Main Canopy Suggestions

[ncfitzge 0]

Here is the questions. I would like to hear suggestions on a main canopy. I have read most of the reviews I'm still having a hard time on deciding. I am about a 205lbs out the door. I would like a canopy that can turn hard and ground hungry when I want it to be. Also will have a nice glide path as I flare. Ya my landings suck with no wind but once I get jumpin more often I will take care of that problem.

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[phoenixlpr 0]

I'd rather start searching. Every 2nd newbie has this question here.

So scroll down and start searching with keyword BSR, wingload, first, canopy.

Good luck!

[BillyVance 34]

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Here is the questions. I would like to hear suggestions on a main canopy. I have read most of the reviews I'm still having a hard time on deciding. I am about a 205lbs out the door. I would like a canopy that can turn hard and ground hungry when I want it to be. Also will have a nice glide path as I flare. Ya my landings suck with no wind but once I get jumpin more often I will take care of that problem.

At your experience level, the last thing you want is a canopy that turns hard and is ground hungry. There's plenty of time later for that after you gain several hundred jumps of experience on easier canopies.

The point is to stay alive here...

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[bwilling 0]

You want a suggestion? Talk to the instructors at your DZ who are familiar with your current canopy progression, and have seen you fly your current canopy, and get them to make a suggestion regarding appropriate sizing. Then make a short list of the most likely candidates in that size, and demo them all... then decide which one to buy. No one here can possibly make a valid suggestion when they have no idea what you've been jumping, and they haven't seen how you handle that canopy!

Then make a commitment to learn to fly that canopy, and I mean really learn to fly that canopy to it's fullest potential, before you downsize again. Then decide if you want a smaller version of what you're flying. If not, repeat the above process.

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I would like a canopy that can turn hard and ground hungry when I want it to be.

Yeah, now that's a good plan at 50 jumps!

"If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got."

[phoenixlpr 0]

troll?

[ncfitzge 0]

I do not have a steady DZ right now. I'm in the Air Force and I travel a ton. In general, I have read pretty much all the reviews I can. I find I want an semi-elliptical or elliptical chute. Now hard turns and ground hungry is not a bad requirement as long as you respect what you have. I have ruled out 7-Cells as people say they do not have as much flare and glide. Even tho I do like those openings. What are the thoughts on Safire 2?

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[skybytch 273]

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Now hard turns and ground hungry is not a bad requirement as long as you respect what you have.

Unfortunately the ground doesn't respect anybody. Learn to fly under something you can land safely every time - into the wind, crosswind, no wind, downwind, into someone's backyard, when that idiot cuts you off on final - and you're more likely to still be skydiving (ie still alive and uninjured) when you really are ready for something ground hungry and hard turning.

[ncfitzge 0]

Ok, I understand what you are saying. Since I do not have a home DZ to ask, I was bring it here. I would like a 9-Cell elliptical that can turn hard and ground hungry when I pull those risers. With brand suggestions, I will make a demo list and find which I like best one for me. The point of this, I don't want to go spend 2k on a shoot just to down size midway through season. I want something that will stick with me for a couple seasons.

Now what are the thoughts on Safire 2? I've read they are elliptical and with that, if I am correct, they are faster and respond to turns better and love to do noes dives.

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[phoenixlpr 0]

He should be a troll.

[ncfitzge 0]

What Troll you talkin about?

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[justinb138 0]

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Ok, I understand what you are saying. Since I do not have a home DZ to ask, I was bring it here. I would like a 9-Cell elliptical that can turn hard and ground hungry when I pull those risers. With brand suggestions, I will make a demo list and find which I like best one for me. The point of this, I don't want to go spend 2k on a shoot just to down size midway through season. I want something that will stick with me for a couple seasons.

Before trying to fly an aggressive elliptical canopy that you seem so interested in, why not learn how to spell it first?

[mattjw916 2]

Safires are semi-elliptical like the Fusion, Lotus, Sabre2, etc, etc. They are socially-acceptable as a first canopy when loaded lightly. At your (and my) experience level, you want something with a shorter recovery arc like a Safire2, et all in case you screw up... which will happen to some extent at some time.

Longer recovery arc = longer time to pull out of a dive = more force imparted to your body when impacting the ground when you hose yourself.

Buy something you can jump now for now... used canopies are everywhere and easier to pack. I spent $600-something on my Safire, put a bunch or jumps on it, relined it, put more jumps on it and probably won't retire it until next year.

I flew a Sabre2 190 straight into the ground once last fall, if I was on a "ground hungry" twitchy canopy I bet I would have injured more than my pride on that one.

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[wmw999 2,534]

I think you should go read the death game thread. From what you and your friend have posted, your confidence level may be counting on luck.

Note -- I don't believe I've ever made a post like this (the "you're on a bad trail" post). But hey -- there's a first for everything, isn't there.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Elisha 1]

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... used canopies are everywhere and easier to pack.

Because of this, I'm almost afraid to buy a new canopy until I have at least 100 PACK JOBS under my belt.

For my packing test, I stupidly chose to pack this Nitron 170 from the rental shop that I had jumped a few times that had <50 jumps on it. I should've gone for the bigger, boring, worn in Tri 190 student rig. It could have saved me over 2 hours of trying to get that damn new Nitron into the bad. Of course, hindsight is alwasy 20/20.

