Spectre Pack Volume versus Sabre1?

[skydonkey 0]

Hi there,

I have a Mirage G3, which is sized for 150-135.

I had a Sabre1 150 in it, but I am planning on putting a Spectre 135 in its place.
I've heard that the spectre has a smaler pack volume, size for size than a 9 cell, so could this leave me with a sloppy container?

Many thanks

[tkhayes 348]

probably - the Spectre packs much smaller. It is already smaller in size, and with only 7 cells, then it will eb loose. Maybe get the Dacron lines will help with bulk and with softer openings.

[FireMedicJumper 0]

I think it would depend on what size container you have. By that I mean is it already at the bottom end of its size range with the 150 in it?

On all the Mirage containers I have seen, the range of canopy sizes is usually listed on a label inside the main pack tray.

I would expect the Spectre to have a slightly smaller pack volume, but not so much so as to cause a problem that couldn't be solved by adjusting the closing loop length if the container is sized correctly.

Of course if you really want to know for sure don't take my word for it. Check out Mirage's container sizing guide.

http://www.miragesys.com/DesignOrder/SizingGuideByContainer.aspx

[hjumper33 0]

Id say its close to a half size difference. I had a spectre 170 demo and then went down to a sabre1 150, and id say the spectre only packed slightly larger. It depends on how old the sabre was and how new the spectre is as well.

[packing_jarrett 0]

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probably - the Spectre packs much smaller. It is already smaller in size, and with only 7 cells, .

Number of cells doesn't change pack volume (ie 7 vs 9 cell)

135 sq ft is 135 sqft

Na' Cho' Cheese

[IanHarrop 42]

I looked at this chart and there are some differences between canopies that are advertised as the same size in terms of square feet. I know some of this is due to manufacturers measuring differently when calculating sq feet. Could some of it also be due to more cells means more ribs means more fabric means more volume?

http://www.dropzone.com/files/archive/gear/Canopy_vols.html

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy

[FireMedicJumper 0]

The seven cell canopy should pack somewhat smaller although it might be difficult to tell much difference. It has less fabric due to fewer ribs etc. the same way a airlock canopy will pack slightly larger and a cross brace canopy will pack even larger still due to all the extra fabric.

[phoenixlpr 0]

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Number of cells doesn't change pack volume (ie 7 vs 9 cell)

Really? Just more lines, more ribs and more stitching. (9cell vs 7cell)

[darkwing 5]

Quote

Quote

...Number of cells doesn't change pack volume (ie 7 vs 9 cell)

135 sq ft is 135 sqft

I will disagree very strongly with this statement. Seam bulk is very significant compared to non-seam fabric. Otherwise identical canopies, with one being 7 and one being 9 cells will have a significant, noticeable volume difference due to the extra seams.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

• Quote

[wmw999 2,534]

All that said, I'm going to suggest that the container doesn't have to look sloppy.

I've been putting a 7-cell 135 into a container designed for a 150 for the last 3 years with no problems. No pin slippage, no problem with it looking bad.

Just much easier pack jobs . I use the bag sized for the container.

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)

[bliston 0]

Agreed. In fact, I've been using canopies that are "a size down" from recommended for years. The main tray will feel a bit softer, but not sloppy. Now if you put in a main d-bag a size or two smaller, that might lead to more cosmetic issues and pin slippage... but the canopy (especially if it's on the newer side) will expand to fill the bag.

Ben

Mass Defiance 4-wayFS website


sticks!