RyanofOZ

From what I am told by instructors, being able to stall a canopy is not that big of a deal. Spectres are known for that..... This is taken from the PD website on the Spectres flight characteristics.... Depending on how much you weigh, you may not be able to stall a Spectre even if you hold the toggles all the way down. Quite a few skydivers, even very knowledgeable and experienced ones, believe that you must be able to stall a canopy with the toggles all the way down in order to land it correctly. This belief does not apply to many canopies, including the Spectre. When a canopy actually stalls, its lift decreases dramatically and its rate of descent rapidly increases. A stalled canopy is not really “flying.” If you want a soft landing, you want your canopy to keep creating lift and maintaining a low rate of descent until your feet are on the ground. If a canopy stalls while landing, it may set you rather abruptly on the ground. If you adjust your steering toggles so that your canopy is easier to stall, it may actually become more difficult to land softly. That about sums it up... Oz

Glad to hear your wait is almost over. I just ordered one a few days ago and am already chomping at the bit as well. Post the pics when you get it, I want to see the purdy colors! Oz

If you are serious about getting into the sport then order a suit. I had Flightsuit make me one and its great. I am 6'1 240 out the door and can fly with the tiny guys now that I have the drag I need. Mine was about $200 with the options I picked. It has made a big difference in my ability to control speed and stability in freefall. Skybytch had them put extra drag on me and had it made freefly-able also. Oz

Thats why he did not mention the name of the MFG. He is mearly venting, which I believe is perfectly fine. If he said "MFG" sucks because...., that would be diferent. As stated above, he is contacting them about it today. Let him vent, I would too if my new Icon came in that way. I would also not bash them till I talked to them, just like he is doing. Oz

Glad to hear you like the Spectre, I love mine! I think they are truly amazing canopys. They open beautifully, fly well, and land great. I have yet to biff a landing on my spectre. As for some of the weak flair comments, I just dont see it. I think the flare is very impressive. I rarely use more than 1/2 - 2/3 toggle input to land nice and soft. In deep brakes it wont stall (for me), and can give very responsive toggle turns and riser turns if you are strong enough to pull them. The front riser pressure is a little high. It has been very easy to pack and forgiving of "newbie" packing errors. I have also noticed when jumping with people on 9 cells that I am down right in the middle of the pack. Some out glide it, others dont. I do not feel it is a ground hungry canopy. The landings are great and feel anyone should be able to land it with minimal effort. All round a great canopy, I am happy I bought it. I fly a 210 loaded about 1.15 Oz

Prices are great. for about 1,500 you get the works. Basically everything is standard (stainless hip rings and 3 ring, kill-line, mini risers, hook knife) I added an RSL even though I dont really want one. I feel its a smart move until I get more experiance. They have made a lot of upgrades from the stuff on other rigs and I am ready to test it out! Oz

Just ordered a new Icon container from Aerodyne. I cant wait to get it in! Here is a picture of what my first custom child will look like! What do you think? Oz

Close to what I have and will have in a few more months. Aerodyne Icon Spectre 210 Smart reserve Cypres 2 Oz

I am about 245 out the door. I get perfect openings with a Spectre 210. I love that thing! edit to add: As for the anvil club, I am a proud member. When I was going through AFF I had 2 of my instructors have to sit-fly with weight belts to keep up with me. Now I fall at a decent rate after Skybytch had a suit made for me with looooots of drag on it. Oz

I just went through the decision process myself and bought an Aerodyne Smart. I did a lot of reading, and talked to a lot of riggers before I did. What I got out of it was PD and Aerodyne for a solid canopy. Oz

I would just leave it in the car. Gear will not self destruct if it gets a little hot now and then. Prolonged exposure is the killer not a few hours here and there. I bring my rig to work once in a while and leave it in the car so I can make sunset loads. Just dont leave it in the sun and you will be fine. Oz

That looks great! I am about to make an order for an Icon also. Nice to hear that you are impressed with it. Congrats!!! Oz

I recently went through the same ordeal as you are. What I got out of it was the packing volume on the V3 was a little different, but not too far off. email them like I did to get the exact figure. rigging@relativeworkshop.com Louie there replies to me usually the same day or next day. Just send the container sise. Oz

You dont pay for an opening? I thought that was the idea when you throw the pilot chute out. The packers job is to put the main in the container in some way that it will deploy. I am not saying that the packer should catch hell for this, but he works for the DZ and IS responsible for the job he performed. The renter should not have to pay for this. That comment was just reckless. Oz

Looks great! Oz

Ohhhh! I would bring a bottle or beer for your rigger just as a nice gesture when you bring it back to get packed! No real big deal, just a pain in the arse and a lot of extra time that could have been avoided. Good luck! Oz

Very good point. I am fond of the "proven" theory but also like to take full advantage to new and improved designs. I know PD is proven, but Aerodyne may have something just as good or better. The only way to know is fly one as Lisa said above, and hear about personal experience from people. In the end they are all "good" canopys. Some are just better in certain areas. I am going to buy Aerodyne. I have heard a lot of good things from a lot or people, including my rigger. I know it is not as proven as PD, but they make a great product and I will be happy to put that as my last ditch effort. One other reason I am fairly confident is I have yet to hear any of the same things I heard about the Raven it is replacing. Not one "it stalls easy, had a built in turn, no flair, blew out a cell, got me home but dislocated my shoulder etc.." That may be because they are not as many out there yet, but I doubt it. I guess I will see what happens the first time I go for silver. Thanks for all the views and input from all of you. This place is great. Oz

Congrats brutha, I am working on mine as well. Best of luck and as stated above, go play! Oz

Well said. Thanks! Oz

Interesting point. I would like to know myself what makes theirs that much less money. Anyone? Oz

That could be a problem! Looks like its Smart or PD. I am leaning twords Smart since I can buy a new one for the price of a good used PD. Oz

I have heard about the Techno a little bit. I just dont know anyone that owns one. I will look into that one too, thanks Oz

This is a take off from my thread concerning my reserve and the fact that I am in the market for a new one. What are your opinions on these two canopys? I know the PD is proven and loved by many, but what about Aerodyne's new one? Any opinions? What would you buy and why? I am told that they are the two best going right now so I need some good experiences to go on. Thanks! Oz

Yup, thats a pretty good reason to hate it... Its looking like I am going to ditch it then. Oz

What was it that you didnt like about the Raven? Just curious since I have yet to need it. Oz