rhino 0 #1 July 11, 2005 Moving from my Crossfire2, 97 at 2:0 to a crossbraced canopy. Already tried the Xaos21-98 and didn't like it a bit. It's between the Vx and the Xaos27 now.. 88-92 range. Need feedback and preferences. Having a hell of a time deciding which way to go.. I'll be staying around the 2:0 - 2:2 WL. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TALONSKY 0 #2 July 11, 2005 I went from a Crossfire 2 130 to a VX 109. I found that the VX has very high front riser pressure and due to that I had to relearn how to apply input in order to get the dive I was looking for. The VX is a great canopy and flies nice but you will have to change how you initiate your turn. I have about 40 jumps on a Xaos 27 cell 98 and just a couple jumps on a Velocity. I personally find that with these canopies the front riser pressure is considerably less than the VX and because of that you can transition from the Crossfire to them without having to change how you initiate your turn they will dive a lot more than the Crossfire 2. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TALONSKY 0 #3 July 11, 2005 On thing to think about in moving to Crossbraced is currancy. These canopies fly fast and need a very current pilot under them. One of the many reasons I am selling my Xaos is the simple fact I am do not get a chance to stay current enough to really be flying a Crossbraced canopy loaded 2.3 to 1. When thinking of downsizing and going crossbraced you should be honest with yourself and really look at all of the reasons you want to change. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #4 July 11, 2005 Rhino, You might want to wait about 4-5 weeks before you decide!!!! You never know what is coming out next!! MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedy 0 #5 July 11, 2005 Can you please update your profile to show the correct number of jumps? Dave Fallschirmsport Marl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #6 July 11, 2005 Quote Can you please update your profile to show the correct number of jumps? Here we go getting into the whole jump number thing again.. lol Bottom line.. I would be perfectly happy with the same exact performance as my crossfire2, 97 loaded at 2.0 with SOME EXTRA BOTTOM END. All I am really after is a tad more bottom end.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #7 July 11, 2005 if you want openings like the crossfire, go with the xaos, if you want to possibly compete with it. go with the vx, vx fly's very similar to the crossfire, exept for riser pressure and openings. if you want to try somthing else, try the velo. but ya, there might be somthing coming in a few weeks.. i would say a couple to 6 months. but we shall see... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LawnDart21 0 #8 July 11, 2005 While I expect this to zero effect on your decision making process. I was told quite clearly by Icarus that their minimum requirements/recommendations for flying a VX is 1000 ram air parachute landings with 500 of them being high performance landings. So, based on your profile, simply put, your not qualified in Icarus's eyes to fly the VX. Perhaps you'll call or email Icarus directly and speak with them honestly about your jump numbers and experience, and they can help you make the best choice. -- My other ride is a RESERVE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djmarvin 2 #9 July 11, 2005 QuoteRhino, You might want to wait about 4-5 weeks before you decide!!!! You never know what is coming out next!! MEL Whatcha know that we don't ???? Any hints??? DJ Marvin AFF I/E, Coach/E, USPA/UPT Tandem I/E http://www.theratingscenter.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #10 July 11, 2005 Quote While I expect this to zero effect on your decision making process. You are correct sir... Icarus was willing to sell me a logo VX 350 jumps ago because of my references. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #11 July 11, 2005 I think one of the reasons people are questioning your decision in addition to jump numbers is currency. You are showing over the 7 years in the sport an average of 100 a year, is this a true reflection of how you will continue, or did you maybe have some slow years and are now jumping more. I make about 300-350 a year and have just ordered my 1st cross brace, and my own opinion for me was if I dropped below 300 a year I shouldn't be on a cross brace. Please don't think I'm Knocking your decision, just interested in various opinions as people are always quoting jump numbers for various cross braced canopies, but rarely do I here opinions on how many jumps a year you should be doing to be current enough for a cross braced Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #12 July 11, 2005 One more thing to add to the currency disussion is what will someone do if/when they become uncurrent. Will they jump the x-braced canopy and say, I'll be careful or will they hookup another canopy while they become current again. I own more than one canopy, so I'm