adrenalinejunki 0 #1 February 23, 2006 I am going to buy a new Safire 2. What type of lines and other things should I get when I order it? __________________________________________________What's the worst that can happen? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,483 #2 February 23, 2006 My own personal preference is Vectran.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #3 February 23, 2006 Vectran is also what Icarus recommend. A collapsible slider (definitely) and soft links (personal preference) would be the other two things I'd suggest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #4 February 23, 2006 Those things are coming anyway by default. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrigger1 2 #5 February 23, 2006 Vectran MELSkyworks Parachute Service, LLC www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #6 February 23, 2006 What size? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adrenalinejunki 0 #7 February 23, 2006 A Safire2 189. I am a big boy. __________________________________________________What's the worst that can happen? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #8 February 23, 2006 Have you asked your Dealer what they recommend? That's what they are there for. Customer service. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HydroGuy 0 #9 February 23, 2006 QuoteThose things are coming anyway by default. Icarus canopies do not come with soft links. My rigger used PD SM-1 Slinks. Vectran is standard, but I have jumped a Safire2 149 with an original Spectra lineset.Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #10 February 23, 2006 Another vote for Vectran, soft links, collapseable slider, etc...NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adrenalinejunki 0 #11 February 23, 2006 What are the differences in Vectran and Spectra lines? __________________________________________________What's the worst that can happen? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZigZagMarquis 9 #12 February 23, 2006 QuoteWhat are the differences in Vectran and Spectra lines? __________________________________________________ Vectran... http://www.swicofil.com/vectran.html Spectra... http://www.honeywell.com/sites/sm/afc/spectra_fiber.htm From PD's WebSite (note: MicroLine is made from Spectra, I believe). It talks about the Velocity towards the end and not a Safire, but the info is good and better then I could have written: QuoteShould I choose Vectran or Microline for my canopy? Microline and Vectran both have particular advantages and disadvantages. One type of line may be better than another depending on the specific type of canopy you fly. A canopy’s lines tend to shrink as the canopy is jumped. The shrinking is caused by several factors, including friction created by the slider as it descends during the opening. After several hundred jumps, some of the lines may be a few inches shorter than they were when the canopy was new. This is what we mean when we say a canopy is “out of trim.” Vectran lines tend to stay “in trim” longer than Microline, but Microline is more abrasion-resistant than Vectran. Although a Vectran line set with 500 jumps will probably still have trim differentials that are within specifications, the Vectran lines may still need to be replaced due to wear and abrasion. A canopy with Microlines may be out of trim to some degree after 500 jumps, but the lines are likely to show considerably less wear. Most canopy designs are fairly forgiving of trim changes. Many people jump canopies that are significantly out of trim, but do not realize the performance degradation that has occurred because this degradation often occurs gradually. Line wear and abrasion tend to be more obvious, and a cause for greater concern. For this reason, Microline will last longer on most canopies, and is a better choice for most jumpers. Trim changes tend to have a greater effect on smaller, very high performance canopies. When used on these canopies, both types of line can have similar useful life spans, but will need to be replaced for different reasons: the Microline because it is out of trim, the Vectran because it is worn. Because the Velocity is designed for highly experienced pilots and has a larger performance envelope, we maintain tighter tolerances on it than any other model we make. We also felt that a Velocity pilot’s level of awareness would be higher and he or she would not tolerate a canopy that is out of trim. For these reasons, we only use Vectran on the Velocity, even though the abrasion resistance is relatively poor compared to Microline. From Icarus Canopies WebSite, I found this in their Safire Owners Manual: QuoteSuspension Lines: The Icarus Safire is equipped with Vectran suspension lines, a high-performance thermoplastic multifilament yarn spun from Vectran liquid crystal polymer (LCP). It exhibits exceptional strength and is, pound for pound, five times stronger than steel and ten times stronger than aluminum. Icarus (in conjuction with Precision) pioneered the use of Vectran and tested it against Spectra and Dacron suspension line material. We found that Vectran is by far superior in terms of dimensional integrity. In other words, make 500 jumps with Vectran lines and they won’t shrink or distort nearly as much as will Spectra or Dacron lines. Line shrinkage with Spectra is principally caused by the slider generating heat as it moves down the lines on opening. Outboard suspension line and control lines are particularly susceptible to line shrinkage: It is not uncommon to see Spectra control lines shrink eight inches and outboard cell lines shrink several inches – enough to influence performance by bowing the canopy and distorting the planform. Vectran does not have as much abrasion resistance as Spectra, and so the lines will “fuzz out” sooner than Spectra – but tensile strength loss due to line fuzz has not shown itself to be a significant problem, especially when compared to the gain in long-term performance. Another thing about lines made of Vectran or any other material; like automobile tires, they wear out long before the vehicle to which they’re attached. Unlike F-111 canopies, which wear out about the same time their lines do, properly maintained zero porosity canopies can last through several line sets, regardless of line material. It is recommended that you check line wear regularly. In particular, check out the lower control lines; they wear out fastest. If your canopy is equipped with brake set loops, check them periodically for wear. These finger-trapped loops are especially susceptible to wear and, if not in top shape, can result in premature brake release. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #13 February 23, 2006 Collapsable slider is standard. I would get a set of PD slinks. As far as the line I think Vectran is a much better choice. Talk to riggers in your area and see if they can show you some canopies with Vectran so you can see what it looks like when it wears. The brake lines are the most important thing to look at. I tell people to change their brake lines at 300 jumps regardless of condition. Its an easy way to ensure you wont snap a break line. That being said Vectran is great that if it looks really bad, you replace it. So if it still looks good, you can feel safe jumping it. Learn your gear and enjoy!!! It's a great canopy. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feather 0 #14 February 24, 2006 Ok... Vectran and Spectra lines. What about Technora? Apparently the lines keep in trim a lot better? I am just posting for more info, I do not know mcuh about lines/materials. Is this thread drift? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #15 February 24, 2006 Technora is not available on Safires unless something changed recently. I personally love Technora and will likely own canopies lined with it for some time... The Fusion, Nitro, Nitron, Blade, and some x-braces all have HMA lines of varying types.NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #16 February 24, 2006 The line trim is not the problem with vectran. Vectran holds its trim excellently over the life of the line set. And needing/wanting thinner lines on a Safire2 isn't that realistic. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
