Kite pumps- where's the technological advances??

[edt]

in this day and age why are we still using the same pumps as 10 years ago? seems by now we should have wider and longer options (that's what she said) with ability to change to pump only on down stroke

seriously

we dont have the same pumps as 10 years ago. 10 years ago they looked like grease guns and took half an hour to pump your kite. Also the relatively new fast pump wide valves are great those are only a few years old.

If you want to spend for a tall pump that are used for SUPs you can get a very high quality pump,



that's the bravo about $75

I prefer the yellow air head $15.

[edt]

Apparently many has problems with backs and knees I can read ?

A bit curious now, as I am over 50, and NOT very flexible - but pumping a kite is the easiest thing in the world IMO, and a good little warmup too.

agree with peter. If you have a bad back (unless it is so bad you can't pump at all) pumping the kite is actually a good way to prevent injury warms it up.

[markap42]

What about this BTP-digital:
Set pressure and then pump turns off when pressure reached. NiMH battery.

http://www.waterstrider.com/raft-air-pumps.htm

[markap42]

What about a leaf blower? Anyone tried one??

[Bille]

Apparently many has problems with backs and knees I can read ?

A bit curious now, as I am over 50, and NOT very flexible - but pumping a kite is the easiest thing in the world IMO, and a good little warmup too.

agree with peter. If you have a bad back (unless it is so bad you can't pump at all) pumping the kite is actually a good way to prevent injury warms it up.

YEP ; i agree completely !

People are always asking me if i wanna use there electric pump ; i always
say No thank-you. That bit of pumping actually makes my Back feel GOOD !!

Now if we had a pump that i could switch to High pressure manually, that would
be Great ; i need to stand-up to finish off to max pressure. Yea, i sit down to do
my pumping ; the prosthetic(s), kinda suck for that job, the angle seams wrong &
i wanna fall over.

Bille

[peterheirman]

I want a small pump for holidays as it will consume less space in my luggage.
About less than half the size of the current standard pumps.
I won't mind pumping longer on the beach as I don't have to drive to the beach but just walk out the hotel garden.
So any suggestions for a small travel pump ?

[cglazier]

So any suggestions for a small travel pump ?

In the early days of kiteboarding this little pump is all we had. It is inexpensive and widely available anywhere that air mattresses are sold. I keep one stored in my vehicle in case my regular pump fails.

CG

[eree]

right now we are using universal pumps intended to inflate beach toys and air mattresses as well as kites. these pumps are simple, cheap and pretty much disposable.
but i think there are so many kiters worldwide that it makes sense to manufacture kite-specific pump.

for example, how many of us deflate the kites with the pump? i have never seen anybody doing it. so here we go, instead of deflate socket it can be bigger air intake opening covered by simple, removable for cleaning sand filter. replaceable shaft and piston gaskets is easy task.

then, i hate the shape of the base of the pump. its crannies and crevices are always filled with wet sand and you bring that sand in your car every time after session. i think flat surface of the base of the pump is not impossible task too.
and speaking of whole shape of the pump, designers can think about making it slightly different. it would be nice to have a possibility to wind the hose around the pump and fasten the nozzle in the way it will be covered from the sand.
and i think there is enough space in the handle to accommodate screwdriver for your board straps and fins.

i'm ok with cheap disposable pumps, but they can be more practical and comfortable for kiters needs no doubt

[Clew In]

Best pump I have found!


Rock On!

Clew In

[Laughingman]

Best pump I have found!


Rock On!

Clew In

I couldn't agree more... I've used this pump it was awesome. The only thing I would add is a pressure gauge simply because you could easily over pump if your not paying enough attention... Granted as an experienced kiter I had no issues but I could see someone with less experience going a bit to far or not far enough to err on the side of caution.