mamajumps 0 #1 September 15, 2008 I am looking to buy a 170 and friend of mine has a Lotus 170. All I know about it, is that is an air-locked canopy. Would it be ok for basically a beginner jumper that would load it a .83? Any info about this canopy and its characteristics would be great. I just sold my Triathalon 150 and am wanting to upsize to a 9 cell 170. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #2 September 15, 2008 http://www.bigairsportz.com/lotus.php Info from the designers. Holy shit canopies are getiting expensive these days. Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #3 September 15, 2008 How about try it first? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamajumps 0 #4 September 15, 2008 Quote How about try it first? Im gonna jump it at the Hog Flop, but I like to know what Im getting into. The website that was provided above reccomends a 1.0 to 1.4 loading. I would have to jump a 140 for that and Im just not ready to do that. Hopefully, someone can give me actual advice on it.... (current owner). The website was very helpful, but I am very conservative jumper and want all my bases covered first.... education never hurts... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #5 September 15, 2008 i can't speak to how well the canopy will suit you, but i have about 250 jumps or so on my lotus 170 and i like it a lot. i load mine at 1.3, so you would probably find it more docile that i do! it's sabre-ish in shape (square front edge, elliptical trailing edge), handles nice, a little bumpy but very stable in turbulence. it can be a handful on windy days (after landing), but once you learn how to ground it and shake the air out of it, it's not much of a bother. it turns nice and has a good, powerful flair. mine is a little unpredictable on opening, but since it did that even when packed by brian himself, i'm leaning towards body position being the cause. not knowing you at all, but using the rule of thumb, a .83 wingloading would be considered conservative with your jump numbers. best bet is to talk to your instructors, then borrow it and jump it a few times."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixlpr 0 #6 September 15, 2008 QuoteThe website was very helpful, but I am very conservative jumper and want all my bases covered first.... education never hurts...Wink I would not call you conservative. You are a light jumper with landing issues. You should break out from student class. Someone filming and analyzing your landings would be the right help for you. Jumping a canopy under .9 has its own issues. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 September 15, 2008 QuoteJumping a canopy under .9 has its own issues. Only backing up under strong winds, and in those cases its usually better not to be jumping in the first place. If its so bad you better go tell all those BASE jumpers why its so bad since they load their canopies at .6-.8 on every jump. In terms of the Lotus is it very Sabre2ish. PD does the sewing on them now and the build quality is as well made as anything that PD sews. It will suit you very well but it does pack larger then other same size canopies. Its about a half to full size larger for pack volume.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #8 September 16, 2008 Quote PD does the sewing on them now and the build quality is as well made as anything that PD sews. It will suit you very well but it does pack larger then other same size canopies. Its about a half to full size larger for pack volume. actually, i read in the august 2008 issue of skydiving (in the "maybe you've heard" section on page 5), that brian has brough canopy manufacturing back 'in-house', although pd will still do service work on them."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrwrong 0 #9 September 16, 2008 I've got a Lotus 170. I load it a "tad" more than you would though about 1.3 I can only make a statement from MY point of view: It's a great canopy. It flies like a dream and are great to land a lot of flare power and easy to pitch, it feels a lot more stabile when you hit turbulence (tanx Brian for putting airlocks on it) than other canopies in similar conditions. Openings are mostly great, I had some problems with being SPANKED on opening but out of 5 Lotuses on our DZ I'm the only one who experienced this. Contacted Brian about this and he gave me this slider lip to add. Now it opens like a dream again. Another pro is the service from Brian, always helpful and eager to solve any issues. It has it's cons as well, on (some) windy days it a PITA to control after landing due to the airlocks. [EDIT TO ADD] Quote from the Big Air Sportz Manual. "The pack volume of our canopies is approximately 5% larger than that of a similar size canopy without an airlock system." PS I know all about the importance when it comes to avoiding to fly turbulente conditions and all that so please dont flame me about mentioning this. I only see the airlocks as added safety WHEN hitting turbulence not as an excuse to fly into what ever. “The sum of intelligence on the planet is a constant; the population is growing.” - George Bernard Shaw He who dies with the most toys, wins..... dudeist skydiver # 19515 Buy quality and cry once! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
