Gin Explorer 2

Technical data

* Quoted weights with optional extra ultralight Liros Dyneema risers (saves 200g).

Flybubble note: The Gin Gliders' weight specifications are based on the assumption that pilots will switch out the standard Kevlar risers for optional Dyneema risers. However, it is generally recommended for most pilots to stick with the standard risers due to their superior user-friendliness, pulleys, comfortable handles, durability, and dimensional stability, even if they weigh just 200g more.

Colours

Colours: Lemon, Turquoise.

Package

Inner bag, compression strap, stickers, repair kit.

Explorer 2: a touch of magic

• Light performance
• EN B

A touch of magic

The ingredients are classically simple, even unremarkable: 59 cells, A.R. 6, 3 main lines, well proven profile. Yet the finished dish is unexpectedly exquisite.

The Explorer 2 simply allows the pilot to reconnect with the pure joy of flight. No more struggling with the wing. No more niggling doubts. Just the direct experience, like a scene snapping into focus. The Explorer 2 offers concrete improvements over its predecessor whilst retaining the best loved aspects:

• improved climbing ability in all conditions
• improved glide performance
• exemplary pitch stability for even better take-off characteristics and collapse resistance
• smart riser for improved C riser control
• increased maximum speed (2cm longer travel)
• greater compressibility thanks to nitinol reinforcements
• wider “sweet spot” across the weight range

To the top!

Perhaps the most notable characteristic of the Explorer 2 is the way the refined yet compact handling translates into a superior climbing experience. The wing bites enthusiastically into thermals, yet settles quickly overhead. Brake pressures are light yet progressive, giving you just enough information to effortlessly maximise your climb.

(Still) in a class of its own

Thanks to the slight increase in surface area and other gains in aerodynamic efficiency, the Explorer 2’s glide performance surpasses that of its predecessor.

An unflappable character

The Explorer 2 has an innate pitch stability. Even on windier take-offs, the wing comes up progressively and waits obediently above your head. When conditions get rowdy, it’s more well behaved than ever.

Improved speed system

The Explorer 2 features a new smart riser with a control toggle and a Harken pulley for extra smooth operation. Push half bar, take the riser and enjoy the view! The Explorer 2 also has an extra 2cm of speed bar travel for increased max speed.

A small footprint

Nitinol (Nickel titanium) rods make for a more compact packing, help maintain a clean top surface, and keep the weight down.

Designer notes

Designer and CEO Gin Seok Song explains the development of the Explorer 2:

“Squeezing something extra from the original Explorer was not an easy task! Rather than try to increase performance by increasing the aspect ratio, we decided to go the other way and play with the surface area. Smaller and smaller wings might be today’s trend, but all things equal, larger wings offer several advantages. With the increased Reynolds number, they not only perform better but are also more stable.

The key was to increase the surface area without compromising responsiveness and speed. To do this, we drew heavily on the wind tunnel research we are carrying out in partnership with a university here in Korea. This is a major project that has already produced some insights that are trickling down into production wings. This work helped a lot to optimise the sail tensioning, which for the pilot means improved climbing and more refined handling.

What is interesting is that the Explorer 2 remains responsive even flown quite low in the weight range. Unlike some older designs, the handling characteristics don’t vary much with different wing loadings.

In addition, we have a new smart riser with C control system. There’s a toggle for easy control and an additional pulley for extra smooth operation. With an extra 2cm of accelerator travel, we were also able to increase maximum speed. It’s a real pleasure to fly on the bar. For the reinforcements, we are also using a combination of a new type of plastic rod and Nitinol wire. The Atlas rods are used in critical nose sections due to their high resistance to breaking, dimensional stability and minimal wear and tear effect. The Nitinol wire on the top surface towards the rear perfectly and precisely supports the trailing edge whilst reducing weight and packing volume.

All in all, the original Explorer was a firm favourite with a wide range of pilots. We are confident that the Explorer 2 has even more to offer an even wider range of pilots.”

Features

• Strategic mix of new formula plastic rods and Nitinol (Nickel titanium) wire for dimensional stability, performance and more compact packing
• 3 risers / 3 lines spanwise
• Unsheathed aramid lines with optimized diameters
• Speed system with C riser steering
• Gathering (reefing) system and mini ribs on the trailing edge

Flybubble review

The Explorer 2 is Gin's lightweight version of the Avid.

Our review of the Gin Avid:

“Gin Avid is the standard weight version of the Explorer 2, in a way. One of the obvious differences is the materials. The Avid has been made with a new material Myungjin, It's a fabric for harsh environments. It's got a relatively higher aspect ratio, for the high B,so it's 6.07. Generally, gliders with higher aspect ratios have a bit more tendency to stall more easily, plus size is that give you more performance. In particularly, can give you an advantage in sink rate. The Gin Avid feels very taut and very tight, solid, and cuts through the air. If you're trying to turn in tight punchy cores, it is little harder to get around and it makes it more challenging. On the other hand, because the glider is so solid and actually has very good energy retention, it has very direct, sharp handling. But I think it's a little bit more technical to make the glider turn that more tightly, compared to a glider with lower aspect ratio. In weaker soaring conditions, you definitely notice that the Avid is very floaty. It's got a really good sink rate and a very good glide. So when you're just soaring on the ridge or turning in a bit of a bigger thermal then you notice it's got a very good climb rate.

The pilots upgrading from a Low B or even a Mid B glider, and wanting to upgrade to their first High B, depending on the pilot, then the Avid generally wouldn't be my first choice for them. So yeah, I'd put the pilot demands with the Explorer at the higher end of the High B. The Avid is for a pilot who's looking at the higher end of the High B class. Particularly, if they're interested in that very good climb and sink rate and very good glide, they're happy with that more dynamic, more feeling and handling, and feedback compared to some other gliders. The Avid has very good speed and speed trim as well.”

— Carlo Borsattino, Flybubble

Watch the Flybubble mini video review:

Materials

Canopy cloth:

• Upper surface leading edge: Porcher Skytex 34 g/m²
• Upper surface: Porcher Skytex 27 g/m²
• Lower surface: Porcher Skytex 27 g/m²

Canopy reinforcements:

• A combination of plastic rods and Nitinol wires

Lines:

• Upper: Edelrid 8000-U 050, 070, 090, 130
• Middle: Edelrid 8000-U 070, 090, 130, 190
• Main: Edelrid 8000-U 230, 280, 360

Risers:

• 12 mm Aramid & polyester (standard risers)

Optional extra: ultralight Liros Dyneema risers.

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