On Monday, April 4, 2016 at 5:58:00 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 11:38:03 PM UTC-7, Dan Fitzgerald wrote:
On Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 8:23:14 AM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 1:33:12 AM UTC-4, xcnick wrote:
On Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 4:57:19 PM UTC-7, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi,

I have added the SimplyKool 10% OFF sale to my web site he
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/simplykool.htm

You don't have a comparison of the two brands of caps you carry on the website. Perhaps you can add something here. I have a side canopy and am particularly interested in how each would work on a Discus.

Allow me, though I may be biased. On a Discus Franklyn utilizes some straps and buckles while SimplyKool,IMO, is simpler to use because it is tailored for the hinges. I have a Discus and it was one of the first covers we made

The two manufacturers are more similar on the other models with the exception that SimplyKool has a "covered wagon" back on all its custom fit models and additionally the whole cover can be snugged up with the adjustable drawstring if desired. Franklyn doesn't have a covered wagon on their models so they offer an optional "Sun Shield" at extra cost.

Paul has some detail pictures on his site of both:
CanopyCap http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/misc/...Cap-side-2.jpg and SimplyKool http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/simpl...mplyKool-5.jpg

-Jim

Actually there are many differences -
The space between fuselage and canopy rail on Schempp-Hirth gliders is very small. The Franklin Fabrication Canopy Cap is designed to place minimal fabric into this space. The other brand's design forces large amounts of gathered material and elastic into this space which puts stress on the hinges and can crack the gel coat there.

The Canopy Cap Sun Shield option is the most effective at blocking the reflections that can cause cockpit fires in gliders with forward hinge canopies.

Franklin Fabrication uses 30 different patterns to achieve a perfect tailored fit for most gliders.

Quality and construction on the Canopy Cap is superior. The fabric is thicker and the elastic is 4X wider. They are produced on industrial machines using three different types of stitches that accommodate the stretch fabric (not just a straight stitch which WILL pop when the fabric is stretched). Also they include a quality storage bag at no extra charge.

Franklin Fabrication supports the U.S. soaring products dealers. They are not available on FleaBay.

And the strap and buckles on my Franklin cover for my Schempp-Hirth glider never really worked right (buckle wouldn't release from itself) and broke within the first few uses, and now the cover is not easy to fit on the canopy. I'm going to try the Canopy Cap also and report back...

sorry... going to try the SimplyKool and report back. And yes, I bought it off "Fleabay"