Ok time to get my own stuff. (suit,helmet,alti)

[Viking 0]

Ok guys i need you guys to point me in the right direction on this one. I will have about $500 from my paycheck. I need to know what companies make good products that will last me a long time.
I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver

[AndyMan 7]

Altimeter: Only one real choice here.... Altimaster III. You get what you pay for. Roughly $150, I think.
Goggles: Pretty much any will do. Don't pay more then $20. Find ones you like the look of. The funky ones will last a year or two of heavy use, the cheap ones will last longer. Spend any more then $20, you'll look better, but you'll be pissed when you lose them.
Helmet: Can't go wrong with a Pro-Tec, but you'll lose points for style. I fly a Z1 which I hate. Some people have better luck with the Z1 then me, but if you do get a bad one you're hosed because their customer service sucks. If you want a full face go for the Oxygen. My freefly helmet is a Velocity, was a good helmet at a great price. Roughly $150 for the Velocity, $300 for the Oxygen.
Jumpsuits: The following companies make good suits. Pick the one where the syle intersects the price you're willing to pay for. All the comapnies listed below make good quality suits, but the price difference reflects the options available. Pay anywhere between $150 and $350 depending on options.
Tony Suit
Michigan Suit
AirWear by Wendy (_Am ownes one, loves it)
Bev Suit
Merlin (_Am ownes one, loves it)
Jump Bubble (out of business?)
Freedom Means Choice (least expensive)
Dakine Rags (most expensive)
plus a few others I've forgotten.... I'm sure other people will chime in.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[Viking 0]

when it comes to a jumpsuit, i just want somthing that won't split open in freefall. This has happened to me twice, the second time the fabric and my t-shirt got blown over my handles! Oh ya do booties cost more??
I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver

[AndyMan 7]

*everything* costs more.
If jumpsuits were cars, they'd charge extra for doors.
I have personal experience with all the jumpsuits I mentioned, except for "Freedom Means Choice". I only mentioned them because they seem to have a lot of fans around here. All of the manufacturers I mentioned make good, quality suits that won't blow up on you. Get them done custom, and you'll have a suit that is perfect for your fall rate.
Get the booties, if you're not ready for them (I forget what your experience level is) then just tuck them up inside your suit-legs
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[lazerq3 0]

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Altimeter: Only one real choice here.... Altimaster III. You get what you pay for. Roughly $150, I think.

YUP!!!

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Goggles: Pretty much any will do. Don't pay more then $15. Find ones you like the look of. The funky ones will last a year or two of heavy use, the cheap ones will last longer. Spend any more then $20, you'll look better, but you'll be pissed when you lose them

YUP!!!!

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Helmet: Can't go wrong with a Pro-Tec, but you'll lose points for style

YUP!!!! But I am also going to be a little biased!! I have an Aviator with the Internal aud pockets and love this helmet...very comfortable and very stylish (i think) and its feels pretty solid....yes its not as solid as a protec but it feels like it could take some good hits...DOESNT feel cheap!!

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Jumpsuits: The following companies make good suits. Pick the one where the syle intersects the price you're willing to pay for. All the comapnies listed below make good quality suits, but the price difference reflects the options available. Pay anywhere between $150 and $350 depending on options.

YUP!!! Also you might want to look for used!!! I bought mine form my DZ at a very good price and its still in good condition!!
jason

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

I tried an Alti-III and found it it be uncomfortable compared to my FT-50.
When you participate in sporting events, its not whether you win or you're loose, its how drunk you get.

[Viking 0]

Comfort? i just want it to tell me how low i am!
I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver

[indyz 1]

Comfort is a consideration, though. I have skinny fingers and the rubber ring on my Altimaster is quite uncomfortable when I'm under canopy. I'm looking at either sewing a flat cloth loop (which is to say, having my mom sew a flat cloth loop) in place of the ring, or just buying a different mount.
--
Brian

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

Why not just sew some thicker cloth around the current strap?
When you participate in sporting events, its not whether you win or you're loose, its how drunk you get.

[crazymel 0]

Someone else that agrees with me!!!!! That little rubber ring hurts my skinny fingers too!!!! That's why I posted the thread about a different mounting!!
Life is for the LIVING!!!!!

