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Skydiving Gear and Equipment: Main and Reserve Parachutes: Performance Designs: PD 9-cell

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Item: PD 9-cell  Manufacturer: Performance Designs   (1418 Hits) Purpose: Main  Shape Square  Cells 9  Fabric: F-111      Description: While most people are opting for canopies incorporating 0P fabric, there are still those who prefer a 9-cell canopy, constructed entirely of traditional [low porosity (0-3 cfm)] fabric. If you are one of these people, this is the canopy for you. Added: 2001-01-10 | Item ID: 21

User Reviews: Average Rating: Total Reviews: 11 Write a Review Read all 11 Reviews

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3 Recent Reviews:

7 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

Pulse 150
Rated by: tkdsd (more about me) on 2009-06-16 17:02:47 (user reviews) Review ID:2200

Pros: Long glide, responsive on toggles, good landing
Cons: New product line

I've been jumping for about 2 years (158 jumps). I'm about to order my first main and have been flying a Sabre 2 150 (wing loading 1.23). I've demo'd a number of mains over the past 2 years. I got the chance to demo a Pulse 150 last Saturday and managed to get 3 jumps between the rain and clouds. With respect to packing, it was clearly smaller than the Sabre 2 150. Although new, it packed easily. The bottom fabric did have an odd texture but I could get use to it. The openings were on heading with no end cell closures. The snivel was a little shorter than the Sabre 2 150. The canopy was nicely responsive on toggles with fairly rapid changes between 180 left to 180 right and back again. It seemed more responsive than the Sabre 2 150 but it was only 3 jumps. I probably looked like a nut but I pulled high and stayed away from the other jumpers. It was not overly responsive and I did not have any troubles with induced line twists. I could feel when I was pushing it too far and pulled back without a problem. The recovery arc was short as advertised. I was able to land within 20 ft of my target on all 3 jumps. The glide was relatively shallow in full flight (again, as advertised). I could not get much more out of it with respect to glide using the toggles or rear risers. Attempts at stalls (with altitude) were clean with smooth recoveries. With respect to landing, the flares were fine and I had no pop-ups. The landings were easy to time and predictable for all 3 jumps. With the wet grass from the rain and the low winds, I was able to skid across the ground for a decent distance on my feet. I was going to work with the front risers on the 4th jump but the rain settled in so I have no decent info on the front risers although they seemed fine when I used them briefly on the first 3 jumps. Overally, I really liked the Pulse but I generally do not buy when a new product line is introduced. I will have a difficult time deciding between the Pulse 150 and the Sabre 2 150 (order next week). Both canopies are a lot of fun!

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10 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

PD 9 cell 210
Rated by: LongWayToFall (more about me) on 2009-02-12 12:45:40 (user reviews) Review ID:2138

Pros: Great openings, very responsive, low pack volume
Cons: At higher wing loadings, the flair is reduced quite a bit

This is my first canopy, and I picked it up for 300 bucks. I have to say, I really really like the canopy. The openings are on the brisker side, but not uncomfortable (always consistent, for the 70 jumps I have on it). When I get another canopy, I will be looking for openings as close to this as possible. Always on heading, and open in about 500ft from the pitch. I am loading the canopy quite a bit higher than most people, at about 1.25, and it still performs great. The only thing I will be looking for in a new canopy once I buy one, is a more powerful flare. To date, all of my landings have been stand up, but it takes a single motion flare all at once. The low pack volume is really cool, because you can have a container sized for a 190 and fit the pd210 in it. The f-111 fabric is very easy to handle while packing as well. If you buy one of these canopies and plan on having a higher wing loading like mine, make sure the canopy has a low number of jumps. When I bought it, it had 50-100 jumps, and after the 70 I put on it, I can already tell a slightly decreased flare, so the wing loading has got to be taking a toll on the fabric. Even so, for 300 bucks it got me in the air and I really like the thing. Thumbs up for a great canopy!

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4 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

PD 300 Student
Rated by: FlyinRyan86 (more about me) on 2008-02-08 10:30:36 (user reviews) Review ID:1937

Pros: Safe design, great flare, great control,
Cons: slow forward speed

I jumped a PD 9 cell on my fourth jump (and again after). This was my first stand-up landing. It was very easy to control and fly. As others have said, the forward speed is weak. I literally hung in the air for at least a minute or two longer than with other canopies of equal size (due to WL). But for beginners, this canopy couldn't be better! Of course the WL could be increased for improved control, flare and speed--this would make for an even sweeter ride. Thanks PD

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