On Thursday, June 8, 2017 at 9:08:32 AM UTC-4, Craig Reinholt wrote:
I have a new Softie. It is less comfortable than my previous National 425..
Regarding a ram air chute, they are designed to open softly and they take about 800' to fully open. An emergency round chute is designed to open quickly in 300'-350'. Is your momentary comfort worth that 500'?

Not true. They are equal or the square is a bit faster. Either way opening time variances between the two overlap. Besides a handle fumble or pilot chute kicking around for a second before inflating will burn far more altitude than any difference between round/square. If I was in the business of selling pilot rigs I would go to the big contests pay a young durable skydiver to jump a round, then jump a square afterwards land and open my order book. Guaranteed every pilot who saw the difference live would bust out a credit card.