Safire 2

tlipiec · February 8, 2017

I've done about 230 jumps on my Safire 2 149, loaded @ 1.3-1.4. It is a nice, forgiving but still quite fun to fly canopy. I use it on my wingsuit jumps (P Edge & Ghost 3) and despite frequent twists, canopy tends to stabilise & level out quite quickly, even with 4 or 5 twists. On standard, belly-to earth deployments it likes to give you 80 to 180 off-heading, but apart from that there's no drama. It always snivels for approx. 700-800ft (unless you do an appalling packjob). Flightwise it's quite forgiving and easy to fly but still offers reasonable fun :)

ricardop0318 · January 5, 2014

Icarus got this one. After about 300 jumps between the two, I have to say that the Safire is a dream canopy in comparison to the unpredictable Sabre2. I like them both but Safire opens and behaves smoother. My two cents

Bartskydive · September 3, 2013

After suffered a very hard opening on my trusty Sabre 2 190 (packing error!) which tore the Sabre, my rigger loaned me a demo Saffire 2. I weigh 100 kg so load it at approx 1.3.
After having put more than 500 jumps on the Sabre 2 and now about 15 on the Saffire, there is some good comparison between the two I would think.
For one, the lines of the Saffire are longer, probably tens of centimeters. Openings are a lot more consistent than a Sabre 2, not necessarily softer; my Sabre could open beautifully soft and on heading, but just not consistently so and had a tendency of turning on inflation.
The glide is MUCH flatter than the Sabre which is good because it will get you home and bad because it makes accurate landings more difficult. Imagine a very flat angle with angular scatter covers more area on the ground that the same scatter at a steeper angle. But generally it enhances safety.
Also in heavy traffic you can slow it down more than a Sabre 2 and stay up forever and wait for all the fast guys to clear the skies and land last.
Flare is markedly less than the Sabre 2. Didn't stand up landings a couple of times in zero wind conditions which very rarely happened with my Sabre.
No doubt the Saffire is a very safe canopy and a valuable piece of kit that takes well care of you but personally I'm not so sure if I would buy it and want to demo some other canopies before I decide. Mainly because I'm used to land exactly where I want and don't like to over or under shoot. With the flat angle of the Saffire I'm overshooting all the time and really need some getting used to.

krisd · July 27, 2012

I have recently done about 50 jumps on my new (secondhand, bought it when it had about 350 jumps)Safire 2 169. I have an exit weight of 92 kg, so WL around 1.21.

I have no other canopies in the same league to compare too. Other canopies I've jumped where either old big 7 cells (Fury 220) or student canopies (Manta 280).

I've started jumping my Safire when I had a total of 50 jumps.

I find it a very fun canopy to fly. It's predictable, has good and SOFT openings. If you keep your body position stable while deploying, you're going to have a smooth opening.

No cons so far.

Landing it is no problem. Canopy has lots of flare. I use a two-stage flare. Had one rough landing, but that was completely my fault. I don't blame the canopy for this.

You won't regret it if you get one.

For now I will continue jumping my Safire and if I will downsize one day, I'm going to look for a Safire II one size smaller! I like it!

wazdiver · December 28, 2011

I ended last season getting rid of a 168 pilot to purchase a new rig which came with a fusion 175. I got rid of the piece of junk VERY rapidly, demoed a Sabre 2, 150 and then settled on a Safire 2, 149 after demoing it. I absolutely love the canopy. Great fun to fly. I wing load it at 1:1.34 and it is simply a great canopy. The openings are soft and on heading. I have experienced just a bit of delayed end cell opening, but that has more to do with the way I pack it. It's glide ratio is much flatter than a Sabre 2 of the same size so getting back from long spots is much easier. It handles well in all sorts of conditions, has a quick recovery arc and a great flare. I would recommend this canopy to anyone as an intermediate to advanced canopy depending on wing loading.

Stearny · October 16, 2011

I bought my safire2 189 (WL ~ 0.97) used with 200 jumps on it. I have put about 10 jumps on the canopy thus far. The openings are as everyone has stated consistently extremely soft and on heading. I have not had an opening more than 500 ft with a normal pro pack (not messing with nose). Maybe I am just a shitty packer but I have a hell of a time putting the canopy in the bag / closing my mirage g4 m6 (mirage recommends a safire2 189 to be the smallest "soft" fit). You would think it would have no problem fitting???

