tntsawers 0 #1 December 27, 2007 I have just purchased my first rigOr am i just not giving my 7 cell a chance to impress me?? any comments gladly accepted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 643 #2 December 27, 2007 First of all, it will take you dozens of jumps to learn the finer points of flying your Spectre. Secondly, 7-cells have smaller "sweet spots" than 9-cells, requiring more precise timing for flaring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites darkwing 5 #3 December 27, 2007 You were given (in my opinion) good advice. I have 600 jumps on a Spectre, and it is a great canopy. It is not in the same class as a Saffire (or the often cited similar canopies -- Pilot, and Sabre2), which is a somewhat higher performance canopy. Some truly great skydivers jump Spectres. You can learn to get a lot out of your spectre. Don't be in too big a hurry to scare yourself. Ignore people who say you can't get performance out of a spectre, they are numbskulls. There are several ways a canopy can "impress" you. One way is to not kill you when you make a mistake on it. That is a good impression. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tntsawers 0 #4 December 27, 2007 So are you saying that it may be harder to flare my spectare than say a saffire?? I do enjoy jumping it but just feel its not all that responsive in flight. It also takes a hell of a long time to open , around 800ft and that was scarry on my first jump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skyninja 0 #5 December 27, 2007 pack it with the slider collapsed... Why don't you just play 'chicken' on the railroad tracks? It would be a cheaper way to toy with death, I'm sure. CWR #2 - "You SAID collision!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Halfpastniner 0 #6 December 27, 2007 spectres are slow opening canopies. You may be able to speed up openings by doing different things with the nose. Ask a rigger or even a packer and se what they think. Edit to add: Or pack with the slider collapsed like ninja said! BASE 1384 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skyninja 0 #7 December 27, 2007 Well, that's the conservative route - a reversible experiment. I've seen a jumper (I shit you not) CUT THE CENTER SQUARE OUT (leaving only an inch or so of fabric at the edges, mind you) of his slider to make it open faster.Why don't you just play 'chicken' on the railroad tracks? It would be a cheaper way to toy with death, I'm sure. CWR #2 - "You SAID collision!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Andrewwhyte 1 #8 December 27, 2007 We went through a phase at a DZ I worked on where newer jumpers were encouraged to buy 7-cell canopies. The results of that experiment seemed to be that most of those canopies were up for sale fairly soon and replaced with a 9-cell. The 7-cell has its place and there is a group of jumpers who swear by them. If I was going to buy a 7-cell it would definitely be a Spectre. The truth is however, that most people prefer the increased performance afforded by the higher aspect ratio 9-cells. Put at least fifty jumps on your canopy, if you still don't like it sell it and get the Saphire. The spectre will have a good resale value so you shouldn't lose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dragon2 2 #9 December 27, 2007 QuoteWell, that's the conservative route - a reversible experiment. I've seen a jumper (I shit you not) CUT THE CENTER SQUARE OUT (leaving only an inch or so of fabric at the edges, mind you) of his slider to make it open faster. That's a CRW mod, not recommended on a freefall canopy (some reserves do have a hole in the slider), but most CRW canopies do not have a full slider. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites pilotdave 0 #10 December 27, 2007 Now that you've got the rig, demo some other canopies and see what you like. It's cheap and easy. You might just not like the spectre... some people do, some don't. It's personal preference. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites sdctlc 0 #11 December 27, 2007 A lot of responses are in the same vein.. T he 7 cell is a fantastic and docile canopy in most cases and yes their are exceptions to that but the trade off is less performance compared to a 9 cell. The Spectre is a often sought after canopy and holds its value well. Very popular in areas that demand a good consistent openings. It is great for younger and older jumpers but depending on your goals it might not be the right canopy for you. The classifieds will show ~27 wanted or for sale adds for that make of canopy. Take a look and if your not happy go with a "tamer" 9 cell like a Pilot, Safire or Sabre2... If you really want to save some look to the Sabre 1, I jumped one for close to 1000 jumps before going small and fast and have now gone back to one for Wingsuiting.. funny thing is I was looking for a Spectre but could not find one I was happy with the pricing on so I got a older Sabre1` for a great price! http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/search.cgi?d=1&query=spectre&catid=29 Going with the spectre will give you a huge margin of error in learning. I feel you can get a similar margin on a lightly loaded Sabre, Sabre2, Safire, Pilot ect but get more performance out f it in the air. If you really want to change your probably going to be OK selling your Spectre and turning around and buying a different canopy morein the class your looking at wanting in terms of performance. Mind you higher performance is fun but you have to be aware as things happen faster in terms of going wrong... If your conservative on the choice and load you can get more fun and still be similar in safety. Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jwelborn 0 #12 December 27, 2007 What are the most important aspects of canopy performance for you? I am sure the really experienced canopy pilots on this site could point you to a canopy you will like if you tell them specifically what you want to do with it.The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive. Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladydyver 0 #13 December 28, 2007 Loved my spectre...put 100 jumps on it but still couldn't land it what can I say, I am lame.....so am now jumping a Pilot....like that one too and can actually land without a PLF. I have become proficient in PLFs - which is a good thing DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites popsjumper 2 #14 December 28, 2007 Quote ..Or am i just not giving my 7 cell a chance to impress me?? Depends on what you mean by "impress me". A small Velocity will impress you, I guarantee it. You won't like it but there ya' go. Maybe you were expecting more or maybe you just don't know enough about canopy flight to get what you are looking for under your Spectre. Please don't be so eager to "impress" yourself. Learn canopy flight first...a Canopy Control course (Brian or Scott) will show you that the Spectre can be flown in a manner that will impress you and still be forgiving at landing time. Give it an honest go. Please keep in mind that the kids you see zooming around the sky (most of them anyway) have spent the time to learn it. It's OK to want to do that, too. It's NOT OK to get all impatient and jump into something over your head. Your Spectre will serve you nicely on your progression to more "impressive" canopy flight. Oh...true story. I fly a Triathlon 190. It serves me well. I wanted to see what that canopy could do...beyond what I'm willing to do with it. I gave to a swooper to test. He flew it 3 times and on the 3rd one, he freakin' swooped the damn thing with a 270 and a planeout that would have left me shittin' my pants. He hated it because the front riser pressure is so high but he did it nonetheless. (I should have known not to bet the $20 after that second jump ) I hugged my baby and sweet-talked for hours promising I would never let that happen to her again. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CazmoDee 3 #15 December 28, 2007 I've seen Tony Hathaway swoop the hell out of his Spectre.I'm behind the bar at Sloppy Joe's....See ya in the Keys! Muff 4313 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BillyVance 34 #16 December 28, 2007 I can swoop the hell out of my triathlon 120 when I set myself up in the right position even with just a 150 degree riser turn. Any more than that and I will be shitting my underwear! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Broke 0 #17 December 28, 2007 perhaps you are not getting the warm and fuzzies because of the wing load. When I went through my student progression I learned to jump on 9 cell canopies. Now that I own my rig I am jumping a 7 cell canopy simply because it came with the container. I am still not 100% used to the way it lands, but I am getting better. Buy "The Parachute and its Pilot," by Brian Germain.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites siddacious 0 #18 December 28, 2007 Quoteperhaps you are not getting the warm and fuzzies because of the wing load. When I went through my student progression I learned to jump on 9 cell canopies. Now that I own my rig I am jumping a 7 cell canopy simply because it came with the container. I am still not 100% used to the way it lands, but I am getting better. Buy "The Parachute and its Pilot," by Brian Germain. I can echo what Broke said exactly. I got my triathalon with the container, and I don't love it, but it certainly works. I like the openings more than the saber 2's I've flown. It also took me until around jump 100 (50+ jumps) on it until I figured out the flare. My next canopy will most likely be a 9-cell, but I'll keep the Tri. Ditto on the Brian Germain book as well. Take the course if you can, too.A dolor netus non dui aliquet, sagittis felis sodales, dolor sociis mauris, vel eu libero cras. Interdum at. Eget habitasse elementum est. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
