Cobalt modifications

[flyinryan 0]

Okay, I have herd the H-mod on the Cobalt makes if fly one size smaller. Is this true for bigger Cobalts? I am looking at a canopy in the 150 range and was wondering if after I put a few hundred jumps on it if the H-mod would be an like downsizing....rather than buying a whole new canopy.

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

While not a "factory" modification, the simple answer is YES. The Howard Modification, now done by Joe Bennett at Skydive Monroe, will definitely make your canopy dive like a canopy one size smaller. It will snivel more, but that is a tradeoff I am willing to make to get a different kind of performance out of your main. Some people are scared by the slowness of the opening of the H-mod, but personally, I find it just right. You see, I am an old tired ass, and I really like slow openings. That being said, I open quite a bit higher than I did a decade ago. I hardly ever dump below three grand, so I have time to let that bastard open at it's own pace and I still have time to stow my slider, etc. Joe charges one hundred fifty bucks for the mod.
The competition Cobalt is a different animal. It opens great, flies faster than a stock model, and swoops farther. It is not a snivelly main, so those who dislike that feature of the aftermarket H-mod ought to be happy. Dives are just as steep and fast, but the front riser turn is faster, so one must moderate it differently. That is the reason that I sucked so badly at the November PPPB meet at Perris. I had practiced for over a month on my Competion Cobalt 75, but destroyed it on round one of the comp. Luckily, they allowed me to swap in my H-mod. The problem was that I had not jumped that main in over a month and so my first few runs, which were competion rounds, were actually spent re-learning the main. Both swoop equally far, but each one requires a very specific turn to get the best performance. Anyone who has ever borrowed a buddy's HP main will know what I am talking about. It takes a bit of time to get used to the turn so that you can make an accurate evaluation of a parachute.
Bottom line: If you have the cash, get yourself a Competion Cobalt if you want more swoop. If your funds are limited, send your shit to Joe for the H-mod. Either way, you will not be disappointed in my opinion.
PM me for more info.......
Chuck
My webpage HERE