NEWS from http://www.paraglidingforum.com :
Author: Hannes Papesh, Factor's constructor
re. l/d: we never publish absolute data.
We're doing relative comparisons.
Factor vs. Mentor: the Factor wins in hands off glide and glide on speed.
Factor vs. RA (both S): the same: Factor better in hands off glide and glide on speed and higher max.. speed.
Factor vs. Tycoon: Factor almost the same hands off glide in calm air, but better glide in turbulent air!
In mid speed, the Tycoon is slightly better, in max. speed, both have the same performance.
The Factor is generally gaining in rough air (better compensation of turbulences)
Factor vs. actual competitor in same class: Factor is slightly better in hands off speed, at high speed, the advantage of the Factor seems to be even bigger.
Despite of this glide comparisons, we have the impression that the Factor has it's main performance advantage in climbing (so min. sink in tight curves)!
ד"ש!
ד.