[BadDog 0]

Try a Digitude instead of the Altimaster III. The Digitude is lighter, has a comfortable mount, and includes a light for night jumps. And you can turn it on at altitude (or in freefall) if you want to.
And I love my Z1. Never had a problem. Don't need goggles either.
CorporateLawyerDave aka BadDog

[BPO 0]

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Altimeter: Only one real choice here.... Altimaster III. You get what you pay for. Roughly $150, I think.

Hey AndyMan,
Is there any difference in altimeters? I bought an inexpensive model two years ago, and it works fine.. Is an Alti-3 better in any way?
BlueSkies! BPO.

[SpinDoctor 0]

I was wondering what i would have to use if the rubber ring snapped.... then i thought...."What about a length of goggle elastic? "
Might be a little bit softer on the fingers?!
Rgds Phil
---
If you have to ask - you don't understand

[skybytch 273]

Jumpsuit - look around for a used one that fits you first. If you can't find one, then order custom. You don't _need_ booties on an RW suit, and if you're buying new you can save yourself $50 by not getting them. I would recommend inside leg grippers on an RW suit, and kneepads are a wonderful thing. Pretty much all the manufacturers do an excellent job - my favorite RW suits are built by Flite Suit, Air Time and Bev (mines a FireFly but they are no longer building the RW suit). My favorite freefly suits are built by FireFly, Bev, DaKine and Flite Suit. But don't limit yourself to those manufacturers - the ones I didn't mention all make nice suits too.
Alti - the Alti 3 is nice, but so is the FT50 and the Robnyk Sapphire. I prefer the mount on the Sapphire (two elastic straps instead of the finger ring set up like the Alti and the FT50) because I have skinny fingers too. The Sapphire can also be mounted high on the arm.It's a plastic case, but I've not had a problem with mine, even through some not so pretty landings. Big advantage to the Alti 3 for you is that it's made in the US and comes with a lifetime warranty. Prices are all within about $30 of each other. Look for used first!
Helmet - I like an open face helmet (you won't get any kiss passes wearing a full face ). The Aviator and Bonehead Mindwarp are my favorites. If you don't have to look cool and want to spend more of that money on jumps, get a Protec - they provide decent protection and you can mount an audible in one with some effort.
pull & flare,
lisa
[subliminal msg]My website Go Now[/subliminal msg]

[Merrick 0]

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"Freedom Means Choice (least expensive)"

As for a jumpsuit, if you're looking to save some serious money, you might try Tad's Sportswear in Australia. Pam & I both have custom made freefly suits from them and both were less than $160 (which included shipping). They're very solid suits that hold up very well, and they look excellent. I believe Brandon & Laura ordered some RW suits as well & were equally happy with them. I'm not sure what they would cost you now, I haven't checked the exchange rate in a while, but you wouldn't be disappointed.
Altimeter: Regardless of what anyone says, ANY altimeter will do. However, I got my Alti III brand new for $100 (from Gravity Gear), and Pam bought a used FT-50 for $95 (I think), so the deals are out there, you just have to be patient until you find one.
Helmets: You should be able to find just about anything you want used. Pam & I both bought our Z1's used and absolutely love them. They fit great, and work great. The only problem I've had with mine is the neck liner pulling off, a little contact cement fixed that wonderfully. :o)
Anyway, just some ideas if you're looking to save some cash.
Blues!
"Pammi's Hemp/Skydiving Jewelry"

[AggieDave 6]

For a helmet, go to a local skate shop, you'll find some cool Pro-Tec variations. That's where I found mine, its sort of like a Pro-Tec halfshell, but shaped a little differently. It's cool, trust me. It stays on my head doing stands and sits (which I was worried about, since it is a half shell). Oh, and it cost like $25!
A human cannonball, I rise above it all
Up higher then a trapeze, I can fly

[AndyMan 7]

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Is there any difference in altimeters? I bought an inexpensive model two years ago, and it works fine.. Is an Alti-3 better in any way?

