JayhawkJumper 0 #1 June 11, 2003 Does anyone have any experience flying both the viper and cobalt and can you explain how they fly differently. I know the cobalt is a later version of the viper, but I was wondering if the viper "flys bigger" like the cobalt, opens like it, flares like it etc..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rareform 0 #2 June 11, 2003 I've got 8 jumps on a viper 120 and I was nothing short of impressed. Loaded at 2.1. I haven't jumped a standard cobalt and I can't get a competition version demo, but I understand they're slightly different that the old version. Don't forget about the Alpha.just starting out and coming to a competition near you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psw097 0 #3 June 11, 2003 The Viper/Alpha/Space and Cobalt are the same canopy. The Cobalt has some construction changes - 18 top skin pieces and porting differences. But, the planform, airfoil and trim is exactly the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknitro71 0 #4 June 11, 2003 I jump a Viper 135. It does not open as the Cobalt does because the cross ports are "conventional", i.e. every rib has them. I was told that the openings are more consistent on the Viper. Mine opens fantastically at sub-terminal, terminal, and supra-terminal. I just cannot get it to open hard. The alpha and cobalts have a different trim than the viper but the overall foil is the same. The top skin of the cobalts and alphas also have 18 separate pieces vs. 9 on the vipers. This canopy has an amazing bottom-end and incredible flare power, much more than a stiletto of the same size. The front riser pressure is pretty light even though I am only loading it @ 1.25. IMHO this is one of the best 9 cell elliptical there is and it's very underestimated. It does fly a bit big. I also have a Viper 105 with 10 jumps on it that is sitting on my closet waiting for me to score more jumps...Memento Audere Semper 903 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tumble 0 #5 June 11, 2003 I believe the viper is a considerably different design from the Alpha/Space and Cobalt. Here is an old post by cobaltdan.http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=192885;search_string=alpha%20cobalt;#192885 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psw097 0 #6 June 11, 2003 I did considerable research on this. This is a quote from Dan Preston while I was trying to get some data for a re-line on an older Viper and on a Super Viper/Alpha that had opening issues: "Viper, (alpha/space/contrail), then cobalt are all based on the same planform. The main difference is construction and surface tension pattern has been continously advanced. " I have measured line trim and shape on a couple of these canopies and have also jumped several sizes - unless I got really drunk while taking the measurements they are effectively the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyflyr11 0 #7 June 11, 2003 the canopys are basicaly the same but for some reason the cobalt has extremely inconsistant openings.and not in a good way Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdog07 0 #8 June 14, 2003 I fly a cobalt 95 280 jump on it the opening is soft and consistent on heading I love it, on one jump i was not watching the altitude, got low, I dump on track and it did not slam me, it was little hard but not like specter the slam me three times. viper i don't know abut."A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones ..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyflyr11 0 #9 June 14, 2003 if you read the material atair sent you your suposed to dump in a slight track.as for the openings cobalts are very inconcestant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdog07 0 #10 June 15, 2003 I fly cobalt and my openig has no problem"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones ..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #11 June 15, 2003 Likewise, when I was flying Atair canopies ( I had five of them), they all opened perfectly. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freakyflyr11 0 #12 June 15, 2003 not mine i had a couple that almost sent me to the doctor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdog07 0 #13 June 17, 2003 most of the people with cobalt i talk to they have no problem, but few had a bad opening to a point they send it back to the factory. my worst opening on canopies was in spectre, it whack me three times"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones ..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swoopyswoop 0 #14 June 27, 2003 Quotenot mine i had a couple that almost sent me to the doctor. Learn to pack "when I die, I want to go like my grandfather while im sleeping, not like the passengers riding in the car with me Swoopster A.S.S. #6 Future T.S.S holder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpervali 2 #15 June 27, 2003 I get nice openings from my 2 viper 105's. Only 1 time in 2700 jumps my slider on my 105 was left stowed during the repack (I didn't pack it). That was the hardest opening I've ever had! I always thought seeing stars was a cartoon thing, but you really do see flickering lights. jumpervali Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites