Date: Sat, 28 Jan 1995 20:38:35 -1000 From: steveth@netcom.com (Steve Thomas) Message-Id: Organization: VisionAire, San Francisco, CA Subject: Review: Streaker The Streaker Manufacturer: Buena Vista Kite Company 301 8th Street Suite 207D San Francisco, CA 94103 415-626-3599 / 415-626-1226 (FAX) Price: US Suggested Retail: $80 (Street: $69) Type: Dual-line dart-type, stand-offs, curved leading edge. Dimensions: 82" wide, 34" tall Weight: approx. 8 ounces Graphic: 3 panel: two wings and a center, all vertical lines Frame: Avia Sport Linear Graphite Sailcloth: Grade-A Norlon ripstop Nylon by North Sail Construction: Laser Cut panels, sail-taped seams Wind Range: 2-25 MPH Review The Kite. The Streaker is Buena Vista's "entry level" product, and their most popular. The idea behind the Streaker was to offer an exceptional, "no compromises" kite at an exceptional price. The construction quality of the Streaker is not only superb, it is flawless. Using a construction technique used by only a few manufacturers in the world, the Streaker's quality and consistency will be noticed immediately. Construction design of the Streaker reflects two things: the refinement of a very mature design; and the influence of the very harsh Bay Area wind conditions. The Streaker was made with the beginner in mind. Even still, it has a lot of features that the high-level competitor will appreciate, like very stiff vinyls and a hard, machined Delrin t-fitting. Like kites costing much more, all the Streaker's stops are glued in place, and it comes with a "6 point" bridal system for maximum wind range and control. Flying. The Streaker, although far less "radical" than any other Buena Vista kite, is still fairly quick, and very responsive. Flying precision moves with the Streaker requires some development of skill, but becomes very easy and very possible. The kite is very responsive, but does not have any uncontrollable overseer. The Streaker will perform all the "hard core" moves with relative ease. This includes, snap-stalls, side-slips, jabs, and of course, Axles. The Streaker is on a very short list of kites that I can do *double* axles with (double "pop- style" axles, not "zero wind axles"). Although the kite was constructed and designed with the rank- beginner in mind, I have little trouble "pushing the envelope" with the Streaker. The idea, of course, is the give the beginner something he/she won't get bored with too quickly. This kite can be taken all the way up to the highest levels of competition (it has won Master's competitions in Japan). All around, the Streaker is a very high performance kite, for not very much money. A Note About the Company. Buena Vista Kite Company was founded in 1991 and is owned entirely by Peter Werba (Peter is now a renown indoor flyer and innovator). Buena Vista sells kites in at least 50 kites stores all over the world, and is one of the top selling kites (if not *the* top selling kite) in Japan. Buena Vista sells a complete line of high-performance sport kites ranging >From beginner kites (Streaker), to competition kites (XTC line), to competition team kites (XTC X-10 line), to the two indoor products (XTC Feather and X4I), and the newly released Cyborg VIII. A total of 11 products in all. Buena Vista continues to be an innovator in high-performance flying, as well as high quality sport kites. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =