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3D (Prism)

Prism 3D

Specifications
Make
Name
Skill level
Dimensions
Weight
Sail
Sail area
Frame
Bridle
Opt.wind range
Rec. lines
Price zone
3 D
Prism Designs
beginners - advanced
126,5 x 50,5 cm
1.95 ox / 60 g
Icarex and Mylar film
3.9 sq ft / .36m
Carbon 3.2 and 1 mm
turbo
indoor to 5mph
10-30 ft / 30-50# spectra
about £60.00

With a name like 3D, is Prism flying towards the 4th dimension? It's certainly a way-out looking kite ! Its translucent Icarex and ultra-thin Mylar film, reinforced with triangular pieces of kevlar placed at strategic points in the centre and the trailing edges, give this kite an extra-special look that is well worthy of its Prism pedigree. Only the top spreader connectors and wiskers could be improved. The top spar is made from 2 mm carbon, while the connectors are 3 mm! They've stuck a plastic end cap on either end of the spar to take up the slack, but it's a bit basic. The way the wiskers have been fitted is not ideal, either, detracting some -' what from the generally high standard, it really is necessary to stiffen the edges of the holes in the sail by heat-sealing them, as each time the wiskers are reset, the fabric frays. There is Dacron wherever there's likely to be wear (wing tips, nose, keel and central connector). Adjusting the bridle is tricky as it is slippery and the knots are hard to move and lock in place. There are no stoppers on the lower cross-spar (which would stop the spar from moving sideways, thus making the kite totally asymmetrical). And it would have been nice to have had end caps on the tips of the spars at the nose and the wing tips.

The kite's 17 cm wiskers (somewhat deep for an indoor kite), long curved wings, low cross-spar makes it easier to do tricks such as axels. and the short turbo bridle delivers direct and refined control responses. This kite is really fluid and precise, with easy speed control, flat spins are easy. The 3D is very stable and flies great straight lines and precise angles. It also has good consistent drive and so makes freestyle figures look disconcertingly easy. And it does it all with truly amazing grace. The four alternative positions for the wiskers are only effective when flying the kite outside. In the hands of an expert, this little jewel will show the way to some exciting figures.

GOOD POINTS
Good looking
4 wisker adjustment
Trickable
Precise
BAD POINTS
Bridle
No trick line
Top spreader connection
VERDICT
Ease of use
Reliability
Design
Price/Quality ratio
Performance in its category
Packaging

5/5
5/5
4/5
4/5
5/5
2/5

 

Kite Passion

This review was taken from
Kite Passion Magazine - March/April 97

General Kiting Info
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Beaufort wind scale

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UK festival dates
UK stores
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design and plans

Buggying
how to buggy

first lesson

buggy tricks guide
buggy pics
tandem buggying
kite buggy email group

Power Kiting
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kite surfing

 

Flexifoils
stacking Flexis
launching a Flexifoil

spar maintenance

 

Misc
kite bag
KiteAstrophy
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about me
 

Extras
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holder 14

aquaria

guitars


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