Hydra inversion clarification:

Yeah, I deleted that part.

After looking at pictures thoroughly and examining them...I've come to the following conclusion:

I don't know!

I can see how some see it as an overbanked turn, others as a loop...I guess with the way the loop/turn enters and exits, it makes somewhat of a "looping" figure, and goes nearly upside down...so I'd call it an inversion...at least in direction, plus the near-upsidedowndedness...inversionistic to me.

"Inversionistic." I like that. :)

I think its one hell of a layout, "inversion" or not, and it seems to me like this will give the most "fighter pilot like" ride out of any coaster out there...just judging from the unique approach of the inversions.

"inclined dive loop" sounds like a perfect description to M(5cent)HO.
It's really on the fringe between an overbanked turn and a dive loop, but it's clearly leaning (or inclined) toward the dive loop/inversion side.

Looking at the track of that thing and the cobra roll makes me think again and again that this is going to be a banger - some of the track is looking a little oddly uneven.

Will Hydra be one of the few B&M headbangers...?
*** Edited 12/30/2004 2:41:50 PM UTC by superman***

Doubtful, in my opinion. To me, it looks as if the cobra roll will be less likely to bang heads than any other. The transitions near the two highest points (the first moreso than the second) are where you usually find that 'snap' that tends to jerk your upper body, and these transitions on Hydra look much more gradual...less severe...'overengineered'...smoother...whatever you like.

I agree with Vater...looks like they've designed that pesky snap right out of the ride...thank god!

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Lord Gonchar said in this thread on October 15. 2004:

I imagine the Cobra Roll would be very smooth when compared to the 'traditional' design we're used to.

On the older style the transition from the half loop to the corkscrew-style piece was pretty sharp - kind of like a 90 degree change of direction. Not that it is rough at all, but the change of direction is pretty major.

The titled half loop section seems to me to lend itself more to creating less of that abrupt change of direction. It becomes a much smoother, almost continuous rolling motion.

I bet we hear rave reviews over how silky smooth that Cobra Roll design is and more than likely never see the "old" style done again.

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So I guess I agreed with these guys a couple months ago. ;)

It's almost like the first inversionistic thingy was designed specifically to confuse coaster enthusiasts.

I agree about the outdesigned snap - but don't the rails sometimes look like they've been hand-bent with a forceps?
Maybe it's not going to be rough anyway.
I know EGF has some of these "tricktracky" motions as well and I think they make the ride all the more exciting and fun. *** Edited 12/30/2004 4:08:39 PM UTC by superman***

How did I know this topic would arise? Hummm

superman said, of Hydra:

"...don't the rails sometimes look like they've been hand-bent with a forceps?"

You wanna see "handbent with foreceps"? Check out this baby from Arrow. YIKES!

mOOSH

Yeah, moosh, but even when I saw that on RRC, I still think that arrow looks interestingly fun...