not to worried if I do become uncurrent. I'll just hook up one of my bigger canopies. But if someone is only going to have one canopy and they become uncurrent, then they are an accident waiting to happen. To Rhino, x-braced canopies are a lot of fun. But shit happens really fast under them. Make sure you know what you're getting into. Do you want to jump a x-braced canopy because you've maxed out your Crossfire2, you know you'll be current and you want to experience x-braced flight? Or are you just looking to cut corners (for whatever reason) because someone has said x-braced canopies are the way to go. I don't want to judge you (I've never seen you fly). These canopies are a lot of fun, but shit happens fast on them and there is a reason why low-timers or uncurrent jumpers shouldn't be using them. Make sure you're swooping for the right reasons. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LawnDart21 0 #13 July 11, 2005 Sent PM -- My other ride is a RESERVE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #14 July 11, 2005 QuoteMake sure you know what you're getting into. I have been under a crossbraced canopy before and didn't like it at all. Had a Xaos21, 98. Like I said, I am just looking for a little more bottom end and a tad more dive. I appreciate your concern. I am looking for specific flight characteristics in the crossbraced canopy I move to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #15 July 11, 2005 QuoteI am just looking for a little more bottom end and a tad more dive. It may not be enough of a difference, but you could give the Katana a go. It certainly dives more, and has loads of bottom end, but I don't have enough X fire jumps to say which has the most bottom end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #16 July 11, 2005 Wouldn't the Katana be a step back from the Xf2? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hkf 0 #17 July 11, 2005 Having jumped both, I would say definatley not, but only you can decide which is best for yourself, so if you get the chance give it a try and see what you think Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #18 July 11, 2005 Has the thought of upsizing occured to any of you? If you want more bottom end lif, but you didn't like the cross brace then maybee you shouldn't load a non crossed braced canopy up as much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #19 July 11, 2005 Quote Has the thought of upsizing occured to any of you? If you want more bottom end lif, but you didn't like the cross brace then maybee you shouldn't load a non crossed braced canopy up as much. Sure.. I'm looking at a Xaos27-98. I don't want to lose the dive or the twitchiness. Going bigger sacrifices the things I like about the smaller canopies. Again.. Thanks for your concern... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #20 July 11, 2005 What ever works for you then go for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #21 July 11, 2005 Hi Rob, I went from a Crossfire1 99 to a Xaos 21-85 to a 27-79. If you like twitchy go with the VX. If you want Crossfire like openings load up a Xaos 27. It begs to be loaded to dive. I load mine about 2.4+ depending on 4way weights and love it.Peace, Conway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
parachutist 2 #22 July 11, 2005 QuoteRhino, You might want to wait about 4-5 weeks before you decide!!!! You never know what is coming out next!! MEL Yeah, right, like he wants to be a guinea pig? Mel, I think you've been around long enough to know that it's better to let the bugs get worked out for a year or two. Then buy one after it's been around the circuit and proved itself. Chris Warnock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #23 July 11, 2005 QuoteYeah, right, like he wants to be a guinea pig? Mel, I think you've been around long enough to know that it's better to let the bugs get worked out for a year or two. Then buy one after it's been around the circuit and proved itself. PD seemed to get the Katana right on the money the first time out. I can't recall hearing about any problems when that first came out. Of course, if it's PD you're waiting on to release a canopy, take that 4-5 weeks and make it 6 or 8 months. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rdutch 0 #24 July 12, 2005 Quoteif you want openings like the crossfire, go with the xaos, if you want to possibly compete with it. go with the vx, vx fly's very similar to the crossfire, exept for riser pressure and openings. if you want to try somthing else, try the velo. but ya, there might be somthing coming in a few weeks.. i would say a couple to 6 months. but we shall see... You forgot "If you want to compete and win try the velocity" Ray Small and fast what every girl dreams of! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #25 July 12, 2005 Chris, I don't think he would be guinea pig. Those canopies have been tested for quiet some time and have had many,many test jumps. MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
