Mirage Reserve Packing Techniques Question

[tdog 0]

I am a novice rigger, but perhaps 50% of my packjobs are on Mirage containers, lots of G4s.

It seems I have been delivered rigs with at least one large wrinkle on flaps 4 and 5 (the side flaps). Once that wrinkle is "set", it seems impossible for me to remove on subsequent packjobs. I know it is not just me, I overheard a master rigger talking to a customer saying, "Mirages are difficult, once you get a wrinkle here, you will never get rid of it."

I have assembled two rigs new, and I have not had issues with the wrinkle. Call it good luck, as they were early in my training...

Last night I had a rig that I had to work real hard to "dress" to remove what looked like a old person's forehead across these flaps. I never got out the old wrinkle that was there when it was delivered to me.

So my questions are:

When delivered a wrinkled rig, how do you remove the wrinkle that seems "set" into the fabric?

When packing a new, or previously packed rig - any techniques or tricks to the packing to prevent these wrinkles?

[peregrinerose 0]

I asked a couple of master riggers the same question... they both told me to redesign the container and that might help

If you look at Mirage's owner's manual, and how to pack them, the last picture of their 'finished product' looks like a freaking accordian it's so wrinkled up on the side flaps.

If there's a way to get rid of them, I'd love to know. I only pack for one person that has a mirage, and I can get it looking better than most other Mirages I've seen from a wrinkle standpoint, but there's still a little bit.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[jheadley 0]

While on the subject of Mirages, does anyone have tips on how to make the "bump" in it smaller? I've used chuting star's methods and I can get them to look pretty good, but there is always more of a gap between the lower of the 2 side flaps, and the top flap than I like. Does it have anything to do with how the grommets should be stacked up?

[Samurai136 0]

Quote

I asked a couple of master riggers the same question... they both told me to redesign the container and that might help

but if they have an awesome customer service and marketing dept the container design doesn't really matter... unless it looks like crap and then it's not the design its poorly trained field riggers... right.

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[sunshine 2]

Quote

I asked a couple of master riggers the same question... they both told me to redesign the container and that might help

I love that answer.

I also struggle with the wrinkle problem on mirages, would be nice if there was a way to get rid of them.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[rushmc 23]

Quote

I am a novice rigger, but perhaps 50% of my packjobs are on Mirage containers, lots of G4s.

It seems I have been delivered rigs with at least one large wrinkle on flaps 4 and 5 (the side flaps). Once that wrinkle is "set", it seems impossible for me to remove on subsequent packjobs. I know it is not just me, I overheard a master rigger talking to a customer saying, "Mirages are difficult, once you get a wrinkle here, you will never get rid of it."

I have assembled two rigs new, and I have not had issues with the wrinkle. Call it good luck, as they were early in my training...

Last night I had a rig that I had to work real hard to "dress" to remove what looked like a old person's forehead across these flaps. I never got out the old wrinkle that was there when it was delivered to me.

So my questions are:

When delivered a wrinkled rig, how do you remove the wrinkle that seems "set" into the fabric?

When packing a new, or previously packed rig - any techniques or tricks to the packing to prevent these wrinkles?

I do not have a problem with Mirages. I like them and I own one. the trick to the Miage (for me anyway) is two fold. 1) Make the folds big, leave very little for the ears. As the manual says, Miage likes the bulk down in the bottom. 2) use the knee techique and a soft bodkin to keep as much of the material to the outside of the free bag as possible. I knot the bodkin so there is very little room between the top and the bottom of the free bag.. Also, I have found that packing the reserve to keep the bulk to a minimum is important too. Mirage packing forced me to spend more time on the tail. Getting that part extreemly neat and flat helped as much as anything. If done well, you will need to shorten the closing loop as much as as 1/2" from where it is when the bump is protruding.

this is what works fo me. I have my own and three customers who have much smaller rigs (which I hate) but I can get the reserve flap at the very least flat, and most of the time I can get it recessed some.

good luck. find the tips that work for you and make them your own

Marc

Edited to add. Shorten the closing loop in 1/8" incriments. Total shortening (for me) can be UP TO 1/2" and that is big change. If you are able to get the bulk to stay on bottom and the out side, you will not need to shorten the loop as much or at all.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[riggerrob 643]

All those tips are relevant for Mirage G3.
However, Mirage G4 reserves are thicker across the top edge, so you should put more bulk across the top.

[riggerrob 643]

We had the same problem with Talons and Reflexes. The only solution is PERFECT bulk distribution, including all the secret factory tricks, etc.

Washing helps ease some of the wrinkles.
I have never had the courage to IRON a container????

[riggerrob 643]

Yes.
The shorter the closing loop, the prettier it will look.
Just try to keep the pull force less than 22 pounds.

[rushmc 23]

Quote

All those tips are relevant for Mirage G3.
However, Mirage G4 reserves are thicker across the top edge, so you should put more bulk across the top.

Good point, I only have one G4 i work on

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[johnny1488 1]

I use the pilotchut material to build up the side flaps to give the top flap a place to sit. You also have to get the pc seated way down in there. Use the foot on the cap trick.

Johnny
--"This ain't no book club, we're all gonna die!"
Mike Rome