rjp 1 #1 December 26, 2003 Santa, thanks for the new toys! I'm debating the "safety" pros and cons of just going with the chincup (able to ditch quickly if needed) or also re-attaching the standard chinstrap along with the chincup (in case the chincup strap gets unbuckled somehow). Any words of wisdom from you or Rudolph? Any personal bad experiences using either set-up? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
linestretch 0 #2 December 27, 2003 chin cup all the way dude.my pics & stuff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjp 1 #3 December 27, 2003 Thanks Linestretch....mainly wondering if most of you have the second chinstrap attached IN ADDITION to the chincup...I can see positives and negatives of each...Just curious about personal opinions of why JUST the chincup or BOTH the chincup and chinstrap and why. Photo of helmet and chincup/chinstrap design attached with first post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #4 December 27, 2003 I like my Hawkeye TM and the fact that it uses both the cup and the strap. I couldn't tell where on your helmet the release and/or adjustments for the cup are, but on my Hawkeye the cup adjusts externally. I know it's not a high probability that the chincup will come off in the air, but I like the idea that the strap is there to save the helmet and camera gear if it happens. I don't have a cutaway system on this helmet yet, but there will be by spring. I need to figure out how to cutaway both straps.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjp 1 #5 December 27, 2003 Revjim, photos of chincup release. The other side of the chincup is fixed/permanent. I"m leaning towards re-attaching the standard chinstrap also but just a little concerned that without a quick release I would have to deal with TWO straps to ditch it in an emergency. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #6 December 27, 2003 If you can't afford to throw the entire helmet away... you don't need to be jumping video. The chin cup is a great stabilizer and its easy to tell the difference between video shot with a chin cup, and shot with out. I cut the chin strap off my helmet since I want as little as possible between me and a break away of the helmet. The little rachets on chin cups do not release under a lot of pressure and they are extremely hard to find if your head is shaking. Now try and release the rackets and then have to reach back up and undo the buckle on the strap.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #7 December 27, 2003 QuoteIf you con't afford to throw the entire helmet away... you don't need to be jumping video. The chin cup is a great stabilizer and its easy to tell the difference between video shoot with a chin cup, and shot with out. I cut the chin strap off my helmet since I want as little as possible between me and a break away of the helmet. The little tension things on chin cups do not release unser a lit of pressure and they are extremely hard to find if your head is shaking. Now try and release the rackets and then have to reach back up and undo the buckle on the strap. I fully understand what you are saying, Phree. I was saying I want a true quick release system that will ditch both straps on a single pull, but like having the standard strap there for the oh fuck I got bumped and lost my helmet in freefall kinda mistake. I know, it's all relative, and anything that can go wrong probably will someday. I still like the idea of both straps, but I want a single cutaway system for both. FYI, since I don't have a quick release on the standard strap (yet), right now I do not buckle it. I'm using the chin cup only. When I figure out a way to install a single point release for both straps (they do not connect at the same point on the helmet), I'll be using both again. This all doesn't really matter right now either,i guess, as I don't even have the cameras mounted yet, and won't till I have another 40 or 50 Bird Man jumps minimum, and then it's only going to be video. Stills I'll add back later. I have no problem ditching the entire setup if need be, by the way.It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #8 December 27, 2003 Look at this thread and see if it does'nt give you some idea's... http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=273576#273576Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RevJim 0 #9 December 27, 2003 I stand corrected about my Hawkeye. I just checked it over alot more closely, and though both straps are at quite different angles, they do in fact attach at the same point. That solves alot of thinking problems. A QR should be ready by spring. It's your life, live it! Karma RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjp 1 #10 December 27, 2003 Phree, thanks for the advise and the EXCELLENT thread link..some great information... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #11 December 28, 2003 I'll be posting Version 2.1 of the cutaway system after a few more weeks of tweeking it. I have things a lot better in V2.1, issues that a straight pin create are all but eliminated, and it look cooler Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjp 1 #12 December 28, 2003 Come on Eric, hurry up with the 2.1 version post already!!! Just kidding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #13 December 29, 2003 Is that a Cookie Composites helmet? I'm thinking about getting one of those....-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjp 1 #14 December 29, 2003 Masher, the whole set-up (excluding the PC9 of course) is from Cookie Composites. Couple of notes: Jumped the set-up for the first time yesterday...yea, finally got a break in the Ohio weather. Observations: 1) Helmet is the new MXV. fit/comfort is unbelievable... perfect. 2) I really like the chin-cup design the way the ratchet tongue "end" slides into the cup vs. being exposed. (comes standard no charge with the helmet) 3) the internal audible pocket (with the slight bulge like the bonehead) is great (can't even feel the audible) (currently using a pro-track). 4) I like the semi-flat top if I do decide to intall a still camera. 5) I like the flat left side of the helmet designed to accomodate a D-box..totally flush contact with a D-box (reduced line snag potential?) 6) I REALLY like the D-box... outside shell hinged at the top, fixed machine screw to the bottom of the "inner" box that screws to the cameras tripod thread hole (camera is "bolted" to the helmet (at least to the fixed inner box). Overall really nice set-up. (I am having the d-box holes in the helmet grooved so that I can adjust the angle of the box...RW and freefly angle adjustable). NOTE.. . Jason Cook the owner (hi dad) is NOT my father.(sarcasm...cookie composites is in Australia) I just really like the design. Eric (phree), follow-up with the version 2.1 quick release system for the strap(s). Jason, if your out there, also design something you can add as a quick release strap accessory and continue to promote safety. (which leads back to my original post question) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masher 1 #15 December 29, 2003 Cool. I had a look at one when I was in Brisbane a while ago. I didn't get a chance to jump it though... All I have to do now is find some money for the helmet...-- Arching is overrated - Marlies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites