bar. This is seems very odd. Is this correct?

I know this is key to their design, but when things detach, they get lost. If you activated this in the water when you did not have it locked to your chicken loop (for instance you were practice unhooked tricks) you could very easily lose this spreader bar hook in the water. And THEN, it is not "with a simple handling (3 clicks) you can reset the hook and continue your kite session." That's bullshit. If the safety activation causes a part to detach, and that part is lost...you are shit out of luck, son! You'll be walking up the beach asking everyone if they have a spare spreader bar.

I hope I'm wrong. I haven't seen this system. I want to hear feedback and I hope Mystic and other companies continue to design spreader bar release mechanisms.

The simplicity of my Surefire system has me testing it EVERY session. As soon as someone catches my kite on the beach, I hit my Surefire button and release the CL. I'm now protected in case the catcher let's go of the kite, but more importantly, each time I kite my emergency release gets tested and I know it will work when I need it. If safety activation caused parts to fall off, I wouldn't go through the trouble of exercising it so much...

Image

Mystic is 100% correct with it's marketing, however- safety releases are different on every kite and it is best to have a constant you can rely on attached to your harness.
No matter what kite you demo or fly, if your safety release is always the same it will become 2nd nature.
In an emergency you will reach down and release your kite without confusion. :thumb:

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 6:25 am
by SpaceRacer
First off, thanks to Mystic for trying. What a great innovation.

I am no engineer but my concern with the Mystic and the SS is that there is still hardware left behind for a line to snag on. A true backup safety should ditch all of the hardware, I.e. the whole spreader bar or the whole freaking harness for that matter.

I had the SS and my CL would pull out of the flexible plastic clip whenever I leaned in toe side. Would scare the hell out of me. Just more hardware in the graveyard bin.

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 1:55 pm
by nikalaitzian
try it from 10 - 35 knots!!! works fine ...... only in unhooking got a little prob to reattach the CL but i think its a matter of frequent use...i dont know if a tangled line can activate it accidenlty :roll:

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 1:57 pm
by nikalaitzian
CaptainArgh wrote:I have had a Slingshot Surefire spreader bar FOR YEARS and have never had a problem with it. I first had the version with the long leash that attached to the outside line safety, but moved to the new version which took into account the shorter below the bar safety leash attachment. In that move I also got the upgrade on the hook which had been beefed up. I think on the initial product release the hook to spreader bar attachment was bending. That problem went away very quickly once people upgraded. (though I never saw the issue)

The point is, this system has been solid for me for many years and many sessions, but I have been looking for a replacement since Slingshot has not revised it in several years and does not seem to be actively marketing the product. Even though I rinse it with fresh water after each session to prevent rust, metal does fatigue and I should be buying a new bar after so many years.

It is nice to see this new Mystic KRS system and I am curious to hear how other kiters like it.

One thing I don't like about the KRS is that the safety deployment causes a part (the hook in this case) to completely detach from the bar. This is seems very odd. Is this correct?

I know this is key to their design, but when things detach, they get lost. If you activated this in the water when you did not have it locked to your chicken loop (for instance you were practice unhooked tricks) you could very easily lose this spreader bar hook in the water. And THEN, it is not "with a simple handling (3 clicks) you can reset the hook and continue your kite session." That's bullshit. If the safety activation causes a part to detach, and that part is lost...you are shit out of luck, son! You'll be walking up the beach asking everyone if they have a spare spreader bar.

I hope I'm wrong. I haven't seen this system. I want to hear feedback and I hope Mystic and other companies continue to design spreader bar release mechanisms.

The simplicity of my Surefire system has me testing it EVERY session. As soon as someone catches my kite on the beach, I hit my Surefire button and release the CL. I'm now protected in case the catcher let's go of the kite, but more importantly, each time I kite my emergency release gets tested and I know it will work when I need it. If safety activation caused parts to fall off, I wouldn't go through the trouble of exercising it so much...

Image

Mystic is 100% correct with it's marketing, however- safety releases are different on every kite and it is best to have a constant you can rely on attached to your harness.
No matter what kite you demo or fly, if your safety release is always the same it will become 2nd nature.
In an emergency you will reach down and release your kite without confusion. :thumb:
you dont loose it cause of the safety spring.I ve activated over 50 times ... the hook was always on the CL.kinda difficult to reattach it when you re on the water.

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:09 pm
by CaptainArgh
nikalaitzian wrote:...

you dont loose it cause of the safety spring.I ve activated over 50 times ... the hook was always on the CL.kinda difficult to reattach it when you re on the water.
Thanks for the clarification. How does the safety spring work? Does it automatically engage when you deploy the safety or do you have to manually engage it.

Sounds fine if it is automatic!

Since the information online is blurry it is tough to tell what the unit actually does. My thought was that when people are practicing unhooked tricks you will never have a CL secure mechanism engaged (donkey dick, spring clip, etc.). However, if you can leave the hook uncluttered for easy unhooking but still not lose the hook in a safety deployment, then they've thought it through. :thumb:

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:10 pm
by SpaceRacer
No, you lose it by going toeside and your chicken loop pulls hard up against the plastic mini donkey dick and you simply blow out the backside, no accidental activation necessary. Talked to SS about this and they admitted that this was its Achilles Heal.

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:13 pm
by CaptainArgh
SpaceRacer wrote:...I had the SS and my CL would pull out of the flexible plastic clip whenever I leaned in toe side. Would scare the hell out of me. Just more hardware in the graveyard bin.
Did you insert the plastic clip between the two bars that make up the hook or just turn it in front? Took me a while to figure out that you have to bend it and hook it in secure. If you just rotate it in front of the hook it will come out. Didn't come with any documentation to tell you this though.

If your Surefire is still in good shape, send me a PM and I'll buy it from you. I twist pretty far toeside and have never had it come out. If you are securing the plastic tab, perhaps it's just different harnesses, riding styles or CL material causing an issue. ?

Re: Mystic KRS Safety Release Spreader Bar

Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 3:48 pm
by pmaggie
I think it's a great innovation. Maybe it's not state-of-the-art for the moment but it's a step ahead, I will for sure buy one, non matter if it's not perfect, it's always better than a standard one IMO.