packing_jarrett 0 #1 November 28, 2006 Really getting into the idea of getting an rds. I'm kind of confused about all the different styles and kinds. I'd like to know what the most popular ones are. Pros and cons of each system and maybe the whole rds idea. Here's some pics I've obtained. I did a search and haven't found any pics of an RDS so here you go. How hard would it be to make an rds. Looking at the picture its like less than $75 worth of material. *sorry for all the polls. I think I'm in a poll stage of dz.comNa' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #2 November 28, 2006 I am very happy with my Para-Concepts RDS. They're aren't the only guys on the block, but they do make a good product. My slider works just as good as the default slider. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMURRAY 1 #3 November 28, 2006 if those are custom machined stainless rings they probably cost 25 bucks each - at least. I have a paraconcepts now, I had skyworks before. both are good. I would have bought one of gregs but he was not quite ready to go at the time. rm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #4 November 28, 2006 Look dude, I think you might be missing the actual point of an RDS. It is to remove drag for competition swooping. True, taking the bag and pilot chute off is only a small portion of the actual system, but it adds quite a few complexities to the opening process. If I were you I would take the money that you are going to use in an RDS and get a few more jumps. You only have 350 jumps, are jumping a crossfire 99 at 1.6 and are a young dude fueled by testosterone. I know where you are coming from I was there, and when I look back I am amazed that I survived the stupid shit that I did back then. I just turned 29 yesterday, and I have seen a lot in this sport, but I realize that I don't know a damn thing compared to the experts like Ian Drennan, Stuporsue I mean SuperStu, Joe Bennet, Mel, Paul Russow, and countless others. Take you time in this sport dude, because if you go blazing through it you will either get burned out or you will die. Forget about an RDS right now, and use the money to buy jump tickets. You can purchase all the high speed low drag shit out there, but none of it will help you gain experience, and experience is what wins competitions and keeps you part of the living. Good luck out there dude, and please be carefull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #5 November 28, 2006 The only removable slider failures I have ever seen were on those with releases like you posted in your pics. Pressure on the loop will cause that suspension line to jam. Earlier versions used a sort of toggle tit to hold the loop and they were worse. Cutaway cable releases that go through the loop and where the excess is stowed in channels are MUCH more secure and release MUCH more easilly. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #6 November 28, 2006 Yeah dude didn't mean to catch an edge on that one. like I said to another person I'm not looking for extra performance but I need a solution to stowing my slider faster. Right now it really is a pain in the ass. I'm really not going to buy an rds because its just too much for me. But really I can either not stow my slider at all. or buy an rds. But I know considerable difference when I do take the 45+ seconds when I stow my slider. "I'll probably piss an moan like an inconsiderate jerk"-Jim CareyNa' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #7 November 28, 2006 QuoteI'm really not going to buy an rds because its just too much for me. But really I can either not stow my slider at all. or buy an rds. But I know considerable difference when I do take the 45+ seconds when I stow my slider So which one is it? To buy or not to buy? :) hey did you ever think of more practice for stowing the slider? I mean it's not that hard, man, everyone does it and it takes about the same amount of time as it does to remove it. Plus free practice is always better then spending money. BTW, if you want to avoid a voice of reason (Spizzzarko, in this case) - there is always the option of adding another zero to your jump numbers and nobody will ever question your reason to get RDS. Instant respect and a state of bliss. :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packing_jarrett 0 #8 November 28, 2006 ah dude I respect everyones opinion... unless they're a complete fag. Practice is probably what I need but are you serial when you say it take just as long to remove the slider than it is to stow it. I would of guessed it would be way way way waaaaaay faster to just pull the lines and boom have it off and all in your shirt. "IF" I had a RDS I would leave the d-bag and pc attached to the canopy anyways.Na' Cho' Cheese Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miami 0 #9 November 28, 2006 Why is it taking so long to stow your slider?Miami Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #10 November 28, 2006 What ever you are used to is going to be faster. An RDS will add some time to your packing. I have said once you go RDS you will never go back, but I mean that for people who will benefit from the removable slider the most. If you are doing working jumps, or are just a fun jumper then an RDS / Remoavable slider (they are pretty much one in the same) is not really for you. You can reason all you want and tell yourself that you need an RDS, but in all actuallity you dont. People got along just fine without them for the 15 or so years before they became mainstream. The problem with RDS's is if you get in a hurry and misrig the damn thing then you are in for a world of hurt. The more options and contraptions you ad to your opening sequence the more