SSkydiver 0 #1 March 5, 2003 I have been jumping an old Vector with a Merit 170. Recently it was determined that my Vector is out of commission and i inherited a Javelin J-2. I currently have 60 jumps and would like to stay with my Merit 170. Does anyone know if my Merit will fit in the J-2. I know the J-2 called for a 150 but i'm always hearing about 170's fitting the J-2. Was looking at maybe going to a Sabre2 150 as i was told by more experienced jumpers and instuctors to not go under a 150. I prefer a 9 cell as oposed to a 7 cell because i hear the 7 cells are harder to land. I'm a straight in lander with good landings consistently. Looking for a 150 with the zip of my Merit as far as turns and glide but also the firgivenes. I'm 190 lbs out the door so a 150 puts my wingload at 1.26. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #2 March 5, 2003 You shouldn't have a problem with the 170 and the J2. Hook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #3 March 5, 2003 Quote Was looking at maybe going to a Sabre2 150 as i was told by more experienced jumpers and instuctors to not go under a 150. I prefer a 9 cell as oposed to a 7 cell because i hear the 7 cells are harder to land. I'm not sure if you were turned off from the Sabre2 because you think it's a seven cell (it's actually a nine cell canopy) or just because it's smaller than you'd like to fly right now. It's perfectly understandable to stay away from the smaller canopy, but I just wasn't sure if you knew the Sabre2 was a nine cell. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #4 March 5, 2003 Quote I have been jumping an old Vector with a Merit 170. Recently it was determined that my Vector is out of commission and i inherited a Javelin J-2. I currently have 60 jumps and would like to stay with my Merit 170. Does anyone know if my Merit will fit in the J-2. I know the J-2 called for a 150 but i'm always hearing about 170's fitting the J-2. Was looking at maybe going to a Sabre2 150 as i was told by more experienced jumpers and instuctors to not go under a 150. I prefer a 9 cell as oposed to a 7 cell because i hear the 7 cells are harder to land. I'm a straight in lander with good landings consistently. Looking for a 150 with the zip of my Merit as far as turns and glide but also the firgivenes. I'm 190 lbs out the door so a 150 puts my wingload at 1.26. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Because the merit is a hybrid, it packs much smaller than a zp 170. Therefore a J2 won't be a problem. If you like your merit, I'd say stay with it. As for harder landings on a 7 cell, hmmm, I got my first canopy (a 7 cell spectre) *because* it was so easy to land. It is different, yes, and maybe a bit less flare, but I think just about everybody can land a spectre/triathlon. I personally found the merit much harder to land, couldn't get it to *quit flying so fast*. Ran out a lot of landings As for forgiveness, dunno, I think the merit is a really fast canopy compared to say spectre/triathlon/original sabre. I also don't like the fast openings (ouch) and the french toggle range (short, too twitchy for me), but those are preferences. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SSkydiver 0 #5 March 5, 2003 I love flying the Merit with the exception of the openings unless you really role the nose. It is a fast canopy but not to fast and the toggle input is short. As far as flying the Merit, it is alot of fun because you can have some fun with it. I had one instuctor with 8000+ jumps say i should be able to handle a Sabre2 135 but it would require a two stage flare. Landing the Marit has always been a piece of cake. The say comparing the Merit 170 to say a Sabre/Spectre 170 is a huge difference so thats why i was considering the Sabre2 150 because i think it will be similiar the the Merit. What exactly is a hybrid. What is elliptical as oposed to square. Review says Merit is an elliptical. Thanks for the input so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grega 0 #6 March 5, 2003 I too think there shoudln't be any problem getting 170 in J2. We packed cobalt 170 in J1 with no big problem."George just lucky i guess!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #7 March 5, 2003 A hybrid (well in this case) means the canopy is made of both (the french version of) F111 and zeroP material. Meaning that it packs easier, is generally cheaper and maybe can take less loading than a fully zeroP canopy. I think you're right about comparing a hybrid 170 to a 150 zeroP, but I think you should try a 170 zeroP just the same. A 2 stage flare (whatever that is), should also be necessary on your merit. You can't just shut it down like for instance a manta, well, I certainly couldn't (can you say, run run eh PLF?). But I'd try landing a zeroP 170 first. But then again, what do I know ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 2 #8 March 5, 2003 Square is rectangular, elliptical is, ehm, not rectangular The cells on an elliptical/tapered/whatever canopy aren't all the same. I think usually the nose is straight and the tail is tapered (merit), but both sides can be tapered (stiletto). Look at the Design Your Custom Canopy drawings at Square1 to see the difference: An Aerodyne Triathlon is square. A Performance Designs Sabre2 is tapered at the tail. The level of tapering is one of the factors which determine the performance. Generally speaking a square chute is more docile than a fully elliptical one. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #9 March 5, 2003 I have a Hornet 170 that packs nicely in my Javelin J-2. Hornet's pack up somewhat smaller than most 170's. Steve1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
