Emma 0 #1 July 16, 2002 Hello again... I'm thinking of downsizing from a Sabre 135 to a Spectre 120. When I test jumped the Spectre I felt I got a better flare than I do on my Sabre. I assume this is because the wing-loading is greater? Any advice on recommended wing-loading and the difference in flying characteristics between the 2 canopies would be helpful...thanks :) I have about 430 jumps by the way...and without kit weigh around 115 lbs...With kit I guess around 140 - 150 depending on lead. I can't help but feel I would get on better with a slightly smaller canopy although I'm not a big swooper. Emma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #2 July 16, 2002 You may very well be happier with a Spectre than an original Sabre, but I just have to ask whether or not you have tried the Sabre 2 or a Hornet? Personally, I don't think a Spectre has nearly the bottom end of the Sabre 2, so you may want to go that route instead if flare power is what you are looking for. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 July 16, 2002 Look at the flare of a Sabre compaired to a Spectre, the Spectre has a shorter plane out peroid then you need to completly flare it for landing. The Sabre has a longer plane out peroid and glide so that if you go too far in the toggles before the plane out is over you've lost a lot of the motion needed to flare properly. I'd have some one video your landings and watch your hands, if the canopy is just surfing along and you keep applying more and more toggle, then you might want to lengthen the brakes and learn the new flare on the longer lines. The longer lines will help you to move your hands further to plane out, to glide and to flare, if you are too much on the toggles early on.... you'll still have plenty of rage to play with later.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #4 July 16, 2002 Thanks.... I have had a go on the Sabre 2 but it was a 135 which didn't really enable me to compare it fairly with the Spectre, as a 120. I preferred the Spectre but I have a sneaking suspicion this was because it was smaller and the wing loading was better for me... Would 15 square foot really make that much difference? I liked the Sabre 2 and got a much longer glide out of it than my old Sabre - probably longer than on the Spectre if I think about it. Decisions, decisions! Let me check too - the Spectre is not elliptical at all but theSabre 2 is semi-elliptical? Re openings on each how would you say they compare? E Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #5 July 16, 2002 Quotethe Spectre is not elliptical at all but theSabre 2 is semi-elliptical? Both are "tapered", or semi-elliptical. Quoteopenings on each how would you say they compare? I haven't jumped a Sabre2, but I've heard that they open much like Spectres do (with the possible exception of some of the first ones off the production line that seemed to have some opening issues). I agree with Chuck; I'd suggest putting a few jumps on a Sabre2 120 before you make your purchase decision. Personally I prefer the steeper approach of a 7 cell like the Spectre. I've found that a 7 cell is easier for me to land, but that's just me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMFin 0 #6 July 16, 2002 What i hear is Spectre flares worse/shorter than Sabre . Even the Spectre flyers admit it. Now I have never tried a spectre but thats what I hear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,100 #7 July 17, 2002 >I'm thinking of downsizing from a Sabre 135 to a Spectre 120. When > I test jumped the Spectre I felt I got a better flare than I do on my > Sabre. I assume this is because the wing-loading is greater? Yes. It's likely that a Sabre2 120 will give you an even better flare. However, a flare that planes out your canopy and allows you to land well is all the flare you may need. Spectres were not designed as swooping canopies, they were designed more as stable, reliable canopies. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #9 July 22, 2002 Another thing is how many jumps are on the sabre, When i had my old sabre relined it was amazing, a whole new canopy... tons of lift.HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #10 July 23, 2002 Has the hubby of the previous owner of said Sabre, I'd guess there were some 50 to 100 (I think... Its been a while) when we flogged it to Emma...Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emma 0 #11 July 24, 2002 I think there are around 450 - 500 jumps on my Sabre...Do you think getting it relined would make a difference in that case? It does look a bit shagged out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #12 July 24, 2002 It will be a new animal.... and if you want to sell it it will keep the resale value higher also. I would give it a try...HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #13 July 25, 2002 Quoteand without kit weigh around 115 lbs... You sure you're not getting lbs and kgs confused again... Seriously though, if you're considering a Sabre2, why not consider a Hornet? They do make a '120 and it is a helluva lot cheaper. Maybe that bloke your baby sister is boinking can even have one brought over from SA for you so you don't pay customs... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobsoutar 0 #14 September 25, 2002 The Sabre 2 (120 sq ft), Springo 120 and Safire 119 would all be good canopies to test jump. The new Faqtor from Paratec is also pretty good but dives quite steeply on front risers which isn't to everyones taste. The Spectre is nice but comes in a bit steeper and wont give you as much lift in the flare as the others. Wing loading on any of the above will be about 1.25 which would give you slightly higher performance, handle a bit better in turbulence and shouldn't be too scary after a few jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
