brabus 0 #1 March 8, 2006 Hey guys, I've been a long time reader, but finally had a question I thought I would post. I've had my own gear since about jump 15 and have been jumping a Triathlon 190 (loaded 1:1). I have a bit over 70 jumps (so like 58 jumps on the current canopy). It's been a good first canopy, but I'm pretty bored with it now and want to downsize. I can't remember the last time I botched a landing, even in no wind situations (and one downwinder...thanks to the 1st guy down). I'm not into swooping, so I'm not the guy who's attempting hook turns at such an early stage. I just want something faster and more fun to play with in the air, but when it comes time to land (like below 1000 feet), I'm pretty conservative. I know the next logical progression would be to go to a 170, but I don't want to go through the hassle of selling this canopy, buying a 170, and then being bored with that rather quickly (I've been told going from a 190 to a 170 is not much). My question is, should I buy a 150 (I'm looking at spectres) now, jump a friend's 170 or a rental 170 for a bit until I'm comfortable and then go to "my" 150? Since I know I won't be "trying anything " close to the ground (such as 1000 and below) and will fly very conservatively when in the pattern and landing, do you think I could land a 150 rather safely after getting comfortable landing a 170? I feel confident about it, but I don't want to be an idiot and hurt myself bad. Thoughts from the experienced out there? P.S. I know you all can do simple math, but my WL on the spectre would be 1.26 roughly (give or take a few since I seem to fluctuate 5-7 lbs constantly). Edit: Also to add, I jump at mile hi in Denver, so I've always been used to the high altitude. I'm moving to OK in June, and from there who knows (in ROTC and will be in the military soon), but most likely will be jumping near sea level for a long time now (like in OK or TX), so the smaller canopy will "feel" like a larger canopy since I'm coming from a high altitude DZ to a low altitude one. Don't know how important this is, but just thought I'd throw it in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jheadley 0 #2 March 9, 2006 I would suggest getting a semi-eliptical 190, like a Sabre 2. It will feel a lot more fun to fly but it would still have the same speed for landing. I was loaded at 1.0 on my Sabre 2 until I had 250 jumps, and I didn't get bored. Definitely don't go straight to a 150. That is a BIG jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #3 March 9, 2006 The spectre or pilot is the right canopy for you. You should be moving away from the Triathlon.The open question is a move to a 170 or a 150. The safe route to a 150 is jumping a 170 for at least 2 or 300 jumps. If you have the desire for more, a 150 spectre is not unreasonable. Unfortunately, at 58 jumps you will not know you're in over your head until you are in over you head on a 150. To put things in perspective, I jumped a triathlon 160 at your wing loading (1.1) until I had close to 250 jumps. The Spectre is a far better canopy. I jump an elliptical 120, now. I still have fun jumping a lightly loaded spectre. Keep jumping what you have and demo other sizes as your experience increases..."Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brabus 0 #4 March 9, 2006 After reading some more and going with you guys, I think 170 would be the better choice. I think I'll try to find a spectre 170 and hang onto that for a good amount of time. I sure don't want to be the guy leaving the DZ in an ambulance because I broke my leg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MarkM 0 #5 March 9, 2006 Buy a used 170, put a couple hundred jumps on it and you can sell it for not too much less than what you paid for it. Canopies are easy to buy and sell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites brabus 0 #6 March 9, 2006 Ok, just thought it would be more of a pain to sell canopies, but hopefully not. Anyone know someone who wants a triathlon 190 with 90 total jumps on it? And on that note, anyone have a spectre 170 for me? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DeNReN 0 #7 March 9, 2006 Resale on a Tri 190 is prob pretty poor right now.....Areodyne just had the sale of the century on Tri's..sweet deal too...$700USD for a brand spanking new Tri...so you may want to consider keeping it and really learning how to fly it (IMHO) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MarkM 0 #8 March 9, 2006 Just browse through the site classifieds on this site. Since you don't have to get off the 190 right away, you can take your time looking through the classifieds, get some ideas of canopies, find a really nice deal then buy it. Then once you have that and like it, you can sell the Tri. Just keep an eye on Tri prices while you look for the 170. Also you don't have to limit yourself to the spectre. It's an awesome canopy, but if you find a good deal on a semi-elip 170 you could snatch it up to play around with it for awhile. If you don't like it, keep your 190, sell the 170 and get your spectre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Squeak 17 #9 March 9, 2006 your bored after 60 jumps on it? Might I suggest giving your canopy to one of the better canopy pilots on your DZ and ask him/her to show you what it can do, I certain that you'll be surpsrised by the versatility of it, and I doubt that you can replicate what they do. 60 jumps is virtually nothing on a 1st canopy.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mnealtx 0 #10 March 9, 2006 Can you do all these? If not, then there's still a fair bit of "wringing out" you can do with your current canopy...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
MarkM 0 #5 March 9, 2006 Buy a used 170, put a couple hundred jumps on it and you can sell it for not too much less than what you paid for it. Canopies are easy to buy and sell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brabus 0 #6 March 9, 2006 Ok, just thought it would be more of a pain to sell canopies, but hopefully not. Anyone know someone who wants a triathlon 190 with 90 total jumps on it? And on that note, anyone have a spectre 170 for me? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DeNReN 0 #7 March 9, 2006 Resale on a Tri 190 is prob pretty poor right now.....Areodyne just had the sale of the century on Tri's..sweet deal too...$700USD for a brand spanking new Tri...so you may want to consider keeping it and really learning how to fly it (IMHO) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MarkM 0 #8 March 9, 2006 Just browse through the site classifieds on this site. Since you don't have to get off the 190 right away, you can take your time looking through the classifieds, get some ideas of canopies, find a really nice deal then buy it. Then once you have that and like it, you can sell the Tri. Just keep an eye on Tri prices while you look for the 170. Also you don't have to limit yourself to the spectre. It's an awesome canopy, but if you find a good deal on a semi-elip 170 you could snatch it up to play around with it for awhile. If you don't like it, keep your 190, sell the 170 and get your spectre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Squeak 17 #9 March 9, 2006 your bored after 60 jumps on it? Might I suggest giving your canopy to one of the better canopy pilots on your DZ and ask him/her to show you what it can do, I certain that you'll be surpsrised by the versatility of it, and I doubt that you can replicate what they do. 60 jumps is virtually nothing on a 1st canopy.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mnealtx 0 #10 March 9, 2006 Can you do all these? If not, then there's still a fair bit of "wringing out" you can do with your current canopy...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
DeNReN 0 #7 March 9, 2006 Resale on a Tri 190 is prob pretty poor right now.....Areodyne just had the sale of the century on Tri's..sweet deal too...$700USD for a brand spanking new Tri...so you may want to consider keeping it and really learning how to fly it (IMHO) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #8 March 9, 2006 Just browse through the site classifieds on this site. Since you don't have to get off the 190 right away, you can take your time looking through the classifieds, get some ideas of canopies, find a really nice deal then buy it. Then once you have that and like it, you can sell the Tri. Just keep an eye on Tri prices while you look for the 170. Also you don't have to limit yourself to the spectre. It's an awesome canopy, but if you find a good deal on a semi-elip 170 you could snatch it up to play around with it for awhile. If you don't like it, keep your 190, sell the 170 and get your spectre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #9 March 9, 2006 your bored after 60 jumps on it? Might I suggest giving your canopy to one of the better canopy pilots on your DZ and ask him/her to show you what it can do, I certain that you'll be surpsrised by the versatility of it, and I doubt that you can replicate what they do. 60 jumps is virtually nothing on a 1st canopy.You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnealtx 0 #10 March 9, 2006 Can you do all these? If not, then there's still a fair bit of "wringing out" you can do with your current canopy...Mike I love you, Shannon and Jim. POPS 9708 , SCR 14706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
