Slingshot Ranger Kite...Info Needed

[Matixsnow]

Trying to find out more about the 12m Slingshot Ranger kite for a friend.
Sounds like it is no longer being made by Slingshot. Any comments on the kite?

-Wind Range?
-Quality?
-Safety?
-What years was it made?
-I have read that some have modified lines to make it fly better.

Thanks!
Jeff

[BBAddict]

The fact that you're looking at a Ranger means you're probably budget limited. Otherwise there are some other great options out there like the Ozone Frenzy or Manta--there's a reason that they dominate the snowkite market. Here's a review I found elsewhere that summarizes most of what I understand about the Ranger. Some of the advancements since the Ranger make the Ozones a lot easier to fly and fun. I fly Ozone Manta's and love them--fast and fun to jump. Frenzy's are a little lower aspect ratio and have better low end grunt and might be more stable. There's usually some Frenzy's available on the used market...or Midwest Mountaineering may have some trade-in kites available. Otherwise, Velocity Kiting sells several options for Ozone kites.

Review:
The Slingshot Ranger is an ok kite if you're looking to get into snow kiting cheap. Be aware that the 12m has a limited range (from 8 knots to about 15), and tends to suffer from wingtip fold in low winds. So, when the wind is low, the kite performs poorly, and when the wind is picking up, you quickly overpower. I fly the Ranger fully sheeted out, otherwise the kite tends to dangerously backstall. If you did not understand this last statement, this kite is probably not for you. The bar is nicely featured - the quick release from the chickenloop works well, and the sheeting system is placed under the bar where it is easy to get to. The stopper ball system works well, but if left out too far will tend to overfly the kite which then backstalls. I would recommend flying leashed to provide maximum safety, as your main safety is the quick release on the chicken loop. When engaged, this leaves you disconnected from the kite, which then heads downwind and is either lost forever or takes out a truck full of kittens. The Ranger does not offer as much lift as more recent foil designs, but does have excellent glide. The kite flies slowly for its size, making your timing critical if you're looking for big air. However, if you can dial in your timing, this kite will produce nice hang time. I would not buy a Ranger unless I needed a big foil and couldn't afford a more full-featured kite. Foil designs have come a long way since the Ranger. They are cheap, but you get what you pay for.

[Matixsnow]

I completely agree with what you are saying. I own and fly a Manta and it is awesome.

My friend is actually looking to get into kiting for relatively cheap and was looking at the Ranger. I am not sure if it is worth sacrificing the Ozone ease and safety for some extra cash.

Thanks!

[enderbeanz]

Here is a more detailed review of the slingshot ranger from snowkiting.com with a bit more positive to say about it.

http://www.snowkiting.com/component/con ... wkite.html

[kenais]

I've never flown a Ranger. In 2008 backcountry.com was blowing them out for $400. There should be a few around for little dough.

Not sure what your friends price range is but there is a lightly used '06 12m Frenzy at Midwest right now.

[RandyL]

Larry at Scuba Center has HQ foils on sale too.

[steveb]

I don't know your buddies budget. Ozone really revamped the canopy of the Access for 2010. It's now a good jumper as well , which it really wasn't before, more of a cruiser kite.
They added the same number of cells as the Frenzy and updated the bridle so the kite really has more performance. They start at $700 and go upto $999 depending on the size. A really good alternative if he can't swing a Manta or Frenzy.
I'd really find and read some reviews etc before I bought HQ, I've been hearing some stories of bars breaking etc. it's industry gossip and should be taken as such. But do some checking before your buddy buys one.
I think either a Ranger or an Ozone would be safer if he can swing it. You may also find some used deals on a Peter Lynn which also have a good reputation for quality.
Larry and Peter at Midwest both have them or can get them.

[Matixsnow]

It will be up to him to decide. I think I saw a Ranger out on Calhoun last week during the evening.

Yeah Larry had a few HQ Montanas from last year on sale. Sounds like they have started to make some great kites.

Thanks for the responses!

[John Rangel]

I've got a 12 Meter Ranger. I baught it off backcountry for $419.00 Unfortunately for me about 6 months after I baught it They dropped them down to $199.00 But, either way I have gotten alot of use out of the kite and either way it was still a good deal. First of all the Bar that comes with the Ranger is awesome. Very nice bar!!! The kite does turn kind of slow, but after flying it enough times I've learned that you really have to crank on the bar hard and it will turn plenty fast. just not fast like any lei kites i;ve flown. the wingtip fold down thing and stalling is really not an issue unless you're way underpowered, but any kite will backstall when underpowered. The only thing is that if you plan to fly the kite with your trim strap depower pulled in more than 6-8" Then your wingtips will fold in and the kite will not perform to it's full ability. But I just put a couple knots on my Back leader lines to adjust the rear line length slightly and then I can pull my depower trim strap in as much as desired and the wingtips do not fold in. So with some minor adjustments it flys excellent. I think it has huge depower and it's hard to get overpowered on it. Also Relaunch is a synch and I've crashed it very hard many Many times and it holds up like a champ.

[Matixsnow]

John,

Thanks for your thoughts and the review! It is always good to hear someones direct opinion. Sounds like you are satisfied with your Ranger. I will pass this on to my friend.

[markjohnson]

I've got a Ranger and a Frenzy for sale. Act fast before my wife throws them in a bonfire.

[Matixsnow]

For both kites:

Condition?
Price?
Year?
Repairs?
Size?

[Sean M]

Last year I had a Ranger 9 m and 11 m. The kites were a pain to fly compared to an inflatable Slingshot REV. I would spend the money on an inflatable.

[BBAddict]

Sean,

Don't take this wrong, but I wouldn't be so fast to say that based on limited experience. I've had foils that I didn't like, but I have foils that I love. I wouldn't dream of the hassle of inflatables in the winter. No walking out lines, pumping up kites, deflating kites....just unroll, walk the bar back and launch--so much easier to set-up and take down. The major positive for an inflatable kite is that it will always hold its shape in the lulls, but the newer kites are less likely to taco and I've had nothing but good luck with my Ozone foils. A closed cell foil (like the Peter Lynn that I'll be rocking tomorrow!) has internal pressure that helps a lot with that as well. Just saying that the right foil might be the answer.

Seth

[Tighe]

Demo and fly the kites and make up your own mind. There are plenty of team riders who have kites to demo.
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7191
Not as easy with used kites though.

Anytime you want to fly a Slingshot let me know.

Personally unless I was doing a backcountry expedition, I'd definately prefer to be on an inflatable.

[Grebs]

I'm looking to sell my LIKE NEW 12M Ranger. I've had good luck with it.
Just not geting out much anymore...

Email me at dave.grebin@yahoo.com with an offer...

[Tighe]

Dave and his kite:

[Matixsnow]

Haha. Nice! That's a good pic.

[Grebs]

Thanks Tighe...

NOW I GOT THE ITCH AGAIN!

That was GREAT day!

[sekollera]

I fly the hell out of mine on Calhoun weekly and it works for me. Wind range is as mentioned (5-15kts) and the comments re. oversheeting the depower line will indeed cause the ends to fold in. Once you figure that out, simply use it in the proper range and all is good.

I have a 9m**2 as well for the 15-25 kt days. Take all comments as a 3rd year snowkiter who did not want to spend twice that on technology that is evolving yearly. Once day I will upgrade....

C-ya,
Adam