I have to retract my statement about the Vision being 2 pounds lighter, I wasn't thinking the mods and math through properly. [sm=bananahead.gif] My CF landing gear and tailwheel, and lighter tires probably saved me half a pound. I have a CF spinner too, but that isn't lightening the plane cause I had to use about 6 ounces of lead on the nose to balance... if anything, it's making it heavier. I completely recovered my Vision and added a lot of vinyl graphics, probably picked up 4 ounces in covering, paint and vinyl (over stock). I also added wood blocks on both sides of every hinge joint to anchor Robart hinge points instead of the CA hinges... probably another 3-5 ounces added to the plane.

So, overall, any lightening I did with CF components was more than offset by the mods I added back onto it. I've never done the math, but I really think I added a good 4 ounces more onto the plane than what I saved with CF... not sure. Mine is 16-1/4 pounds with about 6 ounces of lead on the nose. If I had used the 2-1/2" DA standoffs instead of the 1-1/4" standoff, I might have been able to take 2 or 3 ounces of lead off. I never weighed a completely assembled stock Vision, but I really think it would have come in at about the same weight as mine or lighter. My WH Edge was just over 17-1/4 pounds stock. So, I would probably say that the Vision is closer to 1 pound lighter than the Edge.

Some guys are claiming they have their Visions coming in at 15-1/2 pounds, but I don't know what mods they've done, or if that's an accurate weight. Using CF gear all over on the WH Edge, I doubt you could get it much under 16-1/2 pounds? As for the snapping, I've heard two guys now say their Edge's don't snap, so maybe some do and some don't. I haven't heard a single person say that their Vision snaps though. I'm sure everyone has different taste in how they like their planes to perform, but for me, the Edge felt heavy and lethargic while the Vision feels very light and "graceful" for lack of a better term.

I will say that the 4-1/4" CG is definitely the sweet spot for the Vision, and that you should use the 2-1/2" standoffs vs 1-1/4", and I really think it needs more right thrust on the engine. A number of guys have added right thrust and like it better... I may try it on mine later. (It does want to pull left when you try to hover, which is my only real complaint.)

Just my opinions.

Tom