firefly Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Hi Guys, I'm looking to start my paramotor training in the spring and am trying to decide which motor to get. I've done loads of research, and read lots of opinions on here and have narrowed it down to either a Bulldog with a polini engine, or a Parajet Volution 2 Compact with the new XT engine. Im around 70kg, want something British built, with a reliable back up service as I'm useless with spanners! And not too expensive too! Any comments would be welcome. Thanks, Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 If your going for a Parajet.... I would go for the Polini lump rather than the XT SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks Simon, I believe parajets are your speciality, so I appreciate that. Any reason? I saw a good review on footflyer.com of the XT. Other key factors are: Noise Harness comfort Weight Practicality Build quality Reliability Ease of transportation Torque I'm sure there's others that I've missed! Cheers, Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Agree with Simon, get the Polini (I've had both). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Polini over the XT all day long..... I wont mention Bailey as i am very biased.... I believe steve haze has a new Bulldog Polini for sale at a discounted price ... PM him for more details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 I've spotted Steve Haze's Bulldog, but I won't have the cash till around April time. Hope to start ground handling perhaps feb or march. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybound Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 For the record we are not fitting the Polini Thor 100 as standard, only to order. We've move over to the Vittorazi Evo 100. It's about 3/4 kg down on thrust, but returns much better fuel figgers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpulling Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Just had a look on parajets website and it seems that they are now NOT offering the xt motor for the volution range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks for the engine update. Out of interest, which one is more popular out of the 2? Is there much difference in the weight of the machine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Cheers mark. Engines aside, Bulldog or Parajet folks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivefreeman Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 If it was me it would defo be a bulldog ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 If it was me it would defo be a bulldog ! and you did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbirdyxx Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Bulldog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I think the best answer can only come from pilots who have owned both (or flown them both a lot), otherwise it's just owners of one or the other saying they prefer what they have. In reality they are probably both excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clivefreeman Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Ive flown both , and would go with the bulldog ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Got both but for me the bulldog was the preferred choice due to packing smaller due to the sectional cage But it needs a low hang point option. Zenith would be better but too much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 2nd Pete's comment. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Its a bit odd that your comparing a high hang point macine with a low hang point??? If i was you i would get some lessons and then try the different machine's before you shed out your hard earned cash.. High hang and low hang need a slightly different launching technique. Some people don't like high hang others love em.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) Its a bit odd that your comparing a high hang point macine with a low hang point???If i was you i would get some lessons and then try the different machine's before you shed out your hard earned cash.. High hang and low hang need a slightly different launching technique. Some people don't like high hang others love em.. As he has not started training yet it makes no difference to him if it is high or low hang point as he has no preference and will be taught accordingly. People only have preferences due to previous experience or more often from what their instructor teaches with. Pete Edited December 11, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Very true Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hann__ Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Just how much real difference is there between high and low? The pilots with experience tend to prefer the low, is that right? Is this `cos they`re more responsive to pilot input (and turbulence!)? When i eventually get flying my main concern will be stability,confidence and ease of control..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custom-vince Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I will throw this in the mix. Having flown high J, low weight shift (frame offset and bars offset), mid to high soft shoulder hook ins and S arm Swan necks. I can honestly say now that S arm (swan neck) weight shift is my favorite. It has the stability of a higher hang machine but the handling and weight shift of a low hang machine. It's all round better compromise in every way. There are specifics, it has to be offset weight shift to eliminate the torque. I have flown this setup on the Zenith and the titanium AirConception. I have seen it on miniplane WS also but not flown that. Low hangpoint is ok if the weight shift arms are bent nicely to avoid your arm pits otherwise you get bruises on flare. But to get bent arms the offset is usually in the frame and this is not quite as good for compensating torque effect. Low weight shift generally suffers more pitching movements. High weight shift gives you a large seat, feels to big for some but the larger people like them. It's a bit dead to fly with limited weight shift. It's fine to launch but not as nice as low or mid. I would be scepticle of lots of power to weight with high hang points. High is good for landing flare but not so nice for cruising in flight flying like an ape. These are why I find mid level my new favorite. Stable, good flare, good in flight, ample weight shift, easy under the arm, I feel zero torque effect and can fly strait at full power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I will throw this in the mix. Having flown high J, low weight shift (frame offset and bars offset), mid to high soft shoulder hook ins and S arm Swan necks.I can honestly say now that S arm (swan neck) weight shift is my favorite. It has the stability of a higher hang machine but the handling and weight shift of a low hang machine. It's all round better compromise in every way. There are specifics, it has to be offset weight shift to eliminate the torque. I have flown this setup on the Zenith and the titanium AirConception. I have seen it on miniplane WS also but not flown that. Low hangpoint is ok if the weight shift arms are bent nicely to avoid your arm pits otherwise you get bruises on flare. But to get bent arms the offset is usually in the frame and this is not quite as good for compensating torque effect. Low weight shift generally suffers more pitching movements. High weight shift gives you a large seat, feels to big for some but the larger people like them. It's a bit dead to fly with limited weight shift. It's fine to launch but not as nice as low or mid. I would be scepticle of lots of power to weight with high hang points. High is good for landing flare but not so nice for cruising in flight flying like an ape. These are why I find mid level my new favorite. Stable, good flare, good in flight, ample weight shift, easy under the arm, I feel zero torque effect and can fly strait at full power. Well you must sit low in the harness as I have never had bruises or any trouble with low hang point on full flare!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custom-vince Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 None of my comments were based soley on my experience. It's a shared view from others I have asked. My own original Custom Air could bruise your right under arm. Pap can bruise under your arm. I'm 6'2 and would expect anyone shorter to suffer more than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 None of my comments were based soley on my experience. It's a shared view from others I have asked. My own original Custom Air could bruise your right under arm. Pap can bruise under your arm. I'm 6'2 and would expect anyone shorter to suffer more than me. Im 5-10 flown pap. parajet and a few others and have never suffered from this, OR are talking about bruises from the risers on forward launches ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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