alain

I've been jumping my S-fly right after 5-6 coaching jumps on BM classic.
It's a 1st gen, made end of 2003.
The new ones (2005') are basicaly the same wing but with better materials and imrpoved built quality. I'd give a 5 for those !
The S-fly is easy to use. Unlike some top notch rivals like S3 or MTR2, the leg wing is not huge and therefore easy to dialup for a beginer. Over all performance is very good though, I've been flying side to side with a GTI and I'd say the S-Fly is better. I Did not get a chance to fly with S3 bird mens.
Rigging up is actualy done in less than five minutes, thanks to those zippers.
Now, good thing with the S-Fly, and I'll go against the prview review on this, is how easily you get in (before boarding) and out (after opening).
Once you get the right way, it takes nothing more than 2-3 minutes to get in: you don't have to plan far ahead before boarding with the S-fly :)
Unzipping arms and legs and removing booties is nothing more tricky than a classic. The S-Fly is suitable for complete beginners on that matter, and no big deal with a small harness sensitive canopy (I'm flying a crossfire2 @ 1.6:1)

My bottom line is: if you want the best absolute performance the S-FLY is probabely not for you.
But if you accept to trade a little top end performance for global hassless use and flight, this is for you.

getting close to 400 jumps with a Safire 1 135 loaded @ 1.3+:1, here's what I can say about it...
The vectran lineset will probabely last another 100 jumps, that will take it to 500 jumps or so. I've checked the lines length not too long ago: they are all within 1cm from the factory specs !!!
I use to find the flare quite tricky at first but now I realise that it was mostly due to me not being experienced enough for that wingloading at the time.
The openings are nothing but sweet: I don't even bother to slow down my track before pulling, which gives me some consistant 700ft nice openings, on heading 90%. I reckon the last 10% are mostly due to lazy body position, anyway the canopy never dives nor spin. I look forward to jump that canopy with a wingsuit !
The glide is very good if you need it (rear risers), either to get back from a long spot or if you want to wait for trafic to clear...
Despite what many people have said, this canopy has heaps of flare even on a classic strait in apporach, you just need a little research to find it...
Flat turns are quite easy to dial in too.
No issues with strong or turbulent wind.
Now, the very good side of the Safire-1 compared to many of it's kind is it's ability to dive and swoop, don't expect 400ft though ;-). Recovery arc is not too short, front riser pressure is manageable (I had the lower steering lines lenghten of 3 inch to avoid some wierd reactions on front riser input). Best thing to do* is a front riser carve approach, starting slowly for 45°, then pull harder to make it dive and get some speed for another 90°, what you need for the last or so 45° needed to complete a classic 180 is to release the riser smoothly or eventualy pulling the other one a little bit if you find yourself too high: the canopy won't level out untill you want it to and it will keep heaps of speed.
Then: the flare is cool ! After a smooth approach like I described, I usualy just need a little break input to flaten the glide and then the canopy flies horizontaly on it's own, pretty much toggles up, for about a third of the swoop. You just need to apply some breaks progressively to shut it down. Once dialed in, even on a hot no wind day, you won't have to run it out, not even a single step needed. slide&stop, that's how it works!

My 0.02 euro advice to intermediate jumpers willing to progress safely would be: get one (with the spec-1) and take some time to learn how it flies.
If you are more conservative and don't want to get into HP landings, maybe a Safire-2 or Sabre2 would be an easier option...

* I would not recommend any front riser approach at first or for beginners, you don't need that to land the canopy proprely. But if you want to, do your home work and take the time and jumps to get there progressively (double front at first, then 90's, etc...)

edit, 3 things I wanted to add (120 more jumps and a new line set since):
- i'm now jumping it with my S-Fly wingsuit: great, no hassle, sweet openings. I got a couple of twist once, no worries the canopy flew strait and I had plenty of time to kick them out. just as good as I expected :-)
- I had the opportunity to throw some nice 270's at higher elevation (1800ft) in Morroco lately, just one thing to say: leave your self some room 'coz the thing will swoop!!! No problems to shut it down though. Considering that sort of altutide density is fairly equivalent to one size smaller at home (sea level) and how enjoyable it was, I'm hunting for a 119 ;-)
- I discovered how to make it dive steeper&longer, thus building more speed, by pulling on both risers during the carve. More speed means slightly longer recovery arc and better swoop, plus you to start the swoop higher with this trick which is a good safety point !

safe ones !
Alain