WHO JUMPS REFLEX

[propblast 0]

Would some of you mind giving me information and opinions on the reflex container. I currently jump a Talon II and am thinking about purchasing equipment some time this summer.
-e
Propblast

[nacmacfeegle 0]

Check the online gear reviews by clicking on 'Gear' above this window......
Cya
D

[pilotdave 0]

I have a reflex. It's my first rig so all I can compare it to is the javelin student gear I was using before it. The flaps all seem to stay in place nicely, good bridle and riser protection. There's really nothing in particular I don't like about mine except the colors.
Dave
http://www.skydivingmovies.com

[propblast 0]

cool,
how long did it take for you to get it?
Propblast

[PhreeZone 20]

How about having to have the rigger retighten the stupid @##$ing pop-top a few days/weeks after the repack to make it look nice? Its a good container, I just don't want to screw with packing/helping to pack/making someone else pack an exposed pop-top....
If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will....

[pilotdave 0]

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How about having to have the rigger retighten the stupid @##$ing pop-top a few days/weeks after the repack to make it look nice?

Haven't had that problem. I think my rigger originally retightened it after my first couple jumps on it, but after getting it repacked last time I never needed to get it retightened. Anyway, it looks easy enough to do yourself. I havent done it myself but it's no more than tugging on a string a few times.
Dave
http://www.skydivingmovies.com

[Scrappy 0]

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I havent done it myself but it's no more than tugging on a string a few times.

Yep, I was just shown that trick too. But the rigger who did my latest repack did such a good job I may not have to use it.
I like my Reflex a lot, personally. The only real problem I've had has been with that pop top.
Her scrappiness

[pilotdave 0]

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how long did it take for you to get it?

Bought mine used. Had it sent to fliteline to have the harness cut to my size right before they went backrupt. The company that makes the Reflex now is called Trident (formerly known as Bomber Mfg.). I actually don't know if the work on my rig was done by fliteline or bomber, but it took whoever it was something like 4 months. I assume it was sitting in storage most of that time because it was originally supposed to take a week.
Dave
http://www.skydivingmovies.com

[quade 4]

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Anyway, it looks easy enough to do yourself. I havent done it myself but it's no more than tugging on a string a few times.

There is a right way and a wrong way to tighten the pop-top.
If you do it the wrong way, you risk bending the reserve pin. Bending the reserve pin can render it useless.
Have a rigger that knows what he's doing tighten your pop-top and do NOT attempt to do so yourself unless you are qualified.
BTW, I jump a Reflex and I love it. It fits my body like a comfy pair of jeans.
quade
http://futurecam.com

[wlie 0]

Same thing I've heard - it's a royal pain in the tush to pack thanks to the pop top. I guess if you've been a rigger your whole life this would be something rigger friendly.
Hey. All I've jumped are Nothern Lights, Infinties, and Mirage so call me a snob.

[diverdriver 7]

If your rigger does it correctly then you shouldn't need to retighten the closing loop. I see this all the time. It's mostly due to the fact that the closing loop was incorrectly made so that the finger trap is laying across the grommet in the cap instead of being centered. Once it's centered and tightened it should not move at all. I was one of the first to have a Reflex at Skydive Chicago and have never had a problem with the pop top moving around. I've seen others that leaned up on one side. This is usually due to the rigger not centering the spring over the flaps before closing.
I love my Reflex. Mfg. 1997. Ridden reserve once with Catapult installed. Very easy to catch freebag in flight. HIGHLY recommend not doing this with Catapult installed. It's TWICE the drag when caught! Yikes! I caught it with my foot so it wasn't anywhere near my lines.
Don't know anything about the new company making the Reflex again. You'll have to get info from others on that.
Chris Schindler

[diverdriver 7]

Do NOT tug on that string unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing. Not directed at you Pilotdave specificly but others that may be reading this.
You can bend the pin if you do not tighten it correctly. Some people who are used to packing Racers pull long and steady on the string to tighten. This is exactly how to mess it up on a Reflex. Consult the Rig manual on how to pack the reserve or have your rigger do it. Then check to make sure the pin was not bent while doing this. Bent pin might mean hard/impossible reserve pull. Same as any rig. Just be careful.
Chris Schindler

[Jessica 0]

Here's the Web site for Bomber, who makes the Reflex now. I really do like mine. I'd get another one, especially since it has better protection on the pop top now.

[pilotdave 0]

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Do NOT tug on that string unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing.

The directions just say to jerk the string and not apply a constant force. During my last repack my rigger was getting tired so he had me try it for a while. I realize that pulling on it, as opposed to short jerks, can bend the reserve pin, but it just doesn't seem all that complicated to do it right. The manual does say that it can only be tightened by the rigger that packed it though. That seems like overkill to me. Also, tightening the pop top tightens the reserve closing loop, so the tighter it is, the harder it'll be to pull the reserve. Don't want to get it too tight, right?
Dave
http://www.skydivingmovies.com

[DENGOPHER 0]

you should check out mirage i love my G3 !!!!!!! i think it's the best free fly rig out!!!!! my 2cents!!!! good luck
just jump!!!!
gopher

[diverdriver 7]

Well, actually, tightening the pop top does not build up the pull pressure as fast as you might think. Yes, keep honking down on it and it will build pressure. But, the mechanical advatage of the reserve cable and pin overcomes a lot.
A big deal was made years ago that someone could spin the cap and it would increase the pull force to an impossible pull. If I remember correctly it was something like 35 complete revolutions when it was closed properly before you could make it a "hard" pull (greater than the 25 pounds force max required). I'm just going on memory on that. And don't care to revist the arguement.
You're right about the directions on tightening it. Just want those directions to go out to others who were reading this too. It does say only the rigger who packed it can tighten it. It's just very important that people who are not familiar with the system not go honking down on the closing loop string. Seen it done and then they bent the pin. They even wanted to keep jumping it and I through a fit. I got them convinced to have their rigger look at it and then he agreed that it had to be replaced. Ooooops.
Chris Schindler

[skygeek 0]

I jump a reflex and absolutly love it! I'll have to agree with the statement that if fits like a comfy pair of jeans. I dont even know its back there. My whole family jumps reflexs and we have not had a single problem on any of them. I would recomend it to anyone.
..all you touch and all you see,
is all your life will ever be.....
Pink Floyd

[skycat 0]

Chris is right it takes alot to make a hard pull on the Reflex. My reflex pretty rarely needs a tightening, but about a week or 2 before the last pack job it was looking a little loose so Derek tightened it for me. Well that next weekend when we went to repack it, we decided to use a spring scale to measure the pull force, (I was worried that it might have been a hard pull), so he made sure the pop top was still snug and with the spring scale we popped it. Pull force was 14.5 lbs, my mirage is around 20 lbs, so unless you really crank down and bend the pin (which btw is supposedly easier to bend than other pins(not possitive just what I've heard from several riggers)) tightening the pop top should not create a hard pull.