redtwiga 0 #1 October 9, 2003 Ok, here it goes: I'm ordering my first custom rig later this month and have a quandary. I want to get a good, safe reserve to go in it. My first choice, a PD126 would run me about $850...there don't seem to be any used ones kicking around. A friend of mine has a Rave Dash-M 135 that I can get for $350-$400. This is a really big price difference, but I am also ready to spend the money if it's a huge difference in safety. The Raven reserve has had the mods done on it and is about 5 years old. I've read some of the posts on here about Raven Dash-M's and although they don't seem favorable, there have been people who say they don't mind them. Are there pros to the Dash-M? Any advice/stories/recommendations are welcome. Thanks for the help! Aviva Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #2 October 9, 2003 Based on everything I've read, the PD is the better reserve by far. I've read lots of posts that talk about landing problems with the Raven. No flare etc. Well, I think how well it lands is a big deal I've also read a lot of posts that heap praise on the PD reserves from how well they fly to how strong they are. This opinion is based solely on the things I've read and not on personal experience. The opinions seem to be pretty much the same across the board though. Do your own research too. It appears to me that the only pro for the Raven is the lower price. How much is your life worth to you? I would recommend spending the additional $400.00 and get the PD reserve. Thats what I did. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 October 9, 2003 Depends on how you're going to be loading it. If your exit weight is below the published maximum weight for the DashM you shouldn't need to worry about it blowing up. At lighter loadings the landing should be fine. I wouldn't recommend it if you plan to load it up; I base that on the several people I know who've landed Ravens at 1.3-ish + and complained about an abrupt stall at the end. Did the seller put any jumps on it? If so, ask about how it flew (ie built in turn?). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redtwiga 0 #4 October 9, 2003 I'd be loading the dash-m at 1.1:1. The seller had it for 3 of the 5 years and did not put any jumps on it. A. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #5 October 9, 2003 QuoteI'd be loading the dash-m at 1.1:1 Exit weight? I'd buy it, as long as it passes an inspection by your rigger. I prefer PD reserves, but $400 is a lot of jumps... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #6 October 9, 2003 I wouldn't recommend it if you plan to load it up; I base that on the several people I know who've landed Ravens at 1.3-ish + and complained about an abrupt stall at the end. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Even the guys at Precision Aerodynamics will tell you not to load a Raven more than 1.3 pounds per square foot. Mind you, none of the 1980s vintage reserves (Raven, Swift, Bogie, Laser, etc.) were designed for loadings much beyond 1.1. If you insist on loading your reserve more than that, they will give you the sales pitch on the new series of R-Max reserves with new airfoil. new line trim, new reinforcements, etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redtwiga 0 #7 October 9, 2003 There's also a mini cricket 130 up for grabs for $300 that I just found out about... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #8 October 9, 2003 QuoteThere's also a mini cricket 130 up for grabs for $300 that I just found out about... That's an older design. I wouldn't load that above 1.0 exit weight. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
