marcwgarber

My re-currency jump was on a Sabre2 170. MUCH BETTER than the original Sabre 170. It was too big, but overall I liked it quite a lot and would definitely add a Sabre2 135 to my list of potential canopies, thanks. Marc The Sabre and Sabre2 are similar in these ways: 1. They're made by PD 2. They're 9-cells 3. They both have "sabre" in their name. That's where the similarity ends. So don't discount a Sabre2 until you can demo one. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Dude! My Vortex II was a comfy rig. The 155 main (whatever it was) was good too. A little big for me, but a nice canopy. My Viper 120 and two Viper 105s were fan-freaking-tastic. The 105s opened soft and snively and surfed very well. Admittedly, the 120 had snappy openings. My Tempo 120 opened, flew, and landed VERY NICELY the one time I needed it. Don't be knocking the South African gear. :-) Marc Marc used to be a regular poster to rec.skydiving and his email address can be found by doing a simple newsgroup search. He pops up now and again trying to sell some crappy second-hand South African copy gear. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

You make some good points, thanks. I currently have a line on a Stiletto 135 that I'll probably test out in a couple of weeks. If I remain semi-current then it will be conservative and familiar enough for me. If I start jumping regularly then I'll have time to figure out exactly what I want (model and size). I must admit that I'm really curious about the Crossfire 2 now, because so many people mentioned it, but I suppose I can be patient, LOL. And I will probably do a little more than 90 degree turns to final but I definitely won't be getting too aggressive at this point. Thanks again, Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I made this post a couple of weeks ago in the "gear & rigging" forum but it has been suggested that I should have posted it here instead. So here it is: I've been out of the sport for 11 years but got recurrent today. Wondering what main canopies I should consider? Here's some background: - 1300+ jumps, and was jumping a Viper 105 when I quit (very similar to the Stiletto 107). I have close to 1000 jumps on ellipticals wing-loaded at 1.5 to 1.8. - I'm 42. Not as young as I once was, but still in decent shape. - I'm not coming back full-time at this particular point in my life. If I were, then I would work my way into a sub-100 sq/ft cross-braced canopy and stay current with it. I'll probably make less than 100 jumps per year. - My typical approach will probably be a 90-ish degree front-riser turn to landing. I like a good turf surf but I won't be getting too crazy with it since I probably won't be jumping enough to fly at the level I used to. So, with that background in mind, I'm thinking something in the 120-135 range would work (my exit weight now is about 195). But what??? I know I don't want a Sabre (although maybe a Sabre 2). Most of my jumps are on Stilettos or the very similar Viper, but that is now 20 year old technology, so I'm sure that there are some better options - I just don't know what they are. Sooooo, recommendations? And please tell me WHY you are making the recommendation. Thanks! Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

