CygnusX-1

First, this is by no means a recommendation for a specific canopy. It is more of an observation I have made. I am currently in the process on downsizing myself. A couple of weeks ago I spent two back-to-back days jumping first a spectre 150 and then a saber2 150. I only made a very limited number of jumps on either one. Some of what I say could (and probably is) be wrong. Please someone correct me if I am wrong as I also would like to know that. All disclaimers aside, here is what I noticed: 1) Both canopies responded to toggle turns very well. I could not tell you if one had a tighter turn radius than the other one. 2) Flat turns were fairly easy to do without loosing altitude on both canopies. However, I have heard from more experienced jumpers that there is less over-steer on the spectre and therefore you have better control. 3) Toggle pressure seemed less on the spectre than the saber2. I only noticed this while flying in brakes for a long time and my arms didn’t seem to get as tired under the spectre. I’ll update you all on this one after I get my arms back from calibration… 4) Flare on landing seemed to be flatter on the saber2 which may be useful for those of us learning how to not kill ourselves while doing performance landings. 5) I’m not going to go into the obvious aspects which anyone can find out with a little bit (and I do me very little) of research, snatch force, snivel, opening characteristics. I am also in no way qualified to comment on front riser turns or high performance landings on these canopies and therefore shall leave that to someone else. So which did I choose to get? I’m not saying except that it begins with a ‘s’ and ends with a ‘2’. Now if I could only find a used one that is a decent discount from the new cost.

The porter sucks.... I'll jump out of the Otter or Skyvan anyday over the porter. I won't argue that it is quick, but in my opinion it is too cramped. Call me crazy but I perfer to do at least some type of gear check before exit and you can't do that when you shoe-horn 10 people into a porter.

The one thing that wasn't mentioned here yet is get used to clearing closed end cells. About 80% of my openings have had closed end cells - no real big deal, this canopy flies fine on 7 cells. As far as hard openings: mind your packing. I've has some incredibly soft openings with mine, but it has also knocked the s**t out of me too. Luckily I was over a wooded area and it landed harmlessly on a bird’s head. My biggest complaint is with a 0.92 wing loading, it turns very slowly. But I think that is also good if you are just starting to learn. You won't find yourself horizontal with the canopy. Look at my stats (my low # of jumps) and take what I have written for what it's worth....