On 11/13/2016 6:58 PM, Tim Winter wrote:
Used to have a Std Libelle and had to sell her. But getting back into
flying and shopping for something new.

SUPPOSE all things equal, condition, avionics, rigging tools, trailer type
and condition etc. AND same price. Which would you rather have? Open or Std
Cirrus? I fly east coast USA and conditions are rarely STRONG.


Others have noted "the basic differences" between these (both very nice, IMHO)
ships. I've flown neither, but have rigged and shared thermals/airspace with
both. For "Joe Average non-competition-sensitive soaring Pilot", there's
little to choose between them in performance, though the Open is almost
certainly a marginally better "floater"...balanced against being less nimble
and "the typical late-day structure" of your site's thermals.

Prolly "the biggest easily noticeable difference" is the additional heft of
the Open Cirrus, though it *can* be rigged with just two people (if the
wingtip guy has a good back and is patient). No question in my mind the
15-meter Cirrus is distinctly more user friendly in the rigging sense. Another
(possible) consideration is many of the 15-meter versions came with
(functionally decent) Eberle trailers, while "quite a few (?)" of the Open
babies live in (usually less user-friendly) homebuilt trailers.

Conceptually, I'd view the Open's drag 'chute as a "measure twice/cut once"
sort of device...fun to play with (under sensible circumstances) but nothing
you'd want to bet your future on without considerable "getting to know each
other" time beforehand.

Welcome back to soaring!

Bob W.