Thanks Greg for your honest review. The keywords are XC flying, confidence, high and fully usable max speed - and you got them on the spot! This is why we call the MENTOR 7 "The XC-Machine". With cheers from Tyrol The NOVA-team
What would be your suggested go-to killswitch for the wing in high wind landings? Get the A's separated (the red lines in yours) from the magnet hold of yellow B3 right before you touch the ground and punch 'em hard? (on bent legs, and then of course run toward the wing, wrapping brakes, etc.)
Awesome video! Love your content. Could you make a video for paraglider beginners what the difference in EN ratings are and why they matter? What makes a B glider "better" than an A glider for example. and vice versa.
Concerned about limited weightshift effectiveness. Does this mean it feels less nimble than other high B wings? Also heard SIV instructors mention previous Mentors had bad recovery for the class, and more to handle compared with other brands similar level wings. Really appreciate if you can answer this! Thanks Greg 😁👍
Nicely done review! Can only speak for the light version and while I agree with the confidence in the wing when flying it, especially on bar (stiff as a board, cuts through rough air like butter), I personally felt that the high pitch/yaw/roll stability i.e. the overall dampening also took away some of my ability to feel what the air is doing. But I think it is a very good wing overall and will definitely help some people to get their first longer xc flights on strong days where they might not usually be comfortable flying long distance
Any chance of reviewing the top 5 or 6 beers and comparing them to my pint of Leffe Blonde? I'm not sure if I should get another Leffe or try a different brand... 😉
If I understand your comments about the turning and break response, it seems like you feel it is not a very responsive wing ie. Needs more break input and weight shift to initiate and maintain a turn. If that is correct that is intriguing to me since a friend of mine and I are both ordering the light version of this wing and have both heard that with the Mentor 7 Light that it is quite responsive but not overly so (which is both our preference), it makes me wonder if maybe the differences in handling are due to the lighter materials and maybe some slight changes to production line wings vs a prototype like this? Or if it is all pilot experience, ie maybe you are used to flying very responsive wings and so this feels more mellow? I have a full size wing turns like a school bus and a miniwing that is like a fighter jet, I have to be very careful switching between them.
I flew the 7 light in France and although in comparison to most other Nova's I have flown, it is certainly more agile, in comparison to many other high B's however it's definitely middle of the pack where agility is concerned. Great wing however, very confidence inspiring!
Compared to other modern High-B wings, like Explorer 2, Maestro 2, Iota DLS, Base 2 light, it does feel more muted and less agile, there is no way around it. To compensate that, I'd suggest to fly it in the extended weight range if possible. I flew it in a small competition in very difficult conditions (leeside Föhn) and could keep up 100% with the Alpinas and Allegros - no other B glider could. And while those guys were stressed out after the flight, for me it was no deal. I guess in weak conditions the Explorer 2 and Maestro 2 are way better, but I rarely fly in weak conditions and at the same time I would have been terrified in the comp. For long XC there is no better b wing, unless you have balls of steel.
I guess you can hike up there and take off wherever you want, but where are you going to land? Surely landing inside the reserve near the entrance will be frowned upon?
Hi David, this is Till Gottbrath from NOVA responding (PR, Marketing, NOVA Pilots Team Captain). I had the chance fly the MENTOR 7 "Standard" and Light several times in direct comparison and I also flew both in demanding conditions (see story about our Iran trip in Cross Country magazine). I would say, the difference in handling is neglectable. Of course, the Light weighs less and therefore inflates and rises quicker at take-off. In the air I wouldn't bet that I can tell the difference. They are very, very simlar in feeling. The major difference is the sound of the fabrics. So, my adivce: - choose the standard, if you want maximum durability and/or fly in dusty/sandy places. - choose the Light if doing hike & fly Happy landings, Till
Greg thanks. It will be so interesting if you can test and compare the new C, 2 risers paragliders: Swing Libra rs, Ozone Photon Niviuk Artik R, DaVinci Popera, etc.... and give us your opinion and the accessibility for B+ and B pilots. Thanks for all your videos.
