Gen 1 Nirvana specs Options

[Albert]

I just got a couple of used Nirvanas, a standard and a UL in nearly unused condition. Upon looking for info to verify kite setup, I was suprised to find that there are at least two different kites with the same name. I find this confusing at best, more akin to misleading.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I have first generation kites. The leading edges aren't covered at the spreader connectors, the standard has an external weight at the base of the spine, and the wing span is about 89" as opposed to the currently advertised 92.5". The last difference is what is causing me the most concern. That seems to indicate that setup info for the current generation Nirvana's doesn't apply,and I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks,
Albert

[Theresa]

Hello Albert!

Welcome to the forum.

The answer to your question could have a lot of variables. I just measured the wing span of a Standard Nirvana from a very recent shipment that is set up in the front display room. It measures 91.5" fully assembled. But this varies with how much pressure or stress or expansion of pressure I can apply to it.

I have printed spec sheets in the shoppe that list the wing span at 240cm (94.48) and at 2m35cm (92.51").

Have you popped the vinyl end cap off the bottom of the spine to see if there is an internal weight as well as the external (which is an add-on accessory).

When you say there is no LE covers at the connectors.......is the dacron cut out completely? Or cut-out as a 'D' and folded under (current model)?

Have you flown them yet? Go fly!!

Theresa

[Albert]

Thanks for the reply Theresa. I checked and there is a metal weight inside the spine on both the standard and the UL. The sail at the spreader connectors is completely cut out in a D shape,but nothing appears to be tucked under. It is nicely covered at the yo-yo stops.

I realise how the kite is set up affects things, like wing span. That's why I'm asking these questions. There aren't any stoppers for the spreader connectors, so I'm trying to make sure they're in the right place. By the way, any recommendations on stops for the spreader connectors?

Albert

P.S. Forgot to add I got them two days ago and haven't had a chance to fly them yet.

[randyg]

Albert, there are some variables to consider when talking wingspan. LS placement along the LE, LS length, US length, etc.

Here, right off the top of my head, are some things to check.

1. What SO sail connectors do you see on the kite? Are they JACO's or the R-Sky versions. The latter have what appears to be a smooth button showing on the back of the sail and the former will have an o-ring holding the connector in place. If it's JACO's, it has to be a fairly early production N. Probably first year or or 1.5 years. As I recall, R-Sky started with their own versions with the introduction of the Nirvana HW.

2. Measure, from the nose to the center of each APA LE connector. The ULE connector should be 33.5cm and LLE connector should be 97cm from the nose. If the c-clips (stops as you call them) are missing, that plays a huge part in affecting wingspan and kite performance.

3. The LS should be 73.5cm.

4. The center T should be placed exactly in the center of the cutout.

5. I wouldn't worry too much about the covered ULE. I believe R-Sky started that after the Collector series was produced but I received one right before that did not have the built in covers. I guess I'm saying that only the most recent N's have that feature.

6. The stock US is 50cm but since these are used, it's possible the previous owner cut it to 49.5 or 49cm.

7. Since both kites have inserted weights, they're likely not first gen N's. As I recall, R-Sky started that maybe a year after the N intro. That's a guess...it's been a while. The weight should be 15g and you can verify that by removing the spine, heating the weighted end with a blow dryer and punching the weight out from the other end with a 4mm rod, if you have one longer than the spine. They are held in place with hot glue from the factory and can be re-inserted using the same method, if you want to go to the trouble. Many N flyers like to add just a tad more weight to the end of the spine. I add 5g.

8. While you're investigating, how large is the cut out for the stoppers? Later versions have a smaller cutout for the R-Sky stoppers. Earlier versions have a longer cut out.

9. Grabbing for straws...is the std made with black icarex or charcoal?

10. Is there an R-Sky patch on the lower keel below the T, an imprinted "R-Sky" or nothing?

11. For the sail tensioning line, is there a hole in the LE material for the tensioning line or a small darcon loop sewn to the base of the LE material? Newer N's have the loop vs the hole. R-Sky started that around 2 yrs ago. Maybe 2.5.

That's about all I can tell you to check. Respond to as many of these as you can, at least the ones regarding age, and I can probably give you a hint as to age.

You've purchased arguably the best sport kites on the planet. IMO, the Nirvana is still the gold standard and very precious few designs have even come close.

"Course I'm biased.

Get those settings correct and put those things in the sky. You'll have some fun!!

[Albert]

Wow, RandyG! I love your videos man. Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

1. They are R-Sky SO conectors.

2. There are no C-clips (or stops of any kind) at either the the upper or lower spreaders on the leading edge. You can put them anywhere you want. In fact, I kind of wondered if this "free floating" capability was part of the R-Sky secret.

3. LS is 73.7 cm

5. OK. This is what made me wonder what version I have.

6. US is 50 cm

8. Not sure what you're askng. Photo of US cutout on leading edge should be attached.

10. Yes, theres an R-Sky patch, photo should be attached.

The winds have been pretty bad since I got them, but what little flying I've managed to do has given me a lot of hope for these kites.

Thanks y'all,
Albert

Attached File(s)

 upper_spreader.jpg ( 60.48K ) Number of downloads: 10
 R_sky_patch.jpg ( 68.88K ) Number of downloads: 11

 

[Piedmontkiter]

For all you Nirvana Lovers out there,Heres two totally diferent Nirvana's

http://community.webshots.com/user/PDMTKTR?vhost=community

Brian

[randyg]

First off, it's hard to tell a lot about pictures of two kites leaned up to one another. But, there is no denying the difference in the center T setting between the two kites.

I believe some of the height difference could be attributed to the fact that there is too much curvature in the back kite in pic #9. Look at pic #8. That kite doesn't look right. I'm tuning up an N for a friend and here's a picture of what the N of that vintage should look like:



Here is how I set up my Nirvana's:

Fold the LE's together and lap the tape measure over the nose and measure to the center of the LE connectors. The ULE should be 33.5cm and the LLE should be 97cm. Others may measure differently but there is much variability in how one might place the tape at the nose and with the numberous N's I've tuned, these settings are magic.

Have you matched up the LS measurements? Standoffs? Spine? Are there differences? I forget the specs on these (I think the LS is 73.5cm but do not have the specs with me right now). But it might be good to compare.

Additionally, it is possible for any manufacturer to modify a running kite model. I don't think that it's all that unusual. Sortof like what they do with cars. It's even possible that it's common knowledge in France but not over here.

Back to the center T position. I've just measured a Collector N and a garden variety Nirvana of a similar vintage to your older one and measured 62.5cm to the center of the T, which should be placed in the center of the cutout.

If I were you, I'd call Theresa and ask to see if she'd measure a couple of N's if she has some in stock to compare.

I hope some of that helps.

Randy

[Piedmontkiter]

I bought the older Nirvana from that other big kite shop.about 3 years ago,I never changed a thing, it is taller,because the leading edges are longer.From what I can tell the sail is the same,Execpt were the hole is for the center tee,which is way off,and where the trailing edge meets the leading edge is a lot different,longer.Basically they moved the lower spreader up on the current model,from what I can tell,yes the lower spreaders are the same size on both kites,Before I puchased another Nirvana I flew other flyers Nirvana's and noticed my kite flew different from theres ,I could never figure out why.They flew my kite and always said theres something wrong with it. When I finally got a new one,I found out why my kite flew different,not the same.No big deal.I guess I could patch the center tee hole up make a new hole higher up,cut my leading edges down,and make it like all other Nirvanas,but before Idothat I need to know if the sails are exactly the same
Iown 3 current models,which one is a ul,which is the best for me because the weather man always says light and variable .High being 3 mph if im lucky.Its pretty bad when I got to wait for a storm to get real wind.

Thanks for all you do Randy.

Mayby next time Theresa talks to Roger she could bring it up.

Later
Brian