70sdiver 0 #1 January 14, 2004 Hey gang,Well I'm setting here with a broken neck from an auto accident and will have to find a canopy that opens predictable and soft.I'm currently jumping a falcon 300 got about 30 jumps on it and weigh 252.The falcon opens hard occasionally no matter how careful it packed i pro pack it as these openings are better.let me know .Dan P.S Homer call me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #2 January 14, 2004 I know spectres have a reputation for soft openings and long snivels. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #3 January 14, 2004 You might consider the Fusion by Precision Aero. We have a 275 that we use in our student program. I'm about 280 lbs out the door and the several times I've jumped it, it opened like a dream. I've never heard a complaint on it from anyone else either... "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
70sdiver 0 #4 January 14, 2004 how hard is it to land for a novice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #5 January 14, 2004 Very easy. It's a nice middle of the road 9-cell. Pretty good rate of turn, nice bottom end. We fly it with our LARGE demo flag because it handles so well in deep breaks... "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #6 January 14, 2004 You might want to consider a Firebolt. It is an extremly soft opening canopy and is very predictable as well. They make them in 254 and 396 as stock and I am also pretty sure they will make you a 300 or any size you want. PM Nightjumper as he is a big guy like yourself and jumps the Firebolt."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbrasher 1 #7 January 14, 2004 Another option might be an oversize slider. I had a Sabre which would occasionally slap me hard and this has made it a wonderfully soft opening canopy. PS. My experience with Falcons was that they seemed to open a little harder than others. Red, White and Blue Skies, John T. Brasher D-5166 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NightJumper 0 #8 January 14, 2004 The FireBolt is a nine cell full elliptical canopy that comes in stock sizes of 75, 84, 92, 110, 128, 146, 164, 182, 200, 218, 236, 298, 350 and 396. The 298, 350 and 396 are Tandem canopies. Any responsible manufacture will tell you to demo all of the canopies that you like so that you can make an informed decision as to what is right for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #9 January 14, 2004 You couldnt go wrong with a safire2. A beautiful flying canopy that gives you super soft stress free openings. No matter what I did to mine (and any Icarus canopy I've owned, for that matter) it opened like a dream. I had 400 of the exact same openings when I was jumping safires. Try to demo a few canopies to see how they open and pack them yourself (if your gonna pack for yourself when you get one.) 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
Jimbo 0 #10 January 14, 2004 You've received quite a few suggestions here, all of them worthwhile. Be aware though, that EVERY canopy has, at one time or another, slammed someone. It's something to consider. - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #11 January 14, 2004 Someone with 68 jumps has no business jumping a fully eliptical canopy. There are plenty of tamer canopies with great openings out there. TRIATHLON PILOT SPECTRE FUSION SYNERGY OMNI/OMEGA to name a few.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt1977 0 #12 January 14, 2004 I can only speak from personal experience but having done 600+ jumps on Sabre (1)s that used to occasionally really slam, I am now on a Spectre which has a lovely long snivel and I love it! I also demo-ed a Pilot recently and that opened really nice and soft too. Demo canopies that have a reputation for soft openings and decide what suits you best - good luck! Vicki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #13 January 14, 2004 QuoteSomeone with 68 jumps has no business jumping a fully eliptical canopy. There are plenty of tamer canopies with great openings out there. Normally I would agree with you unequivocally but we are talking about a canopy in the 300 sq ft. range and the Firebolt doesn't exhibit any of the bad habits associated with fully elliptical canopies. Have you actually flown a Firebolt before?"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #14 January 14, 2004 I always thought the Spectre had the softest openings until I started to jump my H-mod Viper 105...Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pablito 0 #15 January 14, 2004 Spectre has the sweetest openings, buy my samurai rocks!!! "If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first" Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverek 61 #16 January 14, 2004 Yeah, Spectre would be perfect. Also, opt for Dacron lines, which strech more than Microline and have more friction when the slider grommets slide on them. Here is Performance Designs' opinion on them: "Why would anyone want to use Dacron line on their canopy? Though most people prefer the lower bulk and drag of Microline or Vectran, Dacron is often the best choice for some applications. Dacron is a fairly elastic line, so it gives a little when there is a sharp "spike" to the opening force. This elasticity won't change the really good openings very much, but it can take the edge off those occasional abrupt openings where your packing was a little off or your airspeed was a little high at opening time. Dacron may be preferable in a student operation, where unusual body positions can compound opening issues. Some camera flyers with very heavy helmets also prefer Dacron lines. Older jumpers, who may not want to subject their bodies to hard openings, may want Dacron to help reduce the impact should something get a little out of control at opening time." Also, read Bill Booth's opinion here, especially point number 4: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=19 Moreover, you can opt for lighter, brass slider groomets, instead of heavier, stainless steel slider groomets. Lighter mass equals less momentum (speed) down the lines. Precision Aerodynamics favors them, saying they contribute to softer openings. Hope that helps (your back) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 259 #17 January 14, 2004 While I agree that Spectre openings are soft (I jump one because I also need a soft opening canopy), I'm not sure it would be the right choice for him. The Spectre isn't available in sizes larger than 230 sq ft; he'd have to downsize considerably from what he's been jumping to fly a Spectre. If he is okay with the downsize I can echo what others are saying... the Spectre is the softest opening canopy I've jumped. It's also easy to get soft standup landings out of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 615 #18 January 14, 2004 If you want soft openings ... I vote for Strato-Cloud with a reefing line. The only canopy I was ever comfortable opening in a track. Mind you, those slow openings were kind of scary during hop-and-pops. Hee! Hee! Too bad I have not seen a reefing line in the last twenty years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites helldog 0 #19 January 14, 2004 I go about 242 out the door and jump a Sharpchuter 245 by flight concepts (70 jumps) now that i've learn to roll the 3 outside cells to the middle its opens so beautifully nice & slow, with a bit of a snivel (500ft) and always on heading. I've heard that the Triathlons and Spectres are great as well. Blue skies Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Staso 0 #20 January 14, 2004 safire-2 is the softest :) i requested smaller slider because it used to open too slow and too soft for me. as for elipticals, i'd go with crossfire2. 