kallend 1,863 #1 February 26, 2010 My Spectre 135 is getting a little tired, so I'm thinking about possible replacements.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #2 February 27, 2010 Ive been jumping a PD storm (135) for the last 600 or so jumps, and wouldnt fly anything else for WS skydiving and camera-work. Always on heading (and Im a shit/trash-packer), quick opening (still relaxed opening speeds, havent had any slammers, ever) easy to fly (great flare) nice and swoopy even for landings. If I had to descrbe it quickly, its a Spectre 'plus'. As it also gets you somewhere distance-wise. Scott Camposs hs also been jumping a PD spectre for the last 2 years or so, I tink he can also chime in with his views. But remembering his first impressions (we both started flying it around the sae time) he liked it a lot as well. The Mpod D-bag Im using is a great addition as well. Its a stow-less bag (with magnetic locking) that illimnates the knitting/zigzag motion the bag makes on deployment. Almost identical to a reserve freebag/base deployment. Which makes opening cleaner, and packing quciker and easier (and never replacing bungies ever again:). Several container manufacturers are now also starting to experiment with his bag type (already used and loved by a lot of dutch, french and belgian jumpers). A great thing to think about for WS specific gear as well. Anyways..thread drift... Wingsuit + PD storm = Great!JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #3 February 27, 2010 Quote My Spectre 135 is getting a little tired, so I'm thinking about possible replacements. If you like your Spectre, you'll love a Storm. It's one of , if not the best, canopy for wingsuiting IMO. I liked the Storm so much that I traded in my Katanas for it. Really nice on heading/camera friendly openings and it's really good for getting back from long spots if you jump one in the ADV/EXP weight range. I started on 107s and am currently on 97s. Once you go into the MAX weight range the descent rate is a little higher and you have to get into rears every once in awhile. When I was on the 107s I could just point it back at the DZ and let it fly and make it back from long spots. I'd suggest you demo a 135 to see if you like the canopies characteristics. My perception coming off of the katana(naturally) was that the 107 felt a bit bigger and was a tad slow, so I went down to the 97. If you like the canopy but the 135 feels too slow for you try demoing the 120. The one thing I always have to reinforce to people about this canopy is it's flair point/stroke, it is very deep. If you don't complete your flair, ie: straighten your arms all the way and hold it until your feet are on the ground, it will feel like the canopy doesn't slow down because you are not at the actual flare point. You can get very deep in brakes with this canopy and it will stay and feel very stable. In the attached picture I am not done with my flare yet. On most canopies , this deep in the toggle stroke is usually shutting the canopy down. So take the time up high to play with and find the flare point and don't be discouraged if your first couple of landings aren't to your liking. Once you find the sweet spot, you can have tip toe landings when most people are running it out. The Storm is a fantastic canopy, I'm sure you would like it."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #4 February 27, 2010 I've got Storms as well, in a couple sizes. Can't begin to tell you how much I like them. Tried several other canopies before going to the Storm...very happy. It's a little zippier than the Spectre, but it also has greater flare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #5 February 27, 2010 I liked the spectres I've had a lot, but I didn't like the storm I demoed nearly as much so I wouldn't buy one myself. For wingsuiting (and camera flying) I prefer a pilot or safire. YMMV. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skwrl 56 #6 February 27, 2010 Yep. I jump a Storm 190. I <3 it. +1 to what everyone else said.Skwrl Productions - Wingsuit Photography Northeast Bird School - Chief Logistics Guy and Video Dork Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,863 #7 February 27, 2010 QuoteI liked the spectres I've had a lot, but I didn't like the storm I demoed nearly as much so I wouldn't buy one myself. For wingsuiting (and camera flying) I prefer a pilot or safire. YMMV. Oh, I didn't like the Safire or the Pilot very much when I demoed them. De gustibus non est disputandum.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The111 1 #8 February 27, 2010 I'd like to try a Storm, but my Pilot keeps me so happy, I wouldn't even bother swapping it out for a test jump. Though the Storm does sound nice.www.WingsuitPhotos.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #9 February 27, 2010 John, I did like the Pilot (one of the newer ones) when I demo'd it. I didn't like the Safire at all. Snivel forever before it inflated. Justin and Scotty *almost* had me swayed to a Pilot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #10 February 27, 2010 Yikes, schooldays coming back to me Anyway I forgot I demoed the pulse too. I liked that canopy a good deal, haven't seen anyone wingsuiting it yet but I'm sure it would make a very good wingsuit canopy. I wouldn't load it very high; from the few jumps I did with them a WL of about 1.3 suited me better than 1.5 with zero wind I was having a bit of trouble shutting it down (but others have reviewed it at higher WL and liked it). I must say I really was surprised at this canopy, I wouldn't have thought to demo it other than I didn't like the storm as much and i needed a main But you may want to include it if you're going to demo for a new wingsuit main. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #11 February 27, 2010 My first safire did the snivel thing too, when I tired of that I tried replacing my pilotchute and that worked like a charm, nothing but normal openings after that. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #12 March 2, 2010 Did my first 6 WS jumps with DSE's 150 Storm. Openings were faster than I wanted. Flare was more powerful than I expected. I weighed 195 without gear. Seems like a good all around canopy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #13 March 2, 2010 Packing technique makes up for a lot of variation possibility in openings. I prefer em 'fast and positive' but my teammate Alejandro always has lovely snivels. But in my experience, even the faster openings are not near stiletto etc style slammers. Just a nice intermediate between normal and long spectre style snivels..JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hjumper33 0 #14 March 3, 2010 Ive jumped a storm a few times, as well as crossfires, saber2, spectre, even katanas, and nothing has performed like a $400 saber1 120. On heading almost every time, quick, but not too quick, swoops awesome, and was $400 with brand new lines. You can spend the extra $1000 on another wingsuit, or lots of jumps, but then again, im very poor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irrlicht 0 #15 March 3, 2010 i´ve jumped a sabre 1 too for a few hundrerd jumps but my lines were getting weak so i bought a storm. the sad thing is i bought it in 135 which is a little big, but i love the openings they are less hard than the sabre but the response is quick enough--- FlyByWire Wingsuit Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #16 March 3, 2010 QuoteIve jumped a storm a few times, as well as crossfires, saber2, spectre, even katanas, and nothing has performed like a $400 saber1 120. On heading almost every time, quick, but not too quick, swoops awesome, and was $400 with brand new lines. You can spend the extra $1000 on another wingsuit, or lots of jumps, but then again, im very poor. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with jumping a Saber 1 with a wingsuit, especially if thats all you do. However, it can be hit and miss in finding a good one that isn't dogged out and or in need of repairs, over priced. If you can find a good one and you don't want to spend a lot, it's a very good alternative to buying new."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #17 March 3, 2010 Comparing an old 2nd hand canopy to a new one (in price) is also that works in favour of the old canopy on short term, but in the long run, the new one will outlast it, and not have you looking for a new 2nd hand canopy in a year or two.JC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irrlicht 0 #18 March 4, 2010 @jarno: do you information where i can order The Mpod D-bag?--- FlyByWire Wingsuit Team Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mccordia 74 #19 March 4, 2010 I will shoot you a PM with detailsJC FlyLikeBrick I'm an Athlete? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ray4445 0 #20 March 13, 2010 GREAT Review of landing Storm! Thanks! I have 11 jumps on my Storm and with this knowledge a novice can handle the canopy safely IMHO. My impression is it is faster and steeper approach than other 7 cells. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,863 #21 March 13, 2010 QuoteDid my first 6 WS jumps with DSE's 150 Storm. Openings were faster than I wanted. Flare was more powerful than I expected. I weighed 195 without gear. Seems like a good all around canopy. Well, I went and bought a Storm 135, but won't have a chance to jump it for a couple of weeks. Expensive month - new S-Bird, new canopy, new CYPRES 2.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites