Aug 18, 2001, 11:14 PM
Post #1 of 10
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What next after my Hornet 190?
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I'm considering moving from my Hornet 190 (200 jumps) down to a slightly faster/smaller/more elliptical canopy. I'm considering: Crossfire 169, Heatwave 170, Sabre2 170... anyone around who has jumped some combination of the four listed? I'm interested in flight/opening characteristics and pack volume (my Hornet 190 is TIGHT)... other suggestions are always welcome...
thanx.
--lj
spectre230
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Aug 19, 2001, 4:17 PM
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I've got just under 200 total, and probably 150 of those are on my hornet... the other 50 are a mismash of student and rental rigs... some on a manta, some on a PD190, Triathlon 190/210/230s, a navigator or two...
I'm thinking of a Heatwave 170 whenever I decide to move on from my Hornet 190.
About the guy who was recommending learning to use the front risers first, my front riser pressure is huge on the Hornet. I think this is the other side of the light toggle pressure. I haven't been able to do much in the way of front riser turns with the Hornet because of this. I normally just stick to the rear risers and toggles.
If you can find a used stilletto 170 for a good price, it is hard to beat. Heatwave is good too, don't spend a lot of money on a big crossfire, they seem dog slow at low wing loadings (they fly big), you can buy one one day when you downsize to a more readical loading.
a stilleto 170 has very consistent openings and still quite fast for a canopy that big.
I jump something much smaller, but I look back with fondness on the 40 jumps I put on a stilleto 170.
ramon
phreezone (D License)
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Aug 21, 2001, 11:23 AM
Post #7 of 10
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I know that this may seem weird but try a Spectre 170. They handle great, dont have the quirkyness of the Stiletto or Heatwave in high winds and allows for a steeper front riser dive so you get more speed. A Spectre can surf every bit as long as a Sabre if you know how to fly it. Plus the openings are so soft its hard to tell its open! Plus with the Spectre being "rounded" it lets you do some sweet snap toggle turns up at altitude. And you can do casual CReW with it.
About the guy who was recommending learning to use the front risers first, my front riser pressure is huge on the Hornet.
In my experience with the Hornet, the front riser pressure is fairly and the canopy does not react well at light loadings.. At light loadings, the front risers seem to make the Hornet buffet quite a bit(like flying through moderate turbulence) and there is not much speed/turn rate generated.. At higher wing loadings(1.5-1.6), the Hornet reacts better to front riser inputs, but still not as good as a similarly sized Spectre or Sabre2..