I have also put about 15 jumps on a sabre2 190. The sabre2 was much more responsive to toggle inputs, and riser pressure was much lighter. However, the glide slope on the safire2 is much flatter compared to the steeper sabre2. Openings on a sabre2 are complete shit when compared to a safire2. Amount of flare was very comparable, not much difference.

The biggest selling point of the safire2 to me were the amazing openings. I am a rather conservative pilot and don't plan on changing for a while. When I downsize to a 170 I will probably be going with more aggressive sabre2 or nitron.

Rigless · July 31, 2011

I recently got a brand new custom Safire2 129 from NZaerosports. I load it at around 1.2 and if I add some lead I get to 1.3 and then you can notice the difference in flight, more speed, snappier.. The recovery arc is a bit short, but that depends on the wingloading, the higher the WL the longer the rec arc becomes (not to mention my poor swooping technique, since I'm just beginning in this discipline..).

The openings are long as soft as everyone says, but I wouldn't say they're super duper long that you could have an intermission while watching it open..

The glide is amazing, flare is very powerful, but you have to go all the way ;)

Packing was hell at first since I'm a lazy ass bad packer, but the material "fell into place" after say 20-30 jumps, it got some damp over some jumps and now it's a breeze to pack it, yet the canopy still flies beautifully..

Overall I'm very satisfied with this canopy, soft openings, it's quite fast and snappy for it's category, super awesome glide with a very powerful flare and great material that becomes easy to pack quite fast if you buy new :)

aaroncosbey · December 19, 2010

Compared to my sabre 2, theres no end cell closure to waste time dealing with, the openings are soft and on-heading (this never happened with the sabre 2 or electra).
Some would say the openings take too long (mine were always sub 1000ft with the standard D-Bag).
There are ways to address this:
1. Dont roll the nose (theres no need with this canopy) and if you want quicker openings get a magnetic lazy bag (www.compal.be)....
Mine works a treat and gives me sweet openings, no line twists, and most importantly 'no Fecking bungees' :)
Theres plenty of flare power, harness input is sweet (not as good as the old electra loaded @ 1.25).
Front riser pressure is light compared to the sabre and electra. Recovery arc is nice 'n short.
Best semi-elip canopy on the market....

Crossfire next :D

November 11, 2009

comparing to
safire2 300+
sabre 1 (200 jumps on them)
sabre 2 (50 jumps)
stiletto 10 jumps (fun spinning madness)

chose the canopy because of super nice openings that are nice to my back if you jump 10+ times/day

learn the flare of this canopy, its not the same as PD...

in my inexperienced hands, the canopy flies similar to sabre2, almost identical.

The openings can be a bit scary, constant 1K+ foot openings. I have had 1 hard opening on this canopy... just like my team mate who got slammed on a spectre few weeks back. i guess anything can slam.

Jeth · August 5, 2009

I recently demoed a Safire 2 149. I was looking to downsize from my Pilot 168, which I've jumped for about 200 jumps. I found that the Safire was not what I was looking for. People say that the openings are super soft. For me - that means way too long and no feedback. I like to pitch and feel the tension in the risers right away, and I did not get that with the Safire. It also sniveled way too long for me. There is a difference between quick and hard. I like a quick opening which is still soft.
The canopy also didn't really perform like I wanted. The Safire was sluggish in turns, and I had to bury the toggles all the way down to get a good flare. I previously demoed a Pilot 150 and it was much more responsive. I was previously under-loaded, and was looking for better performance at about a 1.2 wing-loading. I did not get that with the Safire.
I think this canopy would be great for beginners, or possibly at a much higher wing-loading. But for WL around 1:1, looking for a little more performance, it did not deliver.

druvaughn · July 8, 2009

I currently have a Safire 2 209 (1.37), and have done 300+/- jumps with it.

Demo the 189 (1.51) for 25-30 jumps

Took the canopy straight from the demo team at Skyfest. This interaction was certainly a positive experience -- took my CC on the spot and sent me on my way.

