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.