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First reserve ride, 63 jumps
Javelin J4 (3 jumps)
Super Raven II (only packed once)
Spectre 190 (Demo gear--who knows how many jumps)

I started skydiving at 18. I stopped jumping at age 22 when my dad died. His discomforting words about the sport became real to me, and I needed some time to think. After 3 years, I decided to come back to the sport. I learned that the most important things in life make you feel good. And for me the horizontal tango, big barrels, and skydiving share the gold medal, and I knew I needed a sky bath. However, I made a deal with myself, and my dad, that I wouldn't jump until I had my own gear. The only problem was I did not know what size main I wanted to get, so I am still on the demo program. I did buy my javelin, Super Raven II, and cypress 2 months ago.

The sky was a watered down blue otter pop color. It was Wednesday. The landing area was muddy from the rain from the night before, so I decided to try the spectre 210. I stood up my previous two landings with it, so I figured I could stay dry and clean on my touch down.

3500 feet, look, wave, reach, pull. The spectre opened nice and soft, but it started turning when it opened. Broken lines danced behind the unstable turning spectre. I checked my altitude. Grabbed my handles, Took a deep breath, "Here we go". The cutaway was the first time I ever felt like I was actually falling during a skydive (what a cool feeling). I waited about 1 second and yanked my silver. The next 2 seconds where the longest ones of my life. By the time I looked up, there she was. I never seen her before, but damn was she beautiful. All white like a virgin bride spread out on top of me. My Super Raven II opened on heading. She was a little hard to turn. She moved a little slow (just like I wanted her to), but she flared real good. I did not even get muddy.

I trust my Super Raven II. I am jumping again this week. I'm glad Precision Aerodynamics did their Homework. Take a good look at what you demo.

I have had my Oxygen A3 for about a year and a half. I normally only wear it on larger RW dives and high risk dives like tubes and cats. While I prefer open air, I must say I really like the fit and feel of this helmet. I have never had the visor come open in freefall. In fact, the seal is so good it is difficult to close. Wind noise is almost non existent but I have to really pay attention to hear the exit count.

While I have never had any trouble hearing my Pro Track audible, I must say I am nervous about it being on the outside of my helmet. They are a touch expensive to leave out in the open air like that but it fits so perfectly in it's port, there isn't much wind noise around it.

Overall, I am very pleased with this helmet. I just wish I could take it off under canopy for the increased hearing that allows. I really love it on those cold days though. Now if I could only find some gloves this agreeable! Blue skies.

I tried line twists in my cobalt 85 (load for 2) for bad position (purposed) of the my body in the openning. They were three twists. Good experience. To canopy it rotated slow and it let me to undo the twists without cutting. Until today I always had to do cut when line twists in elipticals load more than 1.4.
More points in favor of the cobalt.

After AFF, I tried a Specter (sp) 230 and was not at all impressed. (probbably had alot to do with my skill level). After that I was presented with a golden oppertunity to purchase a used rig with a Silhouette 190. My firts try was a kick butt stand up landing, and I could not get over the soft on heading opening. I am a true believer and the folks at PD can boast till the cows come home. I love it!!!!

I had a Sabre 190 loaded at 1.05/1.1 as my first canopy after the "student" one. I put on it about 110 jumps and now I'm moving down to the "150 class". I'm both very pleased and very annoyed by it. It flies VERY well, and even with such a low loading with pilot chute and slider collapsed it gives me quite a nice swoop. It is also VERY forgiving and easy to recover from nasty situations.

I still haven't understood why on this and bigger sizes Sabres PD install 4 command lines instead of two (with stowing loops only on the external ones). That gave me few problems of loose command lines (thing that's never nice) while packing. I ended up having the loops installed also onto the internal command lines by a rigger.

I've had a very bad opening about every two or three. No matter what I did, tens of rolls everywere or no rolls, spend 1 hour and a half packing it,use the tighest rubber bands ever, it used to hit me. The only things tha helped (a lot, actually) was installing a pilot chute the dimension of a tissue (no more hop-n-pop from then on...) and, best of all, PSYCHO packing it.

