More recent canopy opinions wanted for: Cobalt & Nitro

[JanuszPS 0]

Hi,
I've been researching/reading for long time about those two canopies (last few days about 12hr so far or more) mostly the comments. However some of them are contradicting and very often are quite old. Most of them from 2005 or older.
As you know the point of view and the opinion very often can change with perspective of time, experience and knowledge.
So getting to the point, what do you think about those two canopies? I consider to get and buy one of those in size 135 with about 1.4 at most WL.
Are they of similar / comparable characteristics?
Where there some mods provided to their first release and from when?
I know that there was some mods in therms of lines in Nitro, but from when?

Definitely I prefer gelvenor as my first canopy was Cayenne 170 (PV/Firebird) which I liked a lot. For both of the brands the WL in range 1.2-1.4 is considered for intermediate pilots.
Thanks in advance
Janusz
(sorry for grammar)
edit: I might post this in Gear and Rigging section. can someone move it there?

Back to Poland... back home.

[YISkyDive 0]

I have never jumped a Cobalt, but I have the Nitro/Nitron (the Hiper USA version). Its a rock solid canopy and I used it as a transition @ a 1.5 WL to a Xf2. This was as 150 Nitro to a 149 Xf2.

I also jumped it highly loaded at 2.1:1 as one of a few transition canopies to a Velo. Again, worked very well at the WL.

I would explain the canopy as the most forgiving in the same size higher performance category class. So, in other words, if you don't want to be under an xf2 135 (for good reason), the Nitro offers enough forgiveness to justify the smaller size. It digs well, is rock solid through turbulence, high winds, carves well, and opens good at the 1.4 / 1.5 WL.

I liked it; it flared REALLY well, and it shut down to almost 0 ground speed at both sizes. Front riser pressure is stupid light and its openings on the 150 were good. The 120 (@ 2.1:1 [above manuf. recommendation...]) really sucked in the opening department, but its the price I paid to get some smaller canopy time. Also I’m a shitty packer. However, the 120 got long swoops for being non-cross braced at the size and WL. I really enjoyed putting a good number of jumps on it, and I liked it more than a 112 crossfire 2.

Feel free to PM me, and make sure you ask your local canopy pilots for advice and if you should downsize. I demo-ed the 150 through Rigs and Things, Roy will take care of you if you call him.

Good day to you,

Dave

[gearless_chris 1]

I jump a 170 Nitron (about 400 jumps on it) and demoed a 150 Nitro, and a 170 Competition Cobalt(they didn't have a 150 demo). I've been jumping a 150 Stilleto while my Nitron is getting repaired. The Nitron/Nitro are pretty docile for a fully eliptical canopy. They tolerate my crappy packing very well. I've had a brake release on opening many times and it doesn't spin up. They have a shorter recovery arc than the Stilleto so you can make stupid low turns. To me the front riser pressure is high and rear riser pressure is low. The Comp cobalt opens nice also. It looked a little weird first because of the 2 stage openings. The front riser pressure was lighter than my Nitron but the rear riser pressure was higher. The Nitro flew great with harness turns and will fly with 0 ground speed. I eventually picked the Comp Cobalt for my new canopy because it had a higher ground speed than the Nitron/Nitro. The Stilleto is my favorite to fly so far but it doesn't have the low speed lift that I'm used to. And it doesn't like crosswind landings as much as the Cobalt or Nitro.

"If it wasn't easy stupid people couldn't do it", Duane.

My momma said I could be anything I wanted when I grew up, so I became an a$$hole.

[JanuszPS 0]

Are they much different?
Are the platforms of these canopies much different. I've red that Atair designed Nitro in late 90's.
I have only chance to demo my friends' Cobalt 135.
Unfortunately in my place is a little chance or none to demo canopies, therefore my Cayenne, 2 Cobalts and few other canopies are exceptions to a whole range of PD's and Icarus.

Back to Poland... back home.

[airdog07 0]

I can not recall the guys name but the designer of nitro is from Germany, cobalt well dive longer than a spineeto but it can be docile flying canopy too

"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones ..."

[SkymonkeyONE 4]

I have jumped both, but have much, much more time under a Cobalt/Alpha. Both open about the same (which is to say nice), but I always got a longer swoop out of the Atair canopy. Toggle length is about the same on both. The crossfire flys about the same as both of those you mentioned.