Hi, I have an HP-16 in which I installed a BRS 1050hd. I can comment
on a few of the earlier comments:

1. ...substantial weight penalty. I didn't think so. Weighs 24 pounds
or so, total, including installation. Backpack parachute runs at least
12-14 pounds, so really, I don't see 10 pounds as a significant issue.

2...speed issues: The 1050 is rated to deploy at 172 mph. While my
HP-16 can go faster (assuming I am willing to sacrifice the wings),
given that BRS claims (quietly) at least a 150% safety margin, I ought
to be ok. Further the parachute is rated for 1050 pounds, and my
glider and I barely make 750. All the more margin.

3...when I use it, the glider is written off. You bet. If I need to
pull the handle, I will be in a situation wherein I would have chosen
to leave the airplane...which would write off the airplane for sure.

4. Why not just bail out? Well, basically, looking at the data, few
folks live who step out of their glider at less than around 1000 feet.
Mine would be particularly hard for ME to get out of, so that margin
might be cutting it close. Pull the handle, and I ought to have a
canopy at around 200 feet, assuming any non-downward velocity at all.
Seems safer to me.

The only real issue is the landing. The Cirri have their landing gear
to absorb the shock. Clearly a glider has less structure under it. I
have the system rigged to lower me fairly significantly nose down, and
I intend to lower the landing gear once under canopy. One hopes that
the rotation of the glider from the nose to the main gear will absorb
sufficient energy to protect my back. I suspect I would be better off,
however, with a canopy, than I would have been without in any
circumstance under which I would deploy the canopy.

I've included my email, feel free to correspond. If you write me, you
will have to go to the spamarrest website to get to me. It's easy, and
you'll get an email response telling you what to do. Great anti-spam
protection.

Jim