justchrisdsp 0 #1 September 29, 2004 i just got a new vector 3, it comes with their skyhook rsl, ive always been kind of skeptical about using rsl's becuase i dont always want that other chute coming out immediately, my question is do yall think it is work it to keep the rsl in or should i go back to my reservations and take it out The only bad skydive is your last! chris The only bad skydive is your last! chris "sonic wookie" harwell Piedra-belluda-roja Rodriguez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #2 September 29, 2004 The Vector 3 does not come stock with the Skyhook RSL. It's a $185 option. As for the use of RSLs, that's been debated way too many times on line to comment on.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 September 29, 2004 The skyhook has been discussed at length before, please do a search to find all the opinions. Oh, look at it this way, my next rig will be a Vector3 Micron with a Skyhook. That's how much I believe in the system. Then again, I've done a skyhook cutaway on a tert rig before and was VERY impressed.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropzonefool 0 #4 September 29, 2004 It will get your reserve out before you can get into really bad body position after a cutaway, and it can help save you from a low cutaway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropzonefool 0 #5 September 29, 2004 Can you dissconect a skyhook like the older RSL's? I mean do they have that little tag like clasp you can pull to dissconect? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #6 September 29, 2004 It will get your reserve out more quickly during a cutaway. This is usually a good thing. It is disconnectable. It is complex and can be assembled incorrectly, possibly causing problems. It currently requires the use of a Collins lanyard, which is a device that causes the non-RSL riser to release if the RSL riser breaks. This is additional complexity. It is fairly new, which can be good or bad depending on your point of view. It means less real-world experience with the feature, but it also means having the new safety thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropzonefool 0 #7 September 29, 2004 So,...is it the only way to disconnect the skyhook is to open the reserve contianer and remove the Collins lanyard? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattjw916 2 #8 September 29, 2004 http://www.relativeworkshop.com/pdt_skyhook.html enjoy...NSCR-2376, SCR-15080 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #9 September 29, 2004 > So,...is it the only way to disconnect the skyhook is to open the >reserve contianer and remove the Collins lanyard? The collins lanyard and the skyhook are two different functions, although they are currently integrated into one device. The skyhook can be disabled by disconnecting the RSL. This turns the rig into a rig with a "normal" reserve system. If the skyhook system is assembled correctly, there will then be no interaction between a departing riser and the reserve or cutaway system. In its current version, disconnecting the RSL also disables the collins function. For more info see here: http://www.relativeworkshop.com/pdt_skyhook.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrHixxx 0 #10 September 30, 2004 QuoteIt currently requires the use of a Collins lanyard, which is a device that causes the non-RSL riser to release if the RSL riser breaks. This is additional complexity. It is worth noting that this is also an added safety feature. If the rsl side riser breaks and releases the reserve with the other still connected on a conventional RSL, it could be a bad day for you. As for complexity, the difference with the Collins/rsl is thel cutaway cable for the non rsl side feeds through a loop in the lanyard. If the lanyard goes it pulls the opposite side cutaway cable out with it. Pretty nifty... Hixxxdeath,as men call him, ends what they call men -but beauty is more now than dying’s when Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pablito 0 #11 September 30, 2004 If you have any other questions regarding the Skyhook RSL system please contact the manufacturer. they are there to assist you with this type of questions. For the Skyhook system to work you need to get you RSL connected. IF you disconnet you RSL then you will have to pull your reserve handle to deploy your reserve and the Skyhook won't activate. Cielos Azules "If you don't overcome your fears they will overcome you first" Shady Monkey/6Segundos Rodriguez/AKA Pablito Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #12 September 30, 2004 I've photographed a couple Skyhook reserve deployments. On one it worked amazingly, on one it was not properly assembled and it worked as a normal RSL. When it works, it's astoundingly fast. In the attached photo, you'll see that the reserve is coming out faster than the reserve pilot chute. -That's Aviatrr demoing the tertiary rig at Eloy last year. Egon is great about letting folks demo his gear. In the hookitt-chop photo, you'll see a "regular" RSL deployment cause the Skyhook was not properly sewn in. Egon's rig again, but at last year's Byron Boogie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #13 September 30, 2004 QuoteIt currently requires the use of a Collins lanyard, which is a device that causes the non-RSL riser to release if the RSL riser breaks. This is additional complexity. I know that I am a Super newbie but I think that this function is great. A non rsl riser hanging on after the rls riser has done it's job and opened the reserve has been my only hang up that I have found with the rsl system of thougt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #14 September 30, 2004 Great pictures Deuce! Just confirms what Troy Loney said during the 1993 PIA Symposium: "When deploying a reserve after a cutaway, sooner is better." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #15 September 30, 2004 The Skyhook has been in use for just about two years now, so it's not exactly "new" anymore. I imagine that if anything bad had happened with a Skyhook, I'd have heard about it. So far, so good. Nothing but positive reports...most of them extremely positive. However, as I've said many times before...I've never designed anything that someone hasn't found a way to screw up sooner or later. Hopefully, as has been the case with the hand deployed pilot chute, the 3-ring release, the Sigma Tandem System, and the Collins Lanyard, the benefits of the Skyhook far outweigh any risks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #16 October 1, 2004 Bill, Just curious....approximately how many Skyhook activations have been reported to you?-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites