andygrom 0 #1 February 26, 2003 Hi, all! Currently I jump on Stiletto 120. I have about 500 jumps on it and want to buy a new canopy. I'm looking for agressive, but safe canopy :) I'm freefall videographer and extremely like to swoop. Now I look to Crossfire2 (size - 105-113) Can anyone advice me something? May be I need to buy bigger canopy or other model? Any help will be very useful for me.-- Andygrom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #2 February 26, 2003 dude i totally recomend the crossfire 2. it's a great canopy. if you want to go crossbraced. i really love my vx, and i use it for camera. the velocity opens great. and the line of xaos's open great. do a seach and you'll find something about each of these canopies. but if your looking for just the next step above your stilleto, it would be a crossfire 2. later Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rigging65 0 #3 February 26, 2003 If you love the Stiletto, why not just get another slightly smaller one? If you're not loading over about 1.8, the Stiletto is still one of the best canopies out there, plus, you already know how to fly it. Sometimes change is good, sometimes it's not necessary. Not that the Crossfire 2 isn't a great canopy, but so it the Stiletto. "...and once you had tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you long to return..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #4 February 26, 2003 The crossfire is a great canopy, but it's not THAT different then the Stileto. What are you looking for? Faster swoop? Longer swoop? Ability to take it up to very small wing loadings? What don't you like about the Stileto? What do you like about the Crossfire2? _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkySlut 0 #5 February 26, 2003 I would recommend demoing a Crossfire of the same size stiletto that you have now, first. That is so you can really get a good comparison between the 2 canopies. If you get a smaller Crossfire, its going to seem great...just because it is going to be smaller and a bit more reactive. Of course, if you got a Stiletto 107...you would think the same thing. Try to compare apples to apples, then if you find a really nice shiny granny smith...go with it. But, my question is why change manufacturers??? Just for shits & giggles??? Why not change technology? If you are going to change manufacturers, why not try something new...try some airlocks or something...spice it up a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #6 February 26, 2003 I have to agree with slut here.... If you are going to get a new canopy...Demo the same SIZE you have now in that make. It is an old gimmick to give a guy a smaller canopy than he has now and let him jump it. When he lands with it and is so happy about the "higher" performance, he thinks that it was the make, not the size. If you want a new canopy....jump a few different types at the same size.....Then jump whta you have now, at a smaller size and the others if you can.... The most important thing is to find a conopy TYPE that you like, then get a wingload that is safe for your experience and fun. Ron"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diveout 0 #7 February 26, 2003 get a xaos- they are the best opening high-performance canopy out there, and the swoops are amazing. I went from a stiletto 150 to a xaos 21 125sqft, it was the perfect transition. I think I would have been bored with a crossfire or cf2, plus the xaos can handle a little more wing loading if that's what you want. prices are similar and the extra performance is way noticeable. I have a xaos 27 118 on the way now for swoop competitions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #8 February 26, 2003 I'd recommend demoing a Samurai. they are a blast to fly, easy to get a good swoop out of (if that's what you're looking for) and they just lowered the prices! Seriously, I love my Jedei (the Sam's precursor) and a long time down the road when it comes time to get a new one, I'll look very closely at anything Big Air puts out. Brian is always tinkiering with a new design, too, so maybe if you really want a kick, wait a few months for the Sensei (airlocked AND crossbraced).Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygrom 0 #9 February 27, 2003 QuoteThe crossfire is a great canopy, but it's not THAT different then the Stileto. What are you looking for? I'm looking for: 1. nice openings on heading with "pack like a stupid" packing in three minutes between loads. 2. Good flying characteristics for filming tandem and students - in this case I can open in 3-4 kilometers from landing point 3. Long swoops. 4. Transition canopy to cross-brased high performance like VX QuoteWhat don't you like about the Stileto? Nothing. Just want to make some changes :) QuoteWhat do you like about the Crossfire2? I saw landings on it - looks good. I only have jumps on Crossfire (not 2) - and I like it. Also - I jumped on Stiletto 107 - there was not so much differences with 120. Thanks to everyone who replied. I also hope to further replies :)-- Andygrom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #10 February 28, 2003 I cant speak highly enough about the BigAirSports Samurai canopy. The canopy is a step above the stilletto you mentioned but still not quite the speed and tricky tendencies of a cross-braced canopy. I was jumping a Xaos21 for awhile and loved it but did not want the ride every jump. Went back down and was thinking this is now too slow! Talked with Brian for awhile on the phone after reading some reviews and remembering back to a number of jumps on a jedi, Long story short Bought one and absolutly LOVE it! There are some great reviews of it in the gear section on this page but also check out the BigAir page http://www.bigairsportz.com/ or more specifically http://www.bigairsportz.com/reviews.html The canopy is rock solid in the air, opens very nice and can make it back on a long spot. I can come in fast and swoop or a little slower depending on my needs and the conditions. the airlocks not only make the canopy a more solid ride in different wind conditions but also seem to stabilize the leading edge and act like a leading edge cross brace. It is an awesome canopy and Brian has a new price reduction in effect,to $1499 I think. See the opening page of dropzone.com for information. Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Watcher 0 #11 February 28, 2003 Or a Pre 1996 Jedie (before "changes" were being made). Very nice canopy, a Vengenace would be the obvious answer though also, so you could stick with PD and still get good openings and good swoops.Jonathan Bartlett D-24876 AFF-I Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #12 February 28, 2003 Get a crossfire2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #13 February 28, 2003 My vote is Samuari. The Sam is close to an original Jedei (or at least my Jan 97 Jedei), plus Airlocks rock.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #14 February 28, 2003 Last spring, I had a nearly identical experience as your inquiry implies. I really liked the x-braces. I almost bought a velocity 109. I liked the xaos 21 and have no personal experience flying a vx, but I liked the way it 'seemed' to perform by watching it flown well/hearing about openings. I dumped my stiletto 120 and got a cf2 119 instead. Yours and my story are likely widely different, I have done 100+ jumps in a month, then 5-10 in the next 4-6 months... If knew I could consistently stay sharp on a fast x then I would have gotten the Velocity. Otherwise I considered, whats the sense? I liked my sweet spinetto; it was pretty reliable and predictable. I just didn't want to change mfg and size at the same time is why I finally decided on the C2. (Even though I came very close on the Velocity) my $.02 ; good luck, try some. The new Big Air sounds very nice !!! .-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJohnson 0 #15 March 2, 2003 I'll throw in the Cobalt and Comp Cobalt, my experience with the Cobalt has been great. I love every aspect of it's performance. I also highly suggest a Samurai as well. I put some demo jumps on a 120 at LP and was super impressed by it. If buying a canopy right now I would be hard pressed to choose between a Cobalt or Samurai. In the future when it's time to go crossbraced, my choice will be between Big Air's canopy or Atair's Onyx. But that is slightly off topic.JJ "Call me Darth Balls" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
