Vectran

[Jimbo 0]

Does Vectran ever go out of trim, or does it just break?
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Jim

[Hooknswoop 19]

It just breaks. Depending on how it is handled and the conditions it is used in, 300-500 jumps. Steering lines seem to wear out the quickest.
Hook

[polarbear 1]

The whole idea behind Vectran is that it doesn't stretch or shrink with use, meaning it doesn't go out of trim.
If you jump with Vectran, keep a close eye on the lines, particularly steering lines, particularly lower steering lines. If they start getting fuzzy get worried. Like hook said, they just snap...bad thing after finishing the highest speed approach you ever did...

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

The whole idea behind Vectran is that it doesn't stretch or shrink with use, meaning it doesn't go out of trim.

Yeah, I know that's the idea behind it, I was wondering if that was the reality behind it as well. Now that it's had some time in the field the data should be out there.
Just curious...
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Jim

[polarbear 1]

From what I can tell, Vectran does what it is supposed to do...stay in trim.

[diverdriver 7]

Ask Pete L. in the Monterey area about Vectran line snapping without warning and he'll tell you about his double busted femurs. I believe his was the first reported issue with the new vectran line. Came out of a hook.....swooping.....SNAP on the lower control line.....pound!
Chris

[Samurai136 0]

My understanding is that vectran stays in trim but if exposed to gritty hard material (sand, etc) it will wear quicker. Sand in the lines acts like a knife over time.

At the end of the weekend I stuff my gear in the bag and pack it at home during the week to fully inspect the vectran for fuzz.

[jceman 1]

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Ask Pete L. in the Monterey area about Vectran line snapping without warning

Peter's story is one of the reasons I replaced my Vectran lines as soon as I saw wear appearing on my steering lines. Didn't replace them with Vectran, though, switched to Spectra. I'd rather deal with checking the trim than worry about a brake line snapping on final.

[Lindsey 0]

I think the word got around well about Pete. But I've not heard of it happening to anyone else.... Granted, I'm out of the loop a lot of the time, but was just wondering..... If it happens once, you've gotta wonder about other factors. With some canopies, you should be just as worried about getting out of trim, I would imagine....
Peace~
Lindsey
Ya' know Smack-water Jack he bought a shotgun
'cause he was in the mood for a little con-fron-ta-tion

[jurgencamps 0]

I have Vectran lines and I am very happy about them. Sure, you have to check them regularly. After less than 50 jumps, my lower control lines became very fuzzy. The velcro on my risers caused the problem. I changed risers (without velcro) and replaced those control lines. Since then, no fuzzy lines anymore (just need a reline after 450 jumps).
Jurgen

[alan 1]

I had the X-mod by PA done to my VX when it came time for a re-line. It has the HMA lines. Only a little over 20 jumps so far, but they still look new. My guess is that they will prove superior to the Vectran and Spectra lines over the long run.
alan

[Lindsey 0]

I like to watch these new things for a few years before I jump in.....and maybe HMA will be the thing.... after another re-line or two with Vectran, maybe I'll have the mod on the FX too....
==B-D
Lindsey
Ya' know Smack-water Jack he bought a shotgun
'cause he was in the mood for a little con-fron-ta-tion

[SBS 0]

There are a couple of issues with this story. Some will tell you that there was no warning, but after seeing the lines personally, I believe that there was noticable wear. There was not as much as I would consider normal, though, for a line to snap, which has made me pay close attention to my steering lines, and when I order a canopy, I order an extra set of steering lines so I have them ready.
Even though vectran does snap earlier, there is still generally some sort of warning. I would rather, personally, run that risk and replace the lines early every time before it could become an issue than run the risk of a high speed stall with control lines that have shrunk a matter of inches in the first 25 jumps. THAT can be just as dangerous as having a control line snap.
Whatever we jump has its issues, and needs to be maintained. Along with jumping a high performance canopy come issues of high maintenance...it's just a fact. I would be interested to see how this new type of line fairs against others. One thing is very clear for me, ANYTHING is better than spectra when dealing with small fast canopies, and replacing a set of steering lines a little earlier than necessary is far preferable to having them shrink.
Just my thoughts.
Steve

[skydived19006 4]

Quote

Does Vectran ever go out of trim, or does it just break?

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Jim

Resurrecting from a search regarding Vectran:

My opinion/answer is both. Our Icarus tandem canopies will tend to get a bit weird in opening. Real snively, line slack below the slider on opening, more rogue, etc. I've also noticed a deterioration in the flair. When our canopies start showing these characteristics we'll get it relined, and it flys like new once again. This is anecdotal, as I've never tried to measure for trim before sending for reline. Mel Lancaster does the work, but I doubt that he measures before cutting.

I've also had Vectran suspension line on tandem canopies break, both times at the A/B cascade point.

Martin

Experience is what you get when you thought you were going to get something else.

AC DZ