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 Rdy2skydive 0 #21 January 14, 2004 I've had two major surgeries on my neck. I hated the way my Sabre 2 opened but love my Spectre. It has nice soft openings. It's more docile than a Spectre I come in a little slower on the landings. Would definitely recommend it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riddler 0 #22 January 14, 2004 You can make most canopies softer opening by just having your rigger sew a pocket in the slider. The extra drag of air in the pocket slows the descent of the slider down the lines, and results in a slower opening canopy.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites GravityGirl 0 #23 January 14, 2004 Also consider a Navigator by PD and the Solo by Aerodyne. I don't have experience with your sizes as flown by an experienced jumper, so I don't want to give ill advise. But if you speak with each of these manufacturers, they should be able to give you some helpful information. Make sure you refer to your condition. http://www.aerodyne-int.com http://www.performancedesigns.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Caseadilla 0 #24 January 15, 2004 This wont help you but my crossfire 2 opens so so so nice. Its amazing!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #25 January 26, 2004 QuoteWhile I agree that Spectre openings are soft (I jump one because I also need a soft opening canopy), I've heard this over and over, and believe it to be true. However, how can you explain that my Spectre-135 opens each time with a -just this side- of a hard opening unless I take the time to fold the nose over toward the center cell? This proved itself again today when my packer forgot to do this on a jump. He'd followed the packing need of my canopy for the first 2 jumps and the openings were sweet! Then on the 3rd he admitted (after the jump and the subsequent -THERE- opening) that he had packed it 'regular' and forgot to fold the nose over. With a camera on my head, this is important. I've had the canopy inspected by PD when it was sent in for a re-line (at 450 jumps) and it came back as o.k. Canopy is wing loaded at 1.4:1. Curious, ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
skybytch 259 #17 January 14, 2004 While I agree that Spectre openings are soft (I jump one because I also need a soft opening canopy), I'm not sure it would be the right choice for him. The Spectre isn't available in sizes larger than 230 sq ft; he'd have to downsize considerably from what he's been jumping to fly a Spectre. If he is okay with the downsize I can echo what others are saying... the Spectre is the softest opening canopy I've jumped. It's also easy to get soft standup landings out of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 615 #18 January 14, 2004 If you want soft openings ... I vote for Strato-Cloud with a reefing line. The only canopy I was ever comfortable opening in a track. Mind you, those slow openings were kind of scary during hop-and-pops. Hee! Hee! Too bad I have not seen a reefing line in the last twenty years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helldog 0 #19 January 14, 2004 I go about 242 out the door and jump a Sharpchuter 245 by flight concepts (70 jumps) now that i've learn to roll the 3 outside cells to the middle its opens so beautifully nice & slow, with a bit of a snivel (500ft) and always on heading. I've heard that the Triathlons and Spectres are great as well. Blue skies Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Staso 0 #20 January 14, 2004 safire-2 is the softest :) i requested smaller slider because it used to open too slow and too soft for me. as for elipticals, i'd go with crossfire2. 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
Rdy2skydive 0 #21 January 14, 2004 I've had two major surgeries on my neck. I hated the way my Sabre 2 opened but love my Spectre. It has nice soft openings. It's more docile than a Spectre I come in a little slower on the landings. Would definitely recommend it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #22 January 14, 2004 You can make most canopies softer opening by just having your rigger sew a pocket in the slider. The extra drag of air in the pocket slows the descent of the slider down the lines, and results in a slower opening canopy.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #23 January 14, 2004 Also consider a Navigator by PD and the Solo by Aerodyne. I don't have experience with your sizes as flown by an experienced jumper, so I don't want to give ill advise. But if you speak with each of these manufacturers, they should be able to give you some helpful information. Make sure you refer to your condition. http://www.aerodyne-int.com http://www.performancedesigns.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caseadilla 0 #24 January 15, 2004 This wont help you but my crossfire 2 opens so so so nice. Its amazing!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #25 January 26, 2004 QuoteWhile I agree that Spectre openings are soft (I jump one because I also need a soft opening canopy), I've heard this over and over, and believe it to be true. However, how can you explain that my Spectre-135 opens each time with a -just this side- of a hard opening unless I take the time to fold the nose over toward the center cell? This proved itself again today when my packer forgot to do this on a jump. He'd followed the packing need of my canopy for the first 2 jumps and the openings were sweet! Then on the 3rd he admitted (after the jump and the subsequent -THERE- opening) that he had packed it 'regular' and forgot to fold the nose over. With a camera on my head, this is important. I've had the canopy inspected by PD when it was sent in for a re-line (at 450 jumps) and it came back as o.k. Canopy is wing loaded at 1.4:1. Curious, ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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