At the end of the day, it has been a very good parachute for that phase of my "skidiving learning process". It forced me to learn packing, an be aware and try to understand exactly what was going on during the opening sequence (awareness that a lot of experienced jumpers still don't have) and flying and landing it has always been great fun.

However, I wouldn't suggest it for wing loads a lot higher than that: nowaday on the market there are a lot of more modern and efficient canipies, made with the experience made with million of jumps on parachutes like the sabre.

Blue Skies
Alvi

With just over a hundred jumps on my 190 (loaded at 1.14) I am amazed at how forgiving and stable this canopy is. Just can't quite get used to the 600 + ft. It takes to open. Looking forward to my 170 . Track far land soft.

Over the past 8 years I had been an avid Stiletto 120 pilot. After some 3000 jumps on elliptical canopies I was offered the Crossfire to try. The openings were the first characteristic that impressed me. Soft and on heading consistently. From Thanksgiving to Jan 31 I've put 175 jumps on my Crossfire 105 and have the same openings time after time. The canopy responds well to both toggle and riser input, with good a recovery arc.

Tried a few long spots with it and sat on deep brakes and it glided back very well with no major signs of canopy instability. Surfing the crossfire is an easy task with good toggle range to shut it down when needed. Overall a very good canopy that will be hard to compete with on the 9-cell elliptical market.

Having been exposed to the parachuting propaganda of airlocks and so forth, I decided to jump on the wagon and ordered a 120. I could sit here and write a thesis on this canopy but instead I'll give you the meat and potatoes in 6 jumps that I jumped the canopy... 4 times I had end cell closures, which made me think this canopy is just another stiletto with locks, the opening sequence is smooth and soft, its when the parachute inflates in the final opening stage that you have to do a 180 because you had a severe end cell. But once its flying, the ride is sweet and fast, the toggles are responsive and ready to rock on command, the minute you dump those front risers this thing becomes a speed demon !!! yeah, !!! The landings are fast and controlled, the brakes are responsive and the flare is phenomenal, overall, I think I made a good investment, I would however,, like to have ordered the 107.

I've read all of the reviews claiming problems with the liners with much interest. I decided to buy a Z1 despite these reviews because I liked the features, and also because I've not heard of the Z1 openning in flight. I've only had my Z1 for about six months and put about 35 jumps on it. I have yet to see any problems starting to develop with the liner seperating.

Some things I don't do. I don't rip the helmet off my head without loosening the elastic cuff. I also don't hang the helmet from my chest strap using the safety chin strap. I also don't crank down the chin strap since it is only there as a safety. I love the helmet. Nice and warm, deadens the sound very well. It protected me when the otter hit turbulence as I was falling away and smacked me square on the jaw.

I have one jump on a stellar 140 reserve(I weigh 180 out the door) and it was just 15 jumps after flying a pd143 reserve (what all reserves should be compared to). The stellar flew about the same as the pd, which is a good thing. And it actually popped up a couple of feet on landing, kind of weird on a f-111 7-cell. Just one complaint, the color pattern was ugly :)

I am a retread (second time around and started jumping in 1971 and jumped early ram airs) and have 1800 jumps. I weight 190 # and have aprox 800 jumps on a Viper 120 and 72 on my Vengance.

I ordered my Vengance last winter then we had a demo 120 at our DZ, and couple of us jumped it. We had snakey openings on the demo. From what we heard this was not typical.

I recieved my Vengance mid summer and was only able to get 72 jumps on it. My canopy opens just like the Demo - SNAKEY. It is fine in the snivel but when the slider comes down you HAVE TO BE FLYING THE REAR RISERS! It has frequent end cell closures and it will really turn up. Talked to PD and they indicate there are some out there that are not quite right. After two cutaways in the last 6 jumps, enough was enough, so back it went to PD. Its been back to back to PD for 2 months and PD says they will make it right.

