Prism Eclipse SUL

[M C]

I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites, my local kite shop here in
Alaska. The owner of the shop said the kite was custom ordered from Prism by
a flying team in China, but somehow ended up there. I paid only $141 USD for
the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.

Does anybody know just how many of these kites were made?

Also, how about a recommended wind range for the kite? We get all sorts of
winds around here, ranging from nothing, to 90+ mph (the no-kite days :P)

Thanks in advance,
Marshall

[fungus]

I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites...
I paid only $141 USD for the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.

That's about what I'd expect to pay for a good second hand one
so the lines were a freebie.

Does anybody know just how many of these kites were made?

Good luck finding that one out...(!)

SUL versions of kites are less common than normal
versions (because they're more delicate and they cost
more!)

Also, how about a recommended wind range for the kite? We get all sorts of
winds around here, ranging from nothing, to 90+ mph (the no-kite days :P)

"SUL" means "Super Ultra Light" so the kite is meant
for very light winds.

Anything more than a "stiff breeze" will probably be too
much for it (it'll be very hard to control and you'll hit the
ground a lot).


--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.


Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[Marshall Carter]

Thanks for what you could provide.

I'm no newbie to kiting. I have a Prism Elixir, and fly the $%&@ out of
that. The owner of the store said the kite was $235, but would sell it to me
for 1/2 off, and I bought a set of lines.


On 6/13/07 5:26 AM, in article

Post by fungus

I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites...
I paid only $141 USD for the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.

That's about what I'd expect to pay for a good second hand one
so the lines were a freebie.

Does anybody know just how many of these kites were made?

Good luck finding that one out...(!)
SUL versions of kites are less common than normal
versions (because they're more delicate and they cost
more!)

Also, how about a recommended wind range for the kite? We get all sorts of
winds around here, ranging from nothing, to 90+ mph (the no-kite days :P)

"SUL" means "Super Ultra Light" so the kite is meant
for very light winds.
Anything more than a "stiff breeze" will probably be too
much for it (it'll be very hard to control and you'll hit the
ground a lot).
--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.
Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[fungus]

Post by Marshall Carter
Thanks for what you could provide.
that. The owner of the store said the kite was $235,

I think the SUL version cost about $300 back in its day.

You can't really compare prices of old kites with the
prices of newer ones because the kites improve a lot.

But... $141 with lines seems like a pretty good deal.

Post by Marshall Carter
but would sell it to
me for 1/2 off, and I bought a set of lines.

If you're prepared to go to the shop and chat with
the owner you can often get good deals on older
kites - the people who pay $100+ for kites normally
only want the latest models.

Don't skimp on lines though - good quality lines are
important!

--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.


Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[kitekrazy]

Post by fungus

I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites...
I paid only $141 USD for the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.

That's about what I'd expect to pay for a good second hand one
so the lines were a freebie.

Does anybody know just how many of these kites were made?

Good luck finding that one out...(!)
SUL versions of kites are less common than normal
versions (because they're more delicate and they cost
more!)

Also, how about a recommended wind range for the kite? We get all sorts of
winds around here, ranging from nothing, to 90+ mph (the no-kite days :P)

That would depend on the framing. If it's Skyshark 3ps, easily 2-10.

Post by fungus
"SUL" means "Super Ultra Light" so the kite is meant
for very light winds.

Often an overstated term. It depends on the framing.

Post by fungus
Anything more than a "stiff breeze" will probably be too
much for it (it'll be very hard to control and you'll hit the
ground a lot).

Probably not with this kite.

I wonder if he is referring to the E2. I wonder what they frame them
in? I have an original Eclipse SUL that was framed in Gforce ULs. I
wouldn't really consider it a SUL. An old Air FX will fly in lighter wind.

[Marshall Carter]

The kite is framed with Avia Gforce's, so I'm guessing that means it's a
little stronger than your average SUL? It flies very well in light winds and
still retains controllability versus wild over-steer. It is an original
BRAND NEW kite, it's not second hand. Also, they are Prism factory lines.
Are they not high quality?

Marshall


On 6/13/07 6:45 PM, in article

Post by kitekrazy

Post by fungus

I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites...
I paid only $141 USD for the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.

That's about what I'd expect to pay for a good second hand one
so the lines were a freebie.

Does anybody know just how many of these kites were made?

Good luck finding that one out...(!)
SUL versions of kites are less common than normal
versions (because they're more delicate and they cost
more!)

Also, how about a recommended wind range for the kite? We get all sorts of
winds around here, ranging from nothing, to 90+ mph (the no-kite days :P)

That would depend on the framing. If it's Skyshark 3ps, easily 2-10.

Post by fungus
"SUL" means "Super Ultra Light" so the kite is meant
for very light winds.

Often an overstated term. It depends on the framing.

Post by fungus
Anything more than a "stiff breeze" will probably be too
much for it (it'll be very hard to control and you'll hit the
ground a lot).

Probably not with this kite.
I wonder if he is referring to the E2. I wonder what they frame them
in? I have an original Eclipse SUL that was framed in Gforce ULs. I
wouldn't really consider it a SUL. An old Air FX will fly in lighter wind.

[fungus]

they are Prism factory lines. Are they not high quality?

Definitely.


--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.


Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[Marshall Carter]

Definitely are not, or definitely are? :P


On 6/14/07 2:56 AM, in article

Post by fungus

they are Prism factory lines. Are they not high quality?

