On Apr 26, 7:09*am, S.B. wrote:
Papa3 wrote:
S.B. wrote:
Is the LS8 much better that the LS4? *How does it
compare with the Discus 2?
Yeah, the LS8 is quite a bit better than the LS4 in two areas:
- *Go fast. *Anything above 70 it just walks away from the -4.
- *Heavy. *Handles water way better.
Having said the above... I know it may be heresy, but I actually think
the LS4 is a tiny bit better for choppy/broken thermals. I could slam
it around with rudder, haul back on the stick, and it doesn't protest
(with the CG properly set up). * Nobody EVER outclimbed me when I was
flying the LS4.

If you had to make a rushed approach into a small field
(yes, I know) which one would you rather do it in?

Not that I've ever done that... wait, actually I did that just last
week! :-) I think a slight nod to the -4. It just felt a little
more forgiving if you had to get it down and stopped using full
divebrakes and minumum safe airspeed. It just seems like the
airfoils is a tiny bit more tolerant of being mis-handled. That's a
very subjective answer, so it could be completely off base (could be
the entire system, could have just been me, who knows). FWIW, both
share the same (miserable) landing gear and brake (except I believe
the most recent DG-produced LS8). So, neither is as forgiving as the
Schleicher designs (for example) in a rough field or hard braking
situation.

My 0.02. YMMV.

P3