thegreekone 0 #1 August 6, 2005 I am curious about peoples thoughts when it comes to lightly loaded high performance canopies. I am coming up on 200 jumps and am thinking about a samurai 170, which will put me at 1.1 WL WITH gear. Don't get me wrong. I fly very conservatively, especially under 750ft and this is not a decision in preparation of being able to hook everything, far from it. I DO want to downsize though. I repeat, this is not about being a hooking machine, but rather the idea behind better performance making one safer if used with the right amount of humility and smarts. (if that makes sense) p.s. (edit) Another reason for the Samurai are the airlocks. the dropzones I have been frequenting can get a fair amount of turbulance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #2 August 6, 2005 Bill von Novak's Downsizing ChecklistMike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbattman 0 #3 August 6, 2005 It's not the flying conservative part that will kill you. It's the guy who cuts you off at 200 ft. It's the out landing where you need to snake it along the treeline before cutting a 90 to set it down in grandma's back yard. It's the oh shit panic turn that dives you sideways. It's reaching out with that hand to break a fall and turning into the ground. Downsize into a semi- you'll have plenty of fun. Come back in about another 500 jumps and start thinking about a medium load elliptical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #4 August 6, 2005 You will feel a bit less turbulance as you start increasing your wingloading, I just finally got to the 1:1 mark 5 jumps ago, ride is a little less bumpy ... Also there are other not-so-high-performance canopies out there that have airlocks if that's what your looking for. FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #5 August 6, 2005 Maybe check out the Lotus? ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegreekone 0 #6 August 6, 2005 Yeah, I have been thinking about the Lotus. And abbatman, you are right; I am sure I will enjoy semi-ellip canopy. Money is tight and I am not in a "demo-rich" area, ya know? I figured since I like ringin stuff out and I am smart and conservative under a grand, I thought I could bypass the semi and go straight to full elliptical. Ugh.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 August 6, 2005 You would be surprized at the number of demo canopies that are a phone call away. Brian has some demo canopies if you talk to him. The rest of the manufactors have large demo fleets just waiting to be leased out for 2 weekends. Call them and get a demo Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #8 August 6, 2005 Call Brian and get a demo Lotus 190.. I put over 100 jumps on one of them and its a sweet canopy... In a couple years.. THEN go for the Samurai.. I love mine.. but I value the time I spent uner Brians Demo Lotus. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #9 August 7, 2005 Quote Another reason for the Samurai are the airlocks. the dropzones I have been frequenting can get a fair amount of turbulance. If you get on a loda knowing that there is enough turbulance to hurt you, and rely on any airlock canopy to save you ass, you are over your head. I have a Sam too, and I stay away from turbulance. IF I hit some that wasnt expected, hopefully, airlocks will help, but dont kid yourself.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites