Fury Feature
Robertshaw Fury Review
Flexifoil Fury Review
Robin Smith Interview
Fury Details
Fury Wallpaper
Jim B's Fury Diary
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Jim B gives kHiTe his experiences with the Fury, adapted from his postings on GWTW.

Fury Day One

I flew mine today.

Mostly 10-12MPH some 15MPH+, a little 4-6MPH. 200lb X 120ft LPG.

This big input kite, but, at the same time, you can make the case that it is easier to initiate tricks with than other large team kites.

The best way I can come up with to describe this is that, although it makes the Matrix feel small, as an example, it does take less of a set up to get it to trick, and it will put up with, perhaps, not the best set up. Weird. It is possible to tune the kite for smaller inputs, but, even then, it is a fairly big input kite.

It cometes particularly easily.

It does a lovely fountain.

The axel is not very stylish. I think that is down to the single standoff per side, and the tremendous depth in the sail.

It JL's very nicely, with one surprise: the nose wants to keep going up, through the bridle lines, in the fade from the fractured axel.

This might lead to some interesting rollup variations, at some point, but, for now, it seems to make the kite a bit tender in the JL. You have to take it easy or you will get your lines over/under or just plain fall out of position.

This was most evident with the kite set up for less pull/lighter winds. Seems to be a tuning issue. Removing the upper spreader insert had little effect on this.

Speaking of removing inserts.. I went to pull the spine insert, just to try the Fury without it, and discovered that the insert pretty much holds the spine assembly together. So leave it in there.

It rolls up easily but the yo-yo line, in its current incarnation, is not going to cut it.

It likes to carve, rather than skid through the air. It is carving even when it is in a spin well within the wingtips. Tracking is top notch. Speed control is also top notch. There is allot of pull depending on the bridle setup, but there is also allot of control, even in high wind.

This kite makes the Debray Nirvana setup feel like a Mosquito.

It makes the Machine feel like a 6ft. Trick kite.

I can't think of another kite that approaches this kite when it comes to feel. It reminds me a bit of the Challenge or the LTM. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but it just does. There is allot of kite out there at the end of the lines. It is allot easier, for me, to do stuff with than the Challenge BTW.

Anyway, this kite has little in common with any of the French, or French style, kites I have flown.

Build is topnotch. There is substantial billow down to about the midpoint of the kite, where things tighten up allot going to the tips. The cutouts have a very nice treatment to prevent snags. This kite does make noise, even with the leech line adjusted towards the tighter end of the spectrum. This seems to be the case on only one example of this kite in my possession. It is entirely possible to tighten the leech line enough to quiet the kite.

There is an awful lot of line hanging off this kite, what with the leaders, yo-yo line, and keeper lines. I think the yo-yo and keeper lines are history on mine.

I did fit the optional trick line for two reasons: First the brochure explaining the reasoning behind it, namely, to prevent sail deformation, rather than, snags, sold me, and secondly, it is an extremely clean layout, with no penalty that I can see.

Even with all this line, the Fury did not present any trouble in groundwork. It does not have snag problems. It is easy to clear a caught wingtip. The Fury is an easy kite to fly. There are no hidden idiosyncrasies to decipher.

Overall, this is a very trick capable kite but don't be expecting a trick kite.

I did have one issue. The bridle sheath self destructed in one place, exposing the core, so I have a bit of bridle tying to do.

I like this kite.

The Fury has a much deeper sail, than the Matrix, and one standoff per side. Not sure if I have enough time, on the kite, to describe the differences I've noticed, but I will try.

The Fury pitches easier, but all that depth in the sail is felt in rotational moves. While it will trick with less set up, there is resistance. There is more mass as well, what with the inserts and weights.

The Matrix is slower through tricks; needs more setup, but seems more predictable to me. Feel on the lines is different. The Matrix is a less complex flying experience I find. This is not a bad thing.

The Fury seems a more robust flying experience.

So much of what goes on with the Fury is dependent on how the kite is set up. I am nowhere near finished exploring the possibilities.

I am currently having some trouble with JL's. They seemed pretty easy during the first flight, but now the kite is dropping out of the fade earlier. Not sure what adjustment I've made to induce this yet.

Fury Day Two

Headed out this Afternoon to try the Fury with Hi Mod in the lower spreaders. Let's see how that goes. Haven't fitted yo-yo stoppers yet. Waiting for those R-Sky jobbies to show up.

That was interesting.

Still searching for the JL but one thing is for sure: this kite can handle allot of wind. Had it up in sustained 18mph winds, then the average went to 20mph. Lot of pull, but otherwise it was well under control. Flew the 2.3 Vent as well. The Fury compared favorably. The 2.3 Vent seems to top out around 20-25mph. It is not the most vented kite available. The Fury was right there with it and the LE's weren't loaded, just the spreaders and with Hi Mod in the lowers, so you could get a heavier stick to use too.