1. Kids 2. 10 pounds 3. 100 jumps/year is a max. Will probably be less. I stated already that I am not seeking a sub-100 cross-braced canopy because I will not be staying current enough for that level of performance. 4. I'm in comparable physical condition now to what I was 11 years ago. 5. I have insurance and other resources. With that background further elaborated, what are your thoughts? Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Chris - you need to work on your reading comprehension. I did NOT say that I wanted to "start back up swooping and flying fast." I said I was looking for MORE CONSERVATIVE options than what I used to fly. I offered relevant data about myself so that people would be able to offer relevant suggestions as to newer canopies - not so that I could be lectured. My approach to recurrency is reasonable and sound - the lectures are pointless and silly. I know very damned well what the risks are. If you read what I actually wrote it sort of blows up the entire premise of darn near everything that you've said to me. Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Thank you - this is helpful. The Crossfire 2 is definitely a common theme! I'll see if I can find one to try out. Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Thank you - more useful feedback. Don't worry - I won't be going with a 2.2 wingloading. I won't be staying current enough for that sort of speed. I'll probably stay around 1.5, give or take a little based upon the flight characteristics of whatever I choose. Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I am knowledgeable about my skills. I am not knowledgeable about my canopy options (hence my post). OBVIOUSLY my skills will be somewhat rusty, which is why I am inquiring about options that will be MORE CONSERVATIVE than what I used to jump. I explained all of this right off the bat. I have communicated clearly and my questions have been reasonable. Some people have understood that and offered helpful responses (and I thank those people). To those who have chosen to offer comments that are non-responsive to my questions, please understand that I am a Big Boy taking a conservative approach. I don't need to be second-guessed or lectured. Really. Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Ok, that's useful, thanks. I have a line on a used Stiletto 135 and will probably give it a whirl in a couple of weeks. The first Stiletto 135 I ever jumped belonged to Roger Nelson - now there's a memory. Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I want recommendations on which canopies (with the attributes I have described) I should be comparing. The difference between "recommendations" and "comparisons" is mere semantics within the context of my question. javascript: addTag('sly') I just want to know what modern canopies I should consider given my significant experience with the Viper 105 and the Stiletto 107 - keeping in mind that I want to be a size or two larger and more conservative. A Stiletto 135 would be a no-brainer, but it's old technology. After all these years, there's probably SOMETHING that flies better and has better overall handling/forgiveness even in the 120 range, right? But what? I mean, canopies vary a lot. I had a Jonathan 136 that was "ok" but it would never surf. I had a Jedei 120 that would surf ok, but not great. I had a Jedei 105 (?) that I could surf, but not shut down softly. My Stiletto 120 was good, and so was my Viper 120 (although it opened hard). My Viper 105s were both fantastic! I over-loaded my Sabre 120, and the one time I jumped a Sabre 97 was very sketchy. With the Sabre, 135 was the right size for me. With the Stiletto/Viper 107/105 was the sweet spot. Canopies vary! That's what I'm trying to get a bead on..... Thanks, Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I understand that Stilettos are now old technology, but I did make many hundreds of jumps on Stilettos and the very similar Vipers. I had great swoops and safe landings. Can you elaborate on the differences between Stilettos and more modern canopies? Also, can you name a few modern canopies that a guy who was swooping Stilettos 11-17 years ago would want to consider? Please keep in mind - I want to be a bit more conservative because I'm not going to be as current. So 120-135 size range canopies - not sub-100 cross braced wings. Crossfire 2 has been recommended thus far. What else? Thanks, Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I am trying to determine how this response addresses my questions at all? It doesn't. I am a former AFF-I/Tandem/Video/Rigger. My judgment was respected and paid for. I have considered my options (at a high level) and I have ruled out the sub-100 sq ft cross-braced canopies at this point (although I have jumped them). I am looking for something a size or two more conservative than what most of my last 700 jumps were made on, and I'm getting lectured for asking about these more conservative options? Really? Does that seem sort of silly to anyone else? Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

Ok, so that's two recommendations for the Crossfire 2. Cool. This is the sort of information I'm seeking. Crossfire 2 is definitely going on the list of canopies I will research. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I'll add that to my list of canopies to consider, thanks! A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I am the one who is most knowledgeable about my skill. I don't need to hear from canopy Nazis. If someone I know and respect wishes to chime in, then I will certainly listen to them, but I have enough experience to make informed decisions. I'm not looking for a peanut gallery lecture on my currency - I'm asking for canopy options and attributes so that I can make my own Big Boy decision. I recommend a canopy that refers you to someone more knowledgeable about your skill :) in all honesty I'm not a canopy Nazi, but I'm sure the same ^ message will be repeated soon enough :| A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I've been out of the sport for 11 years but got recurrent today. Wondering what main canopies I should consider? Here's some background: - 1300+ jumps, and was jumping a Viper 105 when I quit (very similar to the Stiletto 107). I have close to 1000 jumps on ellipticals wing-loaded at 1.5 to 1.8. - I'm 42. Not as young as I once was, but still in decent shape. - I'm not coming back full-time at this particular point in my life. If I were, then I would work my way into a sub-100 sq/ft cross-braced canopy and stay current with it. I'll probably make less than 100 jumps per year. - My typical approach will probably be a 90-ish degree front-riser turn to landing. I like a good turf surf but I won't be getting too crazy with it since I probably won't be jumping enough to fly at the level I used to. So, with that background in mind, I'm thinking something in the 120-135 range would work (my exit weight now is about 195). But what??? I know I don't want a Sabre (although maybe a Sabre 2). Most of my jumps are on Stilettos or the very similar Viper, but that is now 20 year old technology, so I'm sure that there are some better options - I just don't know what they are. Sooooo, recommendations? And please tell me WHY you are making the recommendation. Thanks! Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.

I'm back. Do you still happen to have a file of my article that you complimented 8 years ago? Best, Marc A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.