similar to Samurai?

[fool 0]

Just wondering what canopies on the market are silmilar in performance to the Samurai, and what flight characteristics they have similar, and different to the Samurai. Edited to add: I'm also curious as to the difference between the Jedei sweptwing, fat top, and just a normal jedei if there is one. Thanks

S.E.X. party #1

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "f*#k, what a ride".

[PhreeZone 20]

The Sweptwing is what the Jedei project was really all about to start with. As far as I can tell the Jedei came first, it has a straight front edge and a tapered tail. Shes a fast turner and likes to turn and burn, but the front riser pressure is extremely high with speed. The sweptwing was next in the progression and served to get rid of the things Jedei owners were telling Brian they did'nt like... such as the riser pressure etc. The Sweptwing has a lot of taper up on the leading edge and not so much on the tail. The Samurai was the result of feedback on the entire Jedei project. Its a revert back to more of the Jedei design, but some major changed to the construction and the leading edge has a slight taper. This did away with the majority of the gripes from the Jedei owners and produced one sweet canopy. There are 2 models of the Samurai, the PCS Airlock and the current style. The PCS was a new refined airlock but Brian reverted to the Jedei style in year 2000. Call Brian at Big-Air to get any info... he's good about explaining things with the canopies. Cajones is also a great resource so I'm sure he'll pop in soon too.

Closest things I've found to the Sam are the Vengence (Pd has recalled one from my DZ for trim issues) and thats about it. Chris from PA told me a Nitron is close too, but I'm yet to try that out. The Stiletto seems like a lower-level Samarui to me, not quite as stiff, not as much flare (still a lot) and just seems slower in flight.

I love my Jedei now that I've got the issues sorted out with it's landings.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[BikerBabe 0]

I just acquired a Jedei Fat Top, and I really love it. I was told that it was probably the closest iteration of the Jedei to a Samurai's flight characteristics.

The flare is really natural to me, like I don't even have to think about it. Some other canopies I've flown, like a Sabre2, Spectre, and even the Stiletto, I really have to concentrate on flaring correctly. With the Jedei, it's second nature.

good luck! The Jedei is a great canopy!

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Samurai136 0]

I've jumped various Stiletto's and Vengeance's and neither are particularly similar to a Samurai. Although similar in the broadest sense, specifically feel totally different in flight and control range. The Vengeance is airlocked but is a dogsled compared to the Samurai. They are also not as ground hungry as the Samurai in full flight. But a few inches of rear-riser will allow you float a Samurai with even a lightly loaded student canopy.

A similar canopy would have a 'rigid' feel in the harness, precise control input, a negative recovery arc, and a control range that allows you to fly even at the stall point.


Compared to a Jedei, think of the Samurai as the "current model year" of a Porsche.

Ken

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[Designer 0]

Designers like to improve on a good thing.I,d have to jump a "Samurai 95-97" at least 25 times to get the full flight picture of the parachute.You can bet Brian did more than normally required to arrive at the basic "Samurai" design.It also sounds like we did more things right with the "Jedei Sweptwing" than most people would know.Personally,I,d much rather jump Brian,s "Airlock-Crossbraced" canopy and compare that to the "Jedei Sweptwing".

[PhreeZone 20]

I want to try that thing out too... bad... but first I have to master this 136 Jedei before getting something smaller... if only Brian would release the canopy to the public... *HINT Brain, HINT*

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[alan 1]

Quote

Closest things I've found to the Sam are the Vengence (Pd has recalled one from my DZ for trim issues) and thats about it. Chris from PA told me a Nitron is close too, but I'm yet to try that out. The Stiletto seems like a lower-level Samarui to me, not quite as stiff, not as much flare (still a lot) and just seems slower in flight.

All good info Phree. I'll add that the Nitro/Nitron is indeed in the same class as the Samurai. Somewhere in Dropzone.com there may still be a copy of the artyicle/review I did on the Samurai over a year go, maybe two. I loved the canopy. I have had the ooportunity to jump a couple of Nitrons (120 and 135) over this last summer. My exit weight is about 220 - 225#. Those Nitrons open sweet and have great flare, you can really shut them down. Main difference with the Samurai is the recivery arc. The Sam wants you to bump the brakes a little and the Nitron has a fairly short arc and will plane out on its own. Which is better? All I can say is demo and see which one fits your individual preferences the best.

alan

[PhreeZone 20]

Alan Here is your review. Lots of good info that I was able to compair it to my Jedei on.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[fool 0]

Indeed, I've read the article a couple times already. Just out of curiousity, how did you compare it to the Jedei? If you could elaborate on the similarities and differences, I would appreciate it. PM me, or send me an email, or whatever. Thanks in advance.

S.E.X. party #1

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "f*#k, what a ride".