itsjasona 0 #1 February 5, 2007 Okay, have now been jumping since I got my A licence in July 06, and am getting bored of having to put up with the random collection of gear that is available for rental (and also would like the consistency of having my own gear to jump wih each time). I have been turned away from some DZs in Australia while i was travelling there, due to only having canopies up to 150, and the last jump I did in the UK (although great to be back in the sky again), was spoilt a bit by the massive 280 that I had to jump!! I did my AFF on a 230, most of my consols on a 210, and have a jump on a 190 (Spectre), all of which I felt pretty comfortable with. FYI, I weigh approx 182lbs without gear. I am hoping to jump a lot more this year, and buy my own gear, including a used rig (or maybe new if that proves too difficult), either a 190 or 210. Having recently seen a used rig with a silhouette 190, I was wondering if the fact that it is a mix of F111/ZP makes a difference to just a ZP canopy? Do you have to have a larger size canopy if it is not only ZP? Thanks for the advice... Will be starting to buy helmet etc to at least get started on the road to gear ownership...!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yossarian 0 #2 February 5, 2007 good luck, taken me nearly 2 years to complete my gear collection, and now im just waiting for my rig to arrive there are new temptations like full-faces and freefly suits... i jumped a silhouette 190 hybrid once, thought it was nice and smooth, quite liked it but its only one jump and ive only jumped about 6 types of canopy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #3 February 5, 2007 QuoteI was wondering if the fact that it is a mix of F111/ZP makes a difference to just a ZP canopy? Do you have to have a larger size canopy if it is not only ZP? I recently put 8 jumps on a demo Sabre 2 230, then purchased a used Silhouette 230 that I now have 7 jumps on. I'll tell you honestly that the Silhouette does not have as much flare power as the Sabre 2 did, but the Sabre 2 had more flare power than any other canopy I've ever jumped. I've had no problems landing the Silhouette, but think I could have easily gone down a size in the Sabre 2. If you look at PD's website, they recommend a size larger Silhouette for the same weight ranges... a Sabre 2 or Spectre 190 will match up with a Silhouette 210 on their charts for weight to experience level. You'd be between advanced and expert on a 210 Silhouette, which is where you currently fall under the Spectre 190 you've been jumping. The Silhouette is a great canopy, but you might be better served by a 210... PD has great demo program, contact Kim when you get ready to get serious, and try one out! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itsjasona 0 #4 February 5, 2007 Thanks both for the top replies. Interesting that the silhouette doesn't have as strong a flare. Have looked at PD's website now, and seems to make a bit more sense...!! Cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #5 February 5, 2007 Quote Thanks both for the top replies. Interesting that the silhouette doesn't have as strong a flare. Just a side note... I may not be getting all the flare my Silhouette has to offer at this point... it's currently with my rigger, who's letting the brake to toggle length out to factory specs. Apparently the guy who owned it before me shortened it up, and it was actually in a bit of brakes at full flight, which would have at least some negative affect on flare power. We'll see how much when I get to jump it again. It's not like it doesn't have lots now, it just didn't have as much as the Sabre 2. But the Sabre 2 was the easiest to land canopy that I've ever jumped! I've got at least a handful of jumps on the original Sabre, Spectre, Triathlon, Sabre 2, and Silhouette, all in sizes from 210-230, and the Sabre 2 had the strongest flare of the lot them. I think my Silhouette opens better than the Sabre 2 though, and it's easy as shit to pack! "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nick 0 #6 February 6, 2007 If your in London and can get up to Weston (www.rafspa.com they have a great kit store with everything down to a 150 in stock. I believe that you'll have to get the ok from an instructor before you can downsize, but you shouldn't have any problems working your way down before you take the plunge and buy something that you'll only keep for a short time. Nick Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itsjasona 0 #7 February 6, 2007 Thanks for the tip about Weston. Might try to give it a try sometime soon - looks like a good DZ!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
