degeneration 5 #1 April 2, 2012 Asking for a friend (he doesn't have an account on here). He's currently flying a Pilot 170, and has pretty much only flown Pilot's since his early days of jumping. He's looking to try out a more responsive, zippier canopy in the same size, rather than downsizing. What canopies are worth considering? His WL is about 1.2-1.25 or thereabouts. Cheers.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 0 #2 April 2, 2012 If I were him I'd demo a sabre2 170 for sure, and maybe a fusion 170, safire 2 169 as well. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #3 April 2, 2012 Cheers for that. Will pass the info on. Are the likes of Stiletto's or other fully elliptical canopies decent at that size/WL, or are they best used at the higher WLs?Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,428 #4 April 2, 2012 >Are the likes of Stiletto's or other fully elliptical canopies decent at that >size/WL, or are they best used at the higher WLs? I flew a Stiletto 190 at about 1.1 to 1 and it was pretty skittish in turbulence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #5 April 3, 2012 Depending on person's jump numbers, look into a Nitron.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
The_Don 0 #6 April 3, 2012 Nit pick...... Pilot 168. I am NOT being loud. I'm being enthusiastic! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mchamp 1 #7 April 3, 2012 If he's got the jump numbers perhaps a Katana 170 for much more responsive canopyFor info regarding lift ticket prices all around the world check out http://www.jumpticketprices.com/dropzones.asp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
voilsb 1 #8 April 3, 2012 Since we don't know his experience, just tell him to order a JVX in that size, since they'll build them in any size ...Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #9 April 3, 2012 Pretty sure a JVX will not quite be the sort of canopy he's looking for! Experience wise he's on circa 300 jumps, the vast majority of which have been on Pilots. He's wanting to get a canopy that is a bit faster and more responsive than his Pilot, but not being stupid about the choice. I don't have experience of canopies other than Pilots, so have no advice to give, hence me asking the question on here for him. He's simply looking for other sensible options for canopies to try out, demo etc, so that he can make his own choice.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joellercoaster 6 #10 April 3, 2012 Now knowing his jump numbers, I would say his best way forward is probably a slightly smaller Pilot. Stilettos and Crossfires and (yikes) Katanas and (yikes) Mambas are probably still not a great idea at this point, even (comparatively) big ones. In that kind of size, Sabre2s are (IMO) less responsive than Pilots, though he might try one anyway. The Pilot is, for its class, very agile. And something out of its class is debateable at 300 jumps, though I realise I come in near the conservative end of this discussion. YFMMV.-- "I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan "You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #11 April 3, 2012 QuoteDepending on person's jump numbers, look into a Nitron. I still think my Safire2 169 flies better and has nicer openings than the Nitron 170. That being said, I wouldn't be broken hearted to have either in my container."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #12 April 3, 2012 Haven't had the chance to try the Safire2. I have a Nitro/n 150 & 135. I like them in my belly rig, but still have a Sabre1 in my WS rig. The wonderful soft opening of the Nitron is just a bit too slow for my taste in a WS. I did have the opportunity to demo a Cayenne Light from Firebird. Very nice canopy. Very similar to Safire2/Nitron in the soft on heading openings. Has a flat glide for those long spots, a light elliptical planform for responsive turns. Uses a low bulk fabric so it packs about one size smaller. Has excellent response throughout the toggle stroke with lots of flare power on the bottom end to really shut it down. The demo fleet is in Eloy.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
voilsb 1 #13 April 3, 2012 It was a joke, emphasizing how inappropriate the question was, as stated. More seriously, what does he want in a canopy, and why? Few canopies designed to be operated at that wingloading will be more responsive than a Pilot, but a Sabre2 will definitely dive harder and longer, depending on what you mean by "more responsive" Maybe he should fly the same pilot, while wearing 6-10 kg of lead?Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #14 April 3, 2012 Quote Maybe he should fly the same pilot, while wearing 6-10 kg of lead? The would not make more responsive. Been there, try that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #15 April 3, 2012 QuoteMaybe he should fly the same pilot, while wearing 6-10 kg of lead? I will not mention that one to him, as I already have to wear 12lbs to keep up with him!! I don't want any more! As for what he wants - the general impression I got was that he wanted something that was a bit faster in flight. Faster turning and quicker to respond to toggle stroke. I just get the impression he's finding his Pilot 168 not as enjoyable any more, so is wanting to move up a level to bring the fun back. I think he has done a canopy course or two. I think I put him off sticking with a Pilot and downsizing to a 150. I relatively recently went from a Pilot 150 to a 132, and haven't noticed that much of a difference in my general flight. Yes it is a little faster in turns, but other than that nothing that notable different about it that I could tell. I'm still enjoying it though. So because of my experience, I think he is expecting the 150 to not quite be at the performance he's wanting. Will still tell him to try one if he can, just to be sure though. That's why he's looking for a more sporty, aggressive canopy of the same size rather than a smaller canopy. Will tell him to whore himself around all the 170s that he can find, borrowing kit where he can to get some experience on as many canopies as he can.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebcat 0 #16 April 4, 2012 Sounds like he wants a stiletto. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
