skydivejersey 0 #1 June 5, 2003 These seem like good value. Anyone ever use on and any thoughts? Thanks, Al. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annaandbob 0 #2 June 5, 2003 Hey Al. Fancy meeting you in here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #3 June 5, 2003 HI BOB!Small skydiving world isn't it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #4 June 5, 2003 My wife jumped one for her first 100+ jumps off student status (170) and was very happy with it. The only complaint was the harder openings, which we're told, is not a normal thing. She flew a sabre 150 for a while afterwards and felt the ZP.exe 170 was a better performer than the sabre 150. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydiveMonkey 0 #5 June 5, 2003 Don't like the exe that much - glides poorly compared to my hornet, turns seem quite quick though, and lands with a nice surf. It has dropped me about 100 feet near the ground though, but I managed to pull it back at about 10 feet. . I've flown my hornet 170 next to a friend on his exe 170 (me @ 1.2:1, him @ 1:1) and we've had similar forward speed but he was dropping away from me like a stone.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #6 June 5, 2003 I've been offered a complete new rig with ZP Exe, Vortex II container and decelerator res for £1,500 (US$ 2,400). Didn't think it was bad value but am unfamiliar with them and have never seem one in the flesh so any comments received with thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #7 June 5, 2003 I have a hornet 170 at the mo. Handling differences that much? Your heavier so that's somewhat disappointing. Not a flier then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SkydiveMonkey 0 #8 June 5, 2003 How many jumps does the rig have? My friend bought his brand new for that. It flies ok, but it is trimmed down a lot. The hornet is a much better canopy in my opinion.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #9 June 5, 2003 Its a brand new rig. I would have bought another Hornet but PISA has been taken over and they don't make them anymore. You can get a Pilot now but its nearly 75% more expensive than the Hornet used to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Spike 0 #10 June 6, 2003 I've put about 160 jumps on a ZP EXE 170 in a Vortex II container, my 2nd rig since CAT10. I like it a lot, though I'd agree that when flying alongside other similarly loaded canopies I seem to loose height pretty quickly. I don't roll the nose or do anything else fancy and I usually get nice soft openings, just occassionaly I get 180 openings? But can't figure what I'm doing thats different in my packing or opening posture. If you get to take a look at the rig check out the grommets attached to the armoured cable which supports the cutaway cord and the yellow teflon cable. I've seen quite a few Vortex II's (mine included) where the grommets were badly pressed leaving a sharp edge which a rigger told me could cut through the cutaway loop. Apparently its a well known problem and if you take the rig to a dealer they should be able to order and fit a replacement FOC. I've also seen some new Vortex II rigs and they seem to have sorted this problem out. All in all, I really like my ZP.EXE and Vortex II combo, though when I downsize I'll probably change to a PD Velocity. Tried one at a PD demo day and loved it. Much better glide from the PD and it seemed to have a bit more umph left at the end of the flare. Hope this is helpfull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CJK 0 #11 June 10, 2003 I have a ZP exe 170 with about 50 jumps on it. Yes, it DOES loose alitude faster. Something to do with the angle of the wing. It also out flies the Sabre in my opinion. SWEEEEEETTT flares and swoops. Just make sure you have a good spot or deploy higher ;-)Grounded?!?!?! Whadda ya mean I'm "GROUNDED"?!?!?!?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #12 June 10, 2003 From the comments here....ZP EXE doesn't seem to be as impressive as my Hornet 170 and I would at least like something comparable. Maybe a Sabre 2 - 170 put into the rest of the package I was offered (Vortex II container and 170 decelerator res). I'm not overly fussed about the performance of the reserve (just want something that will get me down!) Any thoughts on the Vortex II container? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #13 June 10, 2003 Nig rig - shitty company. I have the Vortex II and have been jumping it for a couple of years now. Only complaint is that it's extremely tight to close and the above mentioned service. If you can handle the poor customer service it'll treat you well. That said I hear that the Vortex II prices have gotten so high that the rig price is comparable to US gear....in which case I'd chose something along those lines, better manufactured and better service (depending on who of course). As for the reserve - I had an absolute BANGER on my terminal ride but it held up great so no complaints there. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tonto 1 #14 June 11, 2003 It has issues with turbulence, and reacts poorly to front riser input. It's a step in the right direction from the ZP though. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #15 June 11, 2003 We have plenty of Sabre2's at our DZ. None of them show any signs of reacting worse to turbulence than any other canopy at the dz. As for front riser input, the brake lines are normally set shorter for "regular" jumpers which causes the poor front riser performance. Simply lengthen the brakes until there is no buckling when pulling down a front riser. Scott Miller actually competed and didn't do too badly at all under a Sabre2 at the Ranch pond swooping (2 years ago I believe). Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Tonto 1 #16 June 11, 2003 Do you know the thread is about ZP exe's and not Sabre 2's? tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skydivejersey 0 #17 June 11, 2003 It was. Ditched that and now I was asking about Sabre 2's. Although I have just found a new hornet kicking about..... so much choice and so little money!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ianmdrennan 2 #18 June 11, 2003 Originally yeah, I thought you were responding to his question on the Sabre2 Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites stuartjl 0 #19 June 12, 2003 I've had a vortex II for about a year or so and have put about 80 jumps on it. The build quality is excellent for the price. some people turntheir noses up at them but its not justified as they are very well put together. I'd have no problem recommending one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Skystorm 0 #20 June 12, 2003 Hi Jersey, I've got the exact same rig. Sweetest openings, flies like an angle, but a little problematic on the packing because the material is very slippery. But I love my exe, she's the best. Feel free to pm me if you need more info. Gene Police: "YOU!! Out of the pool, NOW!!!" 