jonrusso99

Good advice guys! That all makes sense. I have enough trouble packing tightly as it is so I don't want to make that any harder, and having a happy rigger is always a good thing! I appreciate all of the help.

I haven't really considered the Optimum as it is significantly more expensive and from my readings the PD has a long proven record. But if there are reasons to strongly consider it, please let me know!

Thanks everyone for the help! Demoing a reserve would be tough right now as this is my first rig and I don't have a reserve already but it is good to know that they will send one out to try out as a main, I didn't think that was an option. The recommended reserve is a PD 143 (see below for options listed on the mirage site for my model). But I would like to go with the safest option and from what I can tell larger generally equals safer. Note that I am quite new to the sport, 1 year 100 jumps, so have only jumped rental gear up until this point and have a lot to learn about all the gear. I mentioned the Smart 150 only because it is the only used one I can find at the moment which would save me $800-900. If it is being packed by an experienced rigger, what are the downsides to getting one that is a tight fit? Pack Volume 300cu.in. Aerodyne Research Smart 135 – Soft Aerodyne Research Smart 150 Flight Concepts 145 Cricket Icarus Reserve 149 Icarus Nano 176 – Firm, No Larger PD Reserve 143 – Recommended PD Optimum 160 PD Reserve 160 – Firm Precision Aerodynamics R-Max 148

Hi all, I saw a recent thread about unconscious/uncontrolled landings which brought up a new question. Is wing loading the only factor in descent rate here, or does the canopy model make a significant difference? I am looking for a reserve (for my first rig, Mirage M4) and the three largest options that fit are an Icarus Nano 176, PD 160 and Smart 150. Logic would say that the Icarus would be the safest to land (whether uncontrolled or controlled) but is that necessarily the case? Thanks in advance!