Vents

[base698 20]

How many people swear by them? I've only made one jump on a Blackjack. Any stories of how they effect slider up openings? What about the normal vented Fox?

[K763 0]

I am one jumper that swears by vent technology. The benefits of bottom surface inflation are irrefutable in my mind, and the snappier openings are worth the benefits gained. I personally would not jump a cliff or a building without a vented parachute.

[TomAiello 26]

I'd say that vents are hands down better for solid objects slider down.



The basic upshot is that the canopy is responsive to riser input sooner in the inflation sequence.

I have not noticed any decreased time to toggle responsiveness, so if you are a "turn on toggles" jumper, you may find that the vents don't make much difference. That means that if you primarily jump big cliffs, or tall towers, or bridges, you're not going to get much return for the money.

But if you jump slider down cliffs or buildings, spending the (several hundred dollars) cash on secondary inlets is going to be a very good investment in your health. I _know_ that secondary inlets have saved me on three occasions (once by allowing reinflation after object strike, despite having the nose pinned against the object).

The effect on slider up openings is small, but noticeable. I have had no problems with my slider up openings on any of my vented canopies (and I have a bad back, which ought to make me particularly wary of slammers). The opening will be slightly harder, but nothing to worry about. If you are having trouble with the openings being too hard, consider switching to a small mesh slider.

On the Blackjack and Troll MDV, I don't think the vents make much difference to the canopy flight--they're both great sinkers with or without the secondary inlets.

On the FOX, the vents make a huge difference, both in openings (I won't jump a standard FOX slider down any more--and I have over 200 of those jumps) and in the canopy's sinkability. If you're jumping a FOX, I'd get the Vtec (with or without covers) added immediately. The deep brake approaches alone warrant it, even if you aren't jumping slider down solid objects. I do think the covers make a noticeable difference on the flare, and are probably worth the money (to avoid broken ankles). If you're short on cash, though, just get the vents--they are the major part of the equation.

Bottom line: If you are jumping slider down solid objects, spend the money.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[TomAiello 26]

Quote

How many people swear by them?

Have you considered posting this on BLiNC as a poll?

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com