kingbunky 3 #1 October 3, 2002 okay, here's the idea. i'm not an electronic guru so i don't even know if this is feasible, but here goes. what if someone came up with a small transmitter, set to a fixed frequency and mounted one on both your main canopy and on your freebag. that way, after a cutaway, a (i would think) relatively simple receiving unit could help you home in on your wayward gear. i would think that the electronics could be made small and durable enough to work, and it could be set up to turn on only after a cutaway. the batteries on the canopy could be swapped at will, and the ones on the freebag at repack time. if the price could be kept to say $10 per unit or so, would you buy a pair for your rig? any takers? or has someone already thought of this?"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tigra 0 #2 October 3, 2002 At least one person is already working on this or something similar- may even already have a patent and trade name. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #3 October 3, 2002 The transmitters could be built "fairly" cheap, but changing batteries on the freebag transmitter might be a bit of a problem. The REAL issue is the directional receiver and a really good one is going to cost a bit. This has been hashed out before and there is at least one purpose built transmitter receiver set especially for skydiving. I think the range is somewhat limited though and ONLY for the main. If I was really worried about things, I'd probably go with something designed for falconry -- like THIS.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #4 October 3, 2002 I thought they already made something that you can attach to your risers and then find it with the remote !! I could of sworn I saw something for sale oon this site that somme guy was trying to push in the forums like a year ago!! jasonFreedom of speech includes volume Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #5 October 3, 2002 Yes, there are a few products already available. They are not cheap, but certainly less expensive than losing a canopy. I have been looking at a few of the products already adapted for skydiving. A little cost prohibitive at this point, but I am also looking at some other options. When you consider the cost of a canopy - it makes sense. Not all canopies are lost, but even the down time from losing a main for a few hours of jumping, the hassle of sending out several staff members that could be doing other, more productive, things - it still makes sense. Especially for something like a tandem or busy student rig. The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 October 3, 2002 So, um, what part of this didn't you understand? Quote. . . and there is at least one purpose built transmitter receiver set especially for skydiving.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #7 October 3, 2002 That would be cool.Kinda like how they are implanting microchips on pets now. I'd buy into that. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lazerq3 0 #8 October 3, 2002 QuoteSo, um, what part of this didn't you understand? Yeah I'm running kinda slow tonight..trying to work and post at the same time..not paying attention to detail!! jasonFreedom of speech includes volume Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VisionAir 0 #9 October 3, 2002 Met a guy in Rantoul from Japan (Toraji Fukuda) showing off a canopy tracker he had designed, as well as a floating viewfinder. Very cool items but pricey. His website is www.flyers-pit.com Huh?!? What cloud?!? Oh that!!! That's just Industrial Haze Alex M. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesNahikian 0 #10 October 3, 2002 Fukuda's website definitely offers some cool accessories, assuming they work as advertised. Check it out. D. James Nahikian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #11 October 3, 2002 Quote Fukuda's website definitely offers some cool accessories, assuming they work as advertised. Check it out. They have a .3 lense that looks a whole like the Diamond .3 lense on www.generationfreefly.com, but they call it the "flyers-pitt .3 lense". Anyone know what the deal is with these lenses? Who makes them, why do no camera stores sell them? How do they manage to do what traditional lens manufacturers can't? _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pack40 0 #12 October 3, 2002 There is something similar if you do extreme skiing there is a little device that will transmit signals so if an avalanche hit you and your under the snow the rescue team can find you. I saw a program on National Geographic the device is as big as a matchbox. OVER Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #13 October 3, 2002 thanks for the input everyone, i figured it was simple enough that someone must have thought of it already. oh well, ain't gonna get rich thinkin' of stuff other people already thunk of, back to work."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #14 October 3, 2002 "Fukuda's website definitely offers some cool accessories" The floating viewfinder looks like a whole world of pain..... Big snag issues. If you take a face hit, its likely to hurt. Loss of stereoscopic vision....no depth perception. Sure its a nice idea, but affordable (a thousand bucks---yikes!!) technology isn't quite there yet. A while back I played with mounting something similar---a chopped up casio portable, but it just didn't come out right Gimme a ring sight or a spot on my goggles anyday. A pieps (avalanche thingy) transponder might work, but again, the cost benefit anlysis doesn't stack up IMHO. EG a free bag costs about 80 uks, a transponder alone (you need a reciever too) costs about 150, how many freebags do you intend to lose? Just my 2.8 (tuppence) cents worth-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #15 October 3, 2002 Quote how many freebags do you intend to lose? Just my 2.8 (tuppence) cents worth When we are talking about Tandem canopies at 3K USD or a Velocity at 2,200 USD it might make sense if you have some real farmer McNastys. But a used Sabre at 700 bucks might not warrant the effort. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #16 October 3, 2002 Point taken Chris.-------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #17 October 3, 2002 That floating viewfinder is very very cool. I actually had a look through it. When the price comes down, I'm sure it'll sell pretty well. As far as the canopy tracking system - I do remember someone trying to sell something like that. You could buy one 'finder' for the whole DZ, and then have people buy just the transmitters. That might make it a little more cost effective, but it's still pricey.it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #18 October 3, 2002 QuoteThat floating viewfinder is very very cool. I actually had a look through it. When the price comes down, I'm sure it'll sell pretty well. Yeah, I met that guy too. That thing was pretty cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
