Reactor Plus by Spectra Sports

Last month I tested a prototype Reactor Plus by Spectra Sports which now
has just started production.  This is the upgraded version of the older
Reactor Freestyle.

The new Reactor Plus is big - more than 10', tip to tip.  It uses Icarex  
and is framed in SkyShark 5P's.  It uses winglets on the wing tips to control 
turning response, and a double standoff system to shape the sail.  Using
standoffs, and panel design to shape the pocket allows the sail to be
stretched pretty tight.  Not a very noisy kite, the Plus will make a  
high hum when flown in strong wind.  The new panel design also incorporates
modification of the trailing edge profile.  Wind range is rated from 2-12 mph.  
This kite is one of four kites in the Reactor competition series.

The Reactor Plus was designed to competition specs.  Like the older version 
it has three characteristics it especially excels in.  And they are: precise 
tracking, snappy push turns, and solid snap stalls.  This kite is even 
tensioned on the fly lines in all parts of the window.  It has the fast 
forward speed of a standard sized kite, which in low wind, is good. It does a 
push turn without losing line tension, and doesn't fall off track, or wobble 
recovering from even hard snapping turns.  Does a superior snap stall. As you 
increase the speed of the snap in the snap stall you can see the tail of the 
Plus kick forward.  I think that it is this ability to lay its nose back 
without floundering that allows the Plus to be stalled, even in pretty heavy 
wind.    

The Plus has agility that belies its size.  Developed from the on field 
experience of Team Tsunami, the Plus executes a large menu of advanced 
maneuvers.  Tip stabs, like other snap stall rooted moves are easy to do with 
this kite.  It is very stable in tip stands, and can recover from some very 
improbable angles - i.e., this is the only kite I have ever been able to do a 
nose touch with.  Not tippy in a stall makes edge to edge slides easier to do.  
And, the Plus does a very big axel.  You can't get it to spin quickly thru 
the axel, but it does this move so flat, its impressive, nonetheless.

At first I thought the 5P frame a bit heavy for this wind range, but the
advantages include a very crisp and snappy response due to frame stiffness,
and a wider wind range at the upper end.  This gives you a larger overlap
to other kites in varying wind conditions.  I.E., the Plus will certainly
fly in winds much above 12 mph without damage, but your arms won't. It
starts to pull like a truck above 10 mph.  On the other hand, within the
wind range its designed to fly in, you should be able to run a full
routine, on your music, with all your "A" stuff in.  

tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka)