ClubNeb2 0 #1 October 23, 2006 Looking for feedback on the Monarch. Experieces w/ openings? Would you recommend this canopy?Jay Roane 3188 Midway Rd Duluth, MN 55810 402-202-7723 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyfrog 0 #2 October 23, 2006 My two cents... avoid it. I would never recommend a Monarch. I know many people who have experienced inconsistent and hard openings with theirs. Get yourself a Sabre or a Sabre 2, maybe a Spectre. That's just my opinion... maybe other people have had better experiences with the Monarch. Finally, try before you buy! You are the best judge of whether or not you will like one canopy over another. Demo a few different makes and models before you commit... the extra effort will pay off in the long run. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #3 October 23, 2006 QuoteLooking for feedback on the Monarch. Experieces w/ openings? I use a Monarch 135 for wingsuit jumps. It's about like a Sabre in all regards. More modern non-square designs open softer, are more fun to fly, and easier to stop on landing. Quote Would you recommend this canopy? With life remaining on the line set, $300-$350 asking price, and limited budget it's a fine canopy. If you're willing to spend twice that you can do better in all performance areas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #4 October 23, 2006 QuoteMy two cents... avoid it. I would never recommend a Monarch. I know many people who have experienced inconsistent and hard openings with theirs. Get yourself a Sabre or a Sabre 2, maybe a Spectre. A Monarch with the final nose design is effectively the same thing as a Sabre (same openings) but should have a lower price tag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arai 0 #5 October 23, 2006 I did a search on monarchs before I got my first rig (as it had a monarch in it.) I found quite a few people montioning hard openings and being a bit scared of them. with advice from some local jumpers, I got the rig and have found that openings havent been a problem as long as I pack it right, after flaking, I push in the nose, make sure the slider is properly set, and tight against the canopy and then roll the tail to keep it there, so far so good. I've had a great time with the canopy so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supergeil 0 #6 October 23, 2006 I would find something else to jump, got one ones very brisk openings an not very predictable too. We used to call it a Monaaaarrrrgghhhh, because thats is what you are yelling when the opening hits you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beatnik 2 #7 October 24, 2006 A friend of mine has a 155 that he loves. No problems with it in any aspect. The same issues came up when he was buying his. It was far too cheap to not to buy it. Maybe he got lucky with the openings as they have always been soft for him. With all the other canopies out there go for a newly designed canopy unless it is priced too good to pass up. Then you could at least make your money back on it if it doesn't work out for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #8 October 25, 2006 QuoteI would find something else to jump, got one ones very brisk openings an not very predictable too. We used to call it a Monaaaarrrrgghhhh, because thats is what you are yelling when the opening hits you I had to stop jumping a video camera for a full ten years because of the openings I had on my two Monarch 135's back in the day. Brutal is an understatement for the smackers I would get about half the time. That said, you can easilly tame the openings of those old canopies by simply getting an H-mod done. As far as performance goes, they fly exactly like an original Sabre. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brettpobastad 0 #9 November 5, 2006 I finally retired my 1991 Monarch 135 about a year and a half ago after thousands of jumps on it. I like 'em. Flies like a comparably sized Sabre, if a bit slower. I like the landings on the Monarch a bit better. They do tend to open harder (much like pre '95 Sabres) but that can be tamed with slider pockets and packing. You should be able to get 'em a bit cheaper than Sabres."It's only arrogance if you can't back it up" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DENNISA 0 #10 November 9, 2006 I jumped a 175 Monarch for years, the best flying canopy (for it's time) that I ever jumped. The openings can be a problem, mine was a very early model and Precision added a nose lip at no charge and fixed the openings on this one. Having said this, I would not recommend buying a Monarch with out jumping it or have someone else jump it. The performance of Monarch canopies can be all over the chart. I got one that was fantastic, mt son is still jumping it. I have jumped other 175's that flew like s***. Bottom line: Don't buy it with out jumping it several times. Dennis Anderson D-2759 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
