hobbes4star 0 #1 June 3, 2002 I was just wondering what everyones opinion is as to what is the best elliptical canopy on the market today??? just opinions. why jump when you can fly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #2 June 3, 2002 The best for me is my hornet. The best for people like HooknSwoop is a VX. Depends what you want out of the canopy. Let's go play chicken with a planet !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,400 #3 June 3, 2002 That's like asking "what's the best vehicle?"Is your criteria distance in the swoop? On heading opening? Soft openings? Straight in landings? Do you want light front riser pressure or toggle pressure? How about stability in turbulence? Glide? Performance at very high wing loadings? Stability while brakes are stowed? Likelihood of spinning mal? Ability to land in rear risers? Ease of packing? Low pack volume?There are a great many designs out there. I have a Safire, which is a moderately elliptical canopy that seems to do most things well, while not excelling at any one. Since that fits with what I want my canopy to do, I like it. If long swoops were my thing I wouldn't like it, since I have to work to get distance out of it.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #4 June 3, 2002 Well out of all the ones I've jumped (crossfire 1, cobalt, stiletto, crossfire 2) I like the crossfire 2 the best. TONS of flare, quick turns, light front riser preasure, easy to harness stear, it was more twitchy than the crossfire 1 but compared to the other canopies was not twitchy at all, basically it's very responsive with great slow flight characteristics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #5 June 3, 2002 I'm with skycat.. I just got a new crossfire2.. I have jumped just about everything.. It is the highest performing canopy I have ever seen. Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbes4star 0 #6 June 3, 2002 > That's like asking "what's the best vehicle?"ok to broad lets say the best high performace canopy. i am just looking for opinions. what do you think is the best high performance fully eliptical canopy???why jump when you can fly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #7 June 4, 2002 Quoteok to broad lets say the best high performace canopy. i am just looking for opinions. what do you think is the best high performance fully eliptical canopy???That's essentially the same question you asked at the beginning of this thread. It's completely a matter of personal preference. If you ask a question like "Which fully elliptical has the (fastest turn|steepest dive|longest recovery arc|lightest riser pressure|best glide|most lift)" you'll get some answers.It all depends on what your definition of high-performance is.-Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #8 June 4, 2002 Bill already stole my "That is like asking, "What is the best vehicle?"" analogy. But since you narrowed the question a bit, I’ve never seen a canopy out perform the VX. It is an impressive wing. I do hope that something will come along that out-performs the VX…..soon. I think I can downsize once more before having to admit I’m not getting any younger.Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #9 June 4, 2002 Still need more info.... what is its purpose? If I was jumping a board, I'd want something stable, same with a wing suit. If I was only swooping, I'd get one designed for speed. If I wanted one for everyday use I'd get a toned down one that could save my ass on an off DZ landing.As far as high proformance, everyone has a different take on proformace, one person might judge it by turn rate, another by dive, another by forward speed. And loading factors in too. Lad a Sabre at 2.0:1 and it is higher proformance then a Stiletto loaded at .8:1I personally like a lot of canopies, each has the thing they are good at and something they are not good at. Sabre2 is up there in my book, so is the Cobalt, Stiletto hold its ground, the Vengence and Samarui look good too... Each has its niche and what its good at, find the one that matches your requirements... not whats the most bad ass thing being made....If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #10 June 4, 2002 Actually Phree makes a very good point, wingloading makes a huge difference on how a wing flies. Like my old crossfire at 1:1 was fairly docile compared to the same canopy loaded at like 2:1. So you might like a canopy at one WL and not like it at another, an example would be of someone jumping a crossfire at 1.5:1 then going 2:1 not liking it so going to an FX at 2:1 which they like again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #11 June 4, 2002 that's interesting, how does it compare to a X-brace? how about Crossifre1? all things equal, I'll take my velocity over my crossfire 1 anyday (which, when I have a choice, I do Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MrHixxx 0 #12 June 4, 2002 I have a 98 sq ft. Xaos I load at about 2.15 that I just love. It has great openings, more consistent than even my cobalt 120. The front and rear riser pressure is light. I can hang on the rears to get back from a long spot and I always steer with the fronts. It surfs nice and I can shut it down in any condition. My only reservation with the canopy is I wish I bought a smaller one...-Hixxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rhino 0 #13 June 4, 2002 If you like the Xaos you should try the crossfire2.. I sent my ned Xaos98 back.. Got a crossfire2 97.. The crossfire KIIIILLLLLSSSSS the Xaos... Icarus hit a homer with this one.... You should try the crossfire2.. I would bet 20 bucks you will want to switch.. Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites lazerq3 0 #14 June 4, 2002 QuoteI would bet 20 bucks you will want to switch..Ok ...tried it ...didnt like it....you owe me 20$!!! jason(sorry ..couldnt resist) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MrHixxx 0 #15 June 4, 2002 In what respect do you like it more? I have request in for an 84 sq ft. 27 cell now. Since I have jumped cross braced canopies, I haven't found anything with comparable lift with conventional construction.-Hixxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites alan 1 #16 June 4, 2002 Hook, I've put a few jumps on my VX after getting the X-mod from Precision done on it when it was due for a re-line. I'm a happy camper so far. alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rhino 0 #17 June 4, 2002 Rating from 1 - 10 in performance....Bottom end lift-Xaos-10Crossfire with MOD- 9Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 6Turn rate-Xaos- 6crossfire w/mod- 6.5Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 8.5Dive and front riser pressure-Xaos- 8Crossfire w/mod- 5Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 7Actual toggle pressure, Turning the corner-Xaos- 6Crossfire w/mod- 7Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 9Flight in chop-Xaos- 5Crossfire w/mod- 6Crossfire2- 9Diablo- 10I looked very hard to find a canopy that would respond instantly to input like the Diablo only having more bottom end. I purchased a new Xaos98 and jumped it a couple of times. It wasn't for me. I'm sure it is a great canopy just doesn't have the flight response that I like. Then I jumped the crossfire that was on the mod list. I was HIGHLY impressed with the response, glide and bottom end lift. Then I got my hands on my new crossfire2, 97.. It has an EASY 30% performance increase over the crossfire1 on the mod list that I was flying.. It turns faster that I thought a canopy could turn, front riser pressure is very light, it is very solid even in wind, I'm amazed at how much I could flatten it out in glide, I was on a jump Sunday where we had TONS of wind drift. I am one of the only people that made it back with altitude to spare.And if someone jumped a Xaos at 1.85 liking it more than the crossfire2 at 1.85 I am curious as to what flight aspects you like? The crossfire just outperformed the Xaos? Get above 2.2 and it might be a different story.. I am just excited as hell to have found a canopy that does so many things so well.. Rhino Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites PhreeZone 15 #18 June 4, 2002 Were all the canopies loaded the same in similar weather conditions? If not, thats like compairing Apples to Oranges.If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rhino 0 #19 June 4, 2002 Very similar actually... Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bhale 0 #20 June 4, 2002 Competition Cobalt.... They rock! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hooknswoop 19 #21 June 4, 2002 "Hook, I've put a few jumps on my VX after getting the X-mod from Precision done on it when it was due for a re-line. I'm a happy camper so far. "What differences have you noticed?Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites eames 0 #22 June 4, 2002 QuoteI’ve never seen a canopy out perform the VXHmmm... I've seen a Velocity out perform a VX... by about 70 ft! At a wing loading of ~2.1. Let me know how that 4.0 wing loading works out for you! I know you do it for the fun, but you should come out and get your performance measured on a course... it's quite an eye opener and really helps hone skills.Jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VectorBoy 0 #23 June 4, 2002 Flight in chop-Xaos- 5Crossfire w/mod- 6Crossfire2- 9Diablo- 10I would have thought that any x- braced canopy would out perform all nonbraced canopy in choppy air.First of all I really like your personal canopy comparison And I would like to see more of this from others. I do take into account they are personal "impressions" but important to me nun the less. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hooknswoop 19 #24 June 4, 2002 "Hmmm... I've seen a Velocity out perform a VX... by about 70 ft! At a wing loading of ~2.1. "I would bet you witnessed a better Velocity canopy pilot, or at least having a better day then the VX pilot.Chuck Yeager has the opinion that the pilot matters more than the airplane. One day someone dis-agreed w/ him. So they took up two different aircraft, one known to have better performance than the other and had a mock dogfight. Chuck won. Then they switch aircraft and did it again. Chuck won again.I stand by my statement that I haven't seen any canopy out-perform a VX.Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites rhino 0 #25 June 4, 2002 The xaos was so squirly in rough air I sent it back after 2 jumps. Some people swear by them. I didn't feel comfortable under that Xaos. It felt like it didn't want to stay directly over my head. It felt incredibly unstable compared to the crossfire2. The crossfire2 feels like it is on rails.. very solid, rigid, smooth.. I didn't feel that under the xaos? Maybe 1.85 isn't enough of a load on that thing..We are talking high performance here.. If I were asked what is the best canopy overall I have ever seen in chop, turbulence, bumpy air I would say the Triathlon. But that's at a lower wing loading.. Different class of canopy.Rhino Blue Skies ..... 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
