AEsco48 0 #1 July 18, 2006 From just looking around at a couple of sites i am really liking the Aerodyne stuff...and then today i saw the Mirage site with their 31 slides of all their features....its quite possible that Aerodyne has all the features but they dont display them....really a shame.... Just browsing...wont be buying a rig for some time (doing ground school this friday)...just curious... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #2 July 18, 2006 What's on the manufacturers' web sites only reflects what they want you to know about their product. How they choose to "spin" the information about their product is just that, "spin." As with anything that's being sold, you can present it a lot of different ways to create a different impression. As you start to think about gear, you may want to start with the articles on this site (located here: http://www.dropzone.com/safety/Gear_and_Equipment/index.shtml). Also, have discussions with your instructors and a trusted rigger and/or dealer as you really start to think about specific decisions. They can all help you cut through marketing hype and focus on the features that are important given your skill and experience level."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #3 July 18, 2006 Most of the top rigs out there will serve you equally well. Vector 3, Mirage, Javelin, Icon, etc As far as innovation, RWS has innovated some of the most significant features in modern skydiving gear, but all of the top manufacturers out there have incorporated them into their own gear with the possible exception of the Skyhook RSL which I dont think has yet been licensed for other manufacturers and at least right now can only be found on the Vector 3. I expect it will be licensed for other manufacturers to use soon if not already...__ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 July 18, 2006 QuoteI expect it will be licensed for other manufacturers to use soon if not already... So sayeth the man himself. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #5 July 18, 2006 Most cutting edge. I'm going to have to go with Vector3. Go to www.relativeworkshop.com and watch the clip on the skyhook. Bill Booth also designed that little gadget called the three ring release system. You are in a great place at a great time in skydiving. There are many, many great systems on the market. So take this time and browse all the sites to see what appeals to you. You can PM me or any manufacturer on here to answer specific questions. Disclaimer: I am a gear dealer. It's a true pleasure to be able to offer so many great choices in skydiving equipment. If you are the engineering type, call or e-mail Kelly F from Velocity Sports. You can actually PM Bill Booth from Relative Workshop. Ankie from Wings (Sunrise Manufacturing) reads these forums. The list goes on, and on. Happy researching, and welcome to the sport! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #6 July 18, 2006 QuoteMost cutting edge. I'm going to have to go with Vector3. Go to http://www.relativeworkshop.com and watch the clip on the skyhook. Bill Booth also designed that little gadget called the three ring release system. My choice for my first new gear was based almost entirely on the fact that the only rig available with a Skyhook right now is the Vector. Not because I felt that I had to have the Skyhook but more that it would be nice to have if it was needed..... why get anything else? I've had a Skyhook deployed reserve and I was really stunned at how fast I had a reserve open. Awesome thing.Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AEsco48 0 #7 July 18, 2006 Thanx, yes im the engineering type...mechanical engineer to be exact...but i still have a year and a half till i finish my BS Know any good sites with white papers on skydiving? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
980 0 #8 July 18, 2006 Quote why get anything else? so you can have a small main canopy and a reasonably sized reserve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #9 July 18, 2006 Quoteso you can have a small main canopy and a reasonably sized reserve You can't get what you want with a Micron?Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #10 July 18, 2006 Quote why get anything else? Because you don't want to be a beta tester Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karlm 0 #11 July 18, 2006 Andres, So far it seems like most if not all the posts have covered the basics for gear. If you chat to most of your Inst at your DZ and also keep a keen eye out for what's been jumped at your DZ, also helps make a educated choice in gear. YES I work for a gear manufacturer. But there are a wide variety of good products out there. PM me if you would like to know more about the Aerodyne product range. Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #12 July 18, 2006 QuoteBecause you don't want to be a beta tester How long does a product have to be in use before you consider it okay? I think 2-3 years is plenty of time. The Skyhook "beta" started in 1981. Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #13 July 18, 2006 QuoteQuoteso you can have a small main canopy and a reasonably sized reserve You can't get what you want with a Micron? apparently not the range you can with say, the wings. I doubt I'd ever have a small enough main to care myself, but I'd be quite happy to never replace the smart 220 I have, even if I downsize past the 190 size that would fit. I want a reserve that gives me a chance even if I'm incapacitated. Lots of people presume they'll be in control. To the original poster - after using rental gear for a spell, you might prioritize comfort over 'cutting edge.' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