Now the good points, once it is flying I love the canopy. It is a solid flying canopy. It takes bigger inputs than a Stiletto ar my Viper but it is predictible with long fast dives and swoops. My Pro Ditter often goes off in my ear as I turn the corner to land.

When PD gets it fixed, It will be a very good canopy.

I received a Crossfire 119 as a christmas gift and what a awesome gift it is. Thanks Joe!!! I was jumping a Triathlon 120 for years, which I enjoyed, but it doesn't compare to the Crossfire. The consistant soft and on heading openings are like nothing you have ever experienced before, not to mention the sweet landings!!! I would recommend to everyone, checking out this new canopy. Blue Skies

habe ein micron 306 ! das rig passt perfect und ist sicher gut! allerdings nützt das alles nichts, wenn die flaps auf der schulter immer aufgehen! das ist gefährlich und wird noch gefählicher durch kurze riser! das allerschlimmste ist allerdings, das RWS nicht bereit ist das abzuändern! bei dem preis ist das nicht verständlich! allen kann nur der rat gegeben werden kauft ein javelin, das hält dicht und passt wenn ihr richtig messt genau so gut! grüsse sören

hello skydivers,ich habe im jahr 2000 ca. 100 sprünge mit verschieden grossen velocitys gemacht!hierbei ist zu bemerken, dass ich mich von grösse 120 bis grösse 96 herunter probiert habe! egal was für eine kappe du vorher gesprungen hast....die hier ist wirklich schneller! du solltest schon einige sprünge mit stiletto o.ä kappen gemacht haben bevor du dich unter einen velocity hängst! wie mein werter "vorredner" schon sagt, verzeiht die kappe eigentlich keine fehler, es sei denn du bis noch 1000m hoch! in bodennähe solltest du dann alle fratzen vermeiden und dich voll und ganz dem landen widmen!Merke: die geschwindigkeit mit welcher die kappe anfliegt bringt dich bei einem unfall ins krankenhaus oder ins grab! die hohe anfluggeschwindigkeit ist gewöhnungsbedürftig aber ebend erforderlich um einen langen swoop zu machen. hast du dich erst einmal daran gewöhnt macht es tierisch viel spass das ding zu landen und zu fliegen! der höhenabbau den diese kappe während einer drehung vollzieht, ist enorm und du solltest unbedingt mindestens 10-15 hohe öffnungnen anstreben, um die kappe kennenzulernen! durch die crossbraces fliegt die kappe sehr stabil und sauber selbst in scherungen! die steuerbewegungen werden genau und schnell umgesetzt(ist auch erforderlich)! die verarbeitung ist(like PD ever) superb! der preis ist eine katastrophe(dank des starken euro um so mehr)! ich denke der velocity ist für lande-fetischisten entwickelt worden und deshalb sollten sich normale user nicht für diese kappe entscheiden! ich selbst springe bei 90kg körpergewicht einen VE 103 und denke, dass dies meine grösse ist! denkt immer daran velocity heisst geschwindigkeit und hier gilt nomen est omen!

I jump a Safire 189 loaded at about 1.3lbs/sq. foot. I have about 50 jumps on it and I love it. I psyco pack it everytime (in about 10 minutes cause its sooooooo easy) and get great on-heading openings.

Upon opening I loosen my chest strap all the way, stow the slider behind my head all the way down the risers to the 3 ring, and then let it fly. I can really stay up there in deep deep breaks for awhile, but landing is the best part about this canopy. It definately was designed to surf in. I hit the breaks fairly hard and abruptly about 7-9 feet off the ground, at which point the canopy levels off, I swing under and ahead of it, and then just let it go until your ready to punch it out and stand it up. I can even carve turns during the surf if needed to avoid obstacles or others.

Front riser pressure is pretty high, but if you keep the canopy in trim, and yourself, you can really gain some speed on approach using the front risers. All in all, I would reccommmend this canopy to first time buyers, cause with the proper wing loading, you can make this thing act like a hp ellip, or a big student sail.

