masterrigger1 2 #26 May 25, 2012 #1 - Sabre II It is the only canopy that has opened hard enough to severe a main lift web to my knowledge. ....at least Twice IIRC.. #2 - Is a tie between the Spectre and the Triathlon #3 - Sabre I #4 - Monarch #5 - Nova MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Croc 0 #27 May 26, 2012 When I was just off student status I bought an unmarked Lightning from a dealer in Florida who advertised it as a "zp PD 218." I took it to terminal over 200 times. My openings were so hard that people would come out of the hanger to see what just happened. At a crew camp I was talking to Mike Lewis and when I described it to him he said, "That was my first Lightning!" I got real good at sitting up after pulling, and I had lots of freefalls when I didn't want to pull at all. Sold it to a CRW dog and bought a Spectre. It sniveled so long I almost cut it away on my first jump with it! Got to rate Lightning as number 1, even with a sport slider."Here's a good specimen of my own wisdom. Something is so, except when it isn't so." Charles Fort, commenting on the many contradictions of astronomy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #28 May 26, 2012 Agreed that the Lightning opened hard as did the Pursuits. But to be number one it would have to open hard enough to severe a main lift web and then some! MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebcat 0 #29 May 26, 2012 So, after the first ten jumps or so, why did you jump it 190 times more? :) I've owned and jumped the following skydiving canopies (in descending order of #jumps): Sabre 2 170 Lightning 143 Sabre 135 Merit 170 Springo 120 The hardest opening I've ever had was on the merit. The openings were normally fast, but not painful. But that particular opening sure made me see some beautiful stars. Only hard opening so far, knock on wood. The softest opening canopy was the Sabre 2. Took forever to open and the end cells always needed some help. The sabre and the springo opened/opens perfect. Fast but not too fast, on heading. Only had one spinner on the springo, but I think that was because of an incorrectly stowed toggle. Sure was a ride. The lightning also opens fine, at ~80 knots :) All in all, I really liked the Sabre. YMMV. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
