New Gear Arrived - Question

[skynole 0]

I woke up to my doorbell ringing this morning and it was the FEDEX guy with my new Velocity. What a way to start the day...I was like a kid on X-mas morning!!
Picked up my brand new Mirage from my rigger yesterday with a fresh re-pack...I'm fired up for the weekend now (...and my CC company is gonna by fired up for the next couple of years! )

Anyway, I have a quick question about my brake lines. They came with the toggle loop already finger-trapped and bar-tacked. I was under the impression that they would just provide a factory mark where they feel it should be, but you can set your brakes to how you like them. I've been told that PD tends to set their marks on the high-side (shorter brake lines). Now that they went ahead and finger-trapped and bar-tacked it (which is very convenient as long as it's set right), can this be easily undone in case they aren't set to my liking?

Also, anyone out there received a Velo from PD with the brakes already set like this? And if so, were they set right (no deflection of the tail while pulling down the front risers)? Thanks

[Hooknswoop 19]

Having the steering lines finger trapped and bar-tacked is new. I haven't seen PD do that before (but I do wish they would do it on their reserves).

To adjust them is fairly easy. A seam ripper is used to remove the bar tack. The finger-trap is un-done and re-done to the length desired. Then it is either re-bar tacked, zig-zagged, or the new 'no-sew finger trap (depending on the type of line). 10 minutes of work, or less.

Derek

[sducoach 0]

Call PD. My Vengeance came the same way two years ago. It was set at the factory marking. But,
go to the source.

Blues,

J.E>

James 4:8

[riggerrob 643]

I've been told that PD tends to set their marks on the high-side (shorter brake lines).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Funny, I have had the opposite experience. Dozens of customers complained that when I tied the toggles on at the factory marks (on all models of PD canopies) that the steering lines were too long and the canopy was not responsive enough.
For some silly reason, the average skydiver seems to prefer his steering lines so short that the tail is always pulled down a bit.

[mouth 0]

My new Sabre2 brake lines were not tacked at all. They were also quite long for me. When I got shorter risers it was even worse. All we did was unknot them, pull out the figher trapping and reset them. Now I don't have to flare all the way to my knees to shut her down.

I curious why they bartack some mains and not others???

--
Hot Mama
At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

I bought a new Sabre2 from PD a few months back and the steering lines were not finger trapped and bar-tacked... it arrived in the traditional fashion with the toggles needing to be tied on the the excess finger trapped. Maybe this is really new for PD or maybe they're just doing it on the really high performance stuff to make sure the break setting is done just so? Or maybe they're just not doing it on Spectra??

Anyway, I'd agree that the factory break setting on "new" PD canopies seems "long", but I've always just tied them off at the factory mark and then taken a wrap after un-stowing the breaks once uncer canopy. When I get to the point... number of jumps... where you don't have to take a wrap anymore because the lines have shrunk up... its about getting time for a line kit.

[riggergreg 0]

The Velocity is the only PD canopy that comes with the toggle loop preset. Don't know why, but all I've setup in the last year have been

[skynole 0]

Well from all your replies and a couple of PM's of I've got, it seems that PD just does this for Velocities (I haven't checked with PD though...). Maybe they do this to discourage someone from messing with brake settings on Velos????

Anyhow, jumped it this past weekend and the brakes seem to be set just right. No deflection of the tail but plenty of flare.

[Chrisky 0]

You don't really need to undo them at all if you want to _shorten_ the lines. Just thread them through the toggle grommet once or twice (maximum possible i think due to lack of space), which should shorten them up to 2,5 inches.

Like that you can change the Risers quickly.

The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open.
From the edge you just see more.
... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ...

[skynole 0]

Just to follow up...I checked with PD and they do this just for the Velocities because they have very specific brake settings and don't want jumpers changing this. They don't have a window like most other canopies.