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Showing results for tags 'kite killers'.
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As I'm relatively new to powerkites, and my main flying site is popular with kids, dogs, etc., I use kite killers whenever I fly (alongside other safety measures - mainly allowing a big margin for error). Having bought a 9m PKD Buster (review to follow, maybe), I decided to buy a new pair of killers, rather than keep swapping the pair from my Beamer between kites. The Spirit of Air killers cost me about £8.50, and basically consist of decent velcro straps and less-than-decent cords. I found the cords too short to connect at the ends of the Buster's brake line headers, so fitted them nearer the handles instead (on testing, that was still enough to take the power out of the kite). One cord was also thinner than the other - I don't know whether or not that's deliberate (maybe to prevent both cords breaking at the same time?). All went reasonably well until I came off my board in maybe 15mph wind (need to lean more!). I let go to stop the kite dragging me, and the right cord promptly broke. The left held, and the Buster came down with slightly tangled lines. Now, to be fair, I was using a big kite in fairly strong wind for the size, with the killers attached nearer the handles than would have been ideal, and the cord that stayed in one piece did what is was supposed to do. I'm still not impressed though - I'd expect safety equipment to be stronger. I still use these kite killers, but not as standard - I'm using the original straps (which are fine - no complaints with these), with elastic shock cord. This works very well - nice and strong, and stretches rather than tugging when used. So, would I recommend these? No. I've been able to make a good pair of kite killers out of them, but when a pair of Flexifoil killers can be had for barely more money, I'd say get those instead. If you do get them, I strongly recommend the shock cord modification. By : Ratbiker
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