Brains 2 #1 April 5, 2004 Ok, probably not as highly publicized as the katana, but i know they are out there and i know they were flown this weekend. How are they? What do you think so far? Openings, flight characteristics etc?? I Have to know. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejunky 0 #2 April 5, 2004 Got five jumps on a 75 this week. So far I love it. nice openings.. very on heading, lots of low end flare and very light front riser pressure. I was at an unfamiliar drop zone as well as 1800 feet higher than I'm used to so I didn't do any turn greater than a 180 on landing but got some nice swoops. It's easier to pack than my 79 icarus because the materials not as slick. Can't wait to jump it at my home DZ! It seems to dive very steeply but it only takes a small input to make it plane out. I think there are a few more out there so maybe they'll post on their experiences. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerry81 10 #3 April 5, 2004 Definitely not as highly publicized as the Katana. It's a different kind of canopy after all, aimed at a smaller group of expert canopy pilots. (At least that's how Stane feels about it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #4 April 5, 2004 QuoteDefinitely not as highly publicized as the Katana. It's a different kind of canopy after all, aimed at a smaller group of expert canopy pilots. (At least that's how Stane feels about it) Don't get me wrong, i saw one fly (and heard the damn thing coming from 1K feet) Saturday and Sunday, i am interested in hearing all about the differences from some of the other pilots. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMGR2 0 #5 April 5, 2004 I have to agree with John. When I got my 75, I looked at it and said there is no way this thing is going to fit in my rig(designed for an 85) and it fit quite well. After jumping the prototypes, I am very happy that with all the input from the people who tested it came together great. The openings are not as slow as the cobalts but seemed fairly soft IMO. We have video of my Onyx 75 loaded at 2.4 flying beside my teammate on his Cobalt 150 at 1.5. NICE! The front riser pressure is fairly light and it has a nice smooth arc coming out of a turn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #6 April 5, 2004 Brian, How would you compare it to your old Xaos 21-85? Without the out of trim lineset openings! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #7 April 5, 2004 Got five jumps on a 75 this week. So far I love it. nice openings.. very on heading, Standard propack? Open in a track or "normal" opening speed? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMGR2 0 #8 April 6, 2004 Flys a bit more smooth, not as twitchy. And it has tons more lift at the end of the flare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejunky 0 #9 April 6, 2004 Standard pro pack and I was belly to earth with no track. Of course standard is subjective. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #10 April 6, 2004 This must be some new generation of Onyx prototype compared to the Onyx that was test flown say a year and a half ago? As I remember that one fell short in a lot of areas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #11 April 6, 2004 Quote This must be some new generation of Onyx prototype compared to the Onyx that was test flown say a year and a half ago? As I remember that one fell short in a lot of areas. That's why I asked because I heard the prototypes opened worse than the regular Cobalts. When Eric Butts was test jumping the early ones, he was not sold on the canopy at all but then again I don't think he is sold on crossbraced canopies to begin with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejunky 0 #12 April 6, 2004 I'm not sure about the different versions but I think you are right. This is the version that they are marketing. I'll have to wait till I get more than five jumps on it to give a good review, hopefully this friday, but so far I am impressed. John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #13 April 12, 2004 I am not sure about my interparetation of my one jump on the onyx but the opening was awsome although that it was spun up!. The front riser presuure was nothing!!!!!! I wasn't in a situation to really hook it but it was sweet! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumperconway 0 #14 April 12, 2004 QuoteI am not sure about my interpretation of my one jump on the onyx but the opening was awesome although it was spun up!. The front riser pressure was nothing!!!!!! I wasn't in a situation to really hook it but it was sweet! A little more info; The Onyx was a 75 and I jumped it without the normal 14# of lead that I wear when jumping my Xaos 27-79 and without a good set up to really fly it hard, it's hard to subjectively compare the two. The pack volume was tiny compared to my 27 cell when I watched Brian pack it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #15 April 12, 2004 I have about 17 jumps on my 95 loaded at 2.24. The canopy has a lot of flare and lift. It pulls out of a dive less flat than the prototypes, which makes for an easier swoop, but it is still a less steep canopy than other cross braced items. The 95 definitely likes to be carved as opposed to a hard diving hook (easier to stay in a dive). To quote a horribly over used cliche the canopy seems to "fly bigger" than some other cross braced items. I think this is due to the high lift produced, but..anyway it seems very capable of slow flight in addition to fast flight, which makes me more confident in an "off landing" situation. The static stall speed seems to be lower than a similarly sized canopy and so I can stay in a surf a little longer before I have to put my feet down. (and when dialed in right it is a very long surf If only the weather would clear up here so I could wring it out more.... Ramon"Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites