dogdoghowl

+1 on the Icon long. The length and profile are dope.

So funny clicking this link all these years later to see that Squirrel completely and utterly dominate the PPC charts... Hahahaha

I've flown the ATC perhaps 10 times and own a Freak 2. The Freak series is a natural evolution in terms of performance from the ATC (although chronologically the ATC was developed as a downsizing of the Freak concept). If you're comfortable in the ATC the Freak will not be a huge step up, however, you will notice the extra fabric. I have actually ordered an ATC 2 as while I love my Freak 2 and will be keeping it I found the ATC to be the most confidence inspiring suit for practicing new or more advanced manouveres. Despite a marginal reduction in surface area the ATC really reduces the stress levels associated with big suits. My advice would be to buy the Freak 3 if you want a big suit but to also keep the ATC. You can then apply what you practice in the ATC when transitioning to a Freak flight and you will also have the capability to fly with anyone in any size suit. Of the suits I've flown I think for skydiving having an ATC series and a Freak series is truly the best combination to cover the fun jumping spectrum. I've also found the Freak 2 to be a great suit for BASE.

I'll +1 the above sentiments. The Squirrel race suits apparently (haven't flown them) and even the Aura 3 have high internal pressure leading to a more complicated deployment initiation. The Freak 2 and down in the Squirrel range not so much compared to suits of similar sizes. Unless the suit is too tight or you are wearing a heavy layer of winter clothing and/or restricting leg movement by stashing hiking poles in the leg wing etc throwing the PC shouldn't be an issue. All larger modern wingsuits - any suit where flaring is necessary - require much more complicated deployment techniques than their forebears though, and deployment can be an issue on any of them. It's not to be underestimated. The Freak 2 in my experience is a relatively problem free design.

Icon V I2 Long

An increase in the popularity of wingsuiting and resultant profit opportunities for canopy manufacturers over the last ~6 years has undoubtedly driven new product development. To say that this is the only reason may be overly cynical though. It would also omit consideration of the fact that approximately 6 years ago the surface area of popular wingsuits increased radically. This expansion of surface area is largely responsible for the deployment and opening complications which focused canopy research and development toward the new generation of 7 cell canopies. Smaller wingsuits are far more readily able to be flown with more aggressive canopy combinations. The larger and more aggressive wingsuits become, the more critical a low aspect ratio 7 cell is for a reduction in the incidence of deployment and opening issues. Whenever this question is raised it seems immediately apparent that those who do not own - or are unwilling to upgrade to - these newer canopy designs, dismiss them as unnecessary marketing exercises, citing their "Old Faithful 150" and its lack of experienced issues as proof of this mantra. Canopy choice is entirely individual and what works for each of us may well be divergent. The newer generation of 7 cell canopies, namely the Epicene, Pilot7, Winx, and Horizon provide opening characteristics which at this time are at the absolute forefront of desirability for wingsuiting. Whether they are necessary for an individual is for each of us to decide. The benefits they provide are not theoretical marketing hyperbole however. They are very much real and tangible. Personally I am very much encouraged by the fact that this sub-discipline of skydiving is not torpedoing its gear choices through targeting high-performance aspects of canopy flight; but rather espousing the advantages of safe and reliable parachute characteristics first and foremost.

Icon long versions are a nice option. I've put ~50 jumps on one and it has remained tight on my back at all attitudes and angles of flight. No difference in that regard to the Micron I also regularly fly.

Considering the fact that this thread is in the wingsuit forum, I'd hesitate to apportion any real relevance to the criticisms about hard openings on non-wingsuit jumps (which mathrick has already detailed regarding the Pilot7 in two seperate threads). Contemporary canopies designed for wingsuit purposes (Horizon/Epicene/Pilot7/Winx) are not intended for any discipline other than wingsuiting. In order to fulfil their design brief they need to open faster than is comfortable for most people jumping without a wingsuit. If the opening sequence took longer then the potential for line twists and off headings would be significantly increased. Hence, to list harder openings on non-wingsuit jumps as a negative trait when it is merely the canopy fulfilling its design brief is essentially asking a canopy to perform outside the parameters of its capabilities. The future may hold the potential for canopies which are effectively able to perform across a range of disciplines whilst simultaneously displaying the superb opening characteristics for wingsuit flight as the above mentioned parachutes. Currently any such capabilities are a trade off in terms of opening suitability for wingsuit usage. I have flown the Epicene and Pilot7 and enjoyed both canopies. I have chosen to purchase a Pilot7 however as I find it offers sporty flight traits and improved flare whilst having very little trade off in terms of openings. I believe it to be an excellent wingsuit canopy. Any one of the canopies listed above will work well though. If a more sporty canopy that still retains exemplary openings for wingsuit usage is desired I would recommend the Pilot7 without restraint. I believe Squirrel will be releasing a new version of the Epicene in the near future which will compete in this category also. One last thing I would like to mention is that in these forums i see canopy material choice pertaining mostly to pack volume and longevity. Whilst these are undoubtedly factors the main consideration again is tied to opening performance. Only 0-3cfm (F-111 type) materials offer the consistency to be truly desirable for wingsuit usage (with ZP nose/top skin to prolong lifespan). ZP is not nearly as consistent throughout the opening phase. This is evidenced by its absence in BASE canopy manufacture.

I've heard rumours that the long awaited Cookie G4 is just around the corner. Does anyone have any more information?

Normal container.....

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Tom, you have inspired me.. to admit my shortcomings. If you can do it so can I, I guess. Three syllables indeed I wished to refer to, but rather in reference to the adjective as opposed to the noun form. I'm sure you can join the dots. Say hi to the baby Jesus for me. P.S: If I wanted my name mentioned for the public record in relation to BASE, then I would provide it in my profile, hence the esoteric pseudonym. If you glean my profile you will notice that about the only thing I desire to be known about me is that my beloved hobby is, "molesting shaved goat testes with the tongue of me". May I take this opporunity to extend the olive branch and invite you to share in this most esteemed of activities with me. Cat.

Hey Tom, It seems that during the course of your overly methodical, systematic, painstaking, exhaustive, comprehensive, scrupulous, thoroughly unnecessarily verbose (tiring isn't it...), and entirely vain endeavour to defend your honour that you have missed the principal thrust of Jesse's comments. Mainly that you do not BASE jump any more and have not BASE jumped for many years. Thus, quite simply, a consideration of your opinions must be tempered with the basic fact that you are no longer an authority on the subject. Whilst I do not wish to gratuitously depricate you, it is conceivably important to allow the BASE community at large to recognise that any opinions expressed by yourself are those of a non-jumper, and subsequently not of someone possesing current practical knowledge. When information can be the difference between life and death in a sport it may be wise to have the humility to simply admit one's ripening. As for correct usage of the English language, you omitted a possessive apostrophe in your typing of the Queen's English. If not exactly a figure of speech by which locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect such as an oxymoron, then this oversight is at least glaringly ironic. Or perhaps the latter three syllables of the aforementioned grammatical phenomenon should simply be applied to surmise the situation. Polecat.

Hey, I am an Australian jumper who is primarily interested in wingsuit BASE. Due to the dismal topography of my unfortunate homeland I am seeking a new, and more mountainous country of residence. Being that I only speak English, Canada seems to me to be the best place to move to. I know you guys have mountains, but don't know much about the real wingsuit possibilities. I don't want to know exact sites or anything, just how many BASE flights you guys have over there, and where the best place to base myself to fly your mountains would be. If any Canadian jumpers could PM me that would be much appreciated. I need to get out of this god forsaken country where our biggest cliff is sub 1000ft... Oh the pain. Adam.