I have 1800 jumps. 3 reserve rides on a 24ft T10a three hole mod and 3 on my Raven MZ 135. 1st Raven ride was from a bag lock. It was a very positive opening, I do not think I got full arm extension on the ripcord and the canopy was flying. Well if you were down to 500 ft this is what you want. RIGHT?

Second and third were from spinning cutaways. These openings were clean and quick yet very comfortable.

I max this 135 reserve's weight limit so it has a very fast desent rate. The canopy has a very small control range and can be stalled fairly easily. On your reserve this is kinda scary, so take it cool and careful. Feel it out, the control range is really small. You need to flair it like you are going to turf surf it because it responds very quickly. If you flair it 10 foot up, you are gonna stall it and fall the last few feet.

If you are faimiliar with small fast conopys, then it's not really a problem, but don't think of it as a big old 7 cell, because it is NOT! By my third ride I was able to make a really nice landing. And It beats the hell out of a 24ft round. All in all I've no real complaint. It packs easily and it packs small.

I've been flying a Spectre for about three yrs now, and I have really enjoyed it. I had been test driving other canopies for about 6 months, during which time I've flown Stilleto's, Samurai's and a Vengance. They are all good canopies, but the Crossfire is hot! I really like how responsive it was on the swoop, it has a very fast response to toggle input, and excellent extended lift on landing. After flying a Crossfire 126 and 119 for a day, I was sold. I immediately ordered a 119. I cannot wait for it to get here!

I load my spectre 120 at 1.6 and have only one complaint:the damn thing opened to slowly!one call to PD took care of that though.After questioning my packing style,they decided a smaller slider was the way to go(at no charge to me)now the canopy opens softly in 400-600 feet (softly, of course) PD rocks!

I jumped vary times Cobalt 85 and my opinion is the following:

- RW Jumps to 12000 feet
- Load at 2 and 2.1
- Container: Power Racer
- F111 kill line pilot chute 70 Cm
- wind 0 (null wind) in more jumps

Openings:Very good, Impeccable, aligned and soft, previsible, without excessive retard
Glide ratio: Balanced, without excessive ground hunger. Hears two jumps in that we were out of Drope Zone and me I had occasion of comparing the flight of the cobalt with stilletos 135 and 170, sabres 190 and a spark 190. I verified that the cobalt has a good slope with the brakes to half.
Control of front risers: good, not excessively heavy.
Landings: Excellent, total controls, same windless
Summary: For besides the qualities of the finishes and construction, for me the cobalt excels all of the canopys in opening qualities, in flight and landing, without rival and much better than any other HP canopys than I already flew even today (Stilleto 107, 120, 135, 150, BT 40/50, BT Pro 120, Contrail 95, 105, 120, 135, SViper Alpha 94 and 105, Jedei 105, Hate Wave 150 and 170 etc)

With about 175 jumps I started pulling the slider down and loosening the chest strap. The landings went from good to perfect, try it.

I bought a used Z1. Yeah, right, now I'm carrying a gluegun with me. But that does not bother me much. I still love it MUCH better than a factory diver that I owned before. Here is why : the chin strap is way more secure than that tiny piece of velcro that SkySystem is using; I am using the Z1 for freefly. Can any of you, factorydivers and oxygens users do the same ? Nope, the visor just flips wide open in freefall. Nothing like that happens with my Z1. I also love the washable liner!

Had to sell my Factory Diver. It did not have a flip-up visor. In California it worked just fine. But when I moved to Alaska I began having troubles with lense's fogging. On the point when I was on the final approach ready for landing I could not see anything! That really scared me, so I got rid of it.

The Rigging Innovations (RI) has the best web site in the harness industry. If you are looking for a new one, it is a must to check it out. The Voodoo section explains alot about the container.

I own one. I am very satisfied. As Talon, the hip rings (D-rings in the case of Voodoo) are attached directly to the laterals. The end of the laterals are the true fulcrums for the lower main lift webs and the leg straps. This is the case for any rig. So it just make sense to have rings there. RI is the only company that put hip rings in the correct place. Because of this, there are no unnecessary bend at the bottom of the lower main lift webs which sometimes causes the bottom of reserve and cutaway handles to detach from them. If you are a flat flyers and you only arch, having the ring on the leg harness is okay because you guys never bring your knee up. i hope you can picture this.

