Rock Dragon...
Hey Can someone jumping a Rock Dragon pm me?
I'm considering getting one and I've a few questions for someone that's got experience with one...
Thanks,
Rob
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Can someone jumping a Rock Dragon pm me?
I'm considering getting one and I've a few questions for someone that's got experience with one...
Thanks,
Rob
Re: [irish_rob] Rock Dragon...
I recommend you just post the questions. That way you can get a variety of opinions.
Re: [TomAiello] Rock Dragon...
I recommend you just post the questions. That way WE can ALL get a variety of opinions. That's why it's called a forum.
Re: [TomAiello] Rock Dragon...
Hi Tom Thanks for your reply.
This is the list of questions as posted on BJO...
I've heard good and bad things about it.
I'm looking for a s/l / low ff / urban canopy.
I've heard it's great for on-headings openings?
I've heard it's openings are noticeably 'quicker' than (eg) a troll (more canopy time)?
I've heard the flare and landings aren't as good as other canopies on the market and can take some getting used to.
All these "I've heard"s are either second hand info or what I've read online. I don't personally know anyone jumping a Rock Dragon.
Whats your take on it?
What wing loading do you jump at?
How does it compare to other canopies you've jumped?
I wanted to ask the questions privately too as people tend to be more open and honest when it's not all out there. I've had useful and specific feedback from people that I haven't seen post here before so I'm glad I asked for PMs first.
Sorry if you felt left out, Martini!
Re: [irish_rob] Rock Dragon...
irish_rob wrote:
I'm looking for a s/l / low ff / urban canopy.
While the Rock Dragon surely is a great canopy I'd definately give a look to Atairs new OSP for that job. I know couple of people jumping OSP's and they absolutely love them for low jumps and tight landing areas.
http://basetroll.com/products_5.html
Re: [irish_rob] Rock Dragon...
I'm basing my opinion on jumping the canopy perhaps 50 times, and watching it open/fly/land in daylight perhaps another 200. Take it for what it's worth, and make your own decisions. The most noteworthy characteristic of the Rock Dragon, for me, was it's absolute lack of penetration into wind. The top forward speed of the canopy is extremely low, making it almost impossible to penetrate even very light wind, should you need to do so to reach the landing area.
irish_rob wrote:
I'm looking for a s/l / low ff / urban canopy.
That is the intended role of the Rock Dragon.
In reply to:
I've heard it's great for on-headings openings?
In my experience, the openings are no more or likely to be on heading than most any other major BASE canopy on the market. I certainly wouldn't expect the Rock Dragon to be any more (or less) often on heading than any canopy from Apex, Asylum, Consolidated Rigging, or Atair/Morpheus.
In reply to:
I've heard it's openings are noticeably 'quicker' than (eg) a troll (more canopy time)?
This has not been my experience.
When measuring the time from line stretch to full flight, the differences between various vented canopies can probably be measured in tenths of a second or less. The time variation between different openings of the same vented canopy is probably greater than the time variation between canopy models. In my experience canopy size plays a much larger role than canopy model, and presence (or absence) of venting is the major determining factor, with canopy model playing a minor role (in terms of time).
When considered against other brands of canopies, just in that one minor factor (time from line stretch to full flight on a vented canopy), I'd guess that the Blackjack, Flik Vtec, and Troll MDV (and also OSP) are all going to be open "faster" than the Rock Dragon. But again, remember that this has never been measured reliably, and that it's unlikely that anyone can ever really establish this as fact.
In reply to:
I've heard the flare and landings aren't as good as other canopies on the market and can take some getting used to.
The full flight characteristics of the canopy take some getting used to. It feels a bit unsteady in full flight. However, in part brakes (how I'd recommend you fly most of your approach, especially on an urban jump) the canopy is rock solid. It's flare from full flight isn't great, but it's flare from part brakes is outstanding--certainly among the best available.
In reply to:
What wing loading do you jump at?
I've flown it at wingloadings from .86 to .73.
In reply to:
How does it compare to other canopies you've jumped?
For an all around canopy, it would be among my last choices to purchase.
For a dedicated "low and slow" canopy, with landing areas directly below the opening point (and no need to fly against wind, or really fly much of anywhere at all), I'd consider the Rock Dragon. I think that in that role, I'd suggest you test jump the OSP first, and my personal preference would be to go with the OSP, but it's possible you'll like the Rock Dragon better, so I'd suggest seeing if you can make some demo jumps on those two canopies before deciding.
Re: [TomAiello] Rock Dragon...
Tom has more experience than me on this canopy , but I'll still post up my reply to Rob s questions over on Basejumper.org.....just so there is one more opinion nestled in the archives..
In reply to:
Quote: I've heard good and bad things about it.
Me too
Quote:
I've heard it's great for on-headings openings?
I've heard it's openings are noticeably 'quicker' than (eg) a troll (more canopy time)?
I'm not sure I'd sure 'noticeably ' quicker.....This is the smallest vented canopy I have , so I would expect it to open a little bit 'snappier'
The lines are shorter than a similar sized canopy (Troll) so it probably does get to line stretch 'quicker'....but I'd say the biggest difference I would have noticed is how quick its 'fully' pressurised....I mean looking left and right and seeing the end cells fully open.....but I wouldnt say its something dramatically different from a Troll, not for me ( because you are usually already flying before the end cells have fully pressurised)
Quote:
I've heard the flare and landings aren't as good as other canopies on the market and can take some getting used to.
Its trimmed a bit differently from the Troll for sure.
The Canopy I have was bought second hand...and I dont know if they brake settings on it were modded or factory set.....but for me they are perfect. Slow speed flying in half >>deep brakes is very good. ( better than my Troll's) but yes it mine doesn't have a whole lot of punch on the flare.
Its not a biggie concern for me at all.
Ive landed it at from full flight /full toggle stroke and had perfectly good flares.
Ive landed it 'more' (on S/D) from half brakes and have had positive landings......positive but fair landings .
I should add....I'm also used to landing quite a worn Troll MDV that's lost its flare......so I'm quite used to landing with a limited flare.
If you can manage your landings most of the time...I wouldn't say its anything to worry about.
If you absolutely need a canopy to give you a good punchy flare , from the shortest toggle stroke, , everytime, ......maybe its not the best.
Quote:
Whats your take on it?
How does it compare to other canopies you've jumped?
I like it....its a solid working canopy.
I've used it from 170ft all the way to 1700ft......and its fine, however I think its better suited for lower stuff.
I find the openings positive and very predictable.
The glide on it isnt as good as the Troll's I have .....apart from the worn one Im still using !
It turns much quicker than a Troll, with less input.....to the point that after stopping a turn you can find yourself swinging left and right in your harness a bit, below a canopy flying perfectly straight !
Where does it 'win' for me ..?
Where I need good control at slow speed ....works well for me.
Where it lose's for me ?
Where glide is very important , or where the wind speed is up a little more than acceptable (It already flies quite slow forwards)
Quote:
What wing loading do you jump at?
On this ...about 0.80
My personal opinion ?
If you are looking for a solid performer slider down....its a good canopy.
If you can get one cheap/2nd hand.....its a winner.
If I was buying new for a dedicated SD canopy that has good on heading opening characteristics, good deep brake flying characteristics etc , I think there are better performers out there......eg the Troll OSP.
Better because the design, and thought thats gone in to the design is more modern......thats all.
Re: [irish_rob] Rock Dragon...
In reply to:
Sorry if you felt left out, Martini!
No feeling slighted at all. Don't even have special interest in the Rock Dragon, only interest in information being accessible to everyone. One of the reasons the forums are so good, answers to questions you never even thought of but someone else asked.