Canuck 0 #1 October 9, 2003 Question. Does anybody know if the Velocity currently in production is the same as the original design, or has in gone through some changes - specifically changes to improve the openings? Everybody I know who has recently bought one says the openings are cake, but I also know Airspeed sent theirs back a few years ago because they were getting slammed. I have e-mailed PD this question, but never heard back from them. I'm ready to go crossbraced, but openings are critical. I'd like to go Velocity, but if the opeings are still an issue, Xaos it is. Canuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 October 9, 2003 Although I don't jump a Velocity, there are some at my DZ (always 1, sometimes more). The jumper that jumps a Velocity now, came to that from a Xaos. Xaos' are known for sweet openings, but his imput is that his Velocity is still just as sweet and that it flies very nice. He bought his Velocity just a while back, recieved it maybe 2 months ago, after having a demo from PD for a couple months (with their blessing) that opened just as good (the demo was a lower serial number, although I'm not sure how old, it definately had some jumps on it).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #3 October 9, 2003 Actually, Airspeed as a unit only had them for one season, but individual members still jump them for their "fun" main. A lot of the "team" Velos ended up at The Ranch as I recall. I know Maggot told me they got six of them. As to Velo openings, mine are fantastic as far as crossbraced canopies go. Before I got my Sabre2 I even jumped my Velo 79 as my primary BirdMan main. It, in over 50 flights, never spun once or smacked me. Actually, I have never been smacked by a Velocity at all, but openings on anything of this calibre must be "flown through", that, I believe if my recollection of my conversation with Craig is right, is the reason Airspeed got rid of them. Too much work at the sheer jump volume they do. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JGarcia 0 #4 October 9, 2003 Not sure if they've gone through any modifications in the time that they've been out. However, I currently jump a Velocity 90 and a Xaos-27 93. The Xaos (originally a demo)used to have very brisk and off heading openings, which was unacceptable to me, as I do most my jumps with 2 top-mounted cameras on my head. After talking with Precision, they put a bigger slider on it and now it opens beautifully. Before these two canopies, I owned a Xaos-21 108 and it had great openings, but always at least 90 degrees off heading. Off heading openings never bothered me because I'm always very aware and hands on risers in case evasive maneuvers were needed. HOWEVER, after jumping the Velocity I've been spoiled. I've found that my Velocity is FAR more consistent with speed of opening and heading than ANY OTHER canopy I've ever jumped (over 10 others). Cheers! --JairoLow Profile, snag free helmet mount for your Sony X3000 action cam! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmfreefly 0 #5 October 9, 2003 Hey Canuck, I have two Vel 84's (early one from '99 and one from late 01') Both of them open great and on heading. I do video at our DZ and can't say enough good about the Velocity.Team Flew-id Making freefall pretty since 1998 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
