Spectra Solution Quad

Spectra Solution Quad

The Spectra Sports Solution Quad kite was designed by Charlie McClary (since passed away) a member of the San Diego Kite Club in the mid 1990s. Unlike most other quad kite which have an integral frame, the Solution has an external frame along the same lines as the Synergy Deca. The sail is suspended between the top and bottom leading edges (which are bowed) to give strength.

The Solution can be flown on Revolution handles (like most of my quad line kites I tend to end up using my extended and straightened Revolution handles). I have no idea what was originally recommend since my Solution didn't have a manual, and there is very little information on the internet.

Purchased: September 2009

Details

Width : 238 cm Height : 84 cm Depth : 31 cm Weight : 330 g

Spars : 6mm Wrapped Carbon Fibre Sail : Ripstop Polyester

Wind Range : Medium

Cost : New: unknown - can only be got second hand (and even then rarely!).

Good Things

Unique and eye catching design.
Excellent sideways flight.
Well made.

Bad Things

Needs a moderate amount of wind to fly well...
...but not too much wind!
Can be tricky to assemble (and disassemble) in the field.
Not too precise - turns have a lot of momentum.
The kite needs some tension in all the lines - otherwise it tends to flip over in gusty winds and get tangled in the lines.

Final Thoughts

It has been said that the design of the Solution was partly to avoid the Revolution patents on quad line kites at the time. I have no idea if that is true or not, but the truth is this is lovely kite that deserves to still be known (and of course flown).

I don't know how much wind this kite can take - it looks fragile (but don't most kites?) with the long, exposed, leading edges. However because of the bow in them I suspect that it can take quite a lot of abuse.

Update January 2021