Sabre2 first thoughts (vs. Hornet)

[AggieDave 6]

Finally, I was able to jump the Sabre2 demo that I've had for a week yesterday. Nice canopy, here's some thoughts, maybe this will help out some low timers (like myself). First of all, it flies a lot like a Hornet, but there are some differences that I like. The Sabre2 seems to be just a tad more responsive, but not by much.
Openings are nice and fairly soft, although twitchy, I'm having to *fly* (read: shift my butt around) in the harness too keep everything kosher during opening. I did not have to roll the nose or anything different then just a straight pro-pack to have nice openings, unlike the Hornet that I put quite a few jumps on. Although I say that, I never did have a hard opening with the Hornet, I just like my openings slower then some others do. The construction of the canopy is the biggest difference that I noticed between the Sabre2 and the Hornet. The 2 center cell's ribs on the Sabre 2 are reinforced and the stitching seems to be more consistant.
Conclusion on my first thoughts: Nice canopy, PD definately built something that is fun to fly, especially for someone at my experience level (about 140 jumps). Will I buy one? If I could afford it, yeah, I probably would. Out of all the canopies I've jumped this has left me with a good first impression, but then again, the Hornet flew very very similar to the Sabre2 and is $800 cheaper. In the same respect, looking at the construction of both, I would give the Sabre2 more of a fighting chance with a premature deployment then a Hornet.
Well, I'm off to the DZ, after I put some more jumps on the Sabre2, I'll let you know if I have anything different to say or more to add.
Also, for reference, the comparison is between a Hornet 190 and a Sabre2 190, both loaded at about the same, except I'm loading the Sabre2 just a bit more then the Hornet since I put on about 15lbs over the course of the past semester (stupid stress, school and beer ). The current loading is at about 1.43:1.
Aerials
So up high
When you free your lives (the) eternal prize

[AggieDave 6]

Alright, more thoughts on the Sabre2, now that I am at the end of my demo and got quite a few jumps on it.
This thing rocks. I was able to slow it down and land softly, or push a little and have nice zippy landings. On one of my jumps in Eloy I almost landed into a fairly large bush I didn't see until I was right up on it, and I was able to get around it with out much problem, the Sabre2 responded very well. Also, the Sabre2 has a lot of flair on the bottom end of the canopy, more then I remember the Hornet having, but that could have been due to a few outside factors too.
My general thought at this point is that the Hornet and the Sabre2 fly very similar, although the Sabre2 is quicker in the turns. Although the Hornet is a good canopy, if you are trying to decide between the two and can afford a Sabre2, I would definately get the Sabre2. Atleast now I really want one!
Aerials
So up high
When you free your lives (the) eternal prize