Hi,
Can anybody comment on the Rhino 08 in 4 line mode in regard to safety/ relaunch / self landing-starting in medium to stronger winds? Dwight? Thanks!

How I rank them, regardless of wind strength...

Self landing: 4 line slightly more automatic and easier (requires 4 line flag out to one front line, like REV bar)

Self Launching from beach: Same for both

Safety on land: Same for both

Safety on water (leash deployed): I'd say 4 lines because it doesn't put the kite on its back.

Relaunching from water: Probably 4 lines because you elimate the risk of a 5th line wrap.

Kite Taco: 5 lines has the advantage. Under extremely odd situations, you can taco any 4 line kite. This would be no exception to that rule.

Dwight - thanks for precious info

What 4 line bar r u using?

I use the Slingshot REV bar.

Why?

Thanks for the info Dwight - Are you satisfied with the 1 front line safety - any kitespinnig experiences on the front line - ever tried both front lines? - Aprrox. how far travels the SS Bar when safety was activated and what does the kite do if safety put together on the water again (crawls to the wind window)?

I am thrilled with the performance of the 4 line bar. The kite has never spun. It always lands perfect. Never tried the safety on the water, but I can guess by the way it self lands on the beach, that nothing bad would happen on the water and relaunch is likely easier than having a kite go on its back using 5 lines, which we know can be a nightmare if the kite tumbles and wraps up the 5th line.

The bar travels up the front line as far as needed, then goes no further. No need for a stopper on the line.

I have tried leashes that pull both lines. I tested the EVO bar on the Rhino. It does not work. If you want that style safety, buy the EVO. It was designed for it.

Why the REV bar? Because I got my Rhino a long time ago and North did not have 4 line bars designed for the Rhino. The Rhino was designed using 5 lines. I think North is working on a 4 line bar better suited for it. Because I know how long it takes to build tens of thousands of kites and bars to meet world demand, I decided not to wait and bought a REV bar.

Dwight,
Did you have to make any adjustments to the line lengths on the leaders to tune the kite properly?

Technically yes, but how much I can't recall. The kite is not sensitive to line length differences. Most people should have no trouble adjusting the bar to work.

Any pre- ideas why such a modification /copy (5 th to 1 of the front lines) would not work properly on a 08 North 5 th line bar (which has a different front line angle resp. higher front line connection)?