Altimaster is the only one I can think of with a lifetime waranty. They've got truely excellent service. They'll have reps at boogies replacing lenses and velcro for free.
My friend dropped his on concrete, broke it. They fixed it. Free. He was even honest about how it broke...
There is an Altimaster 5 out there. Avoid it, they suck. Altimaster III is the way to go.
_Am
ICQ: 5578907
MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com
AIM: andrewdmetcalfe
Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999

[lummy 4]

Please correct me if I'm wrong on this....
The lifetime warranty on the alti 3 is not transferable. In other words, if you buy used, you will have to pay for repair.
I've jumped with both the Alti 3 and the Saphire and the Alti looks to be more accurate (IMO) when checked against others on the plane. I also had it tested against an Alti 2 and it was a little off as well.
I do like the Saphire , it is very comfortable and what I jump with. But I am also at a point where it is just another reference point
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?

[AggieDave 6]

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when checked against others on the plane

Remember, nothing is very accurate in the plane.
A human cannonball, I rise above it all
Up higher then a trapeze, I can fly

[Dumpster 0]

Alti- I have an FT-50 - have had no problems with it- Main reason for my choice was the boldface numbers on the face-
I also have a Z-1 for a skid lid, and have no issues with it other than fogging once in a while, but usually not until under canopy where I open it up anyways-
My open face right now is a Pro-Tec, but next one will be a Hurricane-
Check out www.zutesute.com for jumpsuits - Lots of us up here at East Troy have 'em and love'em. Small company- great quality!
Wanna buy a duck?

[Dumpster 0]

Oops! I screwed up! ZuteSute's website is still under construction- But if you know some one who has one I'm sure you'll get good reviews-
Wanna buy a duck?

[steve1 5]

Another idea is to keep checking the used classified sections for some of this gear. You can save big dollars and I haven't been screwed yet (but that is always a possibility). It's kind of fun looking for good deals also. One of the altimeters I use on a regular basis is an old ALTI 2. I bought it new, about 30 years ago. It still works fine. Steve

[lummy 4]

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Remember, nothing is very accurate in the plane.

Yeah, very good point Dave. That and IIRC an altimeter can be off by up to + or - 500 ft.
My first jump using my sapphire, it still saying 1000 ft when I was making my turn into final (about 300ft), DEFINITELY freaked me out. What I think it happened is that I was so intent on ZERO'ing it out (twice on the ground, once in the plane before taking off) that I tweaked it out. If I zero it ONCE and leave it, it is fine although usually reports lower than the alti's on the load
Conjunction Junction, what's your function?

[pilotdave 0]

I have a Bev suit, a protec and a Z1, and an alti 3. I think I would have been better off with an FT-50, althought the alti3 has been changed recently so some of the things I don't like about mine may have changed. First of all, I hate the big elastic ring like everyone else. I usually wear gloves just so the altimeter fits me better, but I made my last couple jumps without them. I stick 3 fingers through the ring with no gloves on (2 with gloves). The rubber is pretty hard and has a little sharp edge around the middle which is quite uncomfortable. I have small wrists, so the wristband is WAY too long for me. I guess I could probably cut it shorter but I'd rather not mess with it. With no gloves I have to find creative ways to take up the slack so it doesnt whip me. Other than comfort though, the FT-50 has other advantages. I believe this has changed in the new alti3s, but the FT-50 has a field replacable lens and the alti, when i bought it, didnt. If i break the lens it's gotta go back to the factory to get fixed. Also a lot of people have mentioned the lifetime warranty. I could be wrong but I think when i got mine it was only a 10 year warranty. Pretty good still, but its not the same as lifetime (according to my plans anyway). The FT-50 had a bigger face and larger numbers, but the new alti's are about the same I think.
For the jumpsuit, I like my Bevsuit but it's all I've used so I can't really compare it to anything. For helmets, you might want to start with something cheap then decide what you might want. If you know you want a fullface, I've never heard anything bad about the oxygen. I like my Z1 so far but we'll see how it is down the road. If you don't know if you want an RW style helmet or freefly style, go with a protec or something to start and decide later. Hope this helps,
Dave
http://www.skydivingmovies.com

[wlie 0]

You gotta have a hook knife. And may I suggest a Benchmade, Model 5 Rescue Hook. And the handle doubles as a bottle cap opener - very important after the last load...