Openings -- seemed to be a little more consistently on heading than my 209 has been which is surprising. Had one bad opening with twists, but happy to blame that as much on operator error. A good snivel and never really got smacked; typical opening about 800-900ft. As soft at terminal as H&P...

Flying -- lighter fronts than my 209, and the rears had a very late stall point. Responsive to any inputs, and I was extremely happy with the harness turns which I have been unable to really use on the 209 (size or wing loading I suspect). Can make it float a little for cross counties with rears or brakes which is nice, and I was surprised that I had to lengthen my traditional final, as I was over shooting my early approaches.

Flare -- every bit as strong as my 209, and the late stage is actually stronger. Without swooping, I typically use a 2-stage flare, and was pleasantly surprised that the 189 flew longer, requiring a step or 2 less.

Have been told that manufacture time is fairly short (which it wasn't when I ordered my 209 a couple of years ago), but going to try another Icarus canopy before I buy.

I am very happy with my Demo experience and with the flight and performance of both my 209 and this 189. Great canopies.

x46255 · March 11, 2009

I bought a new Safire2 169 in December and have absolutely loved it. It opens soft every time and I've never had it turn more than 90 degrees off heading on opening (unlike my Sabre2 that whipped around at least 90 or more every jump). The Pilot opens just as soft but isn't nearly as fun to fly as the Safire2. It is very responsive in the sky and has much lighter front riser pressure than the Sabre2. The flare is exceptionally strong and works great in a single or two stage flare. I have psycho packed and pro-packed and it opens just as well every time. There's absolutely nothing that I have found yet that I don't like about this canopy!

dezilu · August 29, 2008

I just love this canopy. No matter how I pack it, soft consistant openings. It seems to glide forever. The flare is strong and almost never ending. I have yet to find any faults with this canopy. Saber 2 doesn't even compare to the Safire 2 in my opinion. And I've flown them both. You can't go wrong with this canopy

May 9, 2008

At first I was going for the Sabre2, but after only 1 jump on Safire2 I felt in love with this chute.
Now I have put around 50 jumps on my Safire2 169, with wingload about 1.2

I have tested Sabre1, Sabre2, Silhouette, Spectre, Navigator and PD (in different sizes), so I compare with all this chutes.

First of all, is softest and nicest opening ever. They are soooo great, I done gonna give them up for nothing!
Even after crappy pack, they are always nice.
Some people say they take lot of alti, but with me its take around 400-800fot, its not THAT much.
I tried lot of different way to pack it, and had some twin opening, and some spin. But they are all way on head, and never twin and spin. But to avoid it, just follow canopy, be with it on openings, and they´ll be great.
Compared to other chutes, sabre2 comes clothes to openings, but not the same at all. And sabre1 had very hard and awful opening.

Now over to flying.
It´s main reason why I decided to go for Safire2 instead of Sabre2.
Safire flyers lot easier then sabre. Its much more nicer and comfy. In turns it need more input to swing fast. But if you push toggles really down, its turns really fast.
Only thing I liked better with Sabre2, is that its much easier in front risers.

Specter turns lot faster, but you almost don't have chance to turn slow with it. And you loose lot of alti with it.

And now, flare.
Its endless. One time I came down in front risers with good speed, and there was snow-ice-drift. I flared almost everything, got 2 meters up, and 5 forward, flared a bit more and had super soft landing.
As long as you flare in time, you´ll have super soft landings.
Sabre 2 is also great in flare, kinda as good as Safire.
Specter is with my wingload is with perfect flare is super soft to, but if you flare bit to early or bit to late, you will get a bit harder landing.
And I dint like silhouette, in compare with Safire, it had no flare at all.

I recommend this chute to everyone, no mater how many jumps you have, because its sooooo much in this chute.
If you want super soft openings, endeless flare. This one is for you.
Sabre is a bit faster in turns, but if you give a bit more input, I bet you go at least as fast as sabre!
Super chute, thanks Icarus!

(when I was buying equipment, I was searching for the best thing, so you can read my reviews on merlin rw suite, Z1 helmet, solo, alti-track and javelin odyssey)
Blue skies!

April 3, 2008

I put 100 jumps on my Safire 2 and love it. The openings are soft and on heading every time. I have the 149 and I like the flare and the range this canopy has. compared to other canopy's in its class. I think its the best

Odin · August 21, 2007

I've put about 50 jumps on my new 189 Safire2. I watched Natecoon's first landing on his and I can vouch for the "long" glide. He just about went into the buildings, just like I just about went into the runway from 200' above ground on the other side of the landing area. It just goes and goes. Very fast recovery from toggle and riser input and responds well to body input form harness turns. I load it about 1.25:1 and love the response. Only scary jump was pulling at 11,000' for a X-country jump and watching the canopy still slowly opening at 9,000'. On the other hand, it was beautiful to watch it slowly unfurl-I just wouldn't exit at 3,000' and expect it to be open in time to set up a pattern unless I dove to 2,000' and built up speed.

natecoon · August 16, 2006

I've only put a few jumps on my brand new Safire2 so far but I love it. It's my first canopy (189 loaded at about 1.1:1) and I think it's perfect for me as my first canopy. Fun but not stupid!

I was jumping a Pilot188 as a student before finally getting onto my own gear and I have to say the difference between those two canopies really surprised me. The openings of the Safire are a lot softer. The toggle response of the Safire is better. The glide of the Safire is WAY longer which makes for landings that are WAY more fun.

I'm still a newbie and it's obviously still a bigger canopy, but for me, the landings are awesome.

I'd like to jump a Sabre2 just to feel the differences. But from what I've heard the Safire does have a better glide and flare.

So far I love it. I'll post again once I have a few more jumps on it.

UPDATE - I've put about 70 jumps on the canopy now and just love it. Openings are consistently awesome. I've taken a Sabre2 up a few times as well and have found that the Safire2 does have a little more drive and seems to level out earlier in the flare. Because I'm still new to the sport I know that I'm not flying the canopy any where near to what it is capable of BUT, I have been able to pull off some great no wind landings on straight in approaches or with a very little bit of front riser. I will definitely be sticking with this canopy as I downsize and learn to fly more aggressively. Loads of fun.

The only downside I'd mention (that really isn't a negative, more of just an observation) is that the vectran lineset is already looking old and dirty compared to the spectra lines on a main with similar jump numbers.

Update - I went from my Safire2 189 to a Spectre 170. No Thanks. The Spectre had FANTASTIC openings but it's just not meant to fly like the Safire2....and it doesn't. When it was time to downsize again, I went back to the Safire2. Now on a Safire2 149 loading at just over 1.4

LOVE IT. This canopy is awesome. I've been doing lots of front riser carve-in landings and this thing is great. Can get some really nice speed/surf on landing. Obviously it doesn't swoop like more extreme or smaller canopies but it'll give me a nice long ride across the ground at my loading. I'm certain that I'll be on this canopy for at least 300 - 500 more jumps just learning to fly the crap out of it before I downsize again. Glides forever. The openings are amazing. Almost feels like my old Spectre. Consistently 800 - 1000 foot openings. (some don't like that but I'll take 'em.) Sub terminal openings are a little crazy feeling though. You can have a coffee while you wait for it to stop snivelling.

Did a few jumps on a Sabre2 - didn't like the openings and it didn't glide as long as the Safire2.

Anyway - love it. Would buy it again in a second.

nqh03 · July 26, 2006

I have been jumping my Safire 2 189 (loaded 1.16) for about 20 jumps now and really enjoy flying it. It opens smoothly and on heading. I pro-pack and find that if leave the nose out (not rolled or pushed back at all) it opens in about 400-600 feet. It has a good glide ratio and has saved me on several tracking dives with a long spot (rear risers helped as well). Landing this canopy is also a lot of fun. Once you level off there is still plenty of toggle left to handle unexpected problems or a poorly timed flare (you can also pop back up a few feet at the end of your flare).

I really enjoy flying this canopy and plan on staying with it for a long time.

MedicJumper · June 29, 2006

I've jumped my safire 2 149 for approximately 100 jumps now. I load it at 1.3 and have 350ish jumps overall.

I love it! It flies great, lands even better. I am working on learning 180 hook turns right now and the canopy is really well behaved and forgiving wanting to fly straight fairly quick if I let go of the risers early. The flare is powerful on risers or just doing a normal approach. The canopy response on toggles is crisp but not as aggressive as my friend's crossfire. Plenty of 'sportiness' at my level.

