Synthesis Pilot's Guide
Welcome, and congratulations on your new Synthesis sport kite!
Just like the limited edition Synthesis SE we produced in 2022, the new Synthesis has unique features you'll want to get acquainted with to get the best performance out of your kite. Before you start flying, read through this guide for detailed information about assembling your kite, making a wide range of adjustments, and maintenance tips that’ll help you keep your kite happy and flying for years to come.
Not finding the answers you need? Contact our team at info@prismkites.com and we'll get back to you ASAP. We look forward to helping you take flight!
Smooth winds,
The Prism Team
Safety Information
As a pilot, you - and only you - are responsible for your safety and the safety of those around you when you fly. Read these instructions thoroughly, and make sure you understand how to properly use your kite before launching. Below are some important notes to keep in mind in order to ensure a safe flying experience:
Make sure your flying space is clear before launching. Kites can move quickly and unpredictably, and your kite or its line could seriously injure anyone in their path if something goes wrong.
Never wrap your flying line around your hands. In a gust, the wind can cause your kite to pull hard enough to for the line to cut you seriously. Always hold the lines by their wrist straps.
Parts Overview
Front
1 - Upper Spreader
2 - Lower Spreader (M/F)
3 - Floating Center-T
4 - Inner Standoff
5 - Outer Standoff
6 - Standoff Retainer Fitting
7 - Lower Leading Edge Fitting
8 - Upper Leading Edge Fitting
Back
9 - Lower Leading Edge
10 - Upper Leading Edge
11 - Spine
12 - Leading Edge Ferrule
13 - Wingtip Nock
Assembly
Step 1: Unfold the sail and lay the kite out flat. On one side of the kite, join the upper and lower leading edge rods together at the blue ferrule connector, ensuring that the rods are inserted all the way. Repeat on the other side of the kite.
Step 2: Tension each side of the kite by tying off the short line at each wingtip with a clove hitch knot. Use just enough tension to take the slack out of the sail.
Note: The kite will fly better if you have the sail a bit loose instead of too tight.
Step 3: Insert the male lower spreader through the yellow center-t fitting, and then slide the female lower spreader over the exposed ferrule to connect the two pieces. Make sure the bridle lines aren't trapped behind the spreaders.
Insert the free ends of each rod into their respective leading edge fittings. Grip near the ends of the rods to avoid slipping and puncturing your sail.
Step 4: Insert the upper spreader into the two leading edge fittings near the top of the kite. Again, make sure to hold the rod near the ends and avoid trapping the bridle lines behind the spreader.
Step 5: Insert the standoffs into the fittings on the lower spreaders, making sure not to trap any bridle lines in the process. The standoffs are positioned in a good all-around setting by default, but can be adjusted for different conditions (see adjustments in next section of this guide).
Step 6: Hold the kite by the two bridle pigtails and confirm that each bridle line makes a straight line from the kite to the line attachment points without wrapping around any rods. The kite should be symmetrical and evenly balanced. If everything checks out, you're all set!
Adjustments
When designing a sport kite we spend many hours tweaking variables from sail shape to frame stiffness, balance and geometry for well-rounded performance in as wide a range of conditions as possible. But once the kite is dialed-in small changes in bridle, standoff position, etc. still make a big difference in how the kite flies.
Some pilots prefer not to spend a lot of time adjusting their kite. But the more you fly the more you’ll be able to feel the changes that small adjustments make. Some advanced tricks are easier with certain setups, and with time you’ll enjoy being able to optimize your tuning for the wind conditions and your own personal repertoire.
Your Synthesis will fly nicely in normal winds with no adjustment. We recommend flying it on the factory settings for a few sessions while you get to know it. When you’re ready, the adjustments below give you several tuning options that will affect the kite’s speed, pull, and how tightly it turns.
Bridle Pigtails
Your Synthesis comes with its bridle set to perform at its best in moderate (8-12 mph) winds. It can be fine-tuned for optimal lift in different winds by sliding the red and blue line attachment pigtails up or down along the outer bridle legs. This changes the angle of the wing to the wind to add or reduce lift as needed.
