tdog 0 #1 July 8, 2006 I was walking down the mall and out of the corner of my eye in the Oakley store I saw an employee wearing the vests attached to this post... If only Bill Booth would have known that he would invent the 3-ring technology all skydivers use these days - but also a fashion statement for upper class trendy Oakley wearers.... Too bad Oakley had their rings custom made and stamped with the Oakley logo - otherwise the cash into the skydiving gear manufacturing economy would have helped manufactures who inspired the fashion statement... What other skydiving technology will end up in fashion? Has anyone else seen other technology showing up at the mall??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Armour666 0 #2 July 8, 2006 seen that on ther back packs too.SO this one time at band camp..... "Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #3 July 8, 2006 I think motorcycle body armor already made it into "fashion" awhile back as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #4 July 8, 2006 Oakley was started by skydivers and I think still owned by a skydiver. A world champion in fact.My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 July 8, 2006 QuoteOakley was started by skydivers and I think still owned by a skydiver. A world champion in fact. *** Yup....a RICH world champion skydiver! A couple years ago on an episode of "Cops" the Fuzz busted a bunch of 'Bad Boys' that were making fake Oakley sunglasses in some warehouse in L.A. The last scene of the show was some of the Cops doing a free Tandem at a popular So. Cal DZ......courtesy of the Oakley management! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #6 July 8, 2006 QuoteOakley was started by skydivers and I think still owned by a skydiver. A world champion in fact. Not saying you are wrong or anything... But using the power of Google I found Jim Jannard stated Oakley in 1975 making grips for dirt bikes, with $300... He named the company after his dog (a guy I have to respect then)... When he realized his brand identity sucked because the riders were covering the grips with their hands while on TV, he decided to make goggles for them to wear because he could but his name on the strap which would be seen as it wraps around the helmet... Next came the glasses, because he was not happy with the goggles market share.... Now the NYSE symbol for the now publicly traded Oakley is OO... I searched google for "Jim Jannard skydive" and got 2 hits... (6 if you count the five from the same site) - and none of these hits link the founder to our sport... Knowing the great marketing power of Oakley, I don't doubt they could keep Jim Jannard's skydiving past an uber secret if they wanted to - but - that is impressive if they did... Don't you think at least one college kid profile or news journal about Oakley would mention the word skydive if he was a skydiver??? Anyway - anyone know Jim? Perhaps some people at Oakley on the top management skydive??? Editorial note: Knowing the marketing power of Oakley, if there was skydivers on the board of directors, don't you think they would have squashed Gatorz, which seem to be worn by at least 25% of every skydiving load, and found a way to get marketshare in our sport??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #7 July 8, 2006 I recall Billy Richards (Ranch's owner) talking about a dream team dive with the guy who owned Oakley. I heard about this many years ago.We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #8 July 8, 2006 Quote Knowing the marketing power of Oakley, if there was skydivers on the board of directors, don't you think they would have squashed Gatorz, which seem to be worn by at least 25% of every skydiving load, and found a way to get marketshare in our sport Spark is part right!!! Not owned but a few old time skydivers work there. A few years back Oakley did some marketing with skydivers, and got really burned by them. From what I heard they lost a lot of product and swore never to work with jumpers again. Just the story I heardDom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #9 July 8, 2006 Quote A few years back Oakley did some marketing with skydivers, and got really burned by them. From what I heard they lost a lot of product and swore never to work with jumpers again. Just the story I heard I think they still sponsor the Red Devels. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HydroGuy 0 #10 July 8, 2006 Whether or not Oakley skydives, those vests are ugly as hell. They look like tactical operator vests, minus armor plating and mag pouches. And who the hell wears a tac op vest to the mall?Get in - Get off - Get away....repeat as neccessary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 0 #11 July 9, 2006 QuoteAnd who the hell wears a tac op vest to the mall? Why would this shock you, they accessorize with live animals.Fly it like you stole it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #12 July 9, 2006 My mistake, not the owner but there when it started. Google Michael Parnell and Oakley. He was on Visions/Coors. Al Kruger of the same team is a VP with Oakley. "When he took Oakley public in 1995, Jannard and his chief lieutenant Michael Parnell took out $154 million in cash...and they still held 72% of the company's stock."My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #13 July 9, 2006 Cool info... Too bad it appears, from previous posts, that the skydving - Oakley relationship was busted... Or maybe we are just too small of a market for them... Still - I gave away my two pairs of Oakleys when I tried on my Gatorz for the first time... They might be "trendy" in a too many people have them sort of way in our sport - but they are so much more comfortable (for me) and have gone thru 10 times the abuse and still look brand new... I got them when my Oakleys broke on jump run... Off topic I guess - but still... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beezyshaw 0 #14 July 9, 2006 Not sure if there's still any affiliation with Oakley, but Neil Houston (Airspeed) was a designer/engineer with the company. I think I remember Neil brought Oakley from the hand-molded clay frame days into the cad-cam design era. I know when Neil first became a full time 4 way skydiver he was able to work out of Eloy and submit work to Oakley via telecommuting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packerboy 3 #15 July 9, 2006 I see more people wearing CurvZ motorcycle sunglasses than Gatorz up here. Probably because we don't have a heck of alot of places to buy the small stuff and don't want to pay S/H and customs for a pair of glasses. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob.dino 1 #16 July 9, 2006 I prefer the frames on the Gatorz, but I think the lenses on my Oakleys were better... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eule 0 #17 July 10, 2006 QuoteFrom what I heard they lost a lot of product and swore never to work with jumpers again. (emphasis added) I know you mean that in terms of a swindle where they didn't get paid for the product, but it sounds like it could have gone like this... Rep: Hey, you guys wanna try out these new goggles we're coming out with? Jumpers: Sure! Rep: Here ya go... (passes out goggles) Jumpers: Hey, those look nice... they fit pretty well... Are you sure the strap doesn't get any tighter? Rep: No, that's the way it's designed. Jumpers: OK, we'll take 'em up on the next jump. Rep: Great! (next jump happens, jumpers land) Rep: So, how did it go...hey... none of you are wearing them! Jumpers: We had them on when we exited... we _told_ you they needed tighter straps! EulePLF does not stand for Please Land on Face. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #18 July 10, 2006 QuoteI prefer the frames on the Gatorz, but I think the lenses on my Oakleys were better... I debated over buying either Oakleys or Gatorz a year ago. Decided to go for the Oakleys primarily because they made their own prescription lenses and kept the warranty. Gatorz, although very nice, voided their warranty when you put prescription lenses in them. Here's the thread from back then, along with the debate over both their quality and popularity: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1697336;search_string=Gatorz%20Oakley%20ltdiver;#1697336 ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites packerboy 3 #19 July 10, 2006 How do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Freeflying? The CurvZ glasses have foam around the lenses to form a seal with your face. I would love to try the Gatorz, but I would hate to spend that kind of money to find that I can't handle the wind in freefall. Some people can and do wear normal cheap sunglasses in freefall, but I can't. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hambone 0 #20 July 10, 2006 I love my raybans, but I only wear them on hop n pops and stuff where i am not wearing a helmet. But they are the best sunglasses i have owned. But i admit i want a pair of Gatorz and will probably get them next.Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tdog 0 #21 July 10, 2006 QuoteHow do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Freeflying? The CurvZ glasses have foam around the lenses to form a seal with your face. I would love to try the Gatorz, but I would hate to spend that kind of money to find that I can't handle the wind in freefall. Some people can and do wear normal cheap sunglasses in freefall, but I can't. I was worried myself - because I remember my goggles letting in enough air to make me somewhat blind... Now I jump with my Gatorz all the time and am very happy... If I jump my FF2 cam helmet - it is with gatorz. I think I might get some clear lens ones too for AFF jumps, because eye contact is nice... But I bet it has a lot to do with face sizes - so can you borrow a pair from a friend to try? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites packerboy 3 #22 July 11, 2006 Haven't seen them on anyone up here in Canada.. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ltdiver 3 #23 July 11, 2006 QuoteHow do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Actually, I only use sunglasses -under- my full face helmet (prescription lenses, remember). When I go with my open face helmet I have prescription goggles. The G101 from SportRx. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
ltdiver 3 #18 July 10, 2006 QuoteI prefer the frames on the Gatorz, but I think the lenses on my Oakleys were better... I debated over buying either Oakleys or Gatorz a year ago. Decided to go for the Oakleys primarily because they made their own prescription lenses and kept the warranty. Gatorz, although very nice, voided their warranty when you put prescription lenses in them. Here's the thread from back then, along with the debate over both their quality and popularity: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1697336;search_string=Gatorz%20Oakley%20ltdiver;#1697336 ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packerboy 3 #19 July 10, 2006 How do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Freeflying? The CurvZ glasses have foam around the lenses to form a seal with your face. I would love to try the Gatorz, but I would hate to spend that kind of money to find that I can't handle the wind in freefall. Some people can and do wear normal cheap sunglasses in freefall, but I can't. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hambone 0 #20 July 10, 2006 I love my raybans, but I only wear them on hop n pops and stuff where i am not wearing a helmet. But they are the best sunglasses i have owned. But i admit i want a pair of Gatorz and will probably get them next.Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdog 0 #21 July 10, 2006 QuoteHow do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Freeflying? The CurvZ glasses have foam around the lenses to form a seal with your face. I would love to try the Gatorz, but I would hate to spend that kind of money to find that I can't handle the wind in freefall. Some people can and do wear normal cheap sunglasses in freefall, but I can't. I was worried myself - because I remember my goggles letting in enough air to make me somewhat blind... Now I jump with my Gatorz all the time and am very happy... If I jump my FF2 cam helmet - it is with gatorz. I think I might get some clear lens ones too for AFF jumps, because eye contact is nice... But I bet it has a lot to do with face sizes - so can you borrow a pair from a friend to try? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packerboy 3 #22 July 11, 2006 Haven't seen them on anyone up here in Canada.. -------------------------------------------------- In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ~ Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #23 July 11, 2006 QuoteHow do the Gatorz keep the wind out of your eyes in freefall? Actually, I only use sunglasses -under- my full face helmet (prescription lenses, remember). When I go with my open face helmet I have prescription goggles. The G101 from SportRx. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
