OZONE Pocket Rocket - Modding & Improvements Thread

Hi all,
I'd like to open a thread to collect ideas, experiences, and hands-on mods for the amazing OZONE Pocket Rocket[/b], especially inspired by some of the Power Pack[/b] improvements-but also anything new you've tested or are thinking about.

Some starter ideas to kick things off:

-Shorter handle-bar ?
-Removing the attachment of the B-lines to the handle-bar, similar to the Power Pack approach - pros/cons?
-Adding an easy attach/detach leash point - cleaner, faster, and safer solutions?
-Modding A-lines for easier stashing. Less knots, less lines, grouped A lines ?
-Bridle simplification or rerouting ideas?
-Anything else you've tried or would like to test?

If you've already done a mod, it would be great if you could share: What you changed Why you did it What worked / what didn't Photos or sketches if possible Even half-baked ideas are welcome-often that's where the good stuff starts.

Looking forward to learning from the collective brain trust ??

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FranP said..
Hi all,
I'd like to open a thread to collect ideas, experiences, and hands-on mods for the amazing OZONE Pocket Rocket[/b], especially inspired by some of the Power Pack[/b] improvements-but also anything new you've tested or are thinking about.

Some starter ideas to kick things off:

-Shorter handle-bar ?
-Removing the attachment of the B-lines to the handle-bar, similar to the Power Pack approach - pros/cons?
-Adding an easy attach/detach leash point - cleaner, faster, and safer solutions?
-Modding A-lines for easier stashing. Less knots, less lines, grouped A lines ?
-Bridle simplification or rerouting ideas?
-Anything else you've tried or would like to test?

If you've already done a mod, it would be great if you could share: What you changed Why you did it What worked / what didn't Photos or sketches if possible Even half-baked ideas are welcome-often that's where the good stuff starts.

Looking forward to learning from the collective brain trust ??

Heads-up, FranP: There's a full-blown Pocket Rocket fan club in Mandurah, and they treat that Ozone parawing like it's the holy grail of flight. Suggesting improvements? Forget it - you'd have better luck convincing them to trade their wing for a beach umbrella. In their world, the Pocket Rocket isn't just perfect - it's practically a deity with lift.

So-has anyone here actually done DIY line mods on the Pocket Rocket and is willing to share how they approached it?
Are there any photos, diagrams, or schematics floating around that you could point to?

I agree it makes sense not to fragment Pocket Rocket discussions into too many threads. That said, it would also be good to avoid creating another mega-thread like the ever-expanding "How good is the new North Sonar?" one-which has basically turned into a North-only forum and makes it hard to find anything specific unless you're deep into it.

Thanks in advance-any practical input would be much appreciated.

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FranP said..
So-has anyone here actually done DIY line mods on the Pocket Rocket and is willing to share how they approached it?
Are there any photos, diagrams, or schematics floating around that you could point to?

Shortening Lines -
I've looked at it since my buddy flies the PR and was considering doing it and I was thinking of helping him.
Overall I think the biggest mod most people want especially on the larger sizes is slightly shorter lines (some people have also done this), IMO it's a massive task, you need to cut and re-splice a lot of lines to do this. If you have a ton of time handy and don't mind the hassle and small frustrations of doing it the process isn't actually that difficult but it just takes time. Depending what your time is worth it's also probably worth considering how much you can sell your PR now while it's still popular and move onto something else.

Removing B line Attachment -
I think this is a backwards step. It makes bar feel and handling worse much like a bridal kite Vs a C-Kite. I also don't think the B-lines are actually ever in the way, I have no issue with that attachment being there (sort of like how a depower line on a kite bar isn't actually in the way). The other thing I think is that it's more prone to heavy tangles in extreme scenarios.

Leash Attachment -
I don't think this is a good idea (using a leash) but you could easily put a small pigtail from the front of the A-line attachment, then larks head onto a leash with a knot on the end.

Bridal Modding -
Possible perhaps but also not easy. If you change things even a bit on these wings they usually fly bad. There's for sure different setups you could do but it would take quite some time and tuning to figure out and I'd say chances are high that you don't make it any better.

I've shortened the lines on my 4.3 (temporary method) and clustered the 4 center a lines with tape on my 4.3 and 3. I've only had a few sessions on them since I made the mods but so far so good. I'll be traveling with them soon and will have a lot more time to test then. Both mods are very easy but the line shortening needs to be precise- so take your time. The temporary method results in a bunch of excess line hanging around which isn't ideal. I taped mine up but depending on whether I like the mod I may permanently splice later.

There are a few tutorials on the Facebook Parawing group. The first time I tried it I used a loop to loop from the pigtail to the lines (note the lines weren't a loop), but as the lines tightened the knot the length became a little bit inaccurate and I was afraid they would slip. The second time I settled on knotting the lines in an overhand knot (like a pigtail) then larksheading the bar pigtail loop around them. The overhand knot is bulkier than I'd like but the connection is secure and the line length is accurate. the most critical part of it is carefully measuring and marking the lines and making sure they are shortened an identical amount and are not twisted. The black C lines are the hardest since you can't really mark them. I shortened 9" which is what most people are doing.

Taping the center lines is easy. I used tenatious tape and taped it around the center 4 lines for 2-3 inches. FoilRat did the same, and inspired this mod on the Facebook Parawing group.

I will try to get around to taking some photos.

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Velocicraptor said..
There are a few tutorials on the Facebook Parawing group. The first time I tried it I used a loop to loop from the pigtail to the lines (note the lines weren't a loop), but as the lines tightened the knot the length became a little bit inaccurate and I was afraid they would slip. The second time I settled on knotting the lines in an overhand knot (like a pigtail) then larksheading the bar pigtail loop around them. The overhand knot is bulkier than I'd like but the connection is secure and the line length is accurate. the most critical part of it is carefully measuring and marking the lines and making sure they are shortened an identical amount and are not twisted. The black C lines are the hardest since you can't really mark them. I shortened 9" which is what most people are doing.

Taping the center lines is easy. I used tenatious tape and taped it around the center 4 lines for 2-3 inches. FoilRat did the same, and inspired this mod on the Facebook Parawing group.

I will try to get around to taking some photos.

My tip for splicing and making sure they never slip is to just put a little bit of super glue on it, works a charm.

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Wingman WA said.Forget everything else, just get a frigate, they are the best because Hilly rides them, Well at least this month !!

Cannot get out on the water due to my rib injury so I might as well offer helpful advice.

Gav summed it up well here PR lines are too long and need a wax coating. Cue PR2 coming soon. PowerPack if you downwind. I think they will keep the PR for up/down and freestle.
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bloody hell this reminds me of the early days of foil kiting in the late 90s early 2000s. dudes just get out and ride and get better ffs

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eppo said..
bloody hell this reminds me of the early days of foil kiting in the late 90s early 2000s. dudes just get out and ride and get better ffs

hahaha, yeah in a lot of cases I think it doesn't really make much difference, modding things can be cool though if that's your thing.
As I said above though I think shortening up everything is a lost cause, better just sell and re-up while those models still hold any value. All these first and 2nd gen wings are going to be worth nothing in a season or two.

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eppo said..

sir ROWDY said..

eppo said..
bloody hell this reminds me of the early days of foil kiting in the late 90s early 2000s. dudes just get out and ride and get better ffs

hahaha, yeah in a lot of cases I think it doesn't really make much difference, modding things can be cool though if that's your thing.
As I said above though I think shortening up everything is a lost cause, better just sell and re-up while those models still hold any value. All these first and 2nd gen wings are going to be worth nothing in a season or two.

well yeh I shortened my 4.3 bridles .

Mo bettah, yeah?