Opinions on first canopy

[INSANEDADDY 0]

Has any one ever had a bad experience buying over the internet? Blue Ones........................

You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW.
-BASE 1605 Night BASE 227

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

I fly a hornet (which I'm told is very close to a sbare2) - wicked canopy and it costs about 1/2 as much. You might want to consider this as a first canopy as you might downsize soon.

____________________
Say no to subliminal messages

[INSANEDADDY 0]

Who makes Hornet?

You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW.
-BASE 1605 Night BASE 227

[skymut 0]

I fly an Icarus Omega 195. This was my first canopy off of student status, and I currently have about 130 + jumps on it and haven't gotten bored with it yet. I can say that I've really enjoyed it, super soft openings, zippy, but safe flight, I don't think you could ask for more.
You might talk to your instructors and get opinions from them, as they have seen your piloting first-hand, and can probably give some sage advice.
Congrats on your grad, now get out and have some fun .

Matt
A well-informed person is somebody who has the same views and opinions as yours.

[rgoper 0]

Quote

Who makes Hornet?

http://www.pisa.co.za/

check out their website, wonderful canopies!

--Richard--
"We Will Not Be Shaken By Thugs, And Terroist"

[skydiverbrian 0]

Quote

Has any one ever had a bad experience buying over the internet?

Nope. I'd recommend it. You can get some amazing deals that way. Skydivers tend to be honest and trustworthy, but you do still need to remember caveat emptor. If you can wait till fall before you buy, you'll get more selection and probably better prices.

In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal

[Shotgun 1]

All of those canopies have pretty good reputations... but I believe that Icarus is phasing out the Omega to replace it with the new Omni 7-cell. The Sabre2 might have the best resale value though, because it seems to be one of the most popular canopies right now (IMHO).
PD has a nice article about choosing canopies at:
http://www.performancedesigns.com/docs/choosing2.pdf

[judedre 0]

Call Ralph( u always see hes ad CALL RALPH !! ) he usually is great for hookin up first timers he gave me a money back guarantee that if i didnt like the diablo 170 he would send me my money back or replace it needless to say i have 200 jumps on it so far and still love it i weigh 200lbs with gear and the first few landins were on my butt ,But i soon got the hang of it and now with 300 jumps i cant see myself downsizing untill this canopy wears out i love the diablo u gota fly it to belive it.. just my 2 cents

[Viking 0]

if you want to read reviews on just about every canopy ever made check out The Gear Section

I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver
My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin

[jfields 0]

Are you talking about buying a new or used canopy? Makes a big difference in what people might recommend. Be aware that you may not end up putting hundreds of jumps on your first canopy. If something used would work, you might want to consider that. Unless of course you just have money to blow, in which case, send me some.

[cbain 0]

I only have 150 jumps, just to say that up front.

But 130 of those have been on my Sabre2 190, loaded at 1.1:1. I bought me gear as soon as I got my A liscence. As a student I was jumping a Sabre 210 and then a Sabre 190 fairly well. These are the only canopies I have any experience with.

The Sabre2 is much more responsive and seems faster on landings. It took me quite some time to get to stand up landings on it, about 20-30 jumps and then I was only standing them up about half the time. It took me to about 80 jumps before I consistantly land standing up. It was just like something clicked for me one day and I got it.

But now I am very happy with my Sabre2. I have a lot of fun flying it and feel that I still have so much more to learn about it. I will be jumping it for a long time to come.

That said if I went back to do it again, I probably would've looked for something used and a little more docile or bigger instead of buying new and then worked my way up to the Sabre2. Some of those first 50 or so landings on the Sabre2 were pretty rough although I didn't get hurt. I think bumps and bruises can be fast teachers although I went out to dinner with some skydiver friends when I had about 70 jumps total and someone said, "Girl, when are you going to learn to land that canopy."

Anyways, don't know if any of that helped but that's my experience with the Sabre2. It really is a great canopy though.

Christina