Definitely.
--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.
Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[fungus]

Post by Marshall Carter
Definitely are not, or definitely are? :P
On 6/14/07 2:56 AM, in article

Post by fungus

they are Prism factory lines. Are they not high quality?

Definitely.
--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.
Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

Prism definitely make decent kites.


It messes up the reading order
Why?
PS: Don't top-post...

[kitekrazy]

Post by Marshall Carter
The kite is framed with Avia Gforce's, so I'm guessing that means it's a
little stronger than your average SUL? It flies very well in light winds and
still retains controllability versus wild over-steer.
It is an original BRAND NEW kite, it's not second hand.<

Old design or new design?

Post by Marshall Carter
Also, they are Prism factory lines.
Are they not high quality?
Marshall

Most likely.

[Marshall Carter]

On 6/15/07 12:21 PM, in article

Post by kitekrazy

Post by Marshall Carter
The kite is framed with Avia Gforce's, so I'm guessing that means it's a
little stronger than your average SUL? It flies very well in light winds and
still retains controllability versus wild over-steer.
It is an original BRAND NEW kite, it's not second hand.<

Old design or new design?

Post by Marshall Carter
Also, they are Prism factory lines.
Are they not high quality?
Marshall

Most likely.

You people confuse me!

Are the lines high quality or not? If they aren't, what lines are
high-quality? I'm not sure if it's an old design or new design. What's the
difference? Should I just give Mark a call?

-M

[kitekrazy]

Post by Marshall Carter
On 6/15/07 12:21 PM, in article

Post by kitekrazy

Post by Marshall Carter
The kite is framed with Avia Gforce's, so I'm guessing that means it's a
little stronger than your average SUL? It flies very well in light winds and
still retains controllability versus wild over-steer.
It is an original BRAND NEW kite, it's not second hand.<

Old design or new design?

Post by Marshall Carter
Also, they are Prism factory lines.
Are they not high quality?
Marshall

Most likely.

You people confuse me!
Are the lines high quality or not? If they aren't, what lines are
high-quality? I'm not sure if it's an old design or new design. What's the
difference? Should I just give Mark a call?
-M

Yes they are.

[fungus]

Post by kitekrazy

Post by Marshall Carter
The kite is framed with Avia Gforce's, so I'm guessing that means it's a
little stronger than your average SUL?

It's not a case of the kite falling apart in strong
winds, it's a case of it not flying like it was designed
to, ie. it won't be much fun (and if it's not fun then
what's the point?)

Wind speed is part of a kite's design, it's printed
on the packet. There's "SUL" (low wind) and "vented"
(high wind) versions of kites so you can fly a kite
which matches the wind conditions (and therefore
maximize your fun).

The "risk" of flying a SUL kite in high winds is that
while the kite may stay together it'll most likely
be out of control and you'll crash it into the ground
a lot. Crashes are bad for any kite.

Post by kitekrazy

Post by Marshall Carter
It is an original BRAND NEW kite, it's not second hand

Old design or new design?

If I can insert a car analogy here...

Buying a Prism Eclipse SUL for $141 is like buying a
1997 luxury car at the same price as a 2007 economy
car.

Maybe it's not as good as a 2007 luxury car but it's
still got big leather seats and it's still a lot nicer to
drive than a 2007 economy car would be...


--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.


Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[kitekrazy]

Post by fungus
The "risk" of flying a SUL kite in high winds is that
while the kite may stay together it'll most likely
be out of control and you'll crash it into the ground
a lot. Crashes are bad for any kite.

You would have to be a very inexperience flier for that to happen.
A real SUL kite is usually one that can fly in no wind. (usually G-Force
Skinnies, SS 2PTs)

I never understood why Prism calls it a SUL since the framing is often
used in higher end kites. Most of the kites I own that are framed in G
Force UL have a rating of 2-20.

I've had experience with the Eclipse SUL in competition. At the time
it was the only lighter kite I had. We had a lot of all wind/no wind.
Right before my ballet routine is started raining, during my routine the
wind kicked up to about 15 and I was using that SUL, it never crashed,
just had more speed and pull.

It can handle more wind that you think.

[fungus]

Post by kitekrazy
A real SUL kite is usually one that can fly in no wind.

Isn't that "indoor"... :-)

Post by kitekrazy
I've had experience with the Eclipse SUL in competition. At the time
it was the only lighter kite I had. We had a lot of all wind/no wind.
Right before my ballet routine is started raining, during my routine the
wind kicked up to about 15 and I was using that SUL, it never crashed

Yes...but you're a competition-level flyer

(and I'm guessing the OP isn't).


--
<\___/>
/ O O \
\_____/ FTB. Remove my socks for email address.


Governments, like diapers, should be changed often,
and for the same reason.

[Marshall Carter]

No, I'm not at quite competition level flying, but I sure have time under my
belt. I have become more confident, and have discovered that the framing in
the Eclipse is almost identical to the framing in my Elixir. Now, I fly it
in stronger winds than I had before, and with great satisfaction. Yesterday,
I watched a Quantum struggle to fly, and my Eclipse danced around like it
was a gale!

-marshall

[kitekrazy]

Post by M C
I picked one up BRAND NEW from Northwind Kites, my local kite shop here in
Alaska. The owner of the shop said the kite was custom ordered from Prism by
a flying team in China, but somehow ended up there. I paid only $141 USD for
the kite and a set of 50#x75' lines.