Etch5

I've jumped Sabre2, Safire2, and Pilot. Of the 3 I feel the Pilot is the best canopy. I've owned a Pilot 188, 168, and just started jumping my new 150. They have all been consistent with soft on heading openings, great toggle and riser input response, and a sweet flare. My definition of a brisk opening on this canopy is what others have told me is soft on comparable 9 cells. Color coded packing tabs are a nice luxury, but not necessary. People say they don't like the short recovery arc. But I think it's nice since I'm not swooping it can only help me out in tight landing situations. Pilot's are for Pimps!

We have what I consider really nice showers at the Ranch and bathrooms. Although it would be entertaining, there's no need to "shower" in the swoop pond. Be warned though, once you come here for a nice long week, you may never want to leave. Ask Billy... How's Baltimore man?!

Was there last fall and everything is pretty great and you can cover a lot of the park in one day if you aren't looking to go back country. They have a bus system that picks you up and drops you off at each trail head along a central road. This is huge at helping you see most of the park trails. The Emerald Pools Trail was pretty nice and Weeping Rock was pretty cool as well. The Narrows are where it's at, but if you're going to do them you will need water proof gear (i.e. waders, walking stick/poles) the water level at this time of the year will be higher and the trail ends into the stream and you'll wish you could go further. Otherwise I'd recommend just hitting that bus trail and checking out as much as you can handle. Hope that helps...

Ended up going with Seagate. Got 250GB for $70. Thanks for the help fellas! New Egg was my friend

Great flippin movie...

Looking to pick up an external hard drive and figured this was a good place to seek opinions - God knows there are plenty of them floating on here... Looking for something around 250GB and found this sale http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8901174&type=product&id=1215819877874. Too good to be true? Or is this something worth buying? Otherwise I figure to buy a Seagate or WD of the same size for about $80ish... Thanks people.

Took advantage of an Aerodyne demo over the weekend and jumped a Smart 175. Although it was PRO packed as my main the opening was quick and on heading. Control was great, very docile. Flare was great, no problem landing the canopy. Note that this was not an actual reserve ride, but a testament to the flight characteristics of the reserve itself.

Good times to be had here. The Manifest ladies were really nice - Sarah and Anna especially. Otter and Caravan were fine, nice covered, padded packing area. Gorgeous view from altitude and under canopy. Not too many fun jumpers overall, and a couple people didn't seem to care for the company of people trying to have a good time. Too cool for school I guess. But definitely a good spot to jump at and most of the staff was great!

Nothing to do with containers, but at 280 lbs with what appears to be 204 jumps are you sure a 170 main is a good fit? That seems REALLY aggressive... I'm no expert, but just an opinion...

Check out www.sportrx.com they have a few pairs that are nice and not crazy expensive. I bought a pair there and have been happy with them for over 250 jumps.

The Ranch. The End.

Flown Sabre2, Safire2, and Pilot. Sabre2 was my least favorite and has the most consistent problems on opening. Anyone and everyone I know that jumps one either hates it or defends that it's end cell closure and dives on opening are "normal". I don't know why that's something anyone would want to get used to. Safire2 is really nice, nothing bad to say about it. I have owned 2 Pilots and just bought my third. They open great and have great flight and flare characteristics. I've yet to run into anyone that could say anything negative about this canopy and I really like it. Little cheaper than Safire2 as well, so if money is an issue this could be a selling point...

I'm looking to put a rig together and am trying to figure out if I need a new container. I will be jumping a Pilot 150, and currently have a Mirage G3 M5. YES, I've already checked the Mirage container sizing guide, so please spare me that lecture. I'm curious if anyone has jumped a comparable 150 in a G3 M5 and if they've had any issues? If this seems like it won't work out, I'm also trying to figure out if I can get the same Pilot 150 to fit in a G4 M1. I know I could get the M2 and everything would be fine. I'd rather not spring for the new container/reserve if I don't have to. But if I must, I'm looking to get something to last the longest, hence the M1. Any information/experiences would be appreciated, I've put in an e-mail to Mirage and will probably call them today, but figure they will tell me I need a new container, etc. Thanks.