The new Katana?

[ypelchat 0]

I was just wondering if this new canopy was developped as a response to the Crossfire2?



Yves.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

I'm sure the PD people would deny this, but the Katana does appear to be a canopy built to compete with the Crossfire2.

The Katana is likely a good canopy, but I love my Crossfire2.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[Jimbo 0]

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I'm sure the PD people would deny this, but the Katana does appear to be a canopy built to compete with the Crossfire2.

Really? Why?

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[freeflydrew 0]

I think that PD was refing the Stiletto and ended up with a canopy inbetween the Stiletto and the Velocity... wasn't the Crossfire2 made to replace the Crossfire1 after a couple of strange incidents? And wasn't the crossfire1 developed to compete with the Stiletto?

There's a cycle developing here!

[trigger 0]

Only time will tell!Quess well have to wait for some decent reviews of the thing ,hopefully in the coming months from u guys stateside.....
I would like to add that after a conversation with a PD employee about the canopy,i concluded that it's going to fly v.similar to a cf2.

Can't wait to find out!!!

.CHOP WOOD COLLECT WATER.

[PhreeZone 14]

We have a Katana 120 on the way to my DZ once they are released. The guy who put in the demo form was told he's in the top 10 to get that size. Once it comes in I'll give my Demo report.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skymedic 0]

The Xfire 2 was well under development when they had issues with the precision made Xfire 1's.....they were coming out with a new one any way. just happened at the time. call Simon at Icarus and he can inform you better...

Marc
otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman....

[superstu 0]

any body know when this canopy will be coming out?

Slip Stream Air Sports
Do not go softly, do not go quietly, never back down

[ypelchat 0]

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any body know when this canopy will be coming out?

I dunno. Even on the PD website, no pricing information is available yet. I guess we just have to wait.

Yves.

[skybytch 259]

According to an email I got from PD this week the Katana is still being tested. They'll release it to the public as soon as their R&D team deems it "ready for market." No estimates as to when that will be.

They expect the price to be lower than the Velocity yet higher than the Sabre2.

[Kirils 1]

PD brags about being innovative, they were maybe 20 years ago but now they just making copy-cat canopies. I really don't expect the Katana to be anymore innovative in today's market than the Sabre II. PD has good service and good quality products but they are not cutting edge design wise.
But some people keep buying Fords and are quite happy....

"Slow down! You are too young
to be moving that fast!"

Old Man Crawfish

[kimgriffin 0]

Wow, bold statement by someone who has no real information to base his claim on.

I have heard straight from a PD reps mouth that the Katana does indeed have some type of new technology built in it.

The owner Bill Coe - who started off as a jumper sewing parachutes by hand in his garage - designed the first cross braced canopy way back when (Excalibur), designed and built multiple top of the line lasers table himself, and has worked (and is working) with the textile manufactures to create the best possible zp on the market, and I'm sure there are a ton of other things that I'm just not aware of. PD is always behind the scenes coming up with some kind of new fabric, line or design that most jumpers are probably just not aware of.

Either way, I'd rather jump a company's product who puts time in to testing every size of new canopy and with all sorts of wingloadings and in every condition imaginable. All this tesing takes a lot of time which makes PD look like they're slow. But, in my option, their canopies are worth the wait. I'd rather not be a test jumper.

~Kim

-Kimberly Griffin

[ypelchat 0]

Quote

PD brags about being innovative, they were maybe 20 years ago but now they just making copy-cat canopies. I really don't expect the Katana to be anymore innovative in today's market than the Sabre II. PD has good service and good quality products but they are not cutting edge design wise.
But some people keep buying Fords and are quite happy....

To each his own !




Yves.

[ypelchat 0]

Quote

Wow, bold statement by someone who has no real information to base his claim on.

I have heard straight from a PD reps mouth that the Katana does indeed have some type of new technology built in it.

The owner Bill Coe - who started off as a jumper sewing parachutes by hand in his garage - designed the first cross braced canopy way back when (Excalibur), designed and built multiple top of the line lasers table himself, and has worked (and is working) with the textile manufactures to create the best possible zp on the market, and I'm sure there are a ton of other things that I'm just not aware of. PD is always behind the scenes coming up with some kind of new fabric, line or design that most jumpers are probably just not aware of.

Either way, I'd rather jump a company's product who puts time in to testing every size of new canopy and with all sorts of wingloadings and in every condition imaginable. All this tesing takes a lot of time which makes PD look like they're slow. But, in my option, their canopies are worth the wait. I'd rather not be a test jumper.

~Kim

If only Bill could design and market some kind of a device, to help us Sabre2 owners pack our "slippery as hell" canopies, and put it in the bag, such a device would definitely be a tremendous seller!




Btw. I still have an Excalibur 150, somewhere in my closet, and occasionally, I bring it to the DZ on windy days, just to play with it. A lot of fun. The lines are in need of being replaced, but PD no longer make them.



Yves.

[kimgriffin 0]

To each his own - I agree 100%. Viva la diference!

Competition within our sport generates constant improvements in quality and service.

Plus, if we were all alike life would be very boring.

~Kim

-Kimberly Griffin

[LouDiamond 1]

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was just wondering if this new canopy was developped as a response to the Crossfire2?

I think we could speculate on that all day and have justifications to substantiate both sides but it doesn't prove anything in the long run. What I think is more important is the fact that an industry leader continues to pour time and money into R&D and testing of new technologies. Many companies have made their mark with a certain product or line and allow it to carry the company till it's dead or their forced to come up with something more innovative. PD has continually put out a wide variety of canopies over a period of time that have all been used as a base line for comparrison when talking about other manufacturers canopies. What that says is that PD has set the bar and others are always trying to pass it. I think that is great because it does spur on newer ideas and better products for the user in the end.

So did PD market the Katana in response to the Crossfire2? I tend to think no. I do know they have been testing it for quite a while now and have been making modifications and that takes time and research. A response type development usually is hastily concieved, quickly manufactured and marketed directly at the competition. That just does not seem to be the case with the Katana IMO. I think PD is once again raising the bar with time proven methods of not releasing something until it's ready by putting it through every possible scenario.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[tbrown 26]

Either way, I'd rather jump a company's product who puts time in to testing every size of new canopy and with all sorts of wingloadings and in every condition imaginable. All this tesing takes a lot of time which makes PD look like they're slow. But, in my option, their canopies are worth the wait. I'd rather not be a test jumper.~Kim