Two knots about 1-1/2” apart mark the limits of the adjustment range on each side. In light winds, loosen the prussik knot and slide each pigtail towards the nose. This adds lift and helps it fly higher in the sky. In stronger winds, reduce lift by sliding the pigtails down, away from the nose. This will increase pull, tighten turns and make the kite more responsive.
Make adjustments in 1/2” increments to start. After moving the pigtail, capsize the knot and tighten it so it won’t slip. With experience you’ll feel smaller and smaller adjustments, making it easy to tune your kite perfectly for your conditions and flying style.
Center T
The yellow center-t fitting provides an easy way to adjust the kite’s control response by moving the tow points laterally towards or away from the spine. Pulling the tow points inwards makes the kite more responsive with tighter turns and stronger pull. Moving them outboard stabilizes the kite, adding a more “locked in” feel. Certain light wind tricks like pinwheels and slow flat axels are easier with the tow points further inboard. Snap stalls, tip stabs and aggressive tricks in higher winds are easier with tow points farther out.
The bridle is threaded through a micro jammer that lets you easily adjust and lock off the inner bridle legs. The little red loop of line acts as the release. To adjust the bridle, pull the red loop to loosen it, slide the bridle legs to a new position and re-tighten. Three black marks on the bridle show the adjustment range. The middle of the three is a good all-around setup but we encourage you to experiment to find a setting you like best.
Standoffs
Your Synthesis has two thin standoff rods on each wing that push the sail out and hold the kite in its 3-D shape. Standoffs affect the lift and forward drive of the wing as well as how precisely it tracks. On the Synthesis we’ve designed the outer standoff on each wing to be adjustable so you can fine tune the kite for different winds and your flying style. The factory setup with the outer standoff angled slightly inward is a good all-around setting.
To adjust, simply slide the outer standoff retainer fittings along the lower spreaders to change how far they push out the sail. Slide them in towards the spine to increase lift and drive in lighter winds. Slide them out until the standoffs are perpendicular to the spreaders to slow the kite down and add drag for crisper cornering and more control in stalls. The fittings will be fairly tight when new- be careful not to slip when adjusting.
Maintenance and Repairs
Maintenance
The materials in your kite are durable and designed for a long life with minimal maintenance. Here are few tips to keep it healthy:
Give your kite a pre-flight inspection before you launch to be sure everything is properly assembled, the frame and sail are intact, and the flying line isn't worn.
Beach sand is abrasive and will wear on lines and fittings, so do what you can to dust off the sand after a session at the beach. Compressed air or a soft brush work great if you have them, and a freshwater rinse is a good idea if your kite has been swimming in salt water.
Keep your kite out of hot car trunks and avoid using solvents to clean the sail as they can dissolve the adhesives in the seams. Warm water and a little dish detergent on a soft sponge works best for cleaning kites.
Keep your kite out of the sun when not in use to prevent the sail from fading or becoming brittle.
Repairs
Sail tears are rare, but can happen if your kite lands in a sticker bush or needs to be yanked free from a tree. If this happens to you, don't despair! Our favorite repair tape is made specifically to make permanent, nearly invisible repairs to torn sails.
Broken or lost parts can be downer, but we've got you covered with replacement rods, fittings, flying lines, and tails ready to ship so you can get patched up and back in the air ASAP!
Support
Our Warranty
We’re confident you’re going to have a great time with every product we make. We guarantee that your new kite will arrive ready-to-fly and defect free, with all parts and accessories included. If you run into any issues upon inspecting your new kite, let us know and we’ll do what it takes to make things right.
Need Help? Get in Touch!
For help with general inquiries, repairs, or warranty issues, please contact us at info@prismkites.com. We’ll respond within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. To ensure fast service please include any relevant information in your email so we can get started helping you right away. This could include the model of your kite, the name of a part you are looking for, or your mailing address if we need to send something your way. We look forward to hearing from you!