[phoenixlpr 0]

You should be kidding or provocative to want a 9-cell elliptical for yourself. E.g. you can not have any elliptical canopy unless you have more than 250 jumps in Finland.

[ncfitzge 0]

Well I read the post and I find it is a very interesting subject. I admit I am on a bad trail. But I really don't care if someone puts my name on the death list. In fact, I would be the first person to put money on it. I am not risking the life of anyone elses besides my own. I am perfectly content with that. Of course, I will abide by the rules of the DZ. If they say no wingloading till 100 jumps thats cool with me. I will push the limits tho, even if that means risking my life.

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[billvon 3,070]

>I would like to hear suggestions on a main canopy.

The best choice is one you are going to be used to. If it's a Navigator, a similar-sized Silhouette may be a good choice; they're somewhat similar in performance. Easier to pack, too.

[ncfitzge 0]

Cool thanks. So for I have flown a Nav (210,200,190) an old Sabre 2 ( very worn 190), and a Spectre 190. So far I liked the Spectre 190 the most. But I was figuring it was just because it was new and turned when I wanted it to. Not to metion I was able to get above it which was fun.

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[billvon 3,070]

>So for I have flown a Nav (210,200,190) an old Sabre 2 ( very worn
>190), and a Spectre 190.

If you jumped those canopies and had some success with them, you might also consider a Pilot 190. Not quite as aggressive as the Sabre2, but better landings and openings (IMO.) Silhouette 190 would also work. If you are planning to jump infrequently, you might want to consider going up a size (Pilot 210 etc), because lack of currency is a big factor in a lot of canopy accidents.

[ncfitzge 0]

Well, right now I am in the middle of no where. I am going to be moving back to the states for this next season. That is why I was trying to get something that would last me a while. How is the Silhouette compared to Sabre2?

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[gmatney 0]

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Well I read the post and I find it is a very interesting subject. I admit I am on a bad trail. But I really don't care if someone puts my name on the death list. In fact, I would be the first person to put money on it. I am not risking the life of anyone elses besides my own. I am perfectly content with that. Of course, I will abide by the rules of the DZ. If they say no wingloading till 100 jumps thats cool with me. I will push the limits tho, even if that means risking my life.

you make baby jesus cry

[justinb138 0]

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>I would like to hear suggestions on a main canopy.

The best choice is one you are going to be used to. If it's a Navigator, a similar-sized Silhouette may be a good choice; they're somewhat similar in performance. Easier to pack, too.

I'd recommend the Silhouette as well.

I'd been flying a Nav 240 for a while, and got a Silhouette 230 demo from PD last weekend. I didn't really like it at first because it seemed less responsive than the slightly larger Navigator, but after a few jumps I was very happy with it. The control lines seemed to have quite a bit of slack in them, so that may have been why it seemed less responsive.

I loved the openings on it, even with my sloppy packing. It flies pretty flat, and just seemed very easy to fly and land overall. The only thing I really didn't like about it was that riser turns were difficult and toggle pressure seemed kind of high.

I've sent PD a request for a demo Sabre2 230, so depending on how it flies, I may end up getting a Silhouette myself.

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[mattjw916 2]

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How is the Silhouette compared to Sabre2?

Easier to pack, that's for sure. Resale isn't as good on a Silhouette but it is a great canopy and a little more forgiving than a Sabre2 when similarly sized. If you plan on taking your canopy skills to the next level, start studying:

http://www.bigairsportz.com/publishing.php#parachute

http://www.performancedesigns.com/pmd_faq.asp

NSCR-2376, SCR-15080

[woodpecker 0]

Better landings.....the only thing that will help fitz right now with his landing is a suit that has lots and lots of padding. Good job on the full face helmet too fitz, should keep the dirt/grass out of your eyes.
I would also like to thank everyone who has posted on this thread for being helpfull. Its nice to actually read something usefull to the cause and not a bunch of negativity. thank you all and keep it coming.

blue skies

SONIC WOODY #146

There is a fine line between cockiness and confidence -- which side of the line are you on?

[EvilLurker 2]

I haven't jumped a Sabre2, but I do have a Silhouette, loading it a little over 1.1:1. I traded a Triathlon in for it, same loading. It's got about 500 jumps on it now, and it's still got a good flare. Easy to pack, rear riser pressure isn't too heavy, it turns fairly quickly with toggles without being radical, but mine "oversteers" a bit, I have to give it a little reverse toggle to stop my turns on heading. I do a lot of solos and usually offer to get out last, and the Silhouette gets me back from some pretty long spots. It's a nice flat-flying 9-cell with soft openings (all of them so far, at least), decent wind penetration and good performance. I plan on keeping it until it's too ragged out to jump, it's getting the job done for me and I trust it. Not sure what kind of swoops you could get, I fly like a student under 800 feet or so, but I get some pretty accurate landings out of it. I was worried that the F-111 fabric wasn't going to hold up, but so far I'm not seeing any problems. Compared to the Triathlon, I get better openings, less front-riser pressure, softer landings and about the same turn rate and wind penetration.