drschneider 0 #1 September 13, 2006 I have just 8 jumps with my new KA135 and all with very, very slow openings. My WL is 1.38. Is it a caracteristic of this canopy? Any other user comments? Thanks, Tom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #2 September 13, 2006 The one ka150 we have at our dz opens ridiculously slow too, wingload is low though (1.2-1.3). ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohanW 0 #3 September 13, 2006 Who's been jumping that then? Can't be you - you don't even load a 135 at 1.2 Maybe I should volunteer to test the openings at 1.4-1.5 Johan. I am. I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
headoverheels 333 #4 September 14, 2006 Could be. What were you jumping before, and how did that open? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cloudi 0 #5 September 14, 2006 I'm curious what you consider to be "very slow openings." What you might consider too slow, myself or someone else might consider perfect. How much altitude exactly between the time the opening stands you up and forward flight? What's your pull altitude & decision altitude? What is your main discipline? What were you jumping before that you are comparing it to? How are you packing it? Do you push the nose in? Do you roll the tail tight? Do you pull the slider out over the nose? I'll reserve any comments for this canopy/size/wing loading at your posted jump number and currency for when we know more about your experience. A 126 reserve loaded at 1.48, huh? Sorry about all the questions. Just wanting to get an idea of where you're coming from and what you're used to. Kim Watch as I attempt, with no slight of hand, to apply logic and reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #6 September 14, 2006 I have a 170 I load almost exactly the same as yours. The openings are very nice. The slider stays up a while as the canopy slows you down, then it comes down very quickly. It felt slow at first, as my "old" canopy's slider always came down quickly, no pause... The pause of the slider staying up made it feel slow. But after I realized that it was predictable, I am happy with it. Granted, my canopy is 35 sqft bigger, but... I will say, this is the first canopy that I can feel who packed it night and day. My favorite packer at the DZ packs much harder openings than I do... I wonder what he does differently... I guess I will watch him some time. If anyone wants to see - I have about 10 openings edited together to show another friend, from my camera... PM me for the link. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drschneider 0 #7 September 14, 2006 I was jumping a Sabre2 150. Faster openings than KA, extremely nice openings. After the S2 and before the KA, I made +- 50 jumps on a Stiletto 135, with much faster openings. A little too fast (and spin..) for my taste. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drschneider 0 #8 September 14, 2006 At first moment, i was considering the openings PERFECT, I did 5 jumps just for test the flight of canopy, pulling at 8000ft, so didn't really matter how much altitude i loose. But on the next jumps, pulling at 3000ft, I noticed that the canopy was open and totally inflated (after help it with rear risers..) at +-1800ft or less.. I do pro pack and don't roll the nose. In fact, the slider comes down really really slow, if it doesn't stay on the middle of the way.. I have to tell you that I liked the openings, really. Extremely predictable, soft, but a little bit slow. Better don't pull low... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derekbox 0 #9 September 14, 2006 I noticed the same issue when I switched over from a Sabre 2 to a Katana. The openings to me were significantly longer. But I quickly became used to it and I dont deem it a problem. But I would like to suggest you pull higher than 3k on a katana. Despite the light loading, it is a high performance canopy and any high perfomance canopy can give you high performance openings. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drschneider 0 #10 September 19, 2006 Thank you all for the replies! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyrat 1 #11 September 21, 2006 Just thought I would let you know, My Katana 120 opens very slow also and I have only had two off- heading openings which were quicker and the canopy did a complete 360 on me. The only other thing about the canopy which is taking me time getting used to is that it is very body-sensitive when landing and has such light toggle pressure and lot's of bottom end lift compared to my Stiletto. It is quite easy to put too much flare into it as it is a real climber. I'm beginning to find a happy medium with it though and I thing things should work out. I sure like the way it flies as it is much smoother and quieter than the my Stiletto also. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
