KawiZX900 0 #1 May 29, 2003 getting ready to place gear order and someone I know told me to demo the Lotus before I buy... anybody jumped this canopy? opinions? Accelerate hard to get them looking, then slam on the fronts and rollright beside the car, hanging the back wheel at eye level for a few seconds. Guaranteed reaction- Dave Sonsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 May 29, 2003 I've got 3 jumps on a Lotus and 8 on Sabre2's. Both are great. You can get a Lotus for only about 100-200 more then a Sabre2 and its got the Airlocks. I personally liked the way the Lotus opened better, the Lotus was a touch more sensitive on the toggles and dove deeper on risers, but the Sabre2 was a tad easier to get a great surf from and felt like it carried its speed better. The Sabre2 is in snivel more, where the Lotus is a fast opening canopy. Note fast... but not hard at all. Airlocks are hard to describe. Some people think they are a gimick, and others like me like the rigid feeling that they give the canopy. Demo one. Brian has some ready to be sent out as demos at all most any time.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #3 May 30, 2003 Get a demo. I jump a Big Air Samurai and had a Sabre2 in the past. The Sabre2 is a very nice upper middle level canopy. You can push it a bit and get a good surf and lots of fun turns while in the air. The dive on it is a bit more negative than a first Sabre but still flattens out quickly. I have not jumped a Lotus but have seen a few of them jumped and do like Brians products very much, which is why I jump one. People that I have seen jumping the Lotus really like it and they seem to be in the same class as the Sabre2. IMHO the Airlocks really seem to make a difference in both canopy stability in turblance and in slow flight characteristics, at lest with my Sam. I assume they will positively affect the Lotus as well. Brian has demos and is happy to get one out to you. Give him a call and try it out for a weekend before you buy.... Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #4 May 30, 2003 I own a Lotus 150, but I've never jumped a Sabre2. The planforms on the two are nearly identical, according to Brian Germaine. In the end, you should just demo them - ask your BigAir rep - they can set you up. And if you do, let us know how they compare. I will say this about my Lotus - it is a very nice canopy. Since they are such similar planforms, the question is do you want airlocks? Brian has lowered the price on his canopies, so they should be about the same price. The Airlocks will add more pack volume. You will probably feel bumps more in the Lotus because (IMO) the wing stays more rigid. Personally, I hate turbulence, and I try to avoid turbulent conditions, but I derive a greater sense of security when I'm in it with airlocks over my head.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #5 May 30, 2003 You may want to check out Aerodyne's new Pilot. It looks like it is in the same class of canopies. Not to mention, I think they have some nice opening offers on their new product line... -Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnny1488 1 #6 May 31, 2003 Since were mentioning others Icarus is offering $250 off retail for 2 months on safires and omnis. 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
SkydiveMonkey 0 #7 May 31, 2003 Do you find it any more difficult to pack? What about getting the thing deflated after landing?____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samurai136 0 #8 May 31, 2003 Airlocks are no more difficult to pack. Brian's recommended technique to control the canopy after landing is to push the slider up the lines to the stops, grab the tail and whip it aggressively. From my experience it takes a really windy day to make handling an airlocked canopy a bother. Ken "Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #9 May 31, 2003 Actually if you talk with Brian he has a suggested way of basically turning a shoulder and causing the canopy to "lay" on its top skin. I have used it a number of times when the wind was kicking and my Samurai just floated there like a mattress, for lack of a better description! Works great and really took the wind out of play..... I then gather the canopy up and get the slider to the stops. By this time the pressure is much lower and if I want to I pat the canopy from the tail to the nose to get a bit more of the air out. Never really had a problem. As for packing a Airlocked canopy I dont notice a difference at all..... once the air is out it packs up like anny other canopy! Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #10 June 2, 2003 I don't find it any more difficult than most other ZP canopies to pack. But my other canopy's a triathalon, and not many ZPs are as friendly to pack As far as deflation on the ground - that is a skill you have to acquire when you first buy an airlock. It won't just deflate, and if there's more than 10 MPH wind on the ground, it can be a small hassle. It takes some practice to learn how to deal with it. But it's not that hard - run behind it, push down the slider and daisy-chain, or grab the tail.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