MrHixxx 0 #12 June 4, 2002 I have a 98 sq ft. Xaos I load at about 2.15 that I just love. It has great openings, more consistent than even my cobalt 120. The front and rear riser pressure is light. I can hang on the rears to get back from a long spot and I always steer with the fronts. It surfs nice and I can shut it down in any condition. My only reservation with the canopy is I wish I bought a smaller one...-Hixxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #13 June 4, 2002 If you like the Xaos you should try the crossfire2.. I sent my ned Xaos98 back.. Got a crossfire2 97.. The crossfire KIIIILLLLLSSSSS the Xaos... Icarus hit a homer with this one.... You should try the crossfire2.. I would bet 20 bucks you will want to switch.. Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #14 June 4, 2002 QuoteI would bet 20 bucks you will want to switch..Ok ...tried it ...didnt like it....you owe me 20$!!! jason(sorry ..couldnt resist) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #15 June 4, 2002 In what respect do you like it more? I have request in for an 84 sq ft. 27 cell now. Since I have jumped cross braced canopies, I haven't found anything with comparable lift with conventional construction.-Hixxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alan 1 #16 June 4, 2002 Hook, I've put a few jumps on my VX after getting the X-mod from Precision done on it when it was due for a re-line. I'm a happy camper so far. alan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #17 June 4, 2002 Rating from 1 - 10 in performance....Bottom end lift-Xaos-10Crossfire with MOD- 9Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 6Turn rate-Xaos- 6crossfire w/mod- 6.5Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 8.5Dive and front riser pressure-Xaos- 8Crossfire w/mod- 5Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 7Actual toggle pressure, Turning the corner-Xaos- 6Crossfire w/mod- 7Crossfire2- 10Diablo- 9Flight in chop-Xaos- 5Crossfire w/mod- 6Crossfire2- 9Diablo- 10I looked very hard to find a canopy that would respond instantly to input like the Diablo only having more bottom end. I purchased a new Xaos98 and jumped it a couple of times. It wasn't for me. I'm sure it is a great canopy just doesn't have the flight response that I like. Then I jumped the crossfire that was on the mod list. I was HIGHLY impressed with the response, glide and bottom end lift. Then I got my hands on my new crossfire2, 97.. It has an EASY 30% performance increase over the crossfire1 on the mod list that I was flying.. It turns faster that I thought a canopy could turn, front riser pressure is very light, it is very solid even in wind, I'm amazed at how much I could flatten it out in glide, I was on a jump Sunday where we had TONS of wind drift. I am one of the only people that made it back with altitude to spare.And if someone jumped a Xaos at 1.85 liking it more than the crossfire2 at 1.85 I am curious as to what flight aspects you like? The crossfire just outperformed the Xaos? Get above 2.2 and it might be a different story.. I am just excited as hell to have found a canopy that does so many things so well.. Rhino Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #18 June 4, 2002 Were all the canopies loaded the same in similar weather conditions? If not, thats like compairing Apples to Oranges.If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #19 June 4, 2002 Very similar actually... Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bhale 0 #20 June 4, 2002 Competition Cobalt.... They rock! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #21 June 4, 2002 "Hook, I've put a few jumps on my VX after getting the X-mod from Precision done on it when it was due for a re-line. I'm a happy camper so far. "What differences have you noticed?Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eames 0 #22 June 4, 2002 QuoteI’ve never seen a canopy out perform the VXHmmm... I've seen a Velocity out perform a VX... by about 70 ft! At a wing loading of ~2.1. Let me know how that 4.0 wing loading works out for you! I know you do it for the fun, but you should come out and get your performance measured on a course... it's quite an eye opener and really helps hone skills.Jason Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #23 June 4, 2002 Flight in chop-Xaos- 5Crossfire w/mod- 6Crossfire2- 9Diablo- 10I would have thought that any x- braced canopy would out perform all nonbraced canopy in choppy air.First of all I really like your personal canopy comparison And I would like to see more of this from others. I do take into account they are personal "impressions" but important to me nun the less. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #24 June 4, 2002 "Hmmm... I've seen a Velocity out perform a VX... by about 70 ft! At a wing loading of ~2.1. "I would bet you witnessed a better Velocity canopy pilot, or at least having a better day then the VX pilot.Chuck Yeager has the opinion that the pilot matters more than the airplane. One day someone dis-agreed w/ him. So they took up two different aircraft, one known to have better performance than the other and had a mock dogfight. Chuck won. Then they switch aircraft and did it again. Chuck won again.I stand by my statement that I haven't seen any canopy out-perform a VX.Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #25 June 4, 2002 The xaos was so squirly in rough air I sent it back after 2 jumps. Some people swear by them. I didn't feel comfortable under that Xaos. It felt like it didn't want to stay directly over my head. It felt incredibly unstable compared to the crossfire2. The crossfire2 feels like it is on rails.. very solid, rigid, smooth.. I didn't feel that under the xaos? Maybe 1.85 isn't enough of a load on that thing..We are talking high performance here.. If I were asked what is the best canopy overall I have ever seen in chop, turbulence, bumpy air I would say the Triathlon. But that's at a lower wing loading.. Different class of canopy.Rhino Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
