Gear opinions, please?

[srg 0]

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I've been talking to several people both here and via PM's, and I've pretty much settled on the Spectre 230 unless something pretty major changes.

I need to get hold of RWS and find out the exact container sizing of the 357M/358M. I *may* end up having to go to a PDR218 rather than the 235 depending on the container.

I'm a fair bit heavier than you (245 out the door) and I started with a Spectre 210 and a PDR 218. The Spectre is about as viceless as they come, but it actually has a flatter glide than the Sabre2, and you can swoop it a little. I'm sure you'll like it. Any new ZP canopy is going to be a bear to pack, but the Spectre won't bite you if your packing is a bit sloppy.

I have one reserve ride on my 218 (and 4 demos of one rigged as a main). It was easy to land even at my weight, so I don't think you'll have a problem. The handling is fairly similar to the Spectre, but it flies slower and has a bit more flare. I've never heard anything bad about the Smart reserve, either, and I have quite a few friends who jump them.

best of luck,

Spencer

"Be braver -- you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."

[mnealtx 0]

Thanks for the personal view, Spencer, I appreciate it. I'm working on a possible deal on a used Sabre2 230, but still keeping all my options open.

Here's what I'm looking at so far:
V3 w/skyhook, BOC standard PC, Type 8 risers, Trulock toggles, riser housings, normal reserve handle, quilted backpad, normal leg pads

Possible deal on a Sabre2 230, Royal Blue/Red/Gray

PDR 218, whatever color they've got available

FliteSuit Flite Wing jumpsuit

Color schemes attached.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[PhreeZone 20]

I'd go hard handle over the soft reserve handle if I was you.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[mnealtx 0]

It'll be hard handle - RWS's coloring program puts in soft handle on both sides.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[pilotdave 0]

Looking at the RWS options list...

Not 100% necessary, but you'll probably want a centerline pilot chute. Adds one step to packing and could cause a pilot chute in tow if you forget to set it, but it'll give your canopy a little bit better glide ratio - which can come in handy getting back from a long spot.

Also consider the hook knife. It's something you might want in the future, and they give it a handy little pocket on the leg pad when you order it.

A hackey handle is another nice thing to have. I find it easier to grab than the "standard" handles and it increases resale value. But it's part of the pilot chute which can easily be replaced later if you want to save a little money now.

I didn't go with the deluxe backpad so I don't know if it's worth having. It's not something I wish I had or anything. Mine's comfortable without it.

Mine also has the variable geometry harness. Probably makes it a little more comfortable on the plane...not sure if it really helps at all in the air.

Dave

[mnealtx 0]

My order form got submitted to the dealer last night - the wait begins... I'm gonna be on pins and needles for the next 14 weeks!

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Looking at the RWS options list...

Not 100% necessary, but you'll probably want a centerline pilot chute. Adds one step to packing and could cause a pilot chute in tow if you forget to set it, but it'll give your canopy a little bit better glide ratio - which can come in handy getting back from a long spot.

I ended up ordering just the normal pilot chute. I figure with a 230 ft^2 main and Type VIII risers, it wasn't going to make THAT much of a difference in drag.

Also, if I don't check the spot before I exit and end up having to land off, it's nobody's fault but mine...my opinion, anyway.

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Also consider the hook knife. It's something you might want in the future, and they give it a handy little pocket on the leg pad when you order it.

Yep, ordered that, too - little extra insurance, y'know?

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A hackey handle is another nice thing to have. I find it easier to grab than the "standard" handles and it increases resale value. But it's part of the pilot chute which can easily be replaced later if you want to save a little money now.

I wasn't very worried about a hackey handle at the moment, I figured I can have one added later and see how I like it.

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I didn't go with the deluxe backpad so I don't know if it's worth having. It's not something I wish I had or anything. Mine's comfortable without it.

I figure it's not hurting anything, and will make the rig a bit more comfortable on the back. Seeing as how I'm going to be trying to make every load I can when I'm back home jumping, I see it as a good thing in reducing fatigue.

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Mine also has the variable geometry harness. Probably makes it a little more comfortable on the plane...not sure if it really helps at all in the air.

Just like with the backpad, anything that makes the rig more comfortable to me is going to reduce fatigue.

Thanks for the personal opinion - I appreciate it!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Airman1270 0]

After jumping a 290 sq.ft. Star-Trac for 11 years, I recently "downsized" to a Triathalon 220 without ever trying it out. What a sweet canopy! Nice openings & landings & everything in between. It's plenty fast enough, yet docile enough for my austere jumping schedule. (Averaging 3-5 jumps per month.)

I'm around 220lbs. naked. (Sorry for the mental image...) Haven't tried out my Smart 190, but it'll likely be at least as nice as my 26' Strong lopo.

Nothing wrong with the Vector, but too bad you don't have an Infinity.

Thanks for your service. Happy skies.

Cheers,
Jon S.

[cvfd1399 0]

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I ended up ordering just the normal pilot chute. I figure with a 230 ft^2 main and Type VIII risers, it wasn't going to make THAT much of a difference in drag.

The talk is that most people think it is the "anchor" effect from the trailing inflated PC that is the bigest problem, but I read it is more the deformation of the top skin at the bridle attachment point from the tugging PC that causes less performance, but it will be ok.... just a tid bit of gathered information from here

[mnealtx 0]

Yep, I remember reading that too.

The order for the container is already in, so I figure if it DOES pose a problem, I can always change it out...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[cvfd1399 0]

Cool I am about to order myself a wings I spent all day yesterday figuring out all the colors and options for the rig and main. It is gonna suck to wait on it. I wonder how much it really cuts off the build time if you pay the extra money to get a rush order.

[mnealtx 0]

Absolutely no clue, sorry!

I won't be back home to jump until the April/May timeframe anyway, so the leadtime from RWS isn't a big deal other than I want it NOW!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[pilotdave 0]

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I ended up ordering just the normal pilot chute. I figure with a 230 ft^2 main and Type VIII risers, it wasn't going to make THAT much of a difference in drag.

You'll be fine with that. My first canopy was F111, loaded at about 0.86. I was very surprised that the guy I bought it from (my rigger) gave me a kill-line pilot chute with it. I figured it didn't make much sense for such a slow canopy. But his opinion was that if it's starting off very slow, don't do anything to make it even slower.

Bad spots do happen... Sometimes you're asked to get out a little short so you don't screw the tandems getting out last. Might end up having to fly upwind to get back to the DZ. That's when a faster canopy really comes in handy.

But I have no idea what the change in airspeed or glide ratio is with a collapsible vs noncollapsible PC is. Might be a very small effect.

Dave

[mnealtx 0]

I figure with 230 sq feet of nylon overhead, the lines/risers, and my chunky butt hanging underneath it all, that PC isn't gonna make an appreciable difference.

And, I figure if it becomes a problem, I'll get a kill line PC and problem solved!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706