This is really interesting. Ozone say in their blurb "Recent SIV and previous experience with C class" for the Photon. Air Design are more on the side of - "you can come from B+ no problem to fly the Volt 4" :D... I think at this level of wing, if you're not sure it's probably best to stick with what you have for a bit longer regardless of what anyone says :D. They are all going to need more span management and dealing with more energy at the same time and it's much more about how you are doing on SIV and what you want out of paragliding than what wing you are coming from.
@@7up-weee Thanks. There is few feedback of RAST system and other new ideas as DaVinci are using, and two risers in C, by professional pilots. I am flying a Nyos rs and has no experience in other paragliders but have the sensation that new ones are easier than others only 4 years old. I am very curious to fly a new C 2 risers. Best efficiency also gives better security margin in some type of flights like xc and competition. But not enough experience to be sure of this opinion.
That’s true - it’s good to arrive higher and have speed when you need it. Just need to weigh that against more wing management - probably -and more to do when things get sporty 😂
Thanks Greg for your honest review.
The keywords are XC flying, confidence, high and fully usable max speed - and you got them on the spot! This is why we call the MENTOR 7 "The XC-Machine".
With cheers from Tyrol
The NOVA-team
I really like the way you explain the way it feels in terms of the design characteristics of the wing!!
great work... review every aspect that matters for the average pilot... thanks for sharing
Great review Greg it’s nice to have some review gliders with both positives and negatives. Mentor 7 looks great
How nice when one receives a new wing, it is one of the best moments in the life of a pilot! congratulations on your new Glider..... !!!!
Very cool, thanks for the review
What would be your suggested go-to killswitch for the wing in high wind landings? Get the A's separated (the red lines in yours) from the magnet hold of yellow B3 right before you touch the ground and punch 'em hard? (on bent legs, and then of course run toward the wing, wrapping brakes, etc.)
Awesome video! Love your content. Could you make a video for paraglider beginners what the difference in EN ratings are and why they matter? What makes a B glider "better" than an A glider for example. and vice versa.
Concerned about limited weightshift effectiveness. Does this mean it feels less nimble than other high B wings? Also heard SIV instructors mention previous Mentors had bad recovery for the class, and more to handle compared with other brands similar level wings. Really appreciate if you can answer this! Thanks Greg 😁👍
Nice review Greg, good balance.
Nicely done review! Can only speak for the light version and while I agree with the confidence in the wing when flying it, especially on bar (stiff as a board, cuts through rough air like butter), I personally felt that the high pitch/yaw/roll stability i.e. the overall dampening also took away some of my ability to feel what the air is doing. But I think it is a very good wing overall and will definitely help some people to get their first longer xc flights on strong days where they might not usually be comfortable flying long distance
I'd love you to review the Iota DLS...
Nice review🌴Greg ,cheers to ZA(?) from Thailand 👌😉
i wish I was in ZA now! I'm in Uk going to Austria, where it will be zero degrees in the valley for testing wings at Stubai!
@@FlyWithGreg aaawright. Yeah fucking icecold there at the moment😁
When you going to have a play on a Flare Moustache ??
Hey Greg awesome video man!! Do you have a measurement for your pod harness between each carabiner?
When are you coming back to SA?
Hello Greg, how do you compare M7 to ION 7? Does ion loose noticeably in performance?
Yes.. more glider Reviews 😀👍
Any chance of reviewing the top 5 or 6 beers and comparing them to my pint of Leffe Blonde? I'm not sure if I should get another Leffe or try a different brand... 😉
i think this is a classic case of the presence of an observer affecting the outcome of the experiment.
@@FlyWithGreg good suggestion, "Barman, I'll have a pint of Schrödinger's cat please".
Keep up the great work good buddy!
Well done!
