jose 0 #1 May 1, 2003 Well, I am not sure where to post this, but with all the pitbulls in talkback, I am sure not going to post there. I am considering a new canopy. I have demoed the Sabre2 150 at Eloy and I absolutely loved it. It was everything that my current Sabre1 150 isnt. As I was researching used gear sites, I came across a guy selling Safire2's and it got my curiosity going. So I went to the site and learned as much as I can about them and it is directly compared to the Sabre2 in flight characteristics. Being that I only have 93 jumps I am questioning if this canopy design is too aggressive for me. It is a truly elliptical canopy that is "lightly" shaped. I have not yet found someone that can explain what "lightly" exactly means. I have also been told, and as the site says, consider going to a 139 as compared to a 150, due to the superior glide, flight, and flare characteristics. Apparently the Safire2 has 2x the glide than the Sabre2 and the Sabre2 being more ground hungry in turns. If the safire2 can outflare a Sabre2, well wow, I'm impressed. This all comes back to the same consideration I have. The fact that the canopy is an elliptical canopy as compared to the semi-elliptical Sabre2. Info about myself....my profile is correct..93 jumps, 165 lbs, jump at sea-level and stand up my landings 99% of time the other 1% being slight butt skids that I dig out of. I really enjoy the forward velocity that turf surfs provide, but I only accomplish slight ones as I NEVER hookturn for landings. The only speed I accrue for a landing is a couple of zig-zags on final, or straight in when there is no wind. I consider myself a conservative canopy pilot, but am looking for something that I can grow into that will not put me at undue risk from the start. The 139 will put me at 1.39 and the 149 will be at 1.30 wingload. As recent threads have turned to shit around here, if you have serious considerations about my inquiry, PLEASE PLEASE be civil about your reply and please read it before you click that button. Edited to update my fat ass weight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #2 May 1, 2003 Just so we know, what isnt your Sabre1?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 May 1, 2003 Demo. The flare on the Safires is a bit different than the flare on a Sabre or Sabre2. I'd suggest jumping a 149 first so you can evaluate the differences between the canopies without the risks of the higher wingloading on a 139 (which btw, you'd load at 1.3+). imho, 100 jumps isn't enough to be thinking about a 1.3+ wingloading... especially since you haven't explored high performance landings under the canopy you're already flying. Can you do everything on billvon's list under your 150? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #4 May 2, 2003 Put here so I can be twice as loud I have about 450 jumps and jump a safire2 169 loaded at 1.36. I think this is too high for you at 93 jumps. The safire is an excelent canopy. The safire doesnt have 2x the glide of the sabre2 but I believe it does have better glide. I base this on my jumps on my buddy's sabre2 170 and my buddy flying mine saying mine glided much more(when you tell it to.) As far as being fully elliptical Icarus builds all their canopies elliptical. Each cell is a different size. This doesnt make it dangerous or aggressive in the safire's case. The safire2 has a very short recovery arc (levels out fast after a turn) and has a very powerful flare with a long control range. Remember if you like the safire and want to get one new you can get ANY size you want for whatever wingloading you want. You will not be disappointed with any Icarus canopy IMHO. Johnny --"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!" Mike Rome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikkey 0 #5 May 2, 2003 Amen to what you said. From my experience the glide is very good. I was on a bad spot load a week or so ago. I was the only one from my exit "group" who made it back to the main landing area. They were using back risers. I used just 1/4 brakes and had lower opening alt (due to my soft openings) then the rest of the group. So, yes it glides very well.--------------------------------------------------------- When people look like ants - pull. When ants look like people - pray. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulagc 0 #6 May 2, 2003 jose-- I think you're doing great so far in your new canopy search. I run a small dz and work with newer jumpers a lot on gear selection. Either the Sabre2 or the Safire are my current recommendations for my folks in your jump number range. But, don't let anyone talk you into a higher wing loading than you already have. If you're comfortable with your current wing loading, stay there for now and really learn your new canopy, without reducing your margin for error and scaring yourself. At about 1.2 now, it'll be fun, fast and get you back on windy days, but reduce your risk of breaking something, or worse. I jump an Icarus Crossfire now, and have jumped a Sabre1, Sabre2 and Safire. Icarus seems to always try to sell people on something smaller...but ignore it now. Not to start a Sabre debate, but I understand wanting a new canopy. My Sabre1 was nicknamed "Hellraiser" for the openings. You'll find the openings on either a Sabre2 or Safire much softer, the turns zippier, and the flare better. Borrow/demo both if you can in the 150/149 range. Either is appropriate, so pick the one that you like better, or the one that you can get a better deal on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #7 May 2, 2003 Hey Brad, I'll sell you my Sabre2 so that I can get a Crossfire2. Just kidding ... I'm not ready for a Crossfire2 yet. I understand Jim will be flying a Crossfire2 very soon. But he's waiting until after he leaves CO on his year long x-country skydiving tour. Man the dude's going to come back as some hot shit freeflier and I'll be lucky if he ever jumps with me again. But it's all good. Hey I don't know squat about Icarus canopies except that they have a great reputation (in the future I will be demoing a Crossfire2). But the Sabre2 is also an awesome canopy. Anyway, best of luck with your canopy selection and hope to see you at another Bellas invade ??? boogie. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jose 0 #8 May 5, 2003 It will be Lost Prairie. Invading and pillaging will be taking place. Hopefully I will have the new Safire by then. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
