webracer

This is a well-manufactured product, with good design and easy to use features like shield lift, tool-less shield change, secures easily and efficiently to your head. I see people complaining a bit on price, I though the price was fair, and in fact almost 20 years ago I bought my last full-face, an Oxygen A3, which was $311 plus shipping (not free back then), and is nowhere near the quality of this helmet! My review rating is 4.5, because of the lack of fittment adjustments inside.

I originally bought a Merlin RW suit with many options, including bigger grippers and appropriate cordura. I made about 300 jumps with that suit, 1.5 hours in the tunnel, and still use it as a backup and it is in perfect condition.
Based on that performance, the following season I ordered a comp RW suit, the best they offer. It was about $350 or so, but worth every penny. I put at least 200 on that suit that season and 100 this season, and another 1.5 hours in the tunnel. It is still PERFECT. Of course, the worst landing has been a slide on one side, so one gripper is a bit dirty on one side. The knee pads are so good I do not wear extra pads in the tunnel.
Three seasons, two suits, around 600+ jumps and 3+ hours in the tunnel, and both suits are in top condition, the newer comp suit (definitely worth the extra money), still gets "new" comments.
They hold up to frequent washings, frequent flying, and look great. Only con, move the pocket up 3" on the leg, it is too close to the knee.
I'll be ordering another new suit for next season, it'll be a Merling RW comp. suit.

I wasn't going to write a review, since there are a few here that are right on. I only decided to do so because most of the reviews are those loaded 2.3 or above. I am loading mine at 1.9.
The VX is a rock solid wing. It flies slow or fast, I can hang in brakes with the best of them, I can slow down or really cruise on rear risers (remember bumping end cells for a while with a friend on a Stiletto at 1.1:1, only using rear risers).

I feel the swoops are solid, like being suspended from a trolley rather than a parachute. I put 63 jumps on it in the first 4 weeks.

It feels HUGE, I can't stress that enough. It flys big and feels docile, although it is far from it. Getting lower to earth, you start to feel the speed and dive.

For approach, my riser pressure is off the chart (front). Tandems have lighter front riser pressure. I have to initiate my approach with harness shift, then supplement with front riser. It dives fast, and doesn't recover in time without input. I kinda wish it was about 2.1 wingloading, but I am learning new ways to fly with this lighter wingloading, and the swoops are looonnnnggg!

If you think you're ready for xbrace, maybe a velocity or xaos are good choices, as they fly a bit closer to hp elliptical characteristics than the VX. If you are ready to relearn canopy input and detailed control, get the VX.

Bottom line is I like it, but I have a Xaos also (loaded at 2.1), I choose wbich rig based upon conditions, and my goals for the jump.

Oh, the slider: I had to have the drawstrings replaced after 63 jumps, the slider would pop open behind my head when I started my dive. Icarus made it good though, they paid for the repair without question.

To make a long story short, I lost my Pro Track out of an old L&B leg mount strap and they replaced it no questions asked! They even shipped it to me at their cost. I don't know of any company for any product that would do something like that. Help L&B by NOT sharing but purchasing your own Jumptrack software!!

<<<The Samurai was an awesome canopy, with super soft openings, and very good heading control (unlike the Vengeance I demo'd, which was off heading 13 of 15 jumps). It responded politely to harness input, and steered very quickly. Front riser pressure was a little more than the Vengeance, but still light and easy. Rear riser steering and glide control were similar. The canopy does not seem to have the flare power of the Vengeance, but the control range seems a bit lower than the PD canopies, maybe because of the shorter lines. After a few jumps, I was able to maintain lift until all fwd speed was bled off. This was in no wind with a 90deg riser approach, using toggles only for plane-out (versus risers). I am sure using the risers to plane out will have a positive impact on end-of-flare power. I am glad I ordered the Samurai over the Vengeance, and am looking forward to jumping the Samurai next season.>>>>

<<<I have sold the Samurai 150 I bought first, and now have a Samurai 136 (and one more ordered), a Jedei 120, a Samurai 120 (ordered), and a Samurai 105 (ordered). I can't say enough good about this product. I have converted one friend over to Samurai, and will likely convert more this season.
If you choose the Samurai (which is cut and sewn by PD, the best quality assurance in the industry), you will not be disappointed!!!>>>>

I love my A3. I have used it for two seasons and nearly 500 rw jumps. My only problem... each of the 4 replacement lenses I have installed did not fit well (too much radius makes them harder to close with one hand), and the top trim on the lens has to be super-glued. It will come off the lens immediately. Every other aspect of this helmet is tops.

I got my new Samurai 150, right on schedule. I got 11 jumps on it last weekend in Chicago. I am very happy with this canopy, and have now ordered a Samurai 136 for my other rig. I am getting a bit of off-heading opening, but the canopy is brand new and very slippery to pack. Flight characteristics are fantastic. I demo'd Vengeance, Crossfire, and Stiletto. The Samurai is the best. I am loading the 150 about 1.4:1

After 9 jumps on the Vengeance 150 demo I have from PD, here are my comments:
I am a first-year skydiver, with 200 jumps so far this year.
I have had intermediate canopy training from some skilled HP canopy pilots
I have been jumping a Sabre 170 with excellent landings & control
My exit weight is 225.
The flight of the vengeance is superb to the sabre, in both turbulent and smooth skies. Landing the vengeance required very little adjustment from my sabre technique. Mostly I realize more lift at slower speeds (farther into the surf), and that the last few inches of toggle input do much more than on the sabre.
Turns are much faster, and diving is quite a bit steeper. Less g-force in saddle on toggle spirals than sabre.
I have not tried any high performance landings with the canopy yet, but have landed it in conditions from 0-15mph wind.
Openings are the biggest change. I am learning to fly the opening, which is slow enough to watch and react to. Three openings resulted in corkscrew dives, the first was corrected with brake release, the second two were corrected by steering with my body in the harness prior to releasing brakes. It appears to me that this opening behavior will be completely controllable with more time in the saddle.
I have not had end cell closures as of yet
I would guess the canopy I have has 250-400 jumps (based upon fabric condition) and new lines.
I am waiting also for a Samurai 150, and will review that after I get some jumps on it. I plan to put another 10-15 on the vengeance next weekend prior to sending it back.
Troy C
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