skybaum 0 #1 November 18, 2003 I currently jump a Triathalon 190, 215 lb exit weight, 600 jumps. Want to move to eliptical. Debating between Cobalt and Stiletto 170. I've demoed the Cobalt but not the Stiletto. Really liked the Cobalt (openings/flight/landings). Any suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meatbomb 0 #2 November 18, 2003 I'm looking on similar lines, and by far the most positive press (here) has been for the Crossfire 2...I'm trying to secure a 169 for demo right now...--- Swoopert, CS-Aiiiiiii! Piccies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Professor 0 #3 November 18, 2003 Yeah, the crossfire 2 is a nice canopy. Demo as much stuff as you can. Also, there are numerous threads about the cobalt, and the stiletto. Generally, I find the stiletto to be more responsive in toggles, and the Co to be a little better diver and have more lift. PD has a very good reputation, Atairs is spotty. Cobalts seem to vary from canopy to canopy, while stilettos seem to be pretty consistent. Blues Ted Like a giddy school girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Staso 0 #4 November 18, 2003 i recenlty got my new crossfire2-139 (wl 1.5) and put about 10 jumps on it. absolutely loved the canopy. stan. -- it's not about defying gravity; it's how hard you can abuse it. speed skydiving it is ... Speed Skydiving Forum Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #5 November 18, 2003 QuotePD has a very good reputation, Atairs is spotty. Cobalts seem to vary from canopy to canopy, while stilettos seem to be pretty consistent I agree, And thats all I need to read to know what I would buy."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davelepka 4 #6 November 18, 2003 I just read in another thread that Atair selld replacement line sets, but will not install them. PD will build AND install line sets. What a concept! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #7 November 18, 2003 When I bought my Stiletto, I was really frustrated at Atair - even getting someone to answer the phone was a major hassle. Attempting to deal with Atair led me really quickly to PD. I've heard similar complaints about Icarus lately, too. That was a while ago though, so maybe they've improved. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 November 18, 2003 QuoteThat was a while ago though, so maybe they've improved Icarus is improving dramaticly. I found that out through my process of securing a demo from them. PD is the touchstone for customer service from a canopy manufacture, though! Like others said, only you can decide what is right for you. Demo everything you can get your hands on and make your own choice.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #9 November 18, 2003 e-mail kolla@performancedesigns.com She can arange a demo for you, and I think you'll find the Stiletto to be a great canopy. Sensible to not make a large jump in size, smart move!---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsaxton 0 #10 November 18, 2003 I demo'd the Cobalt 150 and the Stilletto 150. I found the Stilletto has a shorter toggle control range. It also seemed to turn a lot faster. Openings were good on both canopys. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #11 November 18, 2003 QuoteI'm looking on similar lines, and by far the most positive press (here) has been for the Crossfire 2...I'm trying to secure a 169 for demo right now... Isn't a cf2 one of the most "radical" elliptical non-crossbraced canopies out there? From what I've read, I'd say it performs better than both the Cobalt and the Stiletto, but I wasn't entirely convinced it'd make a good first elliptical. (At least not for me, someone with 600 jumps might feel different.) As for Atair's customer service- the one we get here is outstanding. Too bad about you Americans... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybaum 0 #12 November 18, 2003 Thanks for the input. Seems to be some good comments about Crossfire 2's. Any other opinions about that canopy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #13 November 18, 2003 Other than wanting to move to an elliptical, what are you looking for from a canopy....long/Short dive arcs, toggle responsiveness, etc? You a swooper, interested in being one, just wanna have fun on the way down? Depending on those answers you can make a better decision on what canopies would be best. Still....demo, demo, demo. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #14 November 19, 2003 QuoteIsn't a cf2 one of the most "radical" elliptical non-crossbraced canopies out there? I personnaly think it will out-perform any other non-xbraced on the market. That said its not so radical that it cant be flow normally. One of the biggest things I like about the xfire2 is the amazing range of flight it has. It can be flown extremely slow and still has plenty of control and available flare power at very slow speeds. It will not, however, safely land for you in any situation. For that you need a brain and expierence and those, unfortunatly, are not on sale at the local gear store. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #15 November 19, 2003 QuoteIsn't a cf2 one of the most "radical" elliptical non-crossbraced canopies out there? From what I've read, I'd say it performs better than both the Cobalt and the Stiletto, but I wasn't entirely convinced it'd make a good first elliptical. (At least not for me, someone with 600 jumps might feel different.) As for Atair's customer service- the one we get here is outstanding. Too bad about you Americans... Take this with a grain of salt as I only have a handful of jumps on a CF2, but over 250 on a Stiletto. Personally, I liked the CF2 over my Stiletto because of the handling. It flies like it's on rails and isn't as 'twitchy' as my Stiletto. Granted, this is probably because the control range is deeper on the CF2, but it was an extremely well-behaved canopy. Well....extremely well-behaved until I dropped some front risers onto it and a really quick pack job. At those times, it was like an english butler. Precise, perfect, and ready for anything I could throw at it. If I hadn't bought a BirdMan GTi I'd be waiting on a new CF2 to be delivered.Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trigger 0 #16 November 19, 2003 Personally,the cf2's what i eventually opted for a year ago when i was in the same position as yourself. The thing does fly like it's on rails as already mentioned,and i find it's ability to be kept in a dive coupled with a long recovery arc [for me] more'swoop' friendly.However i also demoed a stilletto which is an equally as fun to fly as a cf2 and would've opted for one if it wasn't for my swoop ambitions.. I'm not suggestting the cf2 and stilletto fly alike they don't,but they are both imo quality canopies and if i wasn't into swooping[i find the cf2 more swoop friendly over the stilletto] and in the interest of saving some jump cash[the stilletto's cheaper] i'd have gone with a stilletto..CHOP WOOD COLLECT WATER. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
