home

welcome
kite reviews
kiting terminology
coping with wind
Beaufort wind scale
kiting dangers
UK kite stores
US kite stores
UK Festivals
kite fest photos
design & plans


Buggying
how to buggy
buggy: first lesson

buggy tricks guide
buggy photos
tandem buggying
kite buggy e-list


Power Kiting
kite jumping
kite surfing
kite skiing


Flexifoils
stacking Flexis

Flexi launching
spar maintenance


Misc
kiting links
KiteAstrophy
kite fest photos
the kite bag
sky surfer
sanibel 18
holder 14

aquaria

guitars
about me

170 CX (Worlds Apart)

170 CX (Worlds Apart)

Britain's biggest volume kite manufacturer, Worlds Apart launched their Air Sports range to great acclaim this year. Worlds Apart kites are difficult to beat in terms of value for money and they are widely available throughout Europe through their distributor, Gunther, although they are relatively rarely seen in specialist kite shops.

Specifications
Model
Make
Dimensions
Weight
Frame
Sail
Bridle
Wind Range
Rec. Lines
Price
170 CX
Worlds Apart
170 cm
235 g
5.5mm carbon
Nylon
Standard 3 point
4 - 15 mph
100 lbs / 100 '
£40

PRESENTATION
The design is very slim with a pointed nose. The tail sits high and the leading edges are straight. A lot of stitching goes into the kite for purely aesthetic purposes and the sail has a lot of different panels. Good reinforcement, a sleeved Dyneema bridle and wing tip pockets. The sewing was clean and the fittings were custom Worlds Apart. Packed complete with Dyneema lines (with clips) and moulded handles. Everything comes in a black nylon bag with a see through front; there is also a pocket for the lines on the outside of the bag. Good instructions.

FLIGHT TEST
The 170 CX needs a good positive takeoff (and a few steps backward). Once airborne, the kite climbs straight upward with no wobbles. It is surprisingly slow and easy to fly making it good for beginners. It tracks nice and straight and has no oversteer in either angular or tight round turns. It is a docile kite that responds precisely to the commands it is given. On the other hand, when it comes to tricks, the 170 CX fails to get the message. Angles are clean but not over crisp, the kite will forgive minor errors on behalf of the flyer and we liked the fact that it would recover from even the most ridiculous control.

CRASH TEST
Absolutely nothing to report. No sliding, no breakages. The 170 CX is a solid kite that will take all the punishment that the learner can hand out, but that's not the only thing on test.

CONCLUSION
The 170 CX is a true beginner's kite. It has all the qualities that the beginner will be looking for (price, quality and easiness of handling) to gain a good first step into kites. With less attention to the number of panels, perhaps Worlds Apart could have made it look as good for even less money. An excellent first kite for learning the basics, it would have to be replaced as the pilot becomes more ambitious.

Good Points Bad Points
Slow, silent flight
easy to use
Panel layout

 

Kite Passion Magazine

This review was taken from
Kite Passion Magazine - Aug/Sep 98

 

General Kiting Info
home
welcome
kite reviews
terminology
coping with wind
Beaufort wind scale

safety code
kiting links
UK festival dates
UK stores
US stores

kite fest photos
design and plans

Buggying
how to buggy

first lesson

buggy tricks guide
buggy pics
tandem buggying
kite buggy email group

Power Kiting
kite jumping
kite surfing

 

Flexifoils
stacking Flexis
launching a Flexifoil

spar maintenance

 

Misc
kite bag
KiteAstrophy
sky surfer

about me
 

Extras
sanibel

holder 14

aquaria

guitars


Send Comments  The Power Kite Site
© 1998-2001 kitepower dot com
The Power Kite Site - www.kitepower.com



k i t e p o w e r   d o t   c o m


This website is hosted by
This website is hosted by www.kites.org ... thanks!