matt1215 0 #1 February 14, 2007 I'm trying some demos, currently have a Pilot 188 in my rig (love it after 4 jumps). I've been jumping a Spectre 210 (@.94:1) and I'm looking to downsize into a somewhat conservative 9 cell design. I'd like to hear some comparative observation on these 3 canopies and whether there's anything I should be aware of pre-demo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #2 February 14, 2007 Do your search, it was discussed before several times. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 3 #3 February 14, 2007 I really like my Sabre2 97, but my wife sold both of hers and bought Pilots because she liked the way they flew better. The Safire2 is nice as well. My cousin Jay took one all the way across the pond at Rantoul on his first jump on the canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ncfitzge 0 #4 February 14, 2007 I bought a brand new Pilot 188 last year with a WL of 1.1. It can get going when you want it too and it will out glide those others. Just my .02 cents Fitz#148 Sonic Scrat "Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkwing 4 #5 February 14, 2007 They all have their proponents. I prefer the Pilot. Demo and choose 1 of your liking. -- Jeff My Skydiving History Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #6 February 14, 2007 All good wings. I preferred the Sabre2 over the Pilot. The Pilot had a long soft snivel. I was use to a faster opening with my old Sabre1 and the pilot just felt odd. Went with the Sabre2. Didn't try the Safire. Demo all, then decide.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,394 #7 February 14, 2007 To me, the Pilot seems like a better overall canopy. It does everything pretty well. The Sabre-2 is a slightly better swooper. But all are good canopies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pendragon 1 #8 February 14, 2007 What you'll probably find is that more experienced and aggressive canopy pilots seem to prefer the Sabre2; others the Pilot (if you can be bothered to read all the posts). You'll like the Pilot; it's good for newbies; I'm still alive. I got bored of it eventually and traded my Pilot 150 for a Safire2 129 (now the canopy I use for wingsuit flights)-- BASE #1182 Muff #3573 PFI #52; UK WSI #13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #9 February 15, 2007 I a have one more weekend on my Demo of the Pilot (which has the softest opening you can imagine and is blast to fly)...I have a Safire demo coming in this week....and will then demo a Sabre2...I'll let you know my thoughts afte that. I currently fly a Tri and have demo'd a Spectre. The pilot is wayyy better than both of those in my oppinion.- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #10 February 15, 2007 Demo's are cheap. I say Demo them all...that's my choice...I'm also demo'ing the Firebolt!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerodyne 0 #11 February 15, 2007 I vote for the Pilot But then again my a little bias. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berchtoldaj 0 #12 February 15, 2007 I agree with what is above, do your research on each. Demo away, look at what you want out of the canopy today, and where you want to go with it in the future. Do your homework on the different companies. And most of all, enjoy the search, your here to skydive and have fun(I assume) so learn and enjoy the canopies for each of their strongpoints.************ Watch out for planters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grue 1 #13 February 16, 2007 Don't count out the Fusion. It's in the same class as the others, and is a real blast. I had a 210 that I loved, now jumping a 190 @ a little under a 1.4. Wouldn't trade it for anything.cavete terrae. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #14 February 16, 2007 I'll definitely check it out . Ever figure out why your 210 self-destructed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #15 February 16, 2007 I'm a bit confused why a Pilot-188's easier to land than my Spectre-210, but I like . Is Pilot full-ZP or hybrid? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grue 1 #16 February 16, 2007 QuoteI'll definitely check it out . Ever figure out why your 210 self-destructed? Seemed to be a combination of factors. Probably my packing (I was REALLY struggling to bag it, it was too big for my rig pretty much), coupled with bad body position. It inflated the right side first, so the right side took the full force of the opening.cavete terrae. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #17 February 16, 2007 As far as I can tell....The pilot has ZP top and bottom but has F-111 ribs. It is still a bitch to pack...but psycho packing really helps with that. The pilot is really easy to land versus the 7 cells I'm used to Tri and Spectre. My Safire comes this weekend followed by the Firebolt a few weeks later. Demo'ing is awesome. There are so many choices for intermediate canopies! Decisions...Decisions!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deathtrap 0 #19 February 16, 2007 You may want to check your facts before posting... The Pilot is a Hybrid canopy, F-111 ribs, nothing wrong with hybrid canopies though, as long as the F-111 isn't on the top skin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EAerodyne 0 #20 February 16, 2007 QuoteAs far as I can tell....The pilot has ZP top and bottom but has F-111 ribs. We currently have pilots in active R&D (active meaning currently being jumped) that are fully zero porosity, however the openings are not as nice as on the existing pilot and they remain tougher for inexperienced jumpers to pack consistently. We are in 2 minds as to where we go with the project. However for right now, we can't keep the existing design on our shelves, so perhaps it'll be something to explore at a later date. From most response's we get people are satisfied with the existing design and performance of the PILOT as it stands. Kind Regards Bushman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites IanHarrop 37 #21 February 16, 2007 Have all your Pilots always been ZP and something else? I thought both top and bottom skins were ZP, I must be missing something or I read your post wrong."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EAerodyne 0 #22 February 17, 2007 Top and bottom skins are ZP, but the ribs are 0-3 cfm I was referring to R&D canopies that have zero porosity ribs as well. However inflation is no where near as smooth and as consistent. hope this clears it up regards Bushman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jakee 1,254 #23 February 17, 2007 QuoteI was referring to R&D canopies that have zero porosity ribs as well. However inflation is no where near as smooth and as consistent. Really? I had no idea that openings could be so affected by something like rib material. Canopy designers must have a harder life than I thought! Since the F-111 seems to 'work' better in the canopy are there an noticeable benefits in wear/ longevity with ZP ribs, or were you just trying it out to see what would happen? Are the inflation issues with the ZP something that could be solved with different crossport design?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mbondvegas 0 #24 February 18, 2007 The current design is awesome! I wouldn't change a thing those openings are the best of any canopy I have tried thus far....and I can't see how ZP ribs would otherwise improve performance. That thing is hard enough to pack as it is. Love it though!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #25 February 18, 2007 QuoteThe current design is awesome! I wouldn't change a thing those openings are the best of any canopy I have tried thus far....and I can't see how ZP ribs would otherwise improve performance. That thing is hard enough to pack as it is. Love it though! Agreed that it's a great design. I'm pleasantly impressed with how well it got me back from a long downwind spot yesterday. Started my final at about 2.5k and landed a fair distance into the field. Unlike my Spectre, I didn't have to ride the rear risers at all. As for packing, I have to disagree. Colored packing tabs make it a lot easier to see where you are in the canopy, and the material's a lot less slippery than my Spectre. Safire2 demo coming tomorrow . 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
EAerodyne 0 #20 February 16, 2007 QuoteAs far as I can tell....The pilot has ZP top and bottom but has F-111 ribs. We currently have pilots in active R&D (active meaning currently being jumped) that are fully zero porosity, however the openings are not as nice as on the existing pilot and they remain tougher for inexperienced jumpers to pack consistently. We are in 2 minds as to where we go with the project. However for right now, we can't keep the existing design on our shelves, so perhaps it'll be something to explore at a later date. From most response's we get people are satisfied with the existing design and performance of the PILOT as it stands. Kind Regards Bushman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 37 #21 February 16, 2007 Have all your Pilots always been ZP and something else? I thought both top and bottom skins were ZP, I must be missing something or I read your post wrong."Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EAerodyne 0 #22 February 17, 2007 Top and bottom skins are ZP, but the ribs are 0-3 cfm I was referring to R&D canopies that have zero porosity ribs as well. However inflation is no where near as smooth and as consistent. hope this clears it up regards Bushman Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,254 #23 February 17, 2007 QuoteI was referring to R&D canopies that have zero porosity ribs as well. However inflation is no where near as smooth and as consistent. Really? I had no idea that openings could be so affected by something like rib material. Canopy designers must have a harder life than I thought! Since the F-111 seems to 'work' better in the canopy are there an noticeable benefits in wear/ longevity with ZP ribs, or were you just trying it out to see what would happen? Are the inflation issues with the ZP something that could be solved with different crossport design?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mbondvegas 0 #24 February 18, 2007 The current design is awesome! I wouldn't change a thing those openings are the best of any canopy I have tried thus far....and I can't see how ZP ribs would otherwise improve performance. That thing is hard enough to pack as it is. Love it though!- - - I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #25 February 18, 2007 QuoteThe current design is awesome! I wouldn't change a thing those openings are the best of any canopy I have tried thus far....and I can't see how ZP ribs would otherwise improve performance. That thing is hard enough to pack as it is. Love it though! Agreed that it's a great design. I'm pleasantly impressed with how well it got me back from a long downwind spot yesterday. Started my final at about 2.5k and landed a fair distance into the field. Unlike my Spectre, I didn't have to ride the rear risers at all. As for packing, I have to disagree. Colored packing tabs make it a lot easier to see where you are in the canopy, and the material's a lot less slippery than my Spectre. Safire2 demo coming tomorrow . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
