Mirage vs. T-3

[Eric Wiggins]

Ok, I work with a T-3 on a regular basis, and I like it. It's light, and it's got plenty of power. It's also really, REALLY loud. Never used a Mirage. but from what I understand, it's a lot quieter, maybe even a little overpowered, and it's heavier. What are other pros and cons of the two burners? Which do you prefer?

[Tony Goodnow]

You've pretty much got it nailed.  There are a lot of 'upgrades' available with the T3 - but it will always be loud.  The mirage is a little quieter, but it is heavy, and the flame pattern isn't quite as tight.  The mirage also drips more - more BTUs produced in the same amount of time makes for more condensation. It also seems to need more pressure to 'kick'.  It will operate fine at 110, but there is a big difference at 150 from what I've seen... this is of course obvious, but I don't really know how to say what I mean...

I like the Fire 2 trigger on the burner on the Mirage, but there is an upgrade to add that to the T3.  It is definitely more powerful... I have switched between the 2 every 6 months or so... and when I start flying with the Mirage again I always end up with some overburns and some 'slowed' descents end up being 'going back ups'.  Just takes a bit to re-adjust to the added power.  After dark the balloon seems to glow just as good with the main Mirage burner as it does with Fire2 on the T3.  Aesthetically, it looks pretty bad a$$.  I think the main burner on the Mirage may actually even be a little quieter than Fire 2 is also, but I could be wrong there... It's a 'different' sound so kind of hard to tell.

What I prefer about the T3 - it seems to do a little better on fuel consumption, it is lighter, and the flame pattern is a little tighter which is good for windy inflations. It doesn't seem to be AS picky about pressure... and that may just be because I don't expect "Mirage performance" out of it to begin with.

[Eric Wasson]

I learned on a T3 and then switched for all of last season.

Besides what was already said there are a couple of things that I would say:

1) The flame is a lot wider.  Depending on how early the generation it can be even wider than mine.  I've toasted my skirt without thinking I was doing anything and there was even some wrinkled fabric around the mouth.  That being said with the T3 I've been in situations where I would of sworn I had burnt at least a couple of panels and nothing happened.

2) It is markedly more powerful.

3) The T3 has a quicker shut-off time.  That is to say the flame retreats more quickly when the blast valve is released.

4) Fire 2 on the mirage is almost as powerful as a T3, seems louder than the main blast valve, and can be used as an afterburner when you really need some power.

5) The sheet metal on the mirage is dinged just below the vaporizing coils on most of them.  If you look on the inside I think it's missing some internal support.

6) My mirage pours...POURS...water.  It also will collect ice on the block sometimes.

I would prefer two t3's bolted together.  Or at least a t3 with fire2 on the tree so I can hit the afterburner.

Supposedly Firefly is going to put out some sort of hybrid of the two.

Eric

[Kevin Kamp]

Don't have much first hand experience with either, but a friend of mine has the Mirage and has had a number of issues with it.