Javalin vs Mirage

[taz9420 0]

Which is the best container on the market today????????? (Durability, Comfort, dependability, ect........)

[Hooknswoop 19]

Quote

Durability, Comfort, dependability

Most of the current container/harness systems manufactured today are durable. I recommend a container built of Cordura for the most durability.

What is the most comfortable chair you have sat on? Comfort is subjective, what may be comfortable to someone else isn't comfortable to you. The only way to determine if a container/harness system is comfortable to you, is to try one on, the same size container, packed with the same size canopies, with the correct size harness.

They all work. I like the reserve system on the Mirage the best, followed by the Javelin and Wings, then the Vector III/Micron. The Mirage and the Vector III/Micron have the best riser and pin protection that I have seen.

Hook

[skybytch 273]

The best container on the market is the one that you like the looks of and can afford. For some people that's a G4 with all the bells and whistles. For others it's a Wings with no options. For still others, that's something used regardless of make or colors.

Personally I love my Infinity for a variety of reasons. I also loved my Reflex and my circa 1986 SST Racer. Buy what you like the look of and chances are excellent that you'll be very happy with it.

[fedykin 0]

isn't it true that there's at least 5 flaps going into the reserve tray, isn't that a little dangerous ie.. less friction, less contact the better? i like the main flap closure and the tucks but the reserve, i dont know about the mirage

[Hooknswoop 19]

The Mirage and the Vector III/Micron have similar reserve systems (different PC's). Two flaps (top, bottom) close on top of the free-bag to serve as a launching surface for the PC, the the PC gets compressed, the four more flaps (sides, bottom, top)

I think the farthest launch of a PC I've seen was out of a Mirage. Of course it doesn't really matter if the PC launches 30 ft, it only has to clear the jumper's burble and inflate and it will out-run the spring launch speed (acclerate). I don't think more flaps causes a poor PC launch. It doesn't complicate the reserve closing process either. The flaps are numbered, the instructions are clear, and you can see even after the reserve is closed if they were closed in the correct order (except for the first two flaps).

I think the whole pointof the exposed, "pop-top" reserve PC was so that the PC didn't have to push through flaps. If there is a time to bridle stretch difference, it can't be much. I think any advantage in time to bridle stretch is out weighed by the dis-advantages of a pop-top.

It is interesting to note that my old XRS and my J4 both had the same size reserve PC. My XRS PC was lifting a 109 sq ft reserve, while the J4 is lifting a 220 sq ft reserve. There is a noticable time difference to bridle-stretch with the much heavier reserve. All container manufacturers (as far as I know, never seen anything different) use the same size reserve PC for each different size container they build, i.e. all Talon2 containers have the same reserve PC, regardless of the size. I think it has to do with developmnent costs, right now they TSO one size, and the entire line is TSO'd. If they used a different sized PC for each container, they would have to TSO'd each size with it's different size PC.

Got sorta side-tracked, but in conclusion, no I don't think more flaps causes a slower reserve deployment.

Hook

[riggerrob 643]

The number of flaps varies depending upon who designed the rig.
Early containers, designed for round reserves needed five or six flaps to prevent the base of the pilotchute from burrowing into the canopy. If the base of the pilotchute got too deep it might impede the launch. Ergo Vector (plus early Talons and too many clones to mention) pilotchutes sit on two internal flaps and are then protected from the elements by four more flaps.
Infinity,Mirage and early Centaraus use only one kicker flap under the pilotchute but still have 4 flaps on top of the pilotchute.

As soon as you introduce a freebag, you can start reducing the number of flaps under the pilotchute. For example, the Naro pilotchute rests directly on top of a stiffener (aka kicker plate) sewn into the freebag, but Naros still have 4 flaps covering the pilotchute.

Most Rigging Innovations products (Talon 2, Voodoo, Genera, Telesis 2, and Aviator) allow the base of the pilotchute to rest directly on top of the freebag, but they still have 4 flaps protecting the pilotchute.

Another concept (semi Pop Top) allows the pilotchute to rest on top of stiffened side flaps and only cover it with 2 flaps (Javelin, Dolphin, Wings, Vortex II, Concept, Genesis, etc) while this leaves part of the pilotchute exposed, a Cordura pilotchute cap minimizes wear and tear.

A variation on the semi Pop Top theme is the French-made Advance which covers the partially-exposed pilotchute with 2 flaps, but there are no side flaps and the pilotchute rests on the exposed (Cordura) freebag.

Finally, we get to the PopTops, where the pilotchute is completely outside the container (SST Racer Elite, Teardrop and Reflex).

As to which concept works best, your guess is as good as mine. Advertising claims makes for entertaining reading, but there is little measurable different in practice. After opening a few thousand reserves in the loft, I have not noticed a significant difference in pilotchute launches.
The choice ends up being reduced to the question of which rig you believe is the prettiest (beauty is in the eyes of the beholder) and which rig your local rigger prefers.