The only thing I can really reproach it is the openings. Yes they're smooth, yes they're on heading but man 800 ft! It was even longer when the canopy was brand new approaching 1000 ft. That's long. Time to have a coffee while watching this thing unfold :)

Took me 25 jumps or so to get over it during which time I was debating returning it but now I think the flying characteristics way outweigh that small detail. After all it only takes 1 or 2 seconds more than other canopies... it just feels long!

hope that helps

bofh · May 4, 2006

My 139 Safire2, loaded at around 1.3, seem to stay up longer on breaks than my old Sabre 170, yet it is easy to build up speed and dive almost vertical on a straight final with both fronts, making it easy to perform "safe" swoops. Making a 180 degree hook doesn't require much force either. It is quite easy to land it at low speeds too and even if one doesn't pitch it, one can still land standing up without a problem.

The only drawback is the 900ft it takes to open, but then again its hard to combine a fast opening with a soft one.

dlee · April 19, 2005

I demoed a saifre 2 and just loved it. I am flying a sabre now and it was just no comparison, the safire was superior in every sense.

michaelted57 · July 19, 2004

I normally jump Crossfires and a Sabre 2, and I was evaluating the Safire 149 for a friend of mine. I made a few jumps on it and was favorably impressed by the consistant on-heading openings and very light toggle pressure, but especially by the very nice (and fun) landings. This canopy has the very powerful, and seemingly endless flare I have come to love in my Crossfires, albeit with a little more civilized manner. The Safire seemed not quite as fast as the Sabre 2, but it did not have the tendency to turn on opening that the Sabre 2 has, and the flare is superior in my opinion. Toggle pressure is light and riser inputs are easier than with my Sabre 2. For those wanting a little flexibility in thier canopy flying style, this is a very good choice. As an AFF-I and Camera flyer, I have come to appreciate canopies that allow me to concentrate on my job and not worry about the parachute, but I also like to have fun when I can afford more attention to the canopy flight. The Safire is a very good parachute for this kind of flexibility. I like the soft openings too, but they consistantly take 1000 ft. So if you like to do a lot of hop-n-pops from low altitudes, you may have to consider a higher exit altitude.

Gawain · January 21, 2004

I got to fly a Safire 2 at Eloy and was very impressed. I've been wanting to expand my experience with some canopies beyond what I fly now (Triathlon) so I could have a better idea of what I want to move into. Basic background information: Currently, I fly a Tri-160, loaded at about 1.3. I flew a Safire 149, loaded at about 1.4.

Aside from the many obvious differences in my experience (7-cell to 9-cell, square to slightly elliptical, etc.) the first thing I noticed was the amazing opening. Solid, slow, smooth and didn't waver one degree off heading. I would have to rate it equal to better compared to my Triathlon, a canopy known for very high-quality openings in its own right.

Toggle inputs and turns were predictable. Recovery from turns felt natural, slightly longer arc compared to my current main. Front riser input was also responsive. I did not swoop or do any ultra-high-performance flying with the canopy.

Despite my very limited experience with the Safire 2, and not having a wide experience with a lot of different types of canopies, it is clear that this is a very solid wing. This is certainly worth consideration as an intermediate canopy, or even worth careful consideration as a first canopy.

lazyfrog · December 30, 2003

I have a 139 loaded at approx 1.3, just love flying it. Openings are very soft and long (some people don't like that, I do), just have to think not to pull too low. Although I had 2 hard ones out of 150. Never understood why... Can happen... Maybe something wrong while packing, maybe some kind of line dump.. Don't know... It's definitely a great canopy for me. Not too extreme, but with already some nice performance.

Chapsta · November 5, 2003

This is my FIRST canopy... but I jumped several sabers, spectre's, and navigators. This canopy definitely has the sweetest openings I've felt. They do take a while though... my friends tell me I can eliminate this as I get more comfortable packing it. I load mine around 1.2 and it's tons of fun! I can make it back from a far spot as well or better than any other canopies in the air. I was really worried ordering my new canopy because of what was said about the bottom end power of the safire one. Let me set the record straight... This problem is ELIMINATED!!!

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