Why did Slingshot dump the Rev name? .. because it is more than a Rev3. Not good enough...

As if kites don't lose enough value year on year just by the annual nature of kite releases. Dumping the name states that the previous kite had a brand problem, which the Rev did not have.

Surely a Rev with minor changes or major changes could still be a Rev. Can you see Toyota dumping the Landcruiser or Camry name just because they are totally different?

Thanks for thinking about consumer re-salability Slingshot and instatly superceding the Rev concept.

Marketing out of control....

whats the big deal it's just the name of the kite?!?

I'm about to buy a 7 and 11 rev2 and I was wondering the same thing about the name change to Octane, for the 2010 developments.

I tend to agree with Hammer, why a name change, and particularly back to an old name that was for a c-kite.??

Sure jackgearo, why the fuss it just a name, but that's kinda what the names are for, to help consumers identify with the range of products. I think hammers point about resale is also probably valid. A line of kite that was only around for 2 seasons doesn't generate much confidence, unless you'd specifically heard good things about them.

Almost feels like 2 marketing egos, bitching over whose name for the kite is cooler, and this year the guy who wants the name 'Octane' won the donut eating contest. Rev might make his comeback for 2011..... :)

Didb't they do they same thing with the Link? released it for one year then replaced it with the REV.

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jackgearo said...

whats the big deal it's just the name of the kite?!?

I agree, who cares its just a name, the names not going to effect the performance or how it flys

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fleurieu said...

Didb't they do they same thing with the Link? released it for one year then replaced it with the REV.

Thats because the LINK had serious bridal issues.

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kiteguy said...


Sure jackgearo, why the fuss it just a name, but that's kinda what the names are for, to help consumers identify with the range of products.

You're right, the name does help customers hence the name change. The Octane isn't a REV. Calling it REV3 would have been a mistake

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tino said...

kiteguy said...


Sure jackgearo, why the fuss it just a name, but that's kinda what the names are for, to help consumers identify with the range of products.

You're right, the name does help customers hence the name change. The Octane isn't a REV. Calling it REV3 would have been a mistake

Tino, read hammers parallel to car manufacturers, it's about identity, regardless of evolution. Isn't that expected of the next release? That there is some developments??

If it's too evolved to be a rev3, what really make it's an Octane, given this is a old C kite from a few years back. This makes even less sense to me.

Does this mean the Octane isn't an Octane (in your line of thinking Tino).? :)

But really, at the end of the day, if you like it, ride it

I do look forward to having a crack on an Octane and if it's a corker which fits some different performance slot, I'll eagerly watch this forum dissapear into the archives!

To add to this whole argument you would think Slingshot would understand what we are on about, being the masters of kite name longivity with the "Fuel"....

Anyway, I've had my bitch. Thanks Seabreeze

i think slingy achieved their goal with the name change.. if you had half a brain cell youd realise this lol

i'll take that, but no reason to bring my brain cells into it. It's a fair discussion and it's people like you who make these forums a waste of space. You'd probably buy a 2004 Octane if "Slingy" told you to.

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kiteguy said...


If it's too evolved to be a rev3, what really make it's an Octane, given this is a old C kite from a few years back. This makes even less sense to me.

i think 1 of the reasons they chose to call it an octane was because the c-octane was one of the highest jumping kites around and i think this will also be the case with the new one. i also heard that the production octanes will have 5 struts not 4.

that's fair jackgearo, if the c-octane were well regarded for jumping high (slingshot wasn't on my radar back then, -I don't remember really seeing them or trying to be sold one in local kiteshops). Is that a marketing angle they are putting on the new Octanes, big air.?

Charl dv. I know you tried your best, but what was your point?! To have 1/2 a brain cell I'd be so damn busy remembering to breath and blink, I wouldn't have time to ingratiate you with a reply.

To take this to a new and more ludicrous level of nitpickery. Why name all the kites on the theme of fossil fuel burning machines. When I first got into kiting I was completely blown away by the power of this silent beast.
Humming lines and my heartbeat was all that could be heard, between teabaggings. :)

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh ingratiate......... He's got you there Charl dv

PS I agree with charl and would like to point out that this thread reminds me a little of that long lost thread about that guy that got his kite re repaired because the first time didn't have perfect colour match and he was just so happy about how pretty it ended up after being re repaired..hhahahahahhaha. seabreeze at its best.

Because by making this sudden name change it has created a f load of discussion on this kite generating a sh!t load of interest in it which in turn will make alot more people want to try it. Old octane riders will want to see if it feels the same, rev riders want to try it, new people who rode neither will be like wtf is going on lets try it..

just on this lil seabreeze thread alone its already got huge discussion going over a simple thing as a name change, doubt there would of been this much interest thrown at it if it was just another rev etc.

and at kite guy, im just assuming here but i think its because we (general consumers) automatically associate the words rev, octane, fuel rpm etc with power (ie racing motorcross etc) giving our subconcious levels the idea that this kite will be powerful. simple marketing psych

and at hammer. you dont hve to pm me saying hey c u n t and have a winge about me dropping a lil bomb in this thread.. its a forum, if you take a forum this serious i would take a step back and re evaluate my priorities and life in general.. light hearted fun is what its about.. my light hearted fun is stirring people up for a giggle and if you actually take some of the crap i ramble on here serious then i feel my life has failed... sh1t if anyone takes anything i say seriously in general aswell id b worried

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Charl dv said...

Because by making this sudden name change it has created a f load of discussion on this kite generating a sh!t load of interest in it which in turn will make alot more people want to try it. Old octane riders will want to see if it feels the same, rev riders want to try it, new people who rode neither will be like wtf is going on lets try it..

just on this lil seabreeze thread alone its already got huge discussion going over a simple thing as a name change, doubt there would of been this much interest thrown at it if it was just another rev etc.

I guess. Certainly those who dug orig octanes. I'm not sure that a handful of posts and a few hundred readers wondering what are these clowns ranting on about, qualifies as huge discussion.

As for the names, engine/power theme, ahh marketing, got it.
I was more stating the small irony in naming a silent, emmissionless powerhouse after something quite the opposite. I must admit though since buying myself a rev my knob looks significantly larger....

yer i got what you meant too lol, it is pretty ironic that such a green friendly sport was named after such anti green stuff... but i guess it had purpose..

you got to remember SB isnt the only place people talk, there are a ton of forums like this around the place and then there's the talk on the beaches aswell...

Got a 10mt 06 Octane for sale if anyones interested. Only used a couple of times. Pls don't flood my inbox with offers!