tungus 0 #1 July 4, 2011 Brand new Safire 2 149 loaded at 1.65. Same experienced packer through all 7 jumps. First 6 jumps experienced brutal quick openings, sometimes with 90 degree turn. The 7th jumps was the toughest one with risers twisted just above my head, my neck is still hurting from that one. First time with my 250 + jumps had such experience including quite a few jumps on original Safire 149.. Folks, your advice how to cure this problem would be great and much appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divalent 137 #2 July 4, 2011 Ouch! 7 of 7 sounds bad. Try packing with the slider up next time.Kidding aside, what have you tried (without success)? Rolling the noses closed? (that is supposed to help) Pulling out the front slider and/or burying the noses? (those are apparently not supposed to help, at least according to PDs latest packing videos) Just wondering, but is this something that is more likely with crispy new material? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 42 #3 July 4, 2011 I guy a our DZ has the exact same problem. Hard openings and an immediate turn to the left on a brand new canopy. A long time owner of another Safire 2 (one that behaves as it should) packed and jumped the problem canopy and the problem still exists. Canopy is going back to the factory because something isn't right."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #4 July 4, 2011 If it's brand new, I'd send it back to the manufacturer/dealer. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crotalus01 0 #5 July 5, 2011 Not sure about the Safire2 but rolling the nose on my Safire 189 almost caused me to have a couple of cutaways. Definitely the worst openings I have had on any canopy. Once I stopped rolling the nose the opening were like butter and almost always on heading... As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divalent 137 #6 July 5, 2011 Quote ... rolling the nose on my Safire 189 almost caused me to have a couple of cutaways. Definitely the worst openings I have had on any canopy... Based on all the different methods and contradictory advice I heard, seen, read, and watched, I'm begining to think all these techniques (setting the slider, burying the nose, rolling the nose, etc) are either all are unimportant, OR each canopy is unique and you gotta find the right combination for yours. (Except I am pretty sure it's important to pack the slider up, although I'm not willing to test to see if that is really is necessary ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tetra316 0 #7 July 5, 2011 How tight are the first two locking stows? Are they the right tension. I use the large rubber bands when I pack and double stow the first two locking stows. Works like a charm. Then I joined a team and proceeded to use a packer for a long weekend. All of the sudden it seemed like I had hard openings to the point where I was grunting every other jump. Turned of, of course, that the packer was not double stowing the first two rubber bands. I changed those to the small bands, single stowed and was back again to great openings. Check your stows and the tension. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,326 #8 July 5, 2011 Do not roll the nose. Your slider is too small... This has happened with Icarus canopies before where the new canopy needed a larger slider. Contact the manufacturer or their rep that you bought it from and they will send you a new one. Please give them the measurements of your slider when you contact them.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #9 July 5, 2011 There is no way a Safire2 should behave that way; quite the opposite, in fact. Unless there's a significant error in your packing technique, it sounds like you have a defectively-constructed individual canopy. It happens occasionally. Contact the manufacturer and send it back to them, and insist they either fix the problem or replace the canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crotalus01 0 #10 July 5, 2011 Each canopy family (Safire, Sabre, Crossfire etc) has definite characteristics that tend to be true (like stereotypes I suppose). Each individual canopy within that family can have very individual characteristics that must be addressed individually. SO, each canopy is unique to a degree...and yeah, make damn sure your slider is packed UP and OPEN!!! As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martini 0 #11 July 5, 2011 Lots of techniques, lots of canopies. IMHO by far the most important detail is the slider. As an example, if you set the slider on any of my Sabres so that the binding tape barely shows then the opening will be unpleasantly fast. If you pull the slider way out on my Xaos it will snivel you into the ground. Rolling nose can be significant, rolling tail is a convenience. The slider is the keystone.Sometimes you eat the bear.............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tungus 0 #12 July 5, 2011 Thanks all for answers. I attentively read all. I answer seldom since badly I write in English. During week-end I will allow to check up my Canopy to the dealer. Canopy Safire2-149, DOM 05-2011, slider size 42x75cm(16,5x29,5 in) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutz 0 #13 July 5, 2011 +1 on don't roll the nose. It only makes my Safire2 open quicker. I have found that the slider needs to be all the way up and quartered good. ALL THE WAY UP. Also be careful to not disturb it when you are folding the canopy. "Don't! Get! Eliminated!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,009 #14 July 5, 2011 >I'm begining to think all these techniques (setting the slider, burying the >nose, rolling the nose, etc) are either all are unimportant . . . Ding ding! On modern canopies you have to make sure: -the lines are in the center -the fabric is towards the outside -the slider is unfolded and against the stops (and STAYS against the stops) -the lines are stowed well That's really it. If you have a technique that allows you to accomplish those three things more reliably (like a psycho pack that helps you better control the slider) then it might help overall. But 90% of the 'tricks' out there don't do much and may make the original problem worse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stayhigh 2 #15 July 5, 2011 If this continues send ir back, they are human made and humn makes error sometimes, I've seen and heard about mistake as far as putting wrong line set on a canopy from all four manufacturer.Bernie Sanders for President 2016 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tungus 0 #16 July 6, 2011 Thanks guys for all your input. I don’t pack myself, as I’ve said canopy was packed by a professional packer with probably half a million pack jobs behind his back so we don’t think lack of experience or improper packing technique plays a major role in this case. Have spoken to distributor I’ve got the canopy from and he’s willing to assist to make sure I’m happy. So, as soon as my neck gets better I’m going to take the sucker to a different packer (just to make sure) for another couple of pack jobs and then we’ll see whether that changes anything. I’ll let you know then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Divalent 137 #17 July 6, 2011 Quote as soon as my neck gets better I’m going to take the sucker to a different packer (just to make sure) for another couple of pack jobs ... You are a braver man than I. At this point I'd be tempted to have it examined by a rigger (or do it myself, if it is something I could do) to at least eliminate something obvious (like, compare the actual line lengths with what the Mfgs specs are; size of slider; how the line stows behave in your bag grommets, etc.). Good luck. (Either that or stop sleeping with the packer's wife ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaVinciflies 0 #18 July 6, 2011 Quote a professional packer with probably half a million pack jobs behind his back That's 70 pack jobs per day every day for 20 years with no days off! Busy packer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sundevil777 102 #19 July 6, 2011 QuoteQuote a professional packer with probably half a million pack jobs behind his back That's 70 pack jobs per day every day for 20 years with no days off! Busy packer. Not only that, but to do them behind his back! I've told you a million times not to exaggerate...but the point is clear, the packer likely does do it well enough that it should open well. I would at least have the slider size and line lengths checked before sending it back to the mfg. Sounds like it has been given enough chances to hurt someone.People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tungus 0 #20 July 7, 2011 I sent the size of the slider manufacturer - waiting for an answer .... (If the packer's wife good - i am ready to suffer ... ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tungus 0 #21 July 8, 2011 Received a reply from the manufacturer. In the near future, the dealer will give me another slider. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
