SkydiveMonkey 0 #1 December 15, 2001 How similar are the Sabre and Merit (170's). How well does each one flare, turn etc? I skydive, therefore I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites maretus 0 #2 December 16, 2001 Sabre is all-ZP canopy whereas Merit has top skin ZP - lower skin higher porosity material so Merit is easier to pack. Also I think that Merit is semi-elliptical, it's trailing edge is tapered. So It should be bit quicker on the turns than the Sabre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rbagg 0 #3 December 17, 2001 Flown both canopies, about 250 on the Merit (170) and several on a smaller Sabre (135).The Merit is tapered and my impression is its more responsive: it turn faster with a lighter toggle pressure.The flare on the other hand was much stronger on the Sabre - I guess you could relate it to the heavier wing loading but from what I know Sabre flare better than Merit. - Merit landings take some time to get used too.Packing the Merit is easier due to the F-111 lower skin, plus I think PDF material is a bit less slippery than PD's, but the PD is more durable and probably would last longer.Both would smack you if you don't pack carefully!Hope it helps.Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydiveMonkey 0 #4 December 17, 2001 Do you think a Merit at just under 1.2:1 is a good first canopy? I've flown sabre 210's (at about 1:1) and found them too slow for my liking. I skydive, therefore I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rbagg 0 #5 December 17, 2001 I started jumping my Merit with ~40 jumps at ~1.2 wing loading.It felt a bit fast at the beginning in no wind days (especially compared to 290 Drakkar = our local student rig) but soon enough I felt comfortable with it - just need to pay attention to the landings.I find it really fun to fly, and it will get you buck from long spots too. Couldn’t find it inferior to full ZP canopies in the glide path or responsiveness aspect.*** There is a different between old Merits & new ones --> PDF changed the chute trimming at one point (at 1998 or 99). I relined mine and the new set really changed the angle of attack - it is steeper now, which makes the chute faster (and more ground hungry) and the flare stronger. Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites hurricane749 0 #6 August 6, 2004 Was there a large difference in line lenghts between your old and new lines? I just received a new line set for my Merit 190 and they are up to 9 inches (22cm) longer than the old lines. This is a concern to my rigger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rbagg 0 #7 August 7, 2004 WOW thread from 3 years ago come back to lifeI can't tell you as I don't know, but probably one of the riggers here in the forum might can (If there is any european rigger that take care of PDF stuff on the forum). BTW - Did you tried contacting PDF 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 Go To Topic Listing
maretus 0 #2 December 16, 2001 Sabre is all-ZP canopy whereas Merit has top skin ZP - lower skin higher porosity material so Merit is easier to pack. Also I think that Merit is semi-elliptical, it's trailing edge is tapered. So It should be bit quicker on the turns than the Sabre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rbagg 0 #3 December 17, 2001 Flown both canopies, about 250 on the Merit (170) and several on a smaller Sabre (135).The Merit is tapered and my impression is its more responsive: it turn faster with a lighter toggle pressure.The flare on the other hand was much stronger on the Sabre - I guess you could relate it to the heavier wing loading but from what I know Sabre flare better than Merit. - Merit landings take some time to get used too.Packing the Merit is easier due to the F-111 lower skin, plus I think PDF material is a bit less slippery than PD's, but the PD is more durable and probably would last longer.Both would smack you if you don't pack carefully!Hope it helps.Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #4 December 17, 2001 Do you think a Merit at just under 1.2:1 is a good first canopy? I've flown sabre 210's (at about 1:1) and found them too slow for my liking. I skydive, therefore I am Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rbagg 0 #5 December 17, 2001 I started jumping my Merit with ~40 jumps at ~1.2 wing loading.It felt a bit fast at the beginning in no wind days (especially compared to 290 Drakkar = our local student rig) but soon enough I felt comfortable with it - just need to pay attention to the landings.I find it really fun to fly, and it will get you buck from long spots too. Couldn’t find it inferior to full ZP canopies in the glide path or responsiveness aspect.*** There is a different between old Merits & new ones --> PDF changed the chute trimming at one point (at 1998 or 99). I relined mine and the new set really changed the angle of attack - it is steeper now, which makes the chute faster (and more ground hungry) and the flare stronger. Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites hurricane749 0 #6 August 6, 2004 Was there a large difference in line lenghts between your old and new lines? I just received a new line set for my Merit 190 and they are up to 9 inches (22cm) longer than the old lines. This is a concern to my rigger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rbagg 0 #7 August 7, 2004 WOW thread from 3 years ago come back to lifeI can't tell you as I don't know, but probably one of the riggers here in the forum might can (If there is any european rigger that take care of PDF stuff on the forum). BTW - Did you tried contacting PDF 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
rbagg 0 #5 December 17, 2001 I started jumping my Merit with ~40 jumps at ~1.2 wing loading.It felt a bit fast at the beginning in no wind days (especially compared to 290 Drakkar = our local student rig) but soon enough I felt comfortable with it - just need to pay attention to the landings.I find it really fun to fly, and it will get you buck from long spots too. Couldn’t find it inferior to full ZP canopies in the glide path or responsiveness aspect.*** There is a different between old Merits & new ones --> PDF changed the chute trimming at one point (at 1998 or 99). I relined mine and the new set really changed the angle of attack - it is steeper now, which makes the chute faster (and more ground hungry) and the flare stronger. Royi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hurricane749 0 #6 August 6, 2004 Was there a large difference in line lenghts between your old and new lines? I just received a new line set for my Merit 190 and they are up to 9 inches (22cm) longer than the old lines. This is a concern to my rigger. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rbagg 0 #7 August 7, 2004 WOW thread from 3 years ago come back to lifeI can't tell you as I don't know, but probably one of the riggers here in the forum might can (If there is any european rigger that take care of PDF stuff on the forum). BTW - Did you tried contacting PDF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
