mrbiceps 0 #1 March 30, 2009 did a few searches and couldnt find any direct comparisons between these 2 suits. has anyone flown both and can give me their opinion. it will be my first suit. Seems the phantom is a fair bit pricier ($1105 v $706us). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #2 March 30, 2009 Having flown both suits, I think they are equal in terms of stability and ease of flying. But the newer Phantom2 does perform a lot better with regards to solid inflation and forward drive (in part due to the much larger legwing). Both make fine beginner suits, and (depending on your skill/build) will be all you ever need to have fun in the sky with everyone.JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #3 March 30, 2009 I flew the Firebird for my first 15 or so flights. I tried a Phantom 2 down in FL this winter and I must say the Phantom 2 blows the Firebird out of the water when it comes to performance in my opinion. The inflation is vastly superior in the phantom 2 and the ease of flying was phenomenal. I fly an S-6 and the Phantom 2 had better inflation. If I was getting a new suit for fun flying I would throw down on a Phantom 2. Just my 2.5 cents.Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #4 March 30, 2009 A flock of Phantoms is a beautiful thing. I would ask Phoenix-Fly when the next version of the Phantom is going to be released (with the new cut-away and zipper system that I saw Scott Bland wearing in Puerto Rico) ... PS: I've enjoyed my Phantom 2 so much that I'm ordering a Vampire 3."That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #5 March 30, 2009 thats a great photo, love that black and blue one. let me know if that guy wants to sell it. cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #6 March 30, 2009 Between the 2 mentioned the Phantom 2 would be the pick for sure but that said I would toss the Tony Suit T-bird in the mix. I flew it today 4X and I was very impressed. I have a good number of Jumps on the Phantom (close to 200 I am guessing with out looking), and only a few on a Phantom 2 but the T-bird was quite an impressive design.. EXTREMELY solid flight characteristics from an experienced jumper point of view. I additionally had an experienced jumper with about 10 other WS jumps take it up and he called it a "Cadillac" and found it not only easy to fly also got good performance out of it. I found it performed VERY well in both maxed out for time and doing some acrobatic stuff including single, double and triple barrel rolls, Backflying and just good basic fooling around! before you buy something give it a try if you can.. Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alx72 0 #7 March 30, 2009 Quote thats a great photo, love that black and blue one. let me know if that guy wants to sell it. cheers Sorry Dude, that suit (which is a Tony Mach1 BTW) is absolutely not for sale. Go for a Phantom 2. Definitely worth the extra $. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,255 #8 March 30, 2009 Phantom. Absolutely, positively no question in my mind. My first wingsuit was a Firebird which I ordered brandnew, custom colours and everything. I'd put about 40 jumps on it when I had the opportunity to demo a Phantom. I immediately sold the brandnew lovely coloured Firebird and bought the used and abused, horribly coloured demo Phantom. Put about 200 jumps on it before I sold it to a friend (So I can borrow it back on occasion) and ordered a V3. Seriously, it was that much better. And that was only a Phantom1! Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottygofast 0 #9 March 30, 2009 I just felt the need to say Firechicken! go for the Phantom if you cant get ahold of a Tbird.... But try flyin the Tbird if you can get ahold of one... itsa nice!!Z Flock #11; Muff #1909; PFI #15, USPA Lifer Commercial Multi-Inst. Airplane/Rotory www.flyteskool.ws Aerial Photography Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butters 0 #10 March 30, 2009 Quote thats a great photo, love that black and blue one. let me know if that guy wants to sell it. cheers You picked the only one that isn't a Phantom. "That looks dangerous." Leopold Stotch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #11 March 30, 2009 Just because no one else has said it in this thread (although i know you've been told it a ton of times already on this forum) Please wait a while before ordering any suit. You've still got quite a few jumps to go before even thinking about 'zipping up'. There's a good article about this by Jarno on the front page of this very site. Might be worth having a read. Stay safe Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #12 March 30, 2009 ive heard these suits can take a few months to get made and in a few months i will be up to 200 jumps so im not going to wait any longer before i order one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #13 March 30, 2009 I can only speak for PF. But the last Phantom2 orders Ive put through made it from submitted PDF/order form to a suit on someones doorstep in under a month. For some suits the wait can be longer due to the amount of orders for that particular model, but in general, ordering one or two months before you intend to fly is more than enough.JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 73 #14 March 30, 2009 Small addition (just for general knowledge) the factory is currently working at full steam and for the Phantom2 has a quoted lead time of 2,5 to 3 weeks. And the Phantom2 orders we've put through so far have all arrived lightning fast...JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #15 March 30, 2009 I got my new suit in 17(!!!) days from payment to delivery. Its really hard to beat. Great work PhoenixFly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BDashe 0 #16 March 30, 2009 I have a firebird-R, I was debating the same thing as you being my first suit. Ultimately i got the R because I was able to get it new at a screamin price when birdman ran their xmas special a year ago. It's very easy to fly and beats up on GTi's all day long, even with grippers. I don't fly it enough to be considered even an OK WS pilot (working on that this season So there I was... Making friends and playing nice since 1983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 3 #17 March 30, 2009 The suits don't take that long any more. The advice to wait is solid, IMO. As to the rest of your question; Having had/flown both, the Phantom and Phantom2 are significantly better suits (in my opinion). I flew a Firebird for a week, then borrowed one from a friend that he wanted to sell. Found a used Phantom at the same time. Flew both of them back to back. I bought the Phantom. IMO, the Phantom or the Thunderbird are the best suits in their class. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #18 March 30, 2009 I borrowed a Firebird for a few jumps prior to buying my first suit, a Phantom. I have several jumps on a Phantom2 prototype and just put 5 jumps on the T-Bird. Hands down I would go with a Ph2 or T-Bird. The difference in performance is remarkable.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MexPilot 0 #19 March 31, 2009 El Phantom es el gran caca. Compre el phantom. Mas mejor que todo los trajes de alas. Dude not only is it a awesome suit in flying capability. The quality is bommer. I have had mine in the mud sand and rock in the base environment and it has yet to tear. When your spending a grand you want something that will last at least till the phantom 3 comes out. "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." Leonardo da Vinci Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #21 March 31, 2009 Quote ive heard these suits can take a few months to get made and in a few months i will be up to 200 jumps so im not going to wait any longer before i order one. Why the rush to spend your money? Why not wait until you have the jump numbers, have made your first flight, have decided you actually like wingsuiting (it's not for everyone), then try a few suits yourself to see what you like to fly, THEN buy one... Were you looking to buy a car before you'd even had a driving lesson? Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 0 #22 March 31, 2009 Quote Why the rush to spend your money? Why not wait until you have the jump numbers, have made your first flight, have decided you actually like wingsuiting (it's not for everyone), then try a few suits yourself to see what you like to fly, THEN buy one... Were you looking to buy a car before you'd even had a driving lesson? +1 It's about like ordering brand new gear with a 280 sq ft canopy in it, before you even finish AFF.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbiceps 0 #23 March 31, 2009 thanks for the help guys. whats this tony suit t-bird u talk of. i cant find it in the tony suit web site? cheers http://www.tonysuits.com/zwing/index.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill_K 0 #24 March 31, 2009 Quote thanks for the help guys. whats this tony suit t-bird u talk of. i cant find it in the tony suit web site? cheers http://www.tonysuits.com/zwing/index.htm Clicky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenediktDE 2 #25 April 1, 2009 Quote Were you looking to buy a car before you'd even had a driving lesson? I did. And bought it. And a second one. I never drove one of these. ;)For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