The Black settings seem to fit with the Personality of this kite the best: Big. Burly. Ton of pull. Laser Precision. The more pull the crisper the kite handles. Still able to get the standard repertoire even in 20mph, so I think the ad copy is not that far off? The fade improved on the Black settings and the inside knot (I think that's right...). It was easier to manage the fade there. Tricking takes big large hand movements on these settings.

Towards Evening the wind dropped to the Middle Teens, with a bit of 4-6mph. I was able to keep the kite flying and tricking, on 300lb X 120ft of line, and the loading, even in the 4-6mph lulls.

I would say the stated wind range is accurate, at least up to the Middle Twenties and the kite did not feel in any trouble there, so maybe thirty fully loaded.

The pull at that point would be enormous I would think though.

The adjustments work as advertised too. You can get it set up for smaller (relatively) hand movements. The adjustable leech line does slow the kite down or speed it up, as well as helping the kite on the low end.

I did finally manage to find a setting that allowed the kite to skid it's turns a bit. I forget what it was though... Probably mostly red on the inside knot?

Even so, this kite is almost always on the pipe, even at the edge.

One other thing: The wind window is ginormous on the Black settings. It is noticeably smaller on the Red settings, but still large. *

Not sure what the loading of the lower spreaders added, besides stiffness to the frame. I did not note any massive improvement in tricking, and launching on the Black settings, with the loading, required a good solid pull to avoid wallowing. Maybe a bit more speed reduction?

I am going to be Sooo Sore Tomorrow...

But Fun??? Oh Yeah.

Fury Day Three

Okay.

Another Day.

Time to start thinking Trick Kite.

So the weight out of the nose, all on Red and outer knots. Leech line tight. 90 X 60ft LPG, 8-10mph with a bit of 4-6mph.

Speed way up. Pull down but not way down. Hand movements not too huge.

The JL re-appeared. The axel got nice. Trick rate for this thing is pretty fast.

You could win a Trick Out with a Fury if you were good enough.

Tried the kite without the weights and stuffer all together. Liked it but you do lose speed in the transitions. So far, liked it without the nose weight the most, with or without the upper stuffer rod. Did not use any stuffing in the lower spreaders today.

I would like to try it without a stuffed spine too.

All Black except Red at the upper le is not a favorite setting.

Pinhole near the spine below the ctee... Dead Launching. Oh Yes It Will.

This is a heavy kite, so you can run out of room in a hurry, mainly in the JL. Still, it was not uncomfortable to fly on short lines at all. I was able to get a Four cycle JL with it - and I mean the full alternating cycle.

I like it, but it does tucker a Body out.

Just for comparison: I pulled out a Frenezy, after flying the Fury, and I wasn't doing anything with it that I hadn't done with the other.

I have the same success rate with tricks, so far, with the Fury as I do with some other kites I would consider dedicated Trick kites.

I can do more with a Dot Matrix, for instance, and it is allot easier, but the Dot Matrix is mostly wrist movement. The Fury requires a bit more, but wrist does get you something's with it too.

Let's say: Square cuts going down to a 540 to fade to 540 exit to a ground pass and up, drop the kite into a snap lazy, across the window axel to fade, JL... I can fly my style with the Fury and it is not lumbering around.

This is not a trick kite, and I am not a great flyer, but it does quite well. I am also sure it will do more than I can do with it, at the moment.

I do not think Carl, or whomever came up with the infamous "A Precision kite that tricks better than other Precision kites and a Trick kite that flies better Precision than other Trick kites" line was that far off base in his description of the Fury.

I found the axel to get pretty good on all Red, inside knot adjustment, and short lines.

I guess there is a mod where you add 10gm to the outer lower spreaders that improves fades and rotation. This courtesy of jad, who sent me some information he had received from CR.

Loading the entire kite apparently, gives the Fury the same sail/weight ratio as the DM. This also from Jeff, That is my next thing to do.

The Fractured Axel fellows probably have posted pages on this, but I haven't found it yet.

I need to get a bit more scientific with the bridle adjustments. Up until now, I've been a bit random about what I move around.

Fury Day Four

Kite is now loaded with .2400 in the LE's and lower spreaders. The Exel Extreme remains in the upper spreader and spine. Now if the weather would only cooperate.

Also: The adjustable leech line is still adjustable, but you have to untie a knot first. I just could not get the darn thing tight enough with the adjustment line on the Purple one.

The kite has shown no tendency to snag without the keeper lines either. I am not sure why they were fitted in the first place.

I might try giving the yo-yo line another chance.

A note or Two: 200lb X 120ft is a nice line set for this kite, if only one line set is to be used.

The main attempt here is to get the Fury balanced to my preference. This has more to do with the frame than the bridle. The bridle is pretty straightforward.

Fury Day Five

The weather here is deteriorating. So, with that in mind, Loaded up the Fury stuffed with Hi Mod in the lower spreaders and leading edges, along with a couple of DM's, and lugged them to work, so that it would be possible to stop at the field on the way home.

First: Winds were in the way of 8-12mph with a bit of 6-8mph, and the invariable lulls of 4-6mph. Lines were 200lb X 120ft. Black settings all around on the outer knot.

