- Joined
- Apr 5, 2013
- Messages
- 1,545
- Reaction score
- 71
Is there a comparable company to TF out there? I'm looking for some respectable 48" and 24" chutes.
Here's my chronological rocket recovery story. I am not the end-all-be-all of rocketry, but I've got a few flights under my belt.
-Early 90's: flew stock supplied parachutes 'cause I couldn't afford anything else. So, Loc and PML (mid power only at the time).
-Mid-Late 90's: started trying out Top Flight standard chutes in combination with stockers. Considered it to be a modest upgrade.
Late 90's-early 2000's: had a little more money to play with, so experimented with Skyangle, Rocketman, etc. (fancy chutes) a bit.
2000's: had a vast mixture of stock chutes, Top Flight (basic, standard), and fancy (Skyangle, RMan, LocAngle, etc.). Realized Top Flight Recovery can repair chutes for very modest prices. Ended up sending several "fancy" chutes in for repairs. Realized I was sending in all my fancy expensive chutes for repairs. Realized I was sending in none of my basic Top Flight chutes for repairs. Realized my stupidity in purchasing expensive chutes that were failing me when my Top Flight standards that I have been using since the early 90's were still serving me well without issue.
2010 and beyond: have integrated some Top Flight Crossfires into the lineup. As others have mentioned, they're wonderful. My fleet of chutes (9" to 144") are (nearly) all Top Flight standards and a few Crossfires. I have come full circle...it just took me several years and lots of money to get there. For those that fly with me, they know that my chutes open, rockets recovery safely, and that's pretty important to me.
Moral of the story: there are lots of options out there. Lots of great options in fact! Whoever you go with, please realize that more expensive, more elaborate are not always better. I have returned to Keep It Simple Stupid; a much more affordable option that has proven greater reliability than when I was into flying "fancy" chutes. You'll see the last of my "fancy" chutes in the Yard Sale soon! So in response to the thread title: Better than Top Flight Chutes, my honest response is that I spent a lot of years and money searching for just that, only to find that there are none better than Top Flight! Miki and Gary are great; and their products are too! Yep, I'm a fan boy!
I have a similar story for rocketry electronics, but I'll save that for another day.:wink:
-Eric-
Hey, majordude ... is your user name inspired by the Steely Dan song? Just curious....
Tee hee! Yes, my favorite band! "Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend. Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again."
Here's my chronological rocket recovery story. I am not the end-all-be-all of rocketry, but I've got a few flights under my belt.
-Early 90's: flew stock supplied parachutes 'cause I couldn't afford anything else. So, Loc and PML (mid power only at the time).
-Mid-Late 90's: started trying out Top Flight standard chutes in combination with stockers. Considered it to be a modest upgrade.
Late 90's-early 2000's: had a little more money to play with, so experimented with Skyangle, Rocketman, etc. (fancy chutes) a bit.
2000's: had a vast mixture of stock chutes, Top Flight (basic, standard), and fancy (Skyangle, RMan, LocAngle, etc.). Realized Top Flight Recovery can repair chutes for very modest prices. Ended up sending several "fancy" chutes in for repairs. Realized I was sending in all my fancy expensive chutes for repairs. Realized I was sending in none of my basic Top Flight chutes for repairs. Realized my stupidity in purchasing expensive chutes that were failing me when my Top Flight standards that I have been using since the early 90's were still serving me well without issue.
2010 and beyond: have integrated some Top Flight Crossfires into the lineup. As others have mentioned, they're wonderful. My fleet of chutes (9" to 144") are (nearly) all Top Flight standards and a few Crossfires. I have come full circle...it just took me several years and lots of money to get there. For those that fly with me, they know that my chutes open, rockets recovery safely, and that's pretty important to me.
Moral of the story: there are lots of options out there. Lots of great options in fact! Whoever you go with, please realize that more expensive, more elaborate are not always better. I have returned to Keep It Simple Stupid; a much more affordable option that has proven greater reliability than when I was into flying "fancy" chutes. You'll see the last of my "fancy" chutes in the Yard Sale soon! So in response to the thread title: Better than Top Flight Chutes, my honest response is that I spent a lot of years and money searching for just that, only to find that there are none better than Top Flight! Miki and Gary are great; and their products are too! Yep, I'm a fan boy!
I have a similar story for rocketry electronics, but I'll save that for another day.:wink:
-Eric-
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