cuchulinn 0 #1 April 24, 2003 I'm a fairly new jumper and jumping a J5 with a Sabre 190. (about 60 jumps on the 190.) I've ordered a J3 Odyessy, (which is going to be about 20-22 weeks for delievery, ouch) I was looking to drop a Sabre2-170 in it when I came accross a very low jump Hornet 170 (150 jumps, lines white and canopy crisp) DOM 1/02. I read all the reviews here on Dropzone and decided to pick it up for 700.00. (actually got the Hornet and a Zero deploy PD160R for 1400.00) Did I do good? From what I can tell and read, I feel as though I did ok! Any furhter info/opinion would be appreciated. Thanks all! SMA#18 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #2 April 24, 2003 Quote Negitive info will also be appreciated, I'll just talk badly about you when I have the chance In that case... You did badly. What a stupid purchase.--- Edit: Darn you you edited your post!My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cuchulinn 0 #3 April 24, 2003 Tough Crowd! SMA#18 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #4 April 24, 2003 Hornets are great....thing is they pack up small...it'll probably be not the tightest in your J3 but it'll work. Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #5 April 24, 2003 Quote Quote Negitive info will also be appreciated, I'll just talk badly about you when I have the chance In that case... You did badly. What a stupid purchase.--- Edit: Darn you you edited your post! Nothing like a great response from a veteran AFF Instructor. Hey Hook, if he did so badly and made a "stupid" purchase, why dont you also tell him why you think he did badly. Nothing like a little positive reinforcement for us young skydivers. Us new guys here look for information and advice from veterans like yourself. I dont think we are looking for a knockdown response like that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #6 April 24, 2003 One more thing Hook. Is it the Javelin that was a bad purchase or the main? I'm really interested because i'm looking at purchasing a Hornet to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #7 April 24, 2003 maybe....just maybe hookitt wasn't too serious when he posted his reply? That smiley thing in his post suggests he was just making fun... although he did edit his post...makes me wonder what I have missed there _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #8 April 24, 2003 I think Hooks reply may not have been meant to be as harsh as it sounds, but why he thinks it was a bad purchase could of been explained. I'm just as interested to know as the other guy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #9 April 24, 2003 I had a Hornet for about 50 jumps thinking it was going to be the same as a Sabre2. No comparison! Put side by side you could actually SEE the difference in quality and feel. The openings were terrible on the Hornet and it didn't surf well at all! It buffeted badly in the front riser turns and I hated it. Then I got the Sabre2! What a dream canopy! Perfect openings, awesome quality, great performance, great front riser inputs, and very respectable surfs! I had a Sabre for over 1000 jumps when I switched to the Hornet thinking i would save some $$. Bad call! I will never sacrafice quality like PD to save a few buck again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #10 April 24, 2003 Yes, you did good. A Sabre2 is a better canopy, but pricewise, you can't do better than a Hornet. For those of us with low jump numbers, it's a godsend. I really dig mine. The huge slider gives it nice snivelly openings, and it turns and flares beautifully. Oh, and hookitt was kidding. Skydiving is for cool people only Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cloud9 0 #11 April 24, 2003 I loved my Hornet went from it to a Heatwave. The Hornet was a quality canopy (according to my rigger) and I found the openings were great. I put a few jumps on a Sabre and the Hornet out flew it hands down, it opened much better also. I have never jumped a Sabre 2 so I can't compare the two but the Hornets a great canopy. I guess its like all the others though a bad one can slip out there once in a while. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Watcher 0 #12 April 24, 2003 The javelin was the best part of all his gear. Unfortuantly everyone wants one right now hence the back log. The comfort, security, and looks are well worth the wait. --Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fudd 0 #13 April 24, 2003 I have recently started jumping my Hornet 170. Got 20 jumps on it and love it. I load it at about 1.1. Haven't had any hard openings, and now that I'm becoming more used to packing it, they are very consitant and on heading. They are not sniveling, but more firm and even. The quality of the canopy also looks good. The ZP fabric that PISA used is not as slippery as the one PD uses. Which material that is best have been discussed a lot, but they seem to be pretty equal. Hornets are easier to pack when new. Since PISA merged with Aerodyne they don't make Hornets anymore. I think the equivalent is the Pilot. While it's a shame that there will be no more Hornets, it's not all bad. If you want to send it to the factory for repairs or a reline you can send it to Aerodyne which probably is closer than South Africa. I would say that the price was about right. If you search these forums you will find that people have payed between 700-1000 for new hornets, depending a bit on exchange rates and so. There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #14 April 24, 2003 I think Hook was kidding about getting a lousy deal. Sounds like you did well at that price. I love my hornet. It flies great in my opinion. Mine does open hard sometimes though. I'm going to try a different pilot chute and maybe a pocketed slider to tame the occaisional slammer opening. I bought mine new for $400. from South Africa, about a year and a half ago. Prices have gone way up since then, and they are no longer made now.....Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #15 April 24, 2003 Quote Quote --- Nothing like a great response from a veteran AFF Instructor. Hey Hook, if he did so badly and made a "stupid" purchase, why dont you also tell him why you think he did badly. If you saw the original unedited post made by cuchulinn you would have laughed at my response. I recieved a PM from cuchulinn in praise of my humor. It was a joke My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brabzzz 0 #16 April 24, 2003 Hmmm....YES, i think he was taking the piss when he said 'bad choice'! What you paid for a perfectly good main and reserve is way less than what I paid for a main! You can't compare UK/US prices, but a new Sabre 2 will set you back $1400 odd and if I had the option of a nice main AND reserve for the same price, i'd go for it. Mike, ...who'se never jumped a hornet when offered a demo (mistake) and STILL hasn't jumped his own Sabre2 (I blame that on the weather). I therefore can't compare them, but they're both nice according to the reviews! --------------------------------------- Ex-University of Bristol Skydiving Club www.skydivebristoluni.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #17 April 24, 2003 Ok. Hook was kidding.......thats awesome. Now, where in the hell do you go on this planet to get a Hornet. I cant seem to find one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #18 April 24, 2003 The sport part of PISA, the company that made the Hornet, has been rolled into Aerodyne International, so the Hornet is no longer in production. Your best bet is probably to look for a used one. Call Ralph might also have some. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #19 April 24, 2003 I know they are not making the Hornet anymore and have been looking for a used one. Called a guy yesterday that was selling one but havent heard back from him. Does Ralph have a # or e-mail? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #20 April 24, 2003 "Call Ralph" is actually Western Parachute Sales. 503-630-JUMP. Something to be aware of, he replaces the labels on the end cells with new labels that say "Call Ralph." It might affect resale value of the canopy. Rigs & Things also used to sell a lot of Hornets and may still have some. (Edit: Just checked the website, it looks like they are no longer selling any PISA canopy). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #21 April 24, 2003 I heard Ralgh has some new hornets in stock, but I also heard they were over a $1000. Don't quote me though. Someone at our DZ told me this last weekend.....Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #22 April 24, 2003 QuoteI had a Hornet for about 50 jumps thinking it was going to be the same as a Sabre2. No comparison! Put side by side you could actually SEE the difference in quality and feel. The openings were terrible on the Hornet and it didn't surf well at all! It buffeted badly in the front riser turns and I hated it. Then I got the Sabre2! What a dream canopy! Perfect openings, awesome quality, great performance, great front riser inputs, and very respectable surfs! did you let out the brakes lines? i have 60 plus jumps on a hornet and found it out dove a sabre 2 hands down in front riser maneuvers with no buffeting of the tail as long as you let out the brake lines like they should be. about 2" more than the factory marks. I also found it packs up smaller, is easier to pack in general due to the material it is made out of and the colored packing tabs, flyes like a dream, has a bit of a longer recovery arc, has the same flare which is great on both canopies, and the best price is you do save money on a canopie that does the same job as a sabre 2 for half the money in some cases. I also found customer service from PISA to be great...even from SA. just my thoughts on my Hornet...way too many PD snobs in the world it seems... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #23 April 25, 2003 Quote I heard Ralgh has some new hornets in stock, but I also heard they were over a $1000. Don't quote me though. Someone at our DZ told me this last weekend.....Steve1 Checked the website and they have a Hornet 150 Puts my wingload at 1.26, too much. 170 puts me at 1.11. Damn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #24 April 25, 2003 Well, yes I let the brake lines out and yes I am educated on canopies. I am not sure why "out diving" the Sabre2 is a plus or why colored packing tabs are better, (unless you are using it as a training tool, and of course it packs smaller- it has about half the stitching! The person who started this post wanted opinions on the Hornet and I told my experience. You may want to watch who you are calling a "snob" and take advice, good and bad, from people who have been around and experienced other things. It's great that you have had a good experience with your Hornet, but I didnt like mine at all and I love my Sabre2! Don't throw too many jabs at people you don't know in the sport. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cadmium 0 #25 April 25, 2003 When I got my Hornet 150. I loved it. You can't beat the price. The max service weight for my canopy is 176lb. At that wing loading (1:1.17) it was great. Now after gaining mucho weight I weigh 195 (1:1.3) out the door. Front riser pressure went way up and the turn responce has become more slugish. So I guess that is where they get their limits from. It's not a safety issue. So after all the blabbering, all I'm saying is at 1:1 to 1:15 it flys great. You won't be disapointed at the price._________________________________________ On the Journey of Life! Want a Ride? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