980 0 #14 July 19, 2006 The smallest Katana I can jump and be within the recommended Max exit weight is a 97. I have jumped this canopy and would not hesitate to get one next time I buy gear. I am 1 lb over the recommended max exit weight for an 84 Velo, but well within the max for a 90 Velo and would also happily jump either of those canopies if I had a dedicated swoop rig. Now, according to the RWS sizing chart on their website, using the same pack volume for a Stilleto and Katana and some interpolation where specific canopy sizes are missing: the smallest non-crossbraced main I can fit in any of the Microns or V3s that takes a 126R is a 107 Katana the smallest crossbraced main I can fit in any of the Microns or V3s that take a 126R is a 103 Velocity the smallest non-crossbraced main I can fit in any of the Microns or V3s that takes a 143R is a 120 Katana the smallest crossbraced main I can fit in any of the Microns or V3s that take a 143R is a 111 Velocity inversely, the biggest reserve I can have with a container that fits a 97 Katana is a PD113R and that is smaller than I would like. See my point now? RWS do not cater for a large difference in the sizes of reserves and mains. I know this is due to their thoughts on a 2 canopies out situation. There are many skydivers who believe the additional risk during a 2 out is not enough of a factor to commit to reserve that is smaller than you would like, partly due to how avoidable a 2 out is with good gear knowledge and maintenance. Add a cypres into the mix and consider the (admittedly very unlikely) case of being unconscious in freefall, having a cypres fire and still remain unconscious during reserve flight and landing. You will most likely be landing downwind with the brakes stowed, no flare and very likely into some kind of obstacle. Now what size reserve do you want??? A very damn BIG one. Now unless you want to fly a very damn BIG main (which is boring as all hell on skydives once you have a few jumps), you are SOL trying to get a container from RWS to cater to your choices. Now, I think the V3 and Micron are great sport rigs. The integrated Collins lanyard on their RSL is a brilliant and desirable safety feature. The Skyhook is also a brilliant and desirable safety feature (even though nothing can live up to the exaggerated claims made by some people about the Skyhook). But I will not jump a smaller reserve than I consider safe for me just to have a RWS container that fits my main of choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3331 137 #15 July 19, 2006 Check out The Jump Shack in Deland Florida They make the Racer, it's all the cutting edge you'll need. Be sure and read this How To Select A Parachute Container SystemI Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #16 July 19, 2006 Until the 2k3, what was the last major change or improvement to the Racer?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #17 July 19, 2006 I'm an engineer too. And there is something to be said for tried, tested and true. Especially when you are new to the sport, with limited rigging knowledge, telling appart gimmick, new feature, and real advancement is not that easy.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #18 July 19, 2006 speed bag?Na' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #19 July 19, 2006 QuoteCheck out The Jump Shack in Deland Florida They make the Racer, ... That's your only answer to all rig questions. At least you're consistent. I disagree though. There are lots of good rigs. Some I like, some I don't. I personally choose the Infinity.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
labrys 0 #20 July 19, 2006 That's a great reply. Thanks for explaining so clearly.Owned by Remi #? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3331 137 #21 July 19, 2006 QuoteUntil the 2k3, what was the last major change or improvement to the Racer? The Power Racer--very small, the Elite Racer. Narrow on the shoulder riser covers--very comfortable for women. The Racer Tandem--proven lighter then all the rest. The Racer Trainer just for students. A pull out / throw out handle design for the mature Skydiver with arthritis pain. That's just what I know about. Then there's the main and reserve canopy's manufactured by Jump Shack--one stop shopping for all your needs.I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #22 July 20, 2006 QuoteFrom just looking around at a couple of sites i am really liking the Aerodyne stuff...and then today i saw the Mirage site with their 31 slides of all their features....its quite possible that Aerodyne has all the features but they dont display them....really a shame.... Just browsing...wont be buying a rig for some time (doing ground school this friday)...just curious... when it comes to a container and reserve, I'll take tried n true before cutting edge. Main canopy is another story... rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3331 137 #23 July 21, 2006 QuoteUntil the 2k3, what was the last major change or improvement to the Racer? Since you asked about the Racer I did some research? Teflon cutaway cables: maintenance-free (who really remembers to oil their yellow Lolon cables once a month?) Extendable, non-compressible cutaway housings to resist compression (and the loop being pulled up into the housing), during a difficult cutaway (caused by un-oiled cables or out-of-tolerance 3-rings or spinning malfunctions that result in excessive loop load as the rings themselves twist and side-load) Speed bag to prevent line dump and parachute failures Ergonomically shaped ripcord handle, which reduces the force necessary to pull The most protected ripcord pins in the world (they're against your back). The fastest reserve deployment WITH or WITHOUT rsl. The Skyhook is only as fast as the Racer has always been. The Racer produces 2 second reserve deployments even at low speed without an rsl. Remember, rsl's are not appropriate for everyone (i.e. camera jumpers, CRW jumpers, users of high performance canopies that will send you tumbling and spinning from a cutaway). The Racer pilot chute has the most drag of any reserve parachute in the industry (tested in NASA wind tunnel). Furthermore, the Racer's 3" wide free bag bridle is probably the only bridle with enough drag to actually extract a bag from it's container. Other’s use 2 " bridles. Still haven't figured out why they haven't made that improvement. The Racer's harness is stronger yet lighter because Jump Shack uses better material, (Type 13 for the MLW is 7000 lb tensile strength vs. Type 7 which is 6000 lb tensile strength; Type 13 is slightly thicker and makes all the difference in preventing slippage of webbing in the hardware. Fewer Reserve flaps open wider and more freely after the reserve ripcord is pulled, resulting in quicker bag extraction from container. And who brought line stows to the center of the bag! Jump Shack again.I Jumped with the guys who invented Skydiving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
