Kirils

I'm not a rigger, but from a performance standpoint I prefer a poptop. Reflex made the best one out there. After 8 chops total between a Mirage, Reflex and Jav, I have to say by far, the Reflex was definately had the fastest deployment. It was sad to see them go belly-up. I had Bomber, Trident (the company who took over the Reflex) modify my one container. And the quality and appearence was really sloppy. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I hope PD's "beta testing" isn't anything like Microsoft's! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I jump at AerOhio and my father-in-law did his AFF 1 there. He is 6' 7" and weighs about 275#. They have a "big boy" rig there for people his size. I believe it is a canopy and reserve usually used for tandems.

I currently jump a Xaos 108 and the AMAX 90. I have jumps on the Velocity. You really can't compare the Xbraced canopies to the AMAX. It more like a CrossfireII (on crack). It will probably run in the same league as the new PD Katana.

Aerodyne International color codes line groups. Packing is a snap! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Check the threads on this one. As far as I understand, there are no performance advantages to airlocks. It sounds like a good thing, but there is no imperical data the air-locked canopys are safer or fly better. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I have to disagree that the Safire is comparable to the SabreII. It dosen't have the bottom end of the SabreII. I suggest you call Ralph or Roy and see if you can get hold of a Hornet. Bang for buck it's better than the Safire or SabreII. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Has anyone seen the new Aerodyne container? It's the one with the 3 ring mod from Parachutes de France. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

You haven't experienced a HOT canopy till you jump an A-MAX....it's the bomb dude! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I jumped a buddy's Unisyn. VERY comfortable...BUT I found my G3 to be better when it comes to hip input to assist in steering. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Has anyone heard what's going on with Trident? (former Bomber, former Flightline containers) There was some PR a while back about a container called a "VIPER", but I haven't seen anything... "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Washing your container in a machine risks shrinkage and deformation. Use a soft nylon brush, spray bottles of distilled water and Formula 409. Soak an area with the 409, wet-vac it, then rinse and vacuum again. It's fast, easy and safe. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

My wife and I own 3 freefly suits from Tad's. Top shelf all the way! The heavy cotton suit is indestructable, great for cold weather. The zippers and velcro cuffs are the best available. Tad's can also do custom work. I had sitfly wings added to our suits. The downside is shipping can be slow with hold-up in customs. BUT the price and quality is worth the chance of a delay. Tad's has the best bang for the buck out there! AND they back their products up.

I psycho pack and it still takes me 15 minutes. I'm always looking for a good packer. When I find one I tip well. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

PD brags about being innovative, they were maybe 20 years ago but now they just making copy-cat canopies. I really don't expect the Katana to be anymore innovative in today's market than the Sabre II. PD has good service and good quality products but they are not cutting edge design wise. But some people keep buying Fords and are quite happy.... "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Generaly speaking, equiptment today is very reliable. When I jumped in the late 60's & 70's (T-10& TU's PC's)I expected a mal at least every 25 jumps. Be thankful the industry has advanced so far! Bad equiptment is quickly eliminated from the market today. There is little difference from one mfg. to the next as far as safety records. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I have a 160 Tri that I psycho pack. Never a problem, but psycho packing will slow opening. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I ordered a new Hornet for my wife back in April and was sent a Heatwave in error. She is jumping it, but she is not impressed at the twichy openings. Will the H-mod improve opening characteristics of the Heatwave? Thanks! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I like a BIG knot, so I square knot it.

it's the x-fire2 129 first...unless you have a 105 Nitron. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

My buddy jumped my new A-Max 90 loaded at 2.7. It was extremely responsive and the opening I watched was sweet. I usually jump an Xaos 21 and under the the A-Max I was amazed at my forward speed. Very light front riser, you can fly it with your hips. It's a rocket. Has anyone bought or demo'd one yet? I'd like to compare experience. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I just bought the first A-MAX canopy. It's a 90 with stock colors. Ideal HP loading seems about 2.2. We swooped it at 2.4 with no problems. This is a whole new canopy that has nice sweet staged openings. Front risers take very little pressure and small input to get incredibly fast turns. Hip input is a major control factor. The first guy to jump it (2.4) said it flew "like a small Crossfire II on crack and acid" This canopy is for experts. I have never seen anything perform like this. It's a real rocket. Kudos to AR, they have just built the new Ultra HP 9 cell benchmark!

ASTRA's don't die. "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

I bought mine a few years from Square1 "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish

Good buy on camera=more jumps! "Slow down! You are too young to be moving that fast!" Old Man Crawfish