that can go wrong. These RDS's are NOT proven technology. Also it is not WAAAAAAY faster to real in a bag and pilot chute and slider and all that shit. Honestly the only reason I have not gone back to the stock slider is because most of my jumps are the hop and pops. I do AFF with the removable slider, but I just do not want to change back and forth several times a day. Also you will want to sew pockets on your jump suits instead of stuffing it because if you stuff it down your shirt you look like you have tits. Take a gander at the picture of Chuck owen doing the switchblade tick jockey (who the fuck came up with the term tick jockey?) on canopy piloting.com. He is sporting a pair of saggy D's in that pic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frost 1 #11 November 28, 2006 It takes me about 10-15 seconds to collapse and stow my non-removable slider on the ball attached to the yoke of my container, and that is when i take the time to roll it really tight. I am guessing I could rubber band it to the ball in 5 seconds after I have full canopy over my head if i didnt care to roll it much. Granted i have done it many many times, and even still there are times when i tumble it and it takes me longer. It also takes me about 5-10 seconds to pull the RDS slider off, open the zipper and shove into my suit. Sometimes longer if the slider folded funny after it came down and i have to find the release cables. I may be wrong but i think it's safe to say that speed of removal is an added benefit, not a main feature of RDS sliders. If that's the ONLY reason you want an RDS... then you should give practicing stowing the slider behind your head another chance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vdschoor 0 #12 November 28, 2006 QuoteBut I know considerable difference when I do take the 45+ seconds when I stow my slider. I've got 2000 jumps with a collapsable slider that is just pulled down to the three rings and it works just fine.. takes about 5 seconds... Just take it easy, and save all the hot toys for later when you're ready for competition swooping.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #13 November 28, 2006 Quotesave all the hot toys for later when you're ready for competition swooping Yes sometimes I wonder why some people want the latest tools. Is this because the person next to them has it or is it because they're competing against others in formal competitions and they're looking for all the help they can get. It took me well over a year into my (very short) competitive swooping career before I went to an RDS and I only did this because the vast majority of the people I all of a suddden found myself competing against had one. Why do people who fly canopies like Spinettos need HMA lines? (it could be any other non cross-braced canopy, I don't really want to pick on Spinettos). I know in a different thread I mentioned to Alex (cacaphony or whatever his user name is) that he should get himself a removeable slider. But I know he's a competitive swooper (I've competed against the guy) and I know he's got plenty of experience. Early on when I was getting some swoop coaching, it was mentioned to me that it doesn't matter what lines you have or what slider setup you have. If you're not flying your canopy efficiently, all these toys aren't going to help and they could hurt you if you don't hook up your RDS correctly. So I do agree with Grant here that spending the money on jumps is a much better idea than getting an RDS. Save the RDS for when you're a competitive swooper and are looking for an edge. With that said though, it sure is nice to take the slider off. So I guess we all have a little hypocrite in us. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #14 November 28, 2006 QuoteI just turned 29 yesterday, and I have seen a lot in this sport Happy belated birthday Grant. You'll always be a young punk in my old (yes I am a POPS member thanks thanks to Mar) eyes. But you have been in the sport longer than I have, so I must assume that you've seen more than I have. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #15 November 28, 2006 Quotewho the fuck came up with the term tick jockey TJ. tick jockey. get it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #16 November 28, 2006 No wonder it's gay... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #17 November 28, 2006 Yea I have seen my fair share of fucked up things. The human femur is a really big bone, and to see those stick out of the body is not cool. Also having three friends bounce within about a year of each other hasn't helped (Josh, Maryanne, Tony Repasky). Have you gotten over your not taking the JVX to terminal thing yet? I seem to remember you not liking the terminal openings. Did your RDS help out any, and how does your canopy like being flown with all the stuff off? Have you gotten a hybrid JVX or are you still on the ZP model? Stay warm. It is supposed to get really cold here tonight. Arizona, Mexico, Hawaii, or Africa is sounding really nice right now. I'm becoming more and more intollerant of the cold the older I get. hahahaa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #18 November 28, 2006 QuoteYea I have seen my fair share of fucked up things. The human femur is a really big bone, and to see those stick out of the body is not cool. Also having three friends bounce within about a year of each other hasn't helped (Josh, Maryanne, Tony Repasky). I've yet to have the pleasure of seeing a femur thanks to a skydiving injury (give it time I'm sure it will happen), but I was a ski patroller for 4 years in the late 80s early 90s so I have seen my share of blood and gore. Plus I'm up to five people I've known who've bounced (3 skydiving, 2 in BASE) and Josh by far is the closest friend I've had who's bounced. It's not like Josh and I were best buds (people like Horn-dog, Chester-the-Molester and Ross'coe were much closer to him than I was), but he was a good friend nonetheless who's no longer with us and he will be missed. QuoteHave you gotten over your not taking the JVX to terminal thing yet? I seem to remember you not liking the terminal openings. Did your RDS help out any, and how does your canopy like being flown with all the stuff off? Have you gotten a hybrid JVX or are you still on the ZP model? Yes I'm kind of over the terminal JVX thing-a-ma-bob (and while I really like my RDS, it isn't the reason why I'm over the openings). I had one bad opening resulting in a reserve ride early on which kind of spooked me, but I think I'm over it now. I just need to make sure I'm never complacent once that PC has been tossed. Plus the 87 seems to have better openings than the old 96. But no my 87 is ZP (it's Shimmel's old canopy) and I'm not so certain I will be buying anything new anytime soon. I sure hope to attend a few PST events this season (the one in FL in January looks like the bomb), but my PST career likely won't be a very long one. Age and currency being up here in the frozen tundra could really hurt me (in more ways than one). I have talked to one of the Alberta DZOs and he's given me the blessing to hold some CPC type swoop comps at his DZ next summer. But our season is only six months long and I want to make sure people are practicing running the gates before we hold any formal competitions. So we might only be able to hold 3 swoop comps here next summer. Time will tell. QuoteStay warm. It is supposed to get really cold here tonight. Dude unless your temps get down to -25F with your windchills in the -40F range, you guys have no idea what cold is. We're supposed to warm up here starting tomorrow (and be around 32F by the weekend), but we've been dealing with some downright dangerous tempuratures here in Alberta these last few days. Global Warming my ass. QuoteI'm becoming more and more intollerant of the cold the older Living in Colorado for 8 years and BC for another year turned me into a wussy-chimp when it comes to cold weather. But I'm sure this will all change now that I'm back in Alberta (a place very very similar to Colorado, just colder come winter time). Later you punk ass kid. Of course the only ones who are even more of a punk ass than yourself is that Ryan guy you seem to like and let's not forget Keith. He's the king of punk asses. I miss CO. I miss the pond. Some American girl needs to marry me. It's not like I'm poor or anything like that. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chachi 0 #19 November 29, 2006 forget removing your bag for now but an rds is a great solution vs. stowing it. it improves vision and takes no time at all to learn how to remove and stow. i concur with getting a pocket so you don't look like you have tits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #20 November 29, 2006 Quoteso you don't look like you have tits. . Who cares. If the top swooper in the world had C-cup Moobs all the wanna-be swoopers would want to have moobs as well. The top swooper wouldn't care about his moobs and all the other swoopers talking about his moobs because he's the best swooper that year. Personally stuff like that really doesn't bother me, but I could see getting a pocket for comfort. Hence my choice of clothing.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #21 November 29, 2006 She's a man, baby! yea! She's a MAN! Attached is what I mean about Man Boobs. If he was anny fatter he would look like Peter Griffen swooping! hahahaha I have sewn huge pockets onto my jump suits to contain the RDS burrito when removed. I have them on the front of my leg, and it looks like I have a giant package! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #22 November 29, 2006 Well, the moobs are in place, now he needs to become the top swooper. QuoteI have them on the front of my leg, and it looks like I have a giant package! Now you're talking! I guess that would be better then on the back of the leg where it looks like your turn made you skerd (redneck translation: "scared").--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #23 November 29, 2006 QuoteWell, the moobs are in place, now he needs to become the top swooper. I know i have a pic of todd somewhere that looks similar to that. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vectracide 0 #24 November 30, 2006 ---jarrett--- Have you considered having slider stows sewn into your risers? All you do is collapse it and pull it down deep into the "v" of the risers and the sewn on triangle pops thru the grommets....and it stays there. Nothing attatched to your reserve flap.....no issues with packing....no malfuction worries. If you think that having a RDS is going to make you happier...your so wrong......they are a friggin pain in the ass. Pain to pack, pain to roll and stow, and never ending fear of dropping your $250 investment on EVERY jump (not including the d-bag and PC in most cases that have posted here.) Thats like taking your helmet off every jump for the fun of it.....and dangling it above the ground at 3k, knowing that if you drop it....you'll never find it. ----Spizzz--- Too bad his initials aren't DJ. A Carly Simon song comes to mind....... -----Canuck----- When you say new tools.........would the JVX be included in that list? ------------------------------ Controlled and Deliberate..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spizzzarko 0 #25 November 30, 2006 He probably thinks this post was written about him.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites