diver123

Vallerina, just give me one chance and I promise you won't be sorry! :) "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Lisa, I totally understand what you're talking about and that's what I was expecting to find flying the stiletto. However, the steering lines were lengthened and I'm telling you it feels almost exactly the same as the Sabre2. I heard about how touchy elipticals were and thought that was going to be the case, but like I said, it was very similar to the other canopy. With regard to the harness sensitivity; I also tried messing with that up high to see what it felt like, but I couldn't get it to turn just by shifting my weight (leaning and lifting legs). Counter steer was another thing I was warned about, but once again nothing. If anything it felt a little like a car that was slightly out of allignment. "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

You raise some very good points Lisa. I'm going to answer your questions honestly. -will you be doing 20+ jumps a month, every month? I cannot say either way, but I can speculate that it's very unlikely. I'd say more like 10/month would be more accurate. -do you think you'll be comfortable landing that canopy after taking two or three weeks off? 2 or 3 weeks, yes but I'd be cautious on the first couple. Any more time than that, no I wouldn't be comfortable. -would I be comfortable landing in someone's backyard? No. Would anyone? I doubt it. But I understand what you're getting at. I think it's clear, based on my answers and the consensus, that this may be a poor decision at this point. I'll work on trading this puppy out for something that's a little more tame. However, I've still yet to see anyone comment on my question about the comparison between the Sabre2 150 vs. the Stiletto 150. Why are people so againts the stiletto but so accepting of the Sabre2 in the same size. Is there really that much difference between semi-eliptical (tapered) and eliptical? After jumping both I didn't notice a profound difference in flight/speed... That's not to say there wasn't any, or that I'm an authority, but it was not profound. "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I have a soft reserve handle with exposed cable as well, but I don't have chest rings on my j-3. "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Okay so here's the gist: I made over a 100 jumps this past year, with 20 in the last month. There was a two month period from November till January where I didn't jump at all cause I sold my rig. I'm definitely not "living" out on the DZ, but I don't think I'm uncurrent. The stiletto is loaded at 1.4 as of this past Tuesday. *I do fully respect the opinions of anyone with experience*, but I'm just a little confused. None of the posters on this thread seemed to have anything to say about the demo jumps on the Sabre2 150 (which was loaded at 1.5 cause I was heavier then). The Sabre2 is a semi-eliptical design and was very responsive as well. I don't attempt high performance landings and may not ever, I just enjoy the performance up high. Both my landings on Tuesday were straight in and I didn't notice any lack of flare. In fact, I even screwed up my approach on the second jump. I ended up with a downwinder cause of a windshift just before I brought it in. This had me moving faster than I've ever been under canopy but I didn't panic. I flew the canopy until it was time to set my landing gear down and then ran off (very ungraciously mind you) the excess speed. I believe I've demonstrated a competency and an aptitude for learning when it comes to canopy flight. But, if after knowing this info it's still the general consensus that this wing is too hot, then I will trade it out for something less agressive. "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I don't see any reason (at a glance of course) why it wouldn't work assuming it didn't snag on anything during the launch... "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

So grasshopper, which do you have more of a problem with? The size or the fact that it's eliptical? I assure you that my safety is number 1, but HONESTLY there wasn't much difference in the way the Sabre2 flew versus the Stiletto... Do you think you'd still have a problem if I told you I just purchased a new Sabre2 150? Once again, I'm not getting on your case. I seriously appreciate your concern and the opinions of experienced canopy pilots carry more weight in my decision than my own so let me have it... ! "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Isn't there a level or two in between enthusiast and Addict??? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Hey, how many posts does it take to move to the 3rd level? Newbie, Enthusiast, ????, ???? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

So I just picked up a used kit for a very nice price... The main is a Stiletto 150. I was originally shopping for a Sabre2 150 as a main, but since the price was so nice I went ahead and made the purchase. Now, I've never flown an eliptical before so I was a little nervous yesterday on the way to altitude for the first time. I asked around for tips and things to watch for and felt comfortable so I took her up. - Forward speed was a bit faster than the Sabre2 in full flight - Turns were a hell of a lot more brisk than that of the Sabre2 - I personally felt the flare was stronger as well. I only put 2 jumps on it cause it was late, but I plan on making at least 10 this weekend to test it out some more. Here is my question: If my next purchase was going to be a Sabre2 150 ( a canopy that I've put about 30 jumps on to demo and felt very comfortable flying), do you think the Stiletto 150 should be considered in it's place or should I unload this to someone else and look for a Sabre2? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

That was f'n hiarious! Although, that can't be comfortable on the kitty and we all know just how important it is to "take care of the kitty!" "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

And here I was all worried about nuclear holocaust, what a relief... A civilaztion of ants will take us over. Seems a fitting ending to the saga... :) "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

We should all be celebrating here! We have a new-up and coming- skydiver in the makings here!!! Congrats on the new baby! "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I believe that qualifies as a "long spot"... "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I'd dress up like twins if I had to! Wait, is that even possible? Well, I'll give it a shot if it means...well, you know...!!! "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I know it sounded bad when I said my 1ST cutaway, but let's not start realling inviting the bad karma with the "B" word... I think I'll go ahead and just take this week off jumping to be safe! :) "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Perfect, I'll take all three! "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Yeah, maybe that sounded a little pecimistic... Any suggesstions on how I could re-word it so it sounded better? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Wouldn't that be nice eh Viking? As soon as you round them up, we can take them out alright! "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

No threesomes, no internet porn... (unfortunately) Just a difference of opinions... I guess I could make up a really good story if you'd all like? K, so there I was soaking in the tub with these three swedish binkini models when all of a sudden she comes through my bathroom door trying to surprise me! I immediately did what any warm blooded American man would do, and invited her to join us... However, that didn't go over as well as I'd planned so we broke up... How was that? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I just got dumped this past Saturday! So I guess it was more like a cypres fire, but the same principal... I need to make some skydives to take my mind off of this... "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

Sounds like my kind of party! Where do we sign up? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

where is the couch freaks boogie hosted? "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

See, just as I thought. It wasn't an invitation like we'd all hoped... Either way though, I'd be more than happy to use that as an excuse to go see naked... eh...um... I mean skydive... "pull high! It's lower than you think..."

I just wanted a little bit of clarification before I got excited... I don't know about the rest of you guys here at dz.com, but it's not everyday that I just randomly get propositioned with a shower and a beautiful woman so you'll forgive me if I have to take the proverbial "double take"... "pull high! It's lower than you think..."