Gafneyjr

when I got mine I was told that it was the identical canopy. At PIA in 2005 I again asked and was told the same. There are 2 slider options though, and I think options on lines. I recall the PD factory team were using the same stock standard Velo's up to not too long ago. That is a testament to the canopy and pilots. Love my velo

take a vigil, you will love it!

Congrats Hydroguy! It was hard to choose between RWS and SunPath for me. But I am so impressed by RWS even though I jump an Odyssey. I think the Skyhook is an awesome innovation, and these guys have been building great gear for over 30 years. They have the most unique rig on the market at the moment, and I wish my rig could get a SkyHook. I saw Egon doing skyhook demos a while back and it rocks (RIP). But I love my Odyssey with PD canopies! RWS and SP have by far the best rigs on the market IMHO.

I have just been on PD's website and they have the coolest color program - it seems to be new as it is the first time I have seen it. You can choose a canopy, expand the canopy so all the cells "come" apart, contract it again - damm it is awesome. Real fun to play with the Velo's. I am almost ready for a new canopy, and this will be fun to use! Damm guys, this is great!

And dont forget Gary Smith (RSA)

I dont agree that Gelvanor fabric has more durability than PD fabric. Proof has shown the contrary. I have never seen a canopy from Gelvanor last as long as a PD Stiletto or any other canopy that incorporates that fabric.

If you look at the workmanship of PD's artwork, you will not look at another manufacturer. I have seen the RedBull logo's, the PD logos, and many more and they hold up as long as the canopies do - which is the life of the canopy.

It was released in 2003 if I recall correctly then either pulled off the market or worked on as there were some issues with the canopy on landings. I heard it was "stalling" on landing. I think Aerodyne were testing it again, and were working on the brake line lengths and/or line lengths. I know the Amax (their high performance canopy) was also released to the public and then pulled of the market by Aerodyne - obviously not ready for jumpers. It just shows that designing canopies takes time. Having not jumped a Vision, but having spoken to someone who had tried one, it flies like a Stiletto. But they prefered the way the canopy landed. It had better bottom end lift than the Vision. Amazing how the Stiletto is still the industry bench mark for eliptical main canopies. I suggest you try all the canopies before you buy anything as well as look at the companies you want to buy from, the service they offer, their reputation etc.

Check out the Swooping forum - the results from PD Factory team - proof that they dont need a 27 cell. PD is still the most technologically advanced manufacturer - laser tables; FAA & ISO 9000-2001 certifications; and I am sure many more we are not aware of. Bill Coe has revolutionised skydiving canopies, just as Bill Booth brought so many inovations to skydivers on the rigs. Microline and todays Zero-P are all brain childs of PD as are cross-brace technology and even the shape of the leading edge on most canopies today - the Sabre was the first to incorporate this. Hey, but you seem to like PD canopies - your profile says you use them.

Awesome!

Wow! great swoop. And you can see he still has his bag and pilot chute attached. Check how excited Shannon gets when he sees JT cruise by. Shannon had just broken the record. And 20 minutes before that Bruno brokken had broken the record - all on PD Velocities. Way to go JT.

I have just got word that it was 479.666 feet (146.24m). The worlds longest swoop. Well done Jonathon.

Wow, this seems like heavy canopy selling going on here. I dont see other manufacturers advertising this way. Did you pay to say all that in this forum slot?

Some how I doubt that PD, or any other company would say that it was packing related if your slider started to fall apart after 23 jumps and leave it at that. My experiences have shown that they thoroughly follow up and look at all aspects or influences. It sounds like you have a personal issue with PD.... ALI69. I see you only just signed, and have no name or details. Hmmmmm...

I thought PD, L&B had great booths. But that was the most ridiculous move PIA could make, or however decided to do that. Best booth is best booth! They played it like it was a raffle. If you win an award it is yours, you cant take it away. This is not a prize to be won through a raffle. What a joke, the MC and judges should be ashamed of themselves. They announced PD won the best booth, and so it should stand. I just think they screwed up by changing their minds on the spot!

I have to agree. Katana's been out for months...! same market!... I don't think so!

How have you handled a few Katana's in the last several months? Are u a test jumper for PD? My point is if you dont work at PD then how can you make a claim about the Samurai and the Katana when the katana has not been released until now. I find it very hard to believe that the canopies are the same when they are competitors in a different market. Ideas may be the same but not canopies. And speaking of airlocks, I heard years ago that PD does own the rights to the airlock - I recall Airtime/ Brian selling it to them. I could be wrong though.

So have you actually taken both canopies and done these comparisons? - because as far as I know there are no Katana's out there except for a few in Deland and the demo's that were built. Unless you work at PD and are sure of your facts, this is a bold statement to make.

Check out the flight characteristics on the PD web site. http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/Spectre-Flight-Char.pdf I have heard that it is not an elliptical canopy as was mentioned - it is slightly tapered. There is a difference. Having flown both, I have to say that the Spectre is a far nicer canopy to fly, and much easier to land. Of course I think the openings are some of the best that you can get on any canopy. The turns are flat, yet very quick. This canopy is still the choice of many cameraflyers because of the great openings, easy to land when loaded up with camera gear. I used PD's demo program. Send an email to Kolla at PD and she will get you hooked up!

I had spoken to them a while back when I saw PD on the road, and know that the factory is PD owned - and run by PD Deland managers. The quality of workmanship equals at least what comes out of Deland. I also heard that all their inspections are done in Deland. I know that besides Honduras, there are other canopy manufacturers who build their prodcut in Malaysia, Reunion, Mauritius and South Africa.