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skydivejersey 0 #3 June 5, 2003 HI BOB!Small skydiving world isn't it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #4 June 5, 2003 My wife jumped one for her first 100+ jumps off student status (170) and was very happy with it. The only complaint was the harder openings, which we're told, is not a normal thing. She flew a sabre 150 for a while afterwards and felt the ZP.exe 170 was a better performer than the sabre 150. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #5 June 5, 2003 Don't like the exe that much - glides poorly compared to my hornet, turns seem quite quick though, and lands with a nice surf. It has dropped me about 100 feet near the ground though, but I managed to pull it back at about 10 feet. . I've flown my hornet 170 next to a friend on his exe 170 (me @ 1.2:1, him @ 1:1) and we've had similar forward speed but he was dropping away from me like a stone.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #6 June 5, 2003 I've been offered a complete new rig with ZP Exe, Vortex II container and decelerator res for £1,500 (US$ 2,400). Didn't think it was bad value but am unfamiliar with them and have never seem one in the flesh so any comments received with thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #7 June 5, 2003 I have a hornet 170 at the mo. Handling differences that much? Your heavier so that's somewhat disappointing. Not a flier then? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #8 June 5, 2003 How many jumps does the rig have? My friend bought his brand new for that. It flies ok, but it is trimmed down a lot. The hornet is a much better canopy in my opinion.____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #9 June 5, 2003 Its a brand new rig. I would have bought another Hornet but PISA has been taken over and they don't make them anymore. You can get a Pilot now but its nearly 75% more expensive than the Hornet used to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spike 0 #10 June 6, 2003 I've put about 160 jumps on a ZP EXE 170 in a Vortex II container, my 2nd rig since CAT10. I like it a lot, though I'd agree that when flying alongside other similarly loaded canopies I seem to loose height pretty quickly. I don't roll the nose or do anything else fancy and I usually get nice soft openings, just occassionaly I get 180 openings? But can't figure what I'm doing thats different in my packing or opening posture. If you get to take a look at the rig check out the grommets attached to the armoured cable which supports the cutaway cord and the yellow teflon cable. I've seen quite a few Vortex II's (mine included) where the grommets were badly pressed leaving a sharp edge which a rigger told me could cut through the cutaway loop. Apparently its a well known problem and if you take the rig to a dealer they should be able to order and fit a replacement FOC. I've also seen some new Vortex II rigs and they seem to have sorted this problem out. All in all, I really like my ZP.EXE and Vortex II combo, though when I downsize I'll probably change to a PD Velocity. Tried one at a PD demo day and loved it. Much better glide from the PD and it seemed to have a bit more umph left at the end of the flare. Hope this is helpfull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJK 0 #11 June 10, 2003 I have a ZP exe 170 with about 50 jumps on it. Yes, it DOES loose alitude faster. Something to do with the angle of the wing. It also out flies the Sabre in my opinion. SWEEEEEETTT flares and swoops. Just make sure you have a good spot or deploy higher ;-)Grounded?!?!?! Whadda ya mean I'm "GROUNDED"?!?!?!?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #12 June 10, 2003 From the comments here....ZP EXE doesn't seem to be as impressive as my Hornet 170 and I would at least like something comparable. Maybe a Sabre 2 - 170 put into the rest of the package I was offered (Vortex II container and 170 decelerator res). I'm not overly fussed about the performance of the reserve (just want something that will get me down!) Any thoughts on the Vortex II container? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #13 June 10, 2003 Nig rig - shitty company. I have the Vortex II and have been jumping it for a couple of years now. Only complaint is that it's extremely tight to close and the above mentioned service. If you can handle the poor customer service it'll treat you well. That said I hear that the Vortex II prices have gotten so high that the rig price is comparable to US gear....in which case I'd chose something along those lines, better manufactured and better service (depending on who of course). As for the reserve - I had an absolute BANGER on my terminal ride but it held up great so no complaints there. Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #14 June 11, 2003 It has issues with turbulence, and reacts poorly to front riser input. It's a step in the right direction from the ZP though. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #15 June 11, 2003 We have plenty of Sabre2's at our DZ. None of them show any signs of reacting worse to turbulence than any other canopy at the dz. As for front riser input, the brake lines are normally set shorter for "regular" jumpers which causes the poor front riser performance. Simply lengthen the brakes until there is no buckling when pulling down a front riser. Scott Miller actually competed and didn't do too badly at all under a Sabre2 at the Ranch pond swooping (2 years ago I believe). Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #16 June 11, 2003 Do you know the thread is about ZP exe's and not Sabre 2's? tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydivejersey 0 #17 June 11, 2003 It was. Ditched that and now I was asking about Sabre 2's. Although I have just found a new hornet kicking about..... so much choice and so little money!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ianmdrennan 2 #18 June 11, 2003 Originally yeah, I thought you were responding to his question on the Sabre2 Blue skies IanPerformance Designs Factory Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stuartjl 0 #19 June 12, 2003 I've had a vortex II for about a year or so and have put about 80 jumps on it. The build quality is excellent for the price. some people turntheir noses up at them but its not justified as they are very well put together. I'd have no problem recommending one! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skystorm 0 #20 June 12, 2003 Hi Jersey, I've got the exact same rig. Sweetest openings, flies like an angle, but a little problematic on the packing because the material is very slippery. But I love my exe, she's the best. Feel free to pm me if you need more info. Gene Police: "YOU!! Out of the pool, NOW!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