Any chance of a similar review of the other 2 1/2 liners, in particular the SwiftSix?
maybe .. I'm off to Stubaicup tomorrow so will test what I can
@@FlyWithGreg Nice maybe ill see you there!
If I understand your comments about the turning and break response, it seems like you feel it is not a very responsive wing ie. Needs more break input and weight shift to initiate and maintain a turn. If that is correct that is intriguing to me since a friend of mine and I are both ordering the light version of this wing and have both heard that with the Mentor 7 Light that it is quite responsive but not overly so (which is both our preference), it makes me wonder if maybe the differences in handling are due to the lighter materials and maybe some slight changes to production line wings vs a prototype like this? Or if it is all pilot experience, ie maybe you are used to flying very responsive wings and so this feels more mellow?
I have a full size wing turns like a school bus and a miniwing that is like a fighter jet, I have to be very careful switching between them.
I flew the 7 light in France and although in comparison to most other Nova's I have flown, it is certainly more agile, in comparison to many other high B's however it's definitely middle of the pack where agility is concerned. Great wing however, very confidence inspiring!
Compared to other modern High-B wings, like Explorer 2, Maestro 2, Iota DLS, Base 2 light, it does feel more muted and less agile, there is no way around it. To compensate that, I'd suggest to fly it in the extended weight range if possible. I flew it in a small competition in very difficult conditions (leeside Föhn) and could keep up 100% with the Alpinas and Allegros - no other B glider could. And while those guys were stressed out after the flight, for me it was no deal. I guess in weak conditions the Explorer 2 and Maestro 2 are way better, but I rarely fly in weak conditions and at the same time I would have been terrified in the comp. For long XC there is no better b wing, unless you have balls of steel.
I need to go find this Helderberg takeoff at 1:55!
I guess you can hike up there and take off wherever you want, but where are you going to land? Surely landing inside the reserve near the entrance will be frowned upon?
Does it have Mentor floppy tips ?
no
Have you flown the lightweight version Greg? If so, how do the 2 compare in flight? Thanks :)
Hi David,
this is Till Gottbrath from NOVA responding (PR, Marketing, NOVA Pilots Team Captain). I had the chance fly the MENTOR 7 "Standard" and Light several times in direct comparison and I also flew both in demanding conditions (see story about our Iran trip in Cross Country magazine).
I would say, the difference in handling is neglectable. Of course, the Light weighs less and therefore inflates and rises quicker at take-off. In the air I wouldn't bet that I can tell the difference. They are very, very simlar in feeling. The major difference is the sound of the fabrics.
So, my adivce:
- choose the standard, if you want maximum durability and/or fly in dusty/sandy places.
- choose the Light if doing hike & fly
Happy landings, Till
Is nice glider
👌👍💯❤
Greg thanks. It will be so interesting if you can test and compare the new C, 2 risers paragliders: Swing Libra rs, Ozone Photon Niviuk Artik R, DaVinci Popera, etc.... and give us your opinion and the accessibility for B+ and B pilots. Thanks for all your videos.
This is really interesting. Ozone say in their blurb "Recent SIV and previous experience with C class" for the Photon. Air Design are more on the side of - "you can come from B+ no problem to fly the Volt 4" :D... I think at this level of wing, if you're not sure it's probably best to stick with what you have for a bit longer regardless of what anyone says :D. They are all going to need more span management and dealing with more energy at the same time and it's much more about how you are doing on SIV and what you want out of paragliding than what wing you are coming from.
@@7up-weee Thanks. There is few feedback of RAST system and other new ideas as DaVinci are using, and two risers in C, by professional pilots. I am flying a Nyos rs and has no experience in other paragliders but have the sensation that new ones are easier than others only 4 years old. I am very curious to fly a new C 2 risers. Best efficiency also gives better security margin in some type of flights like xc and competition. But not enough experience to be sure of this opinion.
That’s true - it’s good to arrive higher and have speed when you need it. Just need to weigh that against more wing management - probably -and more to do when things get sporty 😂
@@7up-weee that's the question? Thanks