Hi,
I have both a Pulse 210 and a Silhouette 210 that I load at a little less that 1:1 (175 lbs in the morning). I have approx. 125 jumps on the Pulse and 25 on the Silhouette. They're both in Dolphin containers. I jumped them back-to-back for three days recently making a combined 29 jumps and found out a few things.
Frist, there wasn't that much of a difference. (and when I bought these I was agonizing over every little marketing nuance!!!) When I noticed a difference it felt like the Pulse had power steering. The steering line pressure was lighter to get the same steering response. As far as container size, I couldn't tell the difference (although the same canopy size, the Pulse packs one size smaller therefor goes into a slightly smaller container...and apparently not noticable to me).
I've read the marketing materials and know the stated differences but it was really fun to fly them back to back and when it was said and done, the differences were very slight. I now have the opinion that we're really splitting hairs between these two.
That, with the usual disclaimer, comes from a 200 jump inexperienced skydiver that took a canopy class a year ago, is not coach rated, and loves both canopies.
As for my opinion, I'd go with the Pulse. It's slightly easier to pack for me because the bottom skin is a different color, it's got the "power steering" effect without being agressive or twitchy and it's a decade newer in design.
There are some other attributes that I've noticed about the Pulse that I can't compare to the Silhouette...I just didn't notice these traits on the Silhouette and most of them come from doing the canopy course.
That's my $.02 and if I can of further help, PM me here. :)
Fred
