best HP eliptical 9 cell

[hudsonderek 0]

I know this is a very ambiguous question, but I was wondering what the best High performance non cross braced elliptical 9 cell canopy is. consider things like openings, toggle response, riser pressure, making long spots, swooping ability, landing flare and anything else that makes a good canopy.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Are you a troll??? Every canopy is a compromise.

[DougH 270]

Shit... I agree with Gabor!

A better question would be, Chevy or Ford.

Or bush or shaved?

What one person really likes in a canopy another is going to dislike. That is where demos come in handy.

I really liked the Mamba, but I disliked the XFire 2. I liked the heavier toggle pressure on the Mamba, disliked the super light toggle pressure on the crossfire, I felt disconnected from the canopy. My friend loved his XFire, hated the Mamba for the exact oposite reasons.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[hudsonderek 0]

not a troll, more of a nome. this questions was aimed at getting people to talk about what they like for canopies. If there was one almighty canopy that everyone liked it would put all the other guys out of business. just say what your favorite canopy is and why......... or people can write smart ass irrelevant comments, whatever floats your boat.

[DougH 270]

They are gnomes.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[diablopilot 2]

If I had to pick one that had all the qualities I liked, it would be the Blade from HiPer.

Smooth consistent openings, good dive, lots of speed, great lift.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[gay-unicorn 0]

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If I had to pick one that had all the qualities I liked, it would be the Blade from HiPer.

Nope you're wrong. The GLS XF is better. It has better openings, better dive, gets more speed, and has better lift.

One of these days I'll try the blade though.

Don't hate me 'cause you aint me.

[diablopilot 2]

I'm sure it is. And monkeys fly out of your butt on a regular basis.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[UDSkyJunkie 0]

Sabre2. Betcha don't get that answer again.

Seriously though... I can swoop like a maniac or float in brakes with a tandem. Can get back from insane spots. Excellent shut-down ability. Light riser and toggle pressure and long control range.

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

[Fast 0]

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I know this is a very ambiguous question, but I was wondering what the best High performance non cross braced elliptical 9 cell canopy is. consider things like openings, toggle response, riser pressure, making long spots, swooping ability, landing flare and anything else that makes a good canopy.

Depends what you are looking for. I personally like the Crossfire2 and even more so like the Katana. Both are pretty aggressive though.

~D
Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me.
Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka

[Dazzle 0]

Can only directly compare Katana to Crossfire 2. Borrowed a Xfire from a friend and alternated between the 2 at the same size on 2 training camps this year and much preferred the Katana. Just my 2p

[JerryBaumchen 1,354]

Hi hudson,

This is not a direct answer to your question; but, last year I was at Performance Designs and was informed that their Sabre II is their best-selling canopy. They did not say what was in second-place; but second-place was FAR FAR behind the S-II.

Just something for you to consider,

JerryBaumchen

PS) And I think that PD sells more canopies than any other mfr.

[flipper 0]

Liked the Amax ... openin, flight and landings were perfect ...

[badlock 0]

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They did not say what was in second-place; .

I would bet, it's the Katana...

Don't be a Lutz!

[davelepka 4]

This question is stupid, and really is only good for generating smart ass remarks.

It's stupid because every jumper is looking for different things out of a canopy. Maybe if you defined what parameters you thought were 'good' , and wanted to know what canopies were good in that area, you might have something.

For example, the guy who voted for the Sabre 2 doen't have the same requirements for swooping that I do. I like to go far and fast, and would have to vote for the Katana for myself.

Which brings me to the other reason this is stupid, most of the answers are from unqualified pilots. No offence to any of them, but unless you've jumped most of the HP 9 cells, you really can't have a valid opinion as to which one is 'best'.

[phoenixlpr 0]

How about the one you have, you fly, you love?

[UDSkyJunkie 0]

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last year I was at Performance Designs and was informed that their Sabre II is their best-selling canopy.

Really? That's very interesting... just a couple of years ago I was talking to a PD rep who at the time stated the Spectre was their best-selling canopy, and by quite a margin. The Sabre2 had been out for awhile, but thinking on it, at the time a lot of people still thought it was strictly an intro-level canopy. Just goes to show how fast the buisiness changes.

that's good to hear, I really do think it's the best "all-around". Lots of canopies will out-swoop the Sabre2, but it's versatility is unparalleled.

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."

[davelepka 4]

How about the one you have, you fly, you love?


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Thats a great point. I flew a Stiletto 107 for 3000+ jumps (I went through two of them), and I loved it. I had no complaints of any kind.

Then I flew a Velo. Then I sold my Stiletto.

Before I flew the Velo, I would have said the Stiletto was hands down the best canopy ever made. It would have been invalid though, as I had not jumped every canopy ever made. Sure enough, once I jumped a Velo, I realized that the Stiletto was slow, and couldn't dive very well.

Like I said, the whole premis of this post is flawed, so a worthwhile discussion addressing the topic is not likely.

In case you didn't notice, the Velo gets my vote for what goes in my container. If it had to be a nine-cell, I'd go with the Katana, but I haven't jumped many of the HP nine cells out there, so thats not an informed choice.

[diablopilot 2]

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Which brings me to the other reason this is stupid, most of the answers are from unqualified pilots. No offence to any of them, but unless you've jumped most of the HP 9 cells, you really can't have a valid opinion as to which one is 'best'.

There's not a lot that I haven't

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[phoenixlpr 0]

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In case you didn't notice, the Velo gets my vote for what goes in my container. If it had to be a nine-cell, I'd go with the Katana, but I haven't jumped many of the HP nine cells out there, so thats not an informed choice.

Mine is Cobalt. My list is Vision, Cobalt. That's kindda short list.... I should get my on more

[Trae 1]

in reply to "what the best High performance non cross braced elliptical 9 cell canopy is"?
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not sure if its the best (judgement call ) but the funnest would have to be the Katana. When it came out it represented the peak of non-crossbraced developement. Its getting a bit on in age now though. but you want non-crossbraced fun and you're ready for it ...Go Katana.