rbagg 0 #1 October 31, 2004 I'm in the market for buying my second rig with about 400 jumps on a PDF Merit 170 (semi elliptical french canopy) I test jumped the Spectre, Sabre2, Stiletto (yap, mostly PD canopies at my home DZ) and Hornet as well but unfortunately could not demo the Pilot or the Safire. I would like consistent, soft, on heading openings which kind of rule out the Stileto and the sabre2, and I find the Spectre and the Hornet (which is not an option, just wanted to try it as well) a bit "boring" to fly...-->My old Merit maneuvers better than these canopies (well it is more responsive and maneuvers better than the Sabre2 as well in my opinion) So an opinion regarding these two canopies would be appreciated (I read all the related threads and reviews but could find a direct comparison from someone who jumped both...) Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #2 November 1, 2004 I have about 600 jumps on a spectre, and recently moved up to a Pilot. I can't say anything about a Safire 2, since I haven't jumped one, and there aren't any at my DZ. I am very pleased with the Pilot though. The Pilot is a first class intermediate category canopy. I am very happy with the openings and the flying. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicolesser 0 #3 November 1, 2004 hi Darkwind I also have a spectre 135, and im planning to move to a Pilot. Im very interested in knowing your opinion about both canopies : glide, fly, swooping, risers presure etc.. yhanks nicolasOrbital Flyer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,989 #4 November 1, 2004 Both are very similar. Pilot has better openings and a _slightly_ better deep-end flare IMO. I've put about 600 jumps on a Safire-2 119 (actually a safire-1 129 with the brake line mod, which goes a long way to turning it into a safire-2) and about 100 on various Pilots from 210ish to 117 (my current Pilot.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #5 November 1, 2004 Jeez... I'm still trying to make my mind up between these two before ording one or the other at the start of next season. I've put about 10 jumps on the safire 2 and 20 odd on the pilot. I simply can't make my mind up which I liked more. A difficult choice between two very similar and very nice canopies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyrat 1 #6 November 8, 2004 I have not jumped a Safire2 but I have jumped the Pilot. I was looking for a milder all-around canopy in addition to my Stiletto 120 and I ended up buying the Pilot 124 that I demoed at the WFFC. My Pilot has had consistent on heading openings. It is fun to fly. I don't fly it to radical but I can say it will spiral like my Stiletto and I would agree with Bill Von here it is real easy to land and has a more bottom end flare. My 124 comes in just about as fast as my Stiletto also. Yesterday I was on final and close to the ground and I had to clear one of the runway lights on our grass strip. I kind of picked up my feet and spread them into a sit position and cleared the runway light put them back down and touched down ever so soft. The landing kind of would made a good picture if someone had a camera. What's really nice is the Pilot is a canopy you can travel with and not be worry about flying or landing it at an unfamiliar DZ. It's consistant. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #7 November 8, 2004 QuoteJeez... I'm still trying to make my mind up between these two before ording one or the other at the start of next season. I've put about 10 jumps on the safire 2 and 20 odd on the pilot. I simply can't make my mind up which I liked more. A difficult choice between two very similar and very nice canopies. My solution....flip a coin Pilot is a very nice canopy...jumped the 210, 190 and a lot 170...Stupid me landed downwind yesterday (by accident)...my first swoop landing under a fast chute and was actually fun...My Instructor/DZO didn't share my enthousiasme though ..great and reliable flare. I haven't jumped the Safire but jumped a sabre2...I like the Pilot more then the Sabre2 _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #8 November 9, 2004 Buy a safire2 and if you still want a Pilot in 31 days, return the safire and get the Pilot. I personally would recomend the safire2. I have never jumper the pilot, but hear then are nice canopies. I did jump Aerodyne's Vision and was not impressed. I do have a bunch of jumps on Safire2's and couldnt be happier with them. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #9 November 9, 2004 I have to agree with you about the Pilot being comparable to a Stiletto in many ways. More docile.. a little less responsive to both riser and toggle input but just as fast, nice swoops and an awesome flare. In the 14 jumps I put on Pilots (10 on a 150 and 4 on a 140), before ordering 2 to replace my Stilettos, I came to the conclusion that I'll be able to outswoop my Stilettos on them and still have plenty of lift at the end. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #10 November 14, 2004 i've got about 350 jumps on my safire 149 withthe line mod on it and about 7 jumps on a pilot (1 on a pilot 124, the rest on a pilot 140) and i have to say i like the way my safire opens. it tkes a litle longer and is softer. the pilot has very nice flare though.. i'd rate them about the same in my book besides the openings....... the pilot did open nice but faster/harder than the safire.... and for me and my back openings are number 1 in my book.... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