Black settings produced very little drive on the low end. It was possible to keep the kite in the air, and trick it, after a fashion, but actual flying started at 8-10mph. Red settings produced good drive at around 6mph.

The JL and fade firmed up quite a bit with the stuffing of the entire kite to the point where, that's it; I personally am satisfied with the way the kite handles for me. Trickable. Same great lines. Done.

Having been told that the Fury is designed to have the sail/weight ratio as the DM, when entirely stuffed to the gills, I decided to observe what it is that the DM is really up to in the fade and JL. I observed the same tendency of the nose to rise in both kites. Hmm. Never noticed that. The DM is a smaller kite.

The extra carbon adds extra weight to an already beefy kite. It also adds an almost gyroscopic effect as well. This means that if you get off to a rocky start in, oh say, the JL, it is not simply a matter to be dealt with by the flick of a wrist. The move will continue, but it will take some effort to get it on track. It also means that, if you catch the kite leaning, with a reverse command, it may very well kill the move. kaput. Get it right.

Overall, I liked the Fury right out of the bag, but I really like it stuffed to the gills.

Hopefully, the chance to try the other Fury, loaded with .2400 Avia, will present itself, either Tomorrow or Tuesday. I don't know if it matters that much.

David Lord's spar chart lists 6mm Exel Extreme at 23gm/m and Avia .2400 at 26.8gm/m. Almost Four gm heavier. Perhaps the Hi Mod is closest afterall?

Decided to cut a piece of Hi Mod to the upper spreader stuffer length. It came in at 2gm lighter. Tried a piece of GuipX. It came in at 1gm heavier.

It would be nice to get a hold of some 6mm Exel Extreme.

Fury Day Six

Just to try and finish out with this:

Got out today with both Furies. There is enough of a difference between the Hi Mod and .2400 to notice, but they both fly well and it didn't seem that one stood out as flying better than the other, so take your pick.

Winds were 10-20mph and gusty. Lines used were 200lb X 120ft and 300lb X 120ft.

The adjustable/nonadjustable Purple Fury was silent, but pulling very heavily and fast. The totally adjustable Blue Fury was a bit better under control, but that Purple Fury will be interesting in lighter wind I think.

Bridle wear continues: not that it is an issue. This is a big, heavy, strong pulling kite. The wear is entirely centered on the larkshead adjustment knot. The main inner/upper bridle line is just going to require regular maintenance. Something to do while watching the Tube?

In that vein: these kites are very easy to pull apart and rebuild. All the bridle lines are extremely easy to duplicate, being basically straight lines with a few knots. The stuffing is very easy to load and remove. Nothing takes more than a few minutes to deal with. You think Carl has been down this road before?

I've added yo-yo stoppers to both kites at 61cm, as recommended by Dave Morley. They seem a bit high to me, 2/5ths would be a bit lower, around 64-65cm, but will reserve judgement until I've had them there for a decent amount of time.

I am currently using cable ties with head mounting. These are like standard ties with the addition of an eyelet at the top for use with cordage. Makes for very good hold so far, with some of the downsides of using ties. Mainly they want to rotate. Working on that.

I will probably try Alex Mason's idea and return to the yo-yo line as well. Good idea Alex.

Ed has tried both weights in the boot, and thought it very French, as he has reported.

My inclination would be to throw another 25 or so gm on the tail rather than relocate the nose weight.

It rolls up well stock, but you don't get those massive multiple rollups, unless you add tail weight, with any kite.

One other point:

Please note, that the only additions that I have made to these kites have been yo-yo stoppers. The only deletions I have made to these kites have been to remove the keeper and yo-yo lines. The only modification I have made has been to remove the adjustment feature from the leech line on one of the kites. All other changes have been directly taken from CR's tuning suggestions.

Just to conclude: This is not that hard a kite to fly, but it is extremely physical. Half hearted inputs will get you nowhere.

When tricking, it is also important to pay attention to where the mass of the kite wants to be going next. If you get it going one way and then change your mind, well, you are out of luck.

It requires the flyer to think ahead and plan. Ideal for a competitive routine, but not conducive to recreational slap and tickle flying, unless you are paying attention.

Tracking is a different story: This kite will fly straight even if the pilot is, at times, over powered, which allows time to be thinking about what the next move should be. The same is true of this kite's speed control. These are very user-friendly features of the Fury. It never feels like it is getting away from you.

I would agree with those who have said the Fury is not a "fun" kite, but it can be fun to fly in any case. While warm and fuzzy is not it's strong suit, making you feel good about your flying no matter what it is you have just done, there is a genuine sense of accomplishment felt, when you get it to do exactly what you meant it to do.

It's a no BS kind of kite.

As far as being a good beginner's kite: well you aren't going to get much out of it, because you sort of have an idea, as to how to get it to behave, but if you learn to fly it, that will not be a problem, as you will have a very good idea, of how to get almost any kite to behave, indeed.

It is a good learning and teaching kite, for all levels of flyer in that regard.

Thanks to Carl. Great kite.