Karpo Fly COBRA
reviewed October 2001
by Greg Hamerton

The Cobra is the next model down from the top-of-the-range Arrow. It has simpler 'bucket-seat' styling, and is intended for the intermediate pilot. As they are simllar in many respects, I'd advise prospective buyers to consider the Arrow review as well.

The backprotection system is the modern airfoam segmented cushion, which covers the back well and is thickest below your coccyx (18cm, thicker than the Arrow). It is covered with a ridged sheet of hard plastic. The side-protection plates fit directly into the side-pockets, which means that they remain in place and don't slide down as is the case with so many other harnesses, but they are positioned slightly lower than on the Arrow. There is ample space in the two zipped pockets above the side protectors for snacks, waterbottles and paraphernalia. There is also a bit of room in the side-protector pockets for thin items like maps and gloves.

There is a zip which offers access to the back of the harness, but unfortunately the space is not contained, so things can shift around. For items like your stuffbag, backpack and jerseys, this won't be a problem. You must ensure items are not too bulky or you'll be pushed forwards in your seat.

The harness fabric is durable material that'll do its job well (though it appears slightly softer than that used on the Arrow). The undersurface is reinforced with plastic sheeting sewn under the fabric, great for protecting the harness and reserve from wear-and-tear due to bad landings. The harness is light, around 5kg with carabiners.

The Cobra has the Get-Up 'idiot-proof' legstraps, which connect directly to the chest-strap buckle. If you've clipped one buckle together before launching, you'll be held in the harness, though you need two to be sure. Another advantage of this is that if you need to get out in a hurry, there's only the two quick-release buckles to think about. An upright run on launch is quite comfortable.

The geometry of the webbing makes the harness very stable in the air. With the chest-strap wide (>50cm between carabiners) I was able to induce only limited weight-shift turns. If you really want security, the tightest it will go is about 36cm, which ensures that you don't tighten it much past the DHV recommended standard of 40cm. I preferred to fly with the lumbar supports fairly tight for a semi-reclined position, although they can extend to drop you very far back. The shoulder straps grip your shoulders very well, with easy-to-tighten tabs and comfy foam padding. The harness surrounds your body to give a secure feeling. The first step of the speedbar is easy to hook by pressing your heel against the undersurface of the harness.

The speed-bar line is guided through three pulleys inside the fabric. Here the positioning of the pulleys could be improved, as with the Arrow. The line tightens the fabric under your butt as you engage the speedbar, and the added resistance caused by the fabric loads the bar a bit. For my money I would reroute the line outside the fabric, using the well-placed rings on the edge of the harness to rig a pulley there. Alternatively, bypassing the lowest internal pulley results in an easier travel. The Cobra comes with its own double-step sheathed speedbar and the speedbar line, with those convenient pressure-bobbles that keep the bar out of the way during launch.

The reserve parachute is mounted underneath your knees, with the handle on the right front corner of the harness. It is visible, and reasonably easy to reach, though you must extend your arm all the way forewards to get a good grip on the handle. The reserve strops are very long, and run around the full curve of your back in a simple velcro gusset to the shoulders. As there is no division in the strop, it forms one continuous loop, and care should be taken to bind/tie off the reserve bridle when attached, to force it to remain centred on the strop. (This is to prevent heat shear damage during rapid deployments after the reserve bridle has crept off-centre).

In summary its a simple, light harness with good protection and reasonable styling. A good all-rounder for anyone from beginners to regular weekend xc pilots.

SOUTH AFRICAN IMPORTER : Karpo Fly - James Braid - 082 956 5391
or email him on j.braid@ee.wits.ac.za