Milo 0 #1 April 16, 2002 Hello,I am trying to decide between 2 canopies, a 150 Tri and a 150 Silhouette. I will be loading the canopy at .9:1 or 1:1 when I wear weights.I'm a new jumper, 50 jumps, choosing this canopy size based on the recomendation of my instructors. Can anybody who has jumped both these canopies at similiar wingloadings share their experience?Thanks!Milop.s., The Silhouette has an F111 topskin and a zero p bottom skin, how does this age compared to a 100% zero p or 100% F111 canopy? What differences can I expect when I try to sell the canopy down the road, will the Tri be worth more? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJohnson 0 #2 April 16, 2002 Milo,My first canopy off student status was a Triathalon 150, and at the time it was cool. but it is a 7 cell and you are only going to get so much performance out of it. It packs nice, super stable, and you can sink it real nice.If you under load a Triathalon it will snivel on opening and your flare will not be awesome, but it will be good.My next canopy was the Silhouette 135. My exit weight is about 170 to 180. This canopy was a definite step up. Real crisp turns, nice flare and it packs real easy.I still got this canopy and use it in my second rig. It's got about 250 jumps on it and has held up very well. JJ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #3 April 16, 2002 Get the Triathlon.. It is an excellent canopy!!!!! Blue Skies ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rgoper 0 #4 April 16, 2002 i flew a TRIATHLON after student status, then down sized went with the same brand of canopy. IF i had to do it over again, i would have went with a 9 cell, because i trained with a 9 cell, then flew two 7 cells, then downsized once again, and had to "relearn" how to land a 9 cell, but landing the 7 cell canopies were easier for me, way less glide, more sink, but very forgiving on openings, turns, line twists, etc... just some thoughts...Richard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
polarbear 1 #5 April 16, 2002 I haven't flown a Silhouette, but I am not a big fan of Triathlons. Not that they are bad canopies, I just don't like how they fly.The Silhouette has ZP TOP SKIN, F-111 BOTTOM SKIN. Generally speaking, I find that PD canopies are very good. Demo them and decide for yourself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChromeBoy 0 #6 April 16, 2002 I would decide upon the Tri-Athalon or the Spectre instead of the Silhouette. I have a Spectre and I have jumped a friends Silhouette and I like the Spectre a lot better. Never jumped the TriAthalon but have friends who do and they seem to like it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,116 #7 April 16, 2002 Tri: A little more stable in turbulenceA little steeper glideBetter in deep brakesPacking is easier than most ZP canopiesSilhouette:Slightly flatter glideMore "PD-like" flarePacking is a bit easier due to partial F111 constructionBoth canopies open well, the Tri opens a little more on-heading. If you want a more forgiving canopy the Tri is slightly better choice.-bill von Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milo 0 #8 April 17, 2002 QuoteThe Silhouette has ZP TOP SKIN, F-111 BOTTOM SKINMy mistake. I DO NOT plan on flying this canopy inverted! ;)Milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #9 April 17, 2002 I guess it depends. Are you buying new? How long do you plan to keep it? I think both their pack volumes differ, so you might want to check against the container. If you've got money to blow, send me some, then get the Triathlon. If you're putting together your first rig, either one will do just fine.In answering your question about resale, you are right as far as the Triathlon holding it's value because it's 100% ZP. Then it also depends on how many jumps it's had (you and all it's past owners), and it's condition (tears, lines, fading, etc.) when you sell it. The Silhouette too will hold it's value because it's a PD man!I've heard nothing but good things from Triathlon owners at my DZ. The Diablo 170 will be the first Aerodyne I'll jump though (case of beer!).I've been jumping my DZ's Silhouette 190 as I downsize. When I first jumped a PD 210 from the SkyMaster 290, the first thing I noticed was the quicker sink rate. Inputs were a little more responsive, but the flare was somewhat similar so I started it a little sooner. Then I jumped the Silhouette 210 and the flare was more powerful, toggle inputs were just a little more responsive, glide was flatter (but it could be my imagination). Then on the 190, everything was quicker and I started to feel the canopy more especially on landing. Somehow the canopy starts dancing and getting faster as the ground nears. I'll be flying it about a quarter brakes to keep it pressurized as I slowly bury the toggles.Would I buy a Triathlon? Certainly, but the seller gave me the choice of a '97 Triathlon 190 or a '99 Diablo 170. The Diablo gave me more options to get higher performance, a canopy I could continuously improve on without downsizing, and it's newer.Would I buy a Silhouette? Maybe on my second rig. But if the Diablo scares me, I might trade it for a Silhouette.I'm fortunate to have very patient instructors coach me as I get ready to jump my first rig - Mirage ('97 with velcro riser covers), Diablo 170, Dash-M 181, and Cypres. I have yet to jump it as the reserve arrived unpacked since the seller just received it from Precision Aerodynamics for the service bulletin, and the Cypres I just got it back on Saturday from it's 4 yr. So during this last 8 weeks since I placed the order, I've been polishing my canopy and accuracy skills as much as I can. It's really tempting but I'll keep paying the extra $10 for each jump until I feel confident. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
polarbear 1 #10 April 17, 2002 Inverted flight would be cool.Hey, somebody else mentioned checking out a Spectre. I would agree. I personally like something a little more high performance, but in my opinion, the Spectre is the nicest all-around canopy I know of. If I had a second rig, it would have a spectre. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #11 April 17, 2002 QuoteSomehow the canopy starts dancing and getting faster as the ground nears. I'll be flying it about a quarter brakes to keep it pressurized as I slowly bury the toggles.I don't understand... you're coming in on final in quarter brakes?pull & flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #12 April 17, 2002 Depends on how you want to land. If you like the surfy kind of landing, get the Silhouette. I've got about 50 jumps on one loaded at 1.1, and it's pretty easy to land that way - not too fast but lots of glide, shuts down easily. Because of the slightly tapered shape it turns quicker (imho) than the same sized Sabre, and has nice openings.If you don't want the surfy landing, go with a 7 cell like the Tri or Spectre. imho a bit easier to land and be accurate with than a nine cell, still fun to fly. You can still get a surf out of a seven cell, it just won't be as long and will take more skill. You will have better resale value with an all zp canopy.pull & flare,lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milo 0 #13 April 17, 2002 QuoteI just got it(cypres) back on Saturday from it's 4 yr. How lond did it take to get it back? I have an overdue cypres that I want to get inspected.Milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Milo 0 #14 April 17, 2002 Well, I made my choice.I'm getting an Infinity/Silhouette rig with just 20(!) jumps for $2000 instead of a Talon T2/Triahlon rig with 250 jumps for $1725.The main things that convinced me to buy the first rig are the Infinity container and the low number of jumps. I was really leaning toward the Triathlon, but at this wingload and my number of jumps it sounds like either canopy will be fine. I have seen and heard nothing but good things about the Infinity containers.Thanks for all the input, that's what makes this such a great site!!!Milo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #15 April 17, 2002 Good call. The Infinities are made upstairs at my DZ. And you might as well have the best. Looks like you found yourself a great deal too. That configration is almost identical to the demo gear I'm jumping.In answering your question as to the turnover on the Cypres, I had mine shipped off thru Velocity Sports Equipment, makers of the Infinity, since they're a dealer. And I got it back in 3 weeks. Another good reason to go with the Infinity: customer service. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #16 April 17, 2002 It was only on my last 2 jumps, and it was pretty windy. I felt some turbulence and I didn't want to get dropped and become 2 1/2 feet tall.My bad for not mentioning that to begin with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alan 1 #17 April 19, 2002 QuoteI'll be flying it about a quarter brakes to keep it pressurized as I slowly bury the toggles.Canopy pressurization is a function of airspeed. Flying in 1/4 brakes slows the airspeed of the canopy and thereby reduces the pressurization. Jerry Sobieski addresses this issue pretty well in this article.http://www.afn.org/skydive/sta/highperf.pdfalan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
