NeedToJump 0 #1 March 4, 2004 About two weeks ago I got a Katana 120 demo and put 20 jumps on it and absolutely loved it. I had about 250 jumps on a Stiletto 120 before that and about 400 jumps on an St. 135. Compared to the Stiletto 120 the Katana opened better (although it's less forgiving of body position.) The turn speed with both toggles and risers was comparable to the Stiletto, but a little bit less responsive. It has much lighter front riser pressure and slightly higher rear riser pressure. The two biggest things are that it is MUCH more ground hungry than the Stiletto and stays in a dive much longer. According to a Neptune the Stiletto in full flight has a vertical decent rate of 24 ft/sec and the Katana is 33 ft/sec. It has a really nice flat glide on rear risers (for making it back from a long spot) and hangs really well in deep breaks. It also has tons of flare power - much more bottom end than the Stiletto. I definitely like having the longer recovery arc as I can start my turns much higher up and adjust them more easily. If I am 50 feet too high in my turn, no problem. It is easy to keep the Katana in a dive and lose very little speed. My experiences with the PD demo program were great - everything went very smoothly. Anabel and Kolla - you guys ROCK! I bought the canopy from TSO-D - Arlo you absolutely rock too! I got a picture of me swooping the Katana today that I've posted. Kaz Sheeky got some really nice pictures too this past weekend which I'll put up when I get them from her.Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #2 March 4, 2004 Could you compare it to any ofther canopies like the Crossfire2, Samurai, Nitro/Nitron?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeedToJump 0 #3 March 4, 2004 QuoteCould you compare it to any ofther canopies like the Crossfire2, Samurai, Nitro/Nitron? I've put a couple jumps on a Crossfire2 109, 119, and 129 a while ago. I can't really compare them though because those jumps were a while ago and I just remember that I didn't really like the Crossfire2's openings. I haven't jumped the Samurai or the Nitro(n).Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 March 4, 2004 QuoteI didn't really like the Crossfire2's openings You're kidding, right? The only openings on anything I've jumped that have even come close to being as good as a XF2 are on Spectres.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #5 March 4, 2004 QuoteYou're kidding, right? You either love em or you don't.. lol I love mine! Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #6 March 4, 2004 QuoteArlo you absolutely rock too! yes, yes she does Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeedToJump 0 #7 March 4, 2004 QuoteYou're kidding, right? Nope, not kidding at all. They were soft and slow but I personally just didn't like them. I kept wondering if it was ever going to open until it finally did. You either love them or you hate them...Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #8 March 4, 2004 be safe with your new toy dude. Looking forward to seeing you on the swoop course with it Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeedToJump 0 #9 March 4, 2004 Thanks. My distances are better on this canopy but I have to work a lot on accuracy now (I keep overshooting now! ) It's definitely a fun canopy and I look forward to the next comp too.Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #10 March 4, 2004 Quote just remember that I didn't really like the Crossfire2's openings. You just didnt like the fact that it said crossfire on the side when it was open! Plus your an rw dirty low puller, right? Yeah, who wants a soft, predictable opening anyway! 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
NeedToJump 0 #11 March 4, 2004 QuoteYou just didnt like the fact that it said crossfire on the side when it was open! LOL, that made me laugh. I've always been a PD snob, but I have no problem trying other canopies to help me reaffirm my decision QuotePlus your an rw dirty low puller, right? Actually, most of my jumps on the Katana I've been open above 10K, but yeah, usually I like to pull really low - 3.5K Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #12 March 9, 2004 QuoteQuoteI didn't really like the Crossfire2's openings You're kidding, right? The only openings on anything I've jumped that have even come close to being as good as a XF2 are on Spectres. You should try the Pilot then._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #13 March 9, 2004 QuoteYou should try the Pilot then. Or the Xaos, or the Velocity, or.......---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pablito 0 #14 March 22, 2004 or my samurai!! "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
hkf 0 #15 March 24, 2004 So does mine dude. Just when you think skydiving can't get any better PD go and bring out the Katana!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
