Now that I know I am getting an FX..

[masterrigger1 2]

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Now, Mel has recently PM'd me to take issue with my statements about my steering line mods vs. the dome slider, and even suggested that I have made my canopy more hazardous to fly.

I NEVER said it was more Hazardous to fly!
I said that the loss of flare was a problem!

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2)He knows about the effectiveness of the line mod on the older Sabre 1 canopies, but has stated to me that the line mod is a band-aid, and that the dome slider is the real fix.

True!

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3)He seems to have a vested interest in whether or not the dome slider continues to be purchased by FX/VX owners to fix their openings, while I have none.

The profit margin is greater with the line mod verus the Domed slider. So what is the interest!

MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com

[murps2000 86]

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but I will tell you an interesting story which Mel has made fairly clear to me that he wouldn't want you to hear.



Really?! I don't remember anything like that!
Clue us in!

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I will admit that this is an inference on my part, based on our PM exchange. If this is in error, than I will stand corrected, and continue to tell my story to anyone who may be interested.

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I remember the PM's between us regarding FX's and openings, domed sliders, and brake set changes.

You made your upper control lines longer in the center of the canopy if I recall correctly.

The end results are this: a domed slider will give you great on heading and soft openings.

Offsetting the uppers will result in a loss of flare power on the FX.

You are the first person to not approve of the domed slider.
I have almost 200 of them out in the field and everyone else loves them.
the offer still stands, if you do not like it I will give you a full refund.
Actually, I just installed one on my 104 FX and love it.
I am going to build one for my 84 VX this week.
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Of course everyone loves dome sliders if it's a choice between using one and getting slammed. Perhaps that would change if they knew of another way to gain the same benefit, without the cumbersome slider and all that using it entails. I haven't put my dome slider next to a strong tandem slider, but that is what it reminds me of. I admitted to you that the dome slider does indeed work as advertised, but our difference of opinion centers on which fix is a band-aid, and which is an actual solution to the problem. My issues with the dome slider have little to do with how it makes the canopy open, but a lot to do with what I had to deal with after it opened. One of those issues cannot be resolved with a dome slider.

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I NEVER said it was more Hazardous to fly!
I said that the loss of flare was a problem!

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That's right, you didn't say that. In your PM you said this:

"The larger Sabre 1's were the first I know to do it and they did it in a different way than the method you have on your canopy.

The problem with doing it on a FX is two fold:

First is closing speed on opening relative to another jumper, it is increased!

Second is loss of performance and landing flare.

The second may or may not apply to you depending on your experience level."


To me this is a suggestion that it makes the canopy more hazardous to fly. Not to jump, but to fly.


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2)He knows about the effectiveness of the line mod on the older Sabre 1 canopies, but has stated to me that the line mod is a band-aid, and that the dome slider is the real fix.

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True!



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3)He seems to have a vested interest in whether or not the dome slider continues to be purchased by FX/VX owners to fix their openings, while I have none.

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The profit margin is greater with the line mod verus the Domed slider. So what is the interest!

***


My line mods cost me less than your slider did, but only a little. When I ordered my dome slider, you asked me my canopy size and serial number, then built it. As I stated in our PM exchange, you also built it quite well. To perform line mods you would need the canopy to be sent to you at a bit of an inconvenience to the owner, correct? Might something like that possibly affect sales? I don't know, but maybe. Regardless, this is useless speculation. I have absolutely no interest in whether or not you sell dome sliders. I only made the statement about your potentially vested interest so that Rhino could reasonably weigh my opinion against that of you or anyone else who prefers the dome slider fix.

I don't know you personally and I certainly can't state that you are dishonest in any way that you conduct your rigging business. You delivered the product that I ordered from you, and I told you already that I don't need a refund. I simply ordered that product without knowing what I know now.

I couldn't care less about the money, at this point. What I would really just like is for the straight truth about what exactly is up with hard opening FX/VX canopies, as well as the issues with Precision and the Crossfire 1. I would really like it if that information were out there for all skydivers. As I've stated to you already, I think Icarus has great canopy designs, but what I've seen over the years and my experience in particular has made me a little apprehensive about buying anything other than a GLX from them.

[masterrigger1 2]

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My line mods cost me less than your slider did, but only a little. When I ordered my dome slider, you asked me my canopy size and serial number, then built it. As I stated in our PM exchange, you also built it quite well. To perform line mods you would need the canopy to be sent to you at a bit of an inconvenience to the owner, correct? Might something like that possibly affect sales? I don't know, but maybe. Regardless, this is useless speculation. I have absolutely no interest in whether or not you sell dome sliders. I only made the statement about your potentially vested interest so that Rhino could reasonably weigh my opinion against that of you or anyone else who prefers the dome slider fix.

What I was trying to say was it only takes me about 20-25 minutes and $10.00 worth of material to do the line mod ($65.00)versus 2 hours and $35.00 worth of materials to make a Domed slider($145.00). So from that standpoint you would think I would promote the line mod, but I do not.

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I don't know you personally and I certainly can't state that you are dishonest in any way that you conduct your rigging business. You delivered the product that I ordered from you, and I told you already that I don't need a refund. I simply ordered that product without knowing what I know now.

I couldn't care less about the money, at this point. What I would really just like is for the straight truth about what exactly is up with hard opening FX/VX canopies, as well as the issues with Precision and the Crossfire 1. I would really like it if that information were out there for all skydivers. As I've stated to you already, I think Icarus has great canopy designs, but what I've seen over the years and my experience in particular has made me a little apprehensive about buying anything other than a GLX from them.

[murps2000 86]

Very well spoken...

Thank you, I try.

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...and your opinion is valued and honored here!
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Since I don't see this: , I can only guess at the possible sarcasm.

Valued? Possibly by a few. Honored? I doubt it. Again, none of it matters. I believe that the truth will continue to elude the majority of us. Too bad. Icarus continues to raise the bar with their designs. I would jump right back on the bandwagon if I knew what I wanted to know. But perhaps the fact that I don't know what it's like to run a company that designs, manufactures, and markets cutting edge canopies keeps me from understanding what might be obvious to those who do.

[masterrigger1 2]

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Since I don't see this: , I can only guess at the possible sarcasm.

No sarcasm was included.... honest reponse!

MEL

Skyworks Parachute Service, LLC
www.Skyworksparachuteservice.com