riggerrob 643 #2 December 27, 2007 First of all, it will take you dozens of jumps to learn the finer points of flying your Spectre. Secondly, 7-cells have smaller "sweet spots" than 9-cells, requiring more precise timing for flaring. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 5 #3 December 27, 2007 You were given (in my opinion) good advice. I have 600 jumps on a Spectre, and it is a great canopy. It is not in the same class as a Saffire (or the often cited similar canopies -- Pilot, and Sabre2), which is a somewhat higher performance canopy. Some truly great skydivers jump Spectres. You can learn to get a lot out of your spectre. Don't be in too big a hurry to scare yourself. Ignore people who say you can't get performance out of a spectre, they are numbskulls. There are several ways a canopy can "impress" you. One way is to not kill you when you make a mistake on it. That is a good impression. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntsawers 0 #4 December 27, 2007 So are you saying that it may be harder to flare my spectare than say a saffire?? I do enjoy jumping it but just feel its not all that responsive in flight. It also takes a hell of a long time to open , around 800ft and that was scarry on my first jump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyninja 0 #5 December 27, 2007 pack it with the slider collapsed... Why don't you just play 'chicken' on the railroad tracks? It would be a cheaper way to toy with death, I'm sure. CWR #2 - "You SAID collision!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halfpastniner 0 #6 December 27, 2007 spectres are slow opening canopies. You may be able to speed up openings by doing different things with the nose. Ask a rigger or even a packer and se what they think. Edit to add: Or pack with the slider collapsed like ninja said! BASE 1384 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyninja 0 #7 December 27, 2007 Well, that's the conservative route - a reversible experiment. I've seen a jumper (I shit you not) CUT THE CENTER SQUARE OUT (leaving only an inch or so of fabric at the edges, mind you) of his slider to make it open faster.Why don't you just play 'chicken' on the railroad tracks? It would be a cheaper way to toy with death, I'm sure. CWR #2 - "You SAID collision!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #8 December 27, 2007 We went through a phase at a DZ I worked on where newer jumpers were encouraged to buy 7-cell canopies. The results of that experiment seemed to be that most of those canopies were up for sale fairly soon and replaced with a 9-cell. The 7-cell has its place and there is a group of jumpers who swear by them. If I was going to buy a 7-cell it would definitely be a Spectre. The truth is however, that most people prefer the increased performance afforded by the higher aspect ratio 9-cells. Put at least fifty jumps on your canopy, if you still don't like it sell it and get the Saphire. The spectre will have a good resale value so you shouldn't lose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #9 December 27, 2007 QuoteWell, that's the conservative route - a reversible experiment. I've seen a jumper (I shit you not) CUT THE CENTER SQUARE OUT (leaving only an inch or so of fabric at the edges, mind you) of his slider to make it open faster. That's a CRW mod, not recommended on a freefall canopy (some reserves do have a hole in the slider), but most CRW canopies do not have a full slider. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #10 December 27, 2007 Now that you've got the rig, demo some other canopies and see what you like. It's cheap and easy. You might just not like the spectre... some people do, some don't. It's personal preference. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #11 December 27, 2007 A lot of responses are in the same vein.. T he 7 cell is a fantastic and docile canopy in most cases and yes their are exceptions to that but the trade off is less performance compared to a 9 cell. The Spectre is a often sought after canopy and holds its value well. Very popular in areas that demand a good consistent openings. It is great for younger and older jumpers but depending on your goals it might not be the right canopy for you. The classifieds will show ~27 wanted or for sale adds for that make of canopy. Take a look and if your not happy go with a "tamer" 9 cell like a Pilot, Safire or Sabre2... If you really want to save some look to the Sabre 1, I jumped one for close to 1000 jumps before going small and fast and have now gone back to one for Wingsuiting.. funny thing is I was looking for a Spectre but could not find one I was happy with the pricing on so I got a older Sabre1` for a great price! http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/search.cgi?d=1&query=spectre&catid=29 Going with the spectre will give you a huge margin of error in learning. I feel you can get a similar margin on a lightly loaded Sabre, Sabre2, Safire, Pilot ect but get more performance out f it in the air. If you really want to change your probably going to be OK selling your Spectre and turning around and buying a different canopy morein the class your looking at wanting in terms of performance. Mind you higher performance is fun but you have to be aware as things happen faster in terms of going wrong... If your conservative on the choice and load you can get more fun and still be similar in safety. Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwelborn 0 #12 December 27, 2007 What are the most important aspects of canopy performance for you? I am sure the really experienced canopy pilots on this site could point you to a canopy you will like if you tell them specifically what you want to do with it.The supreme irony of life is that hardly anyone gets out of it alive. Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladydyver 0 #13 December 28, 2007 Loved my spectre...put 100 jumps on it but still couldn't land it what can I say, I am lame.....so am now jumping a Pilot....like that one too and can actually land without a PLF. I have become proficient in PLFs - which is a good thing DPH # 2 "I am not sure what you are suppose to do with that, but I don't think it is suppose to flop around like that." ~Skootz~ I have a strong regard for the rules.......doc! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #14 December 28, 2007 Quote ..Or am i just not giving my 7 cell a chance to impress me?? Depends on what you mean by "impress me". A small Velocity will impress you, I guarantee it. You won't like it but there ya' go. Maybe you were expecting more or maybe you just don't know enough about canopy flight to get what you are looking for under your Spectre. Please don't be so eager to "impress" yourself. Learn canopy flight first...a Canopy Control course (Brian or Scott) will show you that the Spectre can be flown in a manner that will impress you and still be forgiving at landing time. Give it an honest go. Please keep in mind that the kids you see zooming around the sky (most of them anyway) have spent the time to learn it. It's OK to want to do that, too. It's NOT OK to get all impatient and jump into something over your head. Your Spectre will serve you nicely on your progression to more "impressive" canopy flight. Oh...true story. I fly a Triathlon 190. It serves me well. I wanted to see what that canopy could do...beyond what I'm willing to do with it. I gave to a swooper to test. He flew it 3 times and on the 3rd one, he freakin' swooped the damn thing with a 270 and a planeout that would have left me shittin' my pants. He hated it because the front riser pressure is so high but he did it nonetheless. (I should have known not to bet the $20 after that second jump ) I hugged my baby and sweet-talked for hours promising I would never let that happen to her again. My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazmoDee 3 #15 December 28, 2007 I've seen Tony Hathaway swoop the hell out of his Spectre.I'm behind the bar at Sloppy Joe's....See ya in the Keys! Muff 4313 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #16 December 28, 2007 I can swoop the hell out of my triathlon 120 when I set myself up in the right position even with just a 150 degree riser turn. Any more than that and I will be shitting my underwear! "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broke 0 #17 December 28, 2007 perhaps you are not getting the warm and fuzzies because of the wing load. When I went through my student progression I learned to jump on 9 cell canopies. Now that I own my rig I am jumping a 7 cell canopy simply because it came with the container. I am still not 100% used to the way it lands, but I am getting better. Buy "The Parachute and its Pilot," by Brian Germain.Divot your source for all things Hillbilly. Anvil Brother 84 SCR 14192 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
siddacious 0 #18 December 28, 2007 Quoteperhaps you are not getting the warm and fuzzies because of the wing load. When I went through my student progression I learned to jump on 9 cell canopies. Now that I own my rig I am jumping a 7 cell canopy simply because it came with the container. I am still not 100% used to the way it lands, but I am getting better. Buy "The Parachute and its Pilot," by Brian Germain. I can echo what Broke said exactly. I got my triathalon with the container, and I don't love it, but it certainly works. I like the openings more than the saber 2's I've flown. It also took me until around jump 100 (50+ jumps) on it until I figured out the flare. My next canopy will most likely be a 9-cell, but I'll keep the Tri. Ditto on the Brian Germain book as well. Take the course if you can, too.A dolor netus non dui aliquet, sagittis felis sodales, dolor sociis mauris, vel eu libero cras. Interdum at. Eget habitasse elementum est. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
