WindNSun ReelFast Winder 75111R Red 50 lb x 500'

This looked promising online, but after trying it out, it's kind of so-so. The center handle mechanism is too small for the hand of someone older than maybe 10-12, and the crank handle is a little too small too. The locking mechanism (by which the handle flips and enters the center hub to lock the reel) is too clunky for a child to use. When the reel is under tension from a kite, it freewheels unless it's locked, and to get the handle to lock, you have to hold the edge of the reel, turn it to just the right position on the hub, and carefully unlock and flip the handle to engage the hub. That latter motion requires some jogging of the reel to execute, which is a little tricky when the kite is also trying to turn it. It's a major shortcoming that the reel freewheels unless it's locked, because it makes releasing more line to the kite a two-handed effort; you have to use your other hand to slow the reel via the crank. And because the reel was not wrapped in any way, it flopped around in the unpadded Amazon box and arrived with a dozen or more windings of string off the hub in a tangled mess. The build quality isn't terrible, but the lock mechanism feels a little flimsy, and my reel was missing 2-3 of the ball bearings that encircle the hub/handle. To end on a positive note, the large diameter reel makes quick work of reeling in a kite if you are strong.Back in the 1980s, Gayla used to make a great kite reel with a red bobbin atop a yellow handle, with a metal ratchet mechanism that included a trigger for releasing more line. It was made very well and worked great, but I haven't found any current products of similar quality. I'd suggest revising this ReelFast product to have a larger, more comfortable handle/hub, a larger, fixed position crank handle, and a ratchet + trigger mechanism within the hub for locking and unlocking the reel (rewinding always allowed, depress the trigger to release more line).

Very very good for a kid or an adult. I used this with my nephew this weekend flying a medium large size kids kite in good winds. It worked very well with adult supervision. At five years old my nephew and probably most other children won't be able to work the lock and handle. The ball bearings are a little noisy and not going to work well if you get sand in them if using this at the beach so be warned.With 500' of line i had no fear of running out. I let out as much as I wanted and got the kite to it's maximum height with no problem.For letting line out I found it easy to hold the center hub with my left hand control by dragging my thumb on the outer rim.Bringing it back in was not without effort but easy enough using the crank in my right hand.I would say this is perfect to use with smaller children as long as an adult helps.8 yrs to adult it is a home run.I am buying a second one for myself so we can fly two kites together at the same time.

I love the product hate the customer serviceGreat product as long as nothing goes wrong with it. I purchased this product with the idea that it would help me fly kites independently. The first day had it the product developed a crack. I went to the website for wind and sun and used their online form to request assistance with this matter. Not only did they not offer any support they did not even respond to my email three days later. I did not even get an acknowledgment. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau regarding this. The company seems a little shady. I cannot find a phone number or a physical mailing address. In addition to contacting the Better Business Bureau, I also attempted to reach out to them via their Facebook wall and by sending them a private message through Facebook. All of my contacts have gone unacknowledged. The last email I sent them read as follows:Is there a phone number I can reach you at? I have tried to contact you through email, your Facebook wall, and FB private message. No one has even acknowledged my request. What does this say about your customer service? As I said in my previous email:I bought a reel fast kite winder at a local park. It was from a truck in Newport Rhode Island. I have cerebral palsy. This makes it difficult for me to bring the kite back in. Sometimes I have to ask complete strangers to help me take my kite down. This product helped me tremendously. Using it, I was able to take the kite down independently. However, the black piece that the string passes through began to crack on the first use. Is there any way that I can get it repaired or replaced? I took the best photo I can. But if you enlarge it you will see what I am talking about. I would appreciate any assistance that you can give me. I am going to send a copy of this to you in a private message as well.

Originally I thought this was well-made but a little too small for anyone over age 10... then the winding handle snapped off. On this kite winder, the piece you grab to crank the line in and out is also the piece that flips over to lock the reel in place. It's smart but also a design flaw because it doesn't take much force for this piece to snap off... and when you're flying a kite in a big field, it's tough to find a little metal piece like that.So, I ordered something similar from Emma Kites... for about the same price the new reel is about 1/3 larger. That means it's actually made for an adult's hand size. No more mashing my knuckles. Also, the piece you grip to wind the reel is separate from the piece you use to lock the reel in place. Much better design. Too late for me to return the 1st one, sadly.

I purchased this kite winder for use during a family vacation to the Outer Banks, and it worked like a charm! Ready to use out of the box, hooked easily to my kite, and was a delight to use. It was wonderfully easy to both let out, and reel in, the kit line, so we let our kite fly high in the sky!! We were definitely the envy of others flying kites that day.This product is well made, easy to store, pack and transport, easy to use for both kids and adults, and we love the fun colors. You won't regret this purchase!.