How good are LOC 'chutes?

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Iamtannorv

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Recently received my Big Nuke 3E order from LOC, and inspecting the 72" parachute that came with it, I can see a few potential problems arising. The 10 shroud lines combined with their size seems like it would be very easy to tangle if not packed perfectly every time, as well as potentially being time-consuming or a pain to pack and them being that small concerns me with regard to potential breaking or easy burn through if burning BP got onto it. Who has used their chutes in the past and how good are they/how likely to tangle?
 
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I got my L3 with a LOC chute and chute protector. Used it 3 times with no issues. You should be packing your chutes perfectly regardless of brand used and should be taking every reasonable precaution to protect your chute from ejection nastiness anyways. I've used LOC chutes from 10' to 10" and unless I did something stupid or was lazy in how I packed them have had no issues with any of their chutes.
 
The material that they use is somewhat heavier and less flexible than some of the other Nylon chutes, from what I have seen a little more care needs to be used in folding and packing them than the thinner chutes. They do seem to be very durable, as long as you keep them protected from ejection charges.
 
The material that they use is somewhat heavier and less flexible than some of the other Nylon chutes, from what I have seen a little more care needs to be used in folding and packing them than the thinner chutes.

Second this. Also don't pack them too tightly. I have had multiple incidents of smaller LOC parachutes ejecting successfully but failing to open because of their stiffness.
 
Second this. Also don't pack them too tightly. I have had multiple incidents of smaller LOC parachutes ejecting successfully but failing to open because of their stiffness.
Same here. Last launch the 18" LOC chute came out but stayed nearly completely rolled up all the way down. Temperature was about 27F.
First time this happened.
 
Consider crumpling them up, before prep.

Wonder if the old trick to hang them outside in the wind, to soften up, still works.
 
Crumpling them up and adding some powder helps to loosen them up a bit and make them a bit more slippery.

I've used LOC chutes since I started in HPR over 25 years ago. Never had an issue. Though, never have used their smaller chutes. Only those around 30" and up.
 
WRT having many lines, properly packed it's not an issue. My avatar is a 36 gore (with 36 x 12' lines) 8-footer I built. I spike and flatten the canopy, fold and roll it into a fat cylinder, and roll that cylinder down the stretched lines to the bridle. I use this method on chutes from 12" to 8' and it's never given me trouble.

Now, if I get lazy and wad up the lines or let them fall in a heap on the floor, I've got a mess to untangle. But with proper handling and packing, I've never had an issue on deployment (as I go looking for wood to knock on...).
 
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