New Containers!!

[littlclimb 0]

Our new Mirage containers arrived this afternoon. They look great! Unfortunately John will get to jump his before I get to jump mine....someone forgot the hip-rings and mixed up Twiggy's leg measurements with mine. Oh well, I hear that patience is a virtue and maybe by the time it gets back the temperature will be back up to something tolerable....11 degrees here in Texas....Brrrrr!
I haven't decided if I like the other mix up on my rig or not. Mirage put a soft reserve handle on my container. It looks great but I really had never gave the choice much thought and went with the metal mainly because that is what I was used to..and have used. Any Opinions on whether I should keep it or have Mirage put the metal handle on? I'd like to hear a few Pros and Cons.
By the way the workmanship on the containers is awesome and they look so small compared to our old containers :-)
:-)
Susan

[cyberskydive 0]

geez-lol- SOMEBODY's got $$- I think its all up to you. Would you feel comfortable using a pillow handle as a reserve handle in a emergency?
It prolly wont get snagged, but just the same you wont be able to get a thumb in it.
I've also seen folks switch to different risers on mirages because the release loop on the main risers of the mirage were too short, causing a hard cutaway, has nothing to do with the reserve handle exept after that you'll have to go for either the pillow or the handle.
I'm not up on any new changes that may or may not have been done to the main riser relese loop setup, so ask your rigger for advice on that. If i were in your situation, those are some of the concerns I would take to my rigger tho.
http://www.cyberskydive.com/

[PalmettoTiger 1]

Rehash from the gear forum:
Soft pillow pro:
- much less likely to be snagged by something or someone, for example taking grips freeflying, or getting a student in the door, and giving you a reserve ride when you least expect it. You could end up deploying your reserve in the plane, or freeflying at high (read: painful, bone-breaking) speeds, or with someone above you to get tangled in your reserve.
Soft pillow con:
- you can't get as strong a grip on it as a metal loop - when the shit hits the fan you may need all the traction you can get
- the motion to activate your reserve is slightly different (I've only heard this, never actually understood it... is it peel and punch rather than just punch?)
- it could get folded inaccessibly underneath your main lift web, though some soft handles now have metal inserts to prevent this

[freeflir29 0]

I'll get a soft handle whenever I break down and get a new container. I think the chances of an accidental deployment are far greater than me not getting ahold of it during an emergency.
"I got some beers....Let's Drink em!!!"
Clay

[nws01 0]

I just got a G3 three weeks ago with soft handles. Had my first cut away on my fifth jump. (Packing Error). I had no problems with the cutaway or the reserve pull. I say pull because I just yanked the hell out of it and a few brief seconds later...aahhhh. Nice red canopy above me flying gracefully.
I do not know the cons but at least know one PRO!!!
Nathan
"The one who always owes beer for some reason".

[Unisyn 0]

"I've also seen folks switch to different risers on mirages because the release loop on the main risers of the mirage were too short, causing a hard cutaway, has nothing to do with the reserve handle exept after that you'll have to go for either the pillow or the handle"
Where did you get THAT information. YOU couldn't be farther from the truth. The Mirage riser loop is well within the 3 Rings incorportate (The 3 ring release designer) specifications.
If you would like to get more information about Mirage Systems equipment contact. tech@miragesys.com

[SniperCJ 0]

Whooo hoooo!! New Mirages!
And mine is WAY Cooler than Susan's! Ok, ok, hers is quite pretty too...
(...but mine is cooler...)
Yee haw, now if it'll just get warn enough to jump em!
CJ

[littlclimb 0]

Called Mirage today about my hip rings. Dan was great and I should have the container back very soon. I'll have to wait a bit, but at least it won't drive me crazy to have it sitting here ready to go while its raining, sleeting, snowing etc. John might be jumping off the roof or down the stairs if this weather lasts too long....and mine is cooler ;-)
Susan

[Aviatrr 0]

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someone forgot the hip-rings and mixed up Twiggy's leg measurements with mine.

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I haven't decided if I like the other mix up on my rig or not. Mirage put a soft reserve handle on my container.

Sounds to me like they didn't mix up some of the things on your rig.....sounds like they sent you somebody elses rig.. There are way too many discrepancies there..

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Any Opinions on whether I should keep it or have Mirage put the metal handle on? I'd like to hear a few Pros and Cons.

I'd say stick with the soft handle.....much better, IMHO.. Pros - reduced chance of snagging it on something/having an unintentional reserve deployment.. Cons - slightly harder to grip(most people that refuse to jump with one say that the pull will be too hard with a soft handle - but they don't stop to think that they have a soft handle on their cutaway, and a hard cutaway is much more likely than a hard reserve pull), pillow can get tucked under main lift web(check it after donning rig and before exit - at least - and it won't be a problem if your harness is properly sized).. I feel that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.. I have soft reserve handles on both of my rigs......and I KNOW from experience that they are not hard to pull when you need 'em..
Mike

[cyberskydive 0]

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Where did you get THAT information. YOU couldn't be farther from the truth. The Mirage riser loop is well within the 3 Rings incorportate (The 3 ring release designer) specifications.

Like I said I'm no expert, but this information came to me from a respected fellow jumper / rigger. A friend of ours had a hard cutaway at the san carlos boogie in mexico last year, when they inspected the risers they found the loop too short, may have been older model risers or something, or maybe just a mistake, I dunno, but they did replace the risers with RW risers because of this. I guarantee you if it was done, he did it for a reason, whatever that reason may be.
Like I said, I'm not a rigger, and I'm not dissing anyones gear. I dont think this is an isolated incident, but I could be wrong.
Your right, technical question anyone may have should be directed to the manufacturer, AND your rigger.
http://www.cyberskydive.com/