I dont know if if this is the consequence of having the hip rings at the right place, but the leg straps never come up to the back of you knee or run up your thighs when you are sit flying. The Voodoo leg straps are equiped with loops so you can attach Bungee cord to keep the leg straps together, but it is not necessary to do so.

When you order a Voodoo, you have a choice between thin and wide leg straps. I recommend wider ones unless you are really skinny. I am 5'10" and 150lb, so slim. I am happy with the wider leg straps. It makes a lot of difference in comfort when you are under canopy. The Voodoo is very comfy when you are flying a canopy. I think the Mirage G3 is comfy, too. But Voodoo is really comfortable. I've done bunch of spirals with relatively high wing loaded canopy. The Voodoo didn't make my thighs go as numb as othe harness.

I like their toggles a lot. they are thin and grommet less. They fit in your hands better in my opinion. If you do hook turns, you might want to request your dive loop to be located higher. They do this for you "if" you ask. The risers are covered all the way down to the three rings. The riser covers have "never" come undone for me. I have flown with othe Voodoo owners and I have never seen their riser covers come undone, either.

The secondary riser covers are no hassle when you pack unlike in the cases of two other rigs which have secondary riser covers.

The reserve compartment is basically same as Talon's. (Acording to my rigger) So the rig is proven to work. I like the hevy duty (80 lb or something, I might be wrong but RI use the strongest spring in the industry) spring loaded reserve pilotchute. The reserve pilot chute bridal have pockets to capture more air when the pilotchute lauchs. I dont know how much of a help that would be, but I like it better than catapult. The reserve riser covers are no longer there. My rigger said it didnt matter.

The D-bag is hevy duty. Same as others, I think. I didnt like the key ring used to stop bridal to move up and down, so I asked my rigger to saw bridal directly to the bag. I like the longer upper main lift web. It makes chest strap to come donw to the lowest part of the chest. I like that because it is easy to losen it when I am under canopy. It also gives me more upper body movement when you hook.

If I had money to buy another buck up rig, I would get another Voodoo. I might sound like a morons on infommercials, but I don't think I am buying others' unless others come up with something better.

After reading the other reviews I immediately checked mine to realize that wind collar is also starting to separate. I love the qualities this full face offers; however the plastic screws have become a source of concern. After crash testing the face shield :p the screw popped out and the shield partially detached. It is obvious this flimsy part will not take much wear and tear before breaking; metal would have been a wiser material choice. I have had it fog up a couple of times, not to bad though. However on this past, and particularly COLD new years eve jump, just as I turned to track away from a formation the whole face shield frosted over in a split second leaving Zero visability. This was a slightly unnerving situation. I own a size medium which fits nice and snug, though after placing a pro-track in it quickly became uncomfortable. Given these draw backs I still feel it is a good helmet and would buy another, though I think for the cost this helmet could be constructed a little better.

Started out flying PD 210s and puchased a Raider 220 just off student status. Easy packing and very docile openings and under canopy. Exit weight is 200#. Great canopy to hang out and catch the view.

After 20 jumps found a Clipper (same design but 195 sq/ft) and did a strait up trade. Main reason for switch was the long rides and that the Raider didn't fit too well in my container. Well, for just going a bit smaller the canopies are very different. The same ease of packing but the openings on the Clipper is VERY brisk. Having played with different packing tricks, I settled on rolling and stuffing the nose AND shoving the tail. This helped tame this sucker but it still wasn't a soft opening.

The canopy ride was much more responsive and the flare was better with a heavier wing loading. I can set this thing down in the stones with no wind or 20mph. I even had the "opportunity" to land it down-wind (brain fart?) and had no problems. Great canopies for the beginner, great pack jobs and with light wing loadings even a few line twists won't freak you out.