Deimian 43 #1 July 27, 2015 So I'll start hunting soon for a Sabre 2 135, which I will load at 1.35~1.4. I'll make the transition at the beginning of next season, after some warm up days at the DZ, so I have time to think and choose wisely. I'm aiming for a slow introduction to landings with induced airspeed. That's why I am interested in Sabre 2 and similar canopies. Pilots and Safires seem to dive a bit less and have a flatter trim, so I am not really interested in them, and neither I am in more aggressive canopies like Katanas. Also, 135 is the absolute smallest my container can fit, so I would be more interested in a canopy that packs big, than in one that packs small. Keeping that in mind, I have a few questions, so input to any of them would be appreciated: -How do the recovery arc and the "trim steepness" of the Volt/Magellan/Lotus compare to the ones of the Sabre 2? I have seen the flight characteristic descriptions, but comparable input instead of the usual marketing wording would be interesting. -How do these canopies pack with respect to the Sabre 2? Larger or smaller? -Any other canopy that I should consider? Just for information: I've demoed a Nitron 135 and a Crossfire 139 (as well as a Sabre 2 135). I've discarded the Crossfire because it fits very loose in my container (more than the Sabre 2) and because I don't like the superlong openings. I've discarded the Nitron because I want my next container to fit a 120 tight, which wouldn't allow me to put a Nitron 120 on it, since it packs pretty big. If I go for a Nitron now I can't go for a Nitron 120 later. That would mean that I either change to Sabre 2 again, which is not a very consistent progression, or I look for an elliptical canopy that packs smaller than a Nitron, and whose characteristics fit my needs (not overaggressive and not superslow openings). Another reason to discard these 2 canopies is to avoid rushing into fully elliptical territory. I enjoyed using them, I didn't have any problem, and I think I can handle them without issues, but I don't want to allow my ego to dictate my canopy progression . My current plan is Sabre 2 class 135 -> Sabre 2 class 120 -> Crossfire 2 class 119 -> ?. But that's far in the future so it might change. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blis 1 #2 July 27, 2015 I fly a magellan 170 myself and I like it a lot. Has great range and swoops pretty decent too. Compared to sabre 2 it is pretty similar, maybe slightly steeper trim. Easy on rears and not too bad on fronts... No idea about pack volume but I expect about the same as sabre 2 or alike. One interesting fact is that you can get either 140 or 130 size magellan. Oh, it's also way cheaper than sabre 2 so you dont have feel bad about dropping a size or two after a season. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorPete 1 #3 July 27, 2015 I can only speak of Lotus vs Pilot. The Lotus has a steeper trim, is a faster canopy and has a shorter toggle stroke. It does have pretty high front riser pressure. About 6" of toggle will plane out the canopy and it has an awesome glide. I had a Pilot 188 ZPX which was a loose fit in my Icon I6. My Lotus 170 is a tight fit after I lengthened the closing loop. (It was shortened for the Pilot) Love my Lotus :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
achikin 0 #4 July 27, 2015 BlisI fly a magellan 170 myself and I like it a lot. Has great range and swoops pretty decent too. Compared to sabre 2 it is pretty similar, maybe slightly steeper trim. Easy on rears and not too bad on fronts... No idea about pack volume but I expect about the same as sabre 2 or alike. One interesting fact is that you can get either 140 or 130 size magellan. Oh, it's also way cheaper than sabre 2 so you dont have feel bad about dropping a size or two after a season. From my experience Magellan is less steeper than Saber 2. It's closer to Safire 2. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #5 July 27, 2015 I did not find a Nitron packs any bigger than a Sabre2 of the same size. Now, a Nitro made with the SA Gelvanor fabric does pack about one canopy size larger. My Nitro 135 packs the same size as my Nitron 150.50 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
Deimian 43 #6 July 27, 2015 monkycndoI did not find a Nitron packs any bigger than a Sabre2 of the same size. Now, a Nitro made with the SA Gelvanor fabric does pack about one canopy size larger. My Nitro 135 packs the same size as my Nitron 150. You are totally right, I mixed up the names. I meant Nitro, not Nitron. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
