Date: Wed, 22 Feb 1995 19:08:28 -1000 From: jburka@glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <3ih58c$lfq@geog20.umd.edu> Organization: Project Glue, University of Maryland, College Park Subject: '95 Into the Wind catalog Well, the '95 ItW catalog is out. It's always weird to see the changes. For instance, this year they seem to have dumped power kiting/traction altogether -- no buggies, peels, or big bags, though they do have the Skytiger 26, Quadtrac 4m, and of course the 10' Flexis... Lots of new delta stunters, some of which look interesting. I finally got to see the Stranger, which has a higher aspect ratio than I was expecting. After all the comments about that kite on r.k, I'm looking forward to trying one sometime. High end UL stuff is strangely represented...there seems to be a push toward 10' wings rather than the pricey 8' SULs (such as the various Jordans, the XTC, the full size ZDX, etc.) But then I notice that they're not carrying the sticks for these kites either (such as G-Force Skinnies, though they've got the UL and Standards). Guildworks is well represented with 3 versions of the Synergy (the original, now called the 6 for the number of panels; the minergy, and a lower cost version of the full size with a single-color sail...and I'm guessing pultrude sticks). Local-quad-kite-made-good, now called the Sympony, though I knew it long before it had a name, is also in there, with a spiff new graphic. It's about time Merrick got his kite on the market...it's been well over 3 years since it's development, and we're approaching the 3rd year anniversary of the kite's achievements at both the '92 Smithsonian and the first annual Old Dominion. The single line selection didn't impress me much...additions include a gorgeous double DC, a sewn tetra, and Martin Lester's other half. Beyond that, it seems to be the same general collection of DC's, deltas, foils, dragons, etc. Not to put down their selection, merely to state that there's nothing terrible exciting in that section. Prices are about where I'd expect 'em to be.... For a free copy of the catalog, call 800-541-0314, or 303-449-5356. Jeff (who will note, apropos of recent threads, that he has absolutely no affiliation with Into the Wind, other than having been a very happy customer for 8 or 9 years...) -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | Pithy, insightful quote to be inserted | | | when one occurs to me. *If* one occurs | |jeffy@glue.umd.edu | to me. | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 08:09:56 -1000 From: sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <3iij1k$tba@netope.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard University Subject: Re: '95 Into the Wind catalog In article <3ih58c$lfq@geog20.umd.edu>, jburka@Glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) writes: |>Well, the '95 ItW catalog is out. It's always weird to see the changes. Disclaimer: I'm a kite manufacturer and I've had my kites in last year's Into the Wind catalog, as well as this years catalog. I'm also in this year's BFK catalog. For folks buying kites, the two must-have catalogs are the ones from Into the Wind and from BFK. Many people base their entire purchasing decision (whether they buy from ItW or BFK or not) on what the catalogs say about individual kites. I've watched folks walk into local kite shops with one or the other catalog in hand and refer to it as though it was the Bible. This can sometimes be a mistake. Although they are careful about preparing the catalogs sometimes mistakes get through. You also have to remember that kites are all a little different and personal taste and style have a large bearing on the mini-reviews that appear in catalogs. It is far better to look at the catalogs (the ones mentioned above plus any others you can get your hands on) then ask folks for their opinions, both on the flying field and on rec.kites, before buying. Check out kites on the field and in your local kite shop too. There are so many kites out there that retailers and mail order folks can't offer everything. You might miss out on a really nice kite made by a local or a small manufacturer if you just look at the large mail order places. Most high tech kites, especially stunt kites, are expensive, and you should do your best to be sure that you will be happy with your kite purchase. Having said this, I have to admit that I look at both the ItW and BFK catalog from cover to cover as soon as they arrive in the mail. One nit about this year's Into the Wind catalog. The photograph of the California Katana is dreadful. The kite that was photographed was black, purple, and red. I hope that folks who order a kite "just like the one in the catalog" won't be disappointed with the colors on the kite they receive. -- Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@harvard.edu Network Services Division 90 Melrose Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Arlington, MA 02174 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-646-1925 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 15:10:52 -1000 From: sjkf@aol.com (SJKF) Message-Id: <3ijbms$eai@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: '95 Into the Wind catalog I got my copy in the mail today and I have to agree with Jeff: not all that much to get overly excited about, though I did particularly like the two banner/flag thingies on the back cover. But the book does come in handy in other ways. I always try to keep a copy (or two) in the bag for folks that come over with questions. Its alot easier to let them flip through ItW's catalogue to see not only how many chioces there are but also to give them a feel for how much they should be prepared to spend. I was also a little surprised by the small notation on the cover of the '95 'logue: "Save this Catalogue! It's the only one we'll mail you this year". Guess I'll have to be a little more diligent when I start passing my copy around, huh? Maybe I'll get one of those big things they put on bathroom keys so you don't walk away with it... SJKF - The South Jersey Kite Flyers 76 Dunhill Drive Voorhees, NJ 08043 (609)770-8217 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =