Reflex Rigs Freefly Friendly?

[jfields 0]

After you have stopped laughing at the thought of me trying to freefly, please contemplate the question. I bought my Reflex second-hand, and I've loved it so far. All I have done is belly flying and some unintentional freeflying when I got unstable. At some point, I'd like to try some basic sitflying or such. I'm looking for opinions on whether or not my gear is up for it.
My gear is:
Reflex container (1999 DOM w/grommet check performed)
Sabre 190
Dash-M reserve (new enough to have double bar tacks)
The flaps and tabs on my container are all in good condition.
Thanks!
Justin

[councilman24 37]

I don't thinks there's much problem. My reflex had the shorter shark fin main tuck tab and replaced it with the longer version. If you still have the short version contact the current manufacturer for an upgrade. Should be able to have them send you the part and have it installed locally. Your reserve pin obviously isn't an issue and I've found the cordura BOC pouch more secure than spandex ones. You might want to have the leg strap postitioning bungee added between your leg straps. When sit flying the leg straps of my ringed Reflex tend to move down my thighs enough that I'm usually trying to get them back where I want them for opening. Make sure your rigger has your cap down tight. They can loosen during the cycle do have them tighten it if needed.

[ramon 0]

I think it might actually be very good for a cheap rig. Don't let anyone convicne you you need to buy a mirage or a vector to freefly (I have a vector III also). That rig is fine till you want to downsize or get a new container.
My main flap never came open. I have video of one riser cover open in flight and it was open when I was in the plane..no one noticed till we saw video).
You have a totally concealed bridle.
Just make sure your pop top is tight (basically if you can see your reserve pilot chute or you can fit a line or a finger under the pop top it might need to be tightened by the rigger that packed it)...If he tightens it and you can still see a gap or fit a line under then maybe he did not do a good job packing the PC and spring.
You can use a pull up cord tied to the leg straps to prevent legstraps from sliding up your legs in a sit.
have fun
ramon

[skycat 0]

The trick I used on my reflex to keep the main pin cover from opening while in a sit was to tuck the "shark fin" under only the 2 side flaps not all 3 flaps. It never came un-tucked in freefall that way. On the other hand, I couldn't get pin checks in the plane because the person who checked it would always put it under all 3 flaps instead of just the 2.

[jfields 0]

I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever. Granted that I don't jump a lot, but my pop top is rock-solid through the whole repack cycle. I've seen people whose pop tops are so loose you could easily grab a fist full of fabric. I wouldn't jump it, but they do.
Sometimes my leg straps slide down when I'm sitting and shifting around in the plane. I always double-check to make sure they are in the right position before exit. I can see how they might do the same thing sitflying. What are the pros and cons of pull up cords and bungies. How exactly do they both work and what are the risks associated with using them?
Thanks!
Justin

[billvon 3,120]

>At some point, I'd like to try some basic sitflying or such. I'm looking for opinions
>on whether or not my gear is up for it.
I would say yes, provided:
a) you get the legstrap elastic mod
b) the canopies are a good fit (too-big canopies result in poor main pin protection)
c) the parts are all compatible (i.e. the PC/bridle is original or similar to the original in terms of thickness, bulk etc.)
d) the rig is a good fit on you
e) the rig is adjusted and packed correctly (correct main container closing loop, snugged down reserve PC etc)
Most of the above are true for any rig.
-bill von

[Kirils 1]

My wife and I both jump Reflexes. I've had 3 reserve rides on
the Reflex. (no catapult installed) The last one was a downplane spiral with many line twists. I had to use both hands and pull very hard for cutaway. I strongly recommend
hard cable housings be installled in the risers to prevent this from happening. The rigs are great for freefly. The biggest problem is finding a rigger who can pack the reserve correctly.
If the pack is done properly, the poptop is tight and does not require re-tightening and the container is filled tightly in the yolk area. I believe there were comments on how it's done in the Gear section or on this board.
It's a good rig ...don't sweat it!
Skydiving is not a static excercise with discrete predictability...

[jfields 0]

Quote

I would say yes, provided:
a) you get the legstrap elastic mod
...

I think I'm good on everything else. I'm just trying to visualize how the elastic goes. Also, are there any downfalls to it? Is it something that a rigger can do fairly easily?
Thanks!
Justin

[councilman24 37]

Yes it's easy to do. Here is the only picture I could find, scroll down. http://www.miragesys.com/news.html. The idea is to hold your leg straps together in a sit fly position so they don't slide down your thighs.

[billvon 3,120]

I just went to that site and saw something a little scary. They now have a stiffener plate on their soft reserve handles, which could make it more difficult to peel the velcro away from the harness before pulling it. Add that problem to the problem of lower grip strength on soft handles, and you could have a nasty problem.
-bill von

[eames 0]

I have a G3 with the new stiffener plate. I think if anything, it makes it less difficult to peel the velcro away from the harness. Without the stiffener the velcro is flexible, and can stick to the harness even if you've distorted the handle i.e. twisted it. The stiffener actually gives you something to work with. I like it. I think it's better.
Plus, it can't roll under your harness like other soft handles can, so it